Introduction to Amazon Echo and Dot Instructors David Kirsch CCHSV Programs Director Mary O Neill CCHSV Webmaster 1
Amazon Echo $179 Release date: November 6, 2014 Dimensions: 9.3 in. x 3.3 in. x 3.3 in. Weight: 37.5 oz. Connectivity: WiFi and Bluetooth Power: Plugs into a wall outlet Microphone Array: 7 piece Audio: 360-degree sound (2.5 inch woofer and 2.0 inch tweeter) Alexa: Yes (Always-on/always-listening/voice-activated) Colors: Black or white Price: $179 2
Echo Dot (2 nd Generation) $49 Release date: September 2016 Dimensions: 1.3 in. x 3.3 in. x 3.3 in. Weight: 5.7 oz. Power: Plugs into a wall outlet Connectivity: WiFi and Bluetooth Audio: Built-in speaker for voice feedback when not connected to external speakers. 3.5 mm stereo audio output for use with external speakers Alexa: Yes (Always-on/always-listening/voiceactivated) Colors: Black or white Price: $49 3
Echo Dot (2 nd Generation) It's basically just the top section of Amazon Echo, but equally as smart. The main difference between Dot and Echo is that the full-size speaker is gone. The idea is you'll hook Dot up to your own audio setup (via out jack or Bluetooth), so you can use Alexa with your existing speakers. That tiny speaker won't output much audio; it's only for Alexa voice feedback (which, again, requires Wi-Fi). The new Echo Dot is available to buy in a six-pack and 12-pack. For those opting for multiple Echo Dots around their home though, Amazon has introduced a feature that will mean only one Echo Dot, and the closest one, will respond to your request. Amazon Echo is not required to use Echo Dot. 4
Echo Show $229 Echo Show brings you everything you love about Alexa, and now she can show you things. Watch video flash briefings, Amazon Video content, and YouTube, see music lyrics, security cameras, photos, weather forecasts, to-do and shopping lists, browse and listen to Audible audiobooks, and more. All hands-free just ask. 5
6
How to Set Up Your Echo & Connect to WiFi In the Amazon Alexa App, click: Help & Feedback Select Echo Getting Started With Echo Set Up Your Echo 7
Alexa App Home View recent interactions with Alexa Now Playing View and control tracks playing on your device, show upcoming tracks in the queue, and view your history. Music & Books Find songs, stations, shows, Kindle books, and audiobooks to listen to on your Alexa device. Shopping & To-do Lists View and manage your shopping and to-do lists. Skills Find and turn on skills that add various voice-driven capabilities to your Alexa device. 8
Smart Home Manage smart home devices linked to Alexa. Things to Try View a list of example phrases you can say to Alexa Settings Set up your new Alexa device Train Alexa to understand your speech patterns Adjust various Alexa device settings Help & Feedback Find detailed help for your Alexa device and submit feedback about your experience with Alexa. 9
Sync Calendars Supported calendars Apple Link your icloud calendar. Google - Link your Gmail or G Suite calendar accounts. Microsoft Office 365 Calendars Link your supported company/work calendar. For more information, go to Office 365 Calendars on Alexa. Microsoft Outlook.com Calendar - Link personal calendar accounts, including those ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, and @live.com. Link your calendar Launch the Alexa app. Go to the menu and select Settings. Select Calendar. Choose your calendar account from the list of supported providers. Select the "Link" option, and follow the on-screen instructions to allow Alexa to access your calendar. Note: This typically involves entering the sign in information for your calendar account, and verifying that you want to give Alexa access to it. To link your icloud calendar to Alexa, you'll need to use Apple's two-factor authentication process. To learn more, go to Using Your icloud Calendar with Alexa. After you link your account, you may be prompted to select which of the calendars from that account 10
Amazon Music Unlimited Listen to any song with Amazon Music Unlimited plans: Echo Plan (Tens of millions of Songs): $3.99/month (Non Prime Members) Individual Plan (Tens of millions of songs on one account on all devices): $7.99/month or $79/year (Prime Members) or $9.99 (Non Prime) Family Plan (Same as individual except for 6 family members): $14.99/month or $149/year (Prime Members) or $14.99 (Non Prime) 11
Upload Your Music Go to My Music in your Amazon account. Select Upload your music in left column to install Amazon Music for PC. Streams music ad-free Automatically adds music from your itunes and Windows Media Player Syncs music in your cloud library across your devices. 12
13
Hubs Hubs Hue, SmartThings, Wink run a protocol called Zigbee which is how these devices control the lights. These work with the lights or light switches. SmartThings will control SamsThese are setup and forget devices that plug into the router. You must have one of these for certain devices. Will have an application that you control from your phone or tablet. ung TV s. 14
Hue lighting The Cadillac of lighting requires Hue Hub works with special expensive light bulbs The Hue Hub plugs directly into your router no configuration other than tapping on the top button is required to connect to your tablet or Alexa Extensive control of timers, colors, brightness and scenes are available Demo of Hue lighting app 15
Types of Hue Light Bulbs 16
Other Smart Bulbs Control your lights from anywhere with your tablet or smartphone using the free apps (IOS, Android) Dim brightness to customize Lighting and suit your mood Set schedules, timers and count downs and have your lights work around your life No hub required; works with your Wi-Fi router 17
Smart Plugs No Hub required Need one for each plug you want to control. Can turn off and on from anywhere. Can set timers for remote control. Will have an app to setup/control for your phone or tablet. No special light bulbs are required for smart plugs. 18
Environmental Control Smart Thermostats Nest, Honeywell let's you control your thermostat from Alexa or your cell phone from everywhere. Best use turn up the thermostat when you leave on vacation. Turn it back down when you come back before arriving home. Nest is the nicest only if you need a lot of high end features. Alexa can control these devices. 19
Smart locks/video door bells For Front door or garage - quickset/schlage for locks garage door is Chamberlain These devices are NOT I repeat NOT recommended. You don't want to be away from home when the device malfunctions your garage door keeps going up and down or your home unlocks. Doorbells Able to use Alexa to control the video. 20
Amazon add on products Alexa Voice remote let's you command your echo from another room I would just purchase another dot. Fire Stick let's you view Internet TV Channels and use "Alexa" to help with your viewing choices. Fire Tablets have Echo technology built in to them. Dash Buttons - https://www.amazon.com/ddb/learn-more Amazon Dash Wand Is almost an Echo limited functionality can control lights and answer questions and can scan barcodes and put them in your Amazon basket. (Can purchase this for Free) https://www.cnet.com/products/amazon-dash-wand-with-alexa- 2017/review/ 21
Range Extenders and amplifiers TP-Link AC750 Dual Band WiFi Range Extender, Extends WiFi to Smart Home & Alexa - must have a few of these around the house to keep the internet signal strong if you have a large home or many Alexa devices. 22
IFTTT If this then that IFTTT is a free web-based service that people use to create chains of simple conditional statements, called applets. An applet is triggered by changes that occur within other web services such as Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. These are available in addition to the tasks that can be performed using the included application and Alexa commands. 23
24
25
Things to Try 26