Amazon Echo Review- Alexa can do it all

by rmears

Well, Christmas is over and the new year has begun.  If you are like me then you like new cool gadgets.  This year’s gadget which is getting a lot of buzz is the Amazon Echo. Do you remember watching those future movies and the person could do all kinds of things just by talking to their house?  Well, the future is here. 

I received the Echo Dot as a present this year and love it.  One of the main functions it does is annoy the family.  They are already tired of me asking “Alexa what’s in the news?”, “Alexa, play some country music”. I must admit she is the smartest women I have ever met.  No offense to the other women in my life but she knows the scores from all of last night’s games.  She has been so annoying that she got moved to my office and we have been bonding ever since.  After doing a considerable amount of research on her “Skill” set, this device may turn out to be something special.  Not only can it provide me the news, play music or read me a bedtime story, but it can turn on/off lights, control thermostat, add items to my shopping list and keep my calendar in order.  Most of the “Skills” require an associated apps like Pandora or Spotify for music or smart devices like the Home Control Assistant systems to perform the various functions. Most apps are free and the smart devices are moderately priced. Heck, I can even order a pizza just by saying “Alexa order a large pepperoni pizza from domino’s please”.  Now, how great is that!

The main part is the actual Echo device and the associated app that goes on your phone. Once connected to your home WIFI, you are ready to go.  The app is used to configure and enable “Skills” and it even keeps track of past commands. If you really want to drive people crazy, get the Amazon fire stick and play “Alexa Simon Say…”. She will repeat whatever is said next.

People are creating skills all the time and if you are a real technonerd, you can create your own skill set by programming on the developer website.  But for now, just get one and annoy the family, it’s well worth it.- Dan Sexton

One thing that Alexa can not do is access our local MLS to find available homes.
ENTER CITY, ZIP, OR NEIGHBORHOOD BELOW TO SEARCH FOR HOMES. CUSOMIZE YOUR SEARCH BY CLICKING ON ADVANCED(MOBILE USERS CLICK ON THE “NEW PROPERTY SEARCH” BANNER BELOW):
$379,000
$379,000 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Greengate Add Sec Two, Allen
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,388 Sqft
1417 Flameleaf Drive Allen , TX 75002
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$450,000
$450,000 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Willow Grove Ph 1, Lewisville
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2 Baths
1,915 Sqft
2071 Belvedere Drive Lewisville , TX 75067
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$425,000
$425,000 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Paloma Creek South Ph 2, Little Elm
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2 Baths
2,226 Sqft
221 Turnstone Drive Little Elm , TX 75068
Status: Active
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$394,900
$394,900 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Frisco Hills Ph 3b, Little Elm
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,679 Sqft
728 Sundrop Drive Little Elm , TX 75068
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$225,000
$225,000 - 2Br/1Ba -  for Sale in H L Davis Add, Mckinney
2 Beds
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1104 New Street Mckinney , TX 75069
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$400,000 - 2Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Pasquinellis Parker Estates Ph, Plano
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$229,000
$229,000 - 2Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Ridgeline Twnhm Carrollton, Carrollton
2 Beds
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2240 Tarpley Road Unit 462 Carrollton , TX 75006
Status: Active
Property Type: Condominium
$359,000
$359,000 - 3Br/4Ba -  for Sale in Belleville Village Add Ph, Lewisville
3 Beds
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1,879 Sqft
204 Belleville Drive Lewisville , TX 75057
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$410,000
$410,000 - 2Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Trafalgar Square Rev, Carrollton
2 Beds
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3027 Squireswood Drive Carrollton , TX 75006
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Property Type: Townhouse
$280,000
$280,000 - 2Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Carillon Hills Courtyard Homes, Carrollton
2 Beds
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1,381 Sqft
3737 Verlaine Drive Carrollton , TX 75007
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$485,000
$485,000 - 4Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Oakwood Estates, Carrollton
4 Beds
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2,190 Sqft
1319 Stonewood Drive Carrollton , TX 75006
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$419,900
$419,900 - 4Br/4Ba -  for Sale in Chase Oaks Village, Plano
4 Beds
4 Baths
2,052 Sqft
6528 Rutherford Road Plano , TX 75023
Status: Active
Property Type: Townhouse

 

Published on 2017-01-12 14:45:46