Alexa Cast | An Unofficial Journey Of An Amazon Echo User

00:11 Alexa, Tell Me a Dad Joke00:33 Alexa Read the Book (title) on Audible01:01 Alex Play the Podcast (Title)01:43 Alexa Drop In on (Room Name)02:48 Alexa Open Box of CatsOur website is www.alecacast.comMentioned in this episode:Power of Podcasting NetworkFind this and other great podcasting, weight loss and tech shows at powerofpodcasting.comPower of Podcasting

As I record this, the skylines of some large cities in the united states have serious smoke issues in their skyline. There are some air purifiers that can help clean the air of your home. You can also use these devices to monitor and then trigger other Alexa enabled devices.Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor – Know your air, Works with Alexa– A Certified for Humans DeviceAmazon Smart Air Quality Monitor – Know your air, Works with Alexa– A Certified for Humans Device. This is a great "IF" tool if you are trying to set up a "IF this happens, then do This." For example you might have it say when the temperature goes over this temperature, turn on a fan. Check it out on Amazon.Wyze Air Purifier with Allergen filterThis device has three different types of filters you can use. There is an Allergen Filter, a Wildfire Filter, and a Formaldehyde Filter. The unit is super quiet. The precision sensor scans the surrounding air for airborne particles, measures air quality down to 0.3 microns, and adjusts automatically. I n

On this episode of Alexa Cast, we're diving into the world of smart home devices and routines. We'll explore the basics of getting started with routines, finding inspiration within the Alexa app's pre-made templates, and customizing routines to suit individual needs. Dave shares insightful tips and tricks, such as utilizing Fire TV actions to add to your routines and incorporating a "DND" (do not disturb) technique during reading time. We'll also discuss the usefulness of routines, including morning and nighttime routines, screen time tracking, and more. Join us for an informative and entertaining episode that will leave you eager to explore the possibilities of creating routines with Alexa."Mentioned In This EpisodeFire TVAmazon Alexa PageAlexa Routines Page on Amazon*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchasesKey Points- Introduction of the topic of smart home devices and routines- Using the featured routines in the Alexa app as templates- Using Fire TV actions to enhance routines- Creating cu

Today is Prime Day in cases you didn't know. If you're not sure what Amazon Prime is, it's a program where you get free shipping and so much more. More Information (aff link) Speaker Groups You can set up different speakers to be a group. I set up an "Everywhere" group where every device is set to it. Then I set up my notifications to be announced "everywhere." This way instead of having my notification only be on the device on my desk, if I'm in the kitchen I will be notified on the device in the kitchen (and living room, etc). Alexa can even send notifications to your phone (great if you're not home).  In the app, you can have it turn on the "yellow circle" if you miss the notification.   Prime Deals on Amazon Products MORE INFORMATION (AFF LINK)   Mentioned in this episode:Power of Podcasting NetworkFind this and other great podcasting, weight loss and tech shows at powerofpodcasting.comPower of Podcasting

While Amazon Prime Day is October 13th there are also some really cool deals in the Smart Home area and plugs, cameras, echo and other devices are having their prices slashed. Expect to hear a little more from me over the next few days.  CHECK OUT THESE DEALS Mentioned in this episode:Power of Podcasting NetworkFind this and other great podcasting, weight loss and tech shows at powerofpodcasting.comPower of Podcasting

Amazon Announced some new products and new features. New HardWare Echo Show 10 Third Generation: The screen now swivels and follows you.  13-megapixel camera. Brushless motor - silent Check it out on Amazon New Fire Stick Latest release of our best-selling streaming device - 50% more powerful than previous gen for fast streaming in Full HD. Includes Alexa Voice Remote with power and volume buttons. Less clutter, more control - Alexa Voice Remote lets you use your voice to search and launch shows across apps. Plus, control power and volume on your TV and soundbar with a single remote. Home theater audio with Dolby Atmos - Feel scenes come to life with immersive Dolby Atmos audio on select titles with compatible home audio systems. Tens of thousands of channels, Alexa skills, and apps - Including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, and HBO. Subscription fees may apply. 500,000+ movies and TV episodes - With thousands included in your Prime membership. Live TV - Watch your favorite live TV, news,

Originally I thought I was going to be able to take this Echo with a screen and watch YouTube, Apple+ Amazon Prime, and all the other video items I do on a Fire TV stick. While you can it's not as easy.    The video on the Echo Show is more for video calls. They do make it easy for the Food channel (which is great if you have the unit in the kitchen). It also has what appears to be a Hulu app. If you want YouTube you have to open a browser (so again, not as easy as a Fire TV system).    I do like it when I ask to see my calendar it puts it up on the screen. This is the same with my grocery list, flash briefing items, and more. I purchased this for the kitchen but it ended up in my bedroom. At first, I thought I was going to have to manually turn the brightness down, but it turns out if you turn the lights off in your room, the Echo Show can figure this out and it dims automatically, and makes the clock much bigger.    There are other things you can have scroll on the screen. I have uploaded some photographs t

I love reminders. I have a Monday morning meeting. I have it setup (via the app) to remind me every Monday 10 minutes before the meeting. That reminder is announced in my office. What if I'm not in my office? I might miss the alarm.    Reminders On All Devices To get started, open the Alexa app on your phone and select Reminders & Alarms from the menu. Tap Reminders and select Add Reminder. Then type what you want Alexa to remind you about, as well as the date and time you'd like the announcement to be made. Tap Announces From and select All Devices. Now when you set a reminder, Alexa will broadcast it across all your Echo speakers.     Drop In On Your Entire House Dropping in on all devices can be helpful when you're out of the house and need to quickly talk to someone at home (you can do this through the Alexa app), For example, if you want to have a discussion with your family about what to have for dinner. When you're out, you have no idea what room of the house someone is in, so take the guesswork o

Thie Fitbit Versa 2 is an amazing piece of technology. It's a smartwatch that elevates every moment. Use your voice to create alarms, set bedtime reminders or check the weather with Amazon Alexa built-in. Take your look from the gym to the office with its modern and versatile design. See your stats with an always-on display mode. In addition, get Fitbit pay, daily sleep quality scores, apps, notifications, 24/7 heart rate and store 300+ songs for an experience that revolves around you. Check it out at https://amzn.to/2yVABmP Mentioned in this episode:Power of Podcasting NetworkFind this and other great podcasting, weight loss and tech shows at powerofpodcasting.comPower of Podcasting

Alexa Helps You Remember Anything You can now ask Alexa remember things for you. All you have to say is "Alexa remember ______" and she will make you confirm and that's it.  So this could be birthdays, shirt sizes, where the extra blankets are, what wiper blades to use on the volvo, etc.  I don't see where you can edit these, so I'm not sure if you accidentally say Grandma's birthday is March 17th when it's really April 17th. I don't see any place in the app to update these.  Alexa Follow Up Mode There is also now the ability to Alexa more questions without having to say her name.  You can turn this on by going into the app, clicking on your device and turning on "follow up mode." This appears to keep her "listening" for about five seconds after she answers you.  So you can say, "Alexa add eggs to the shopping list, and she would reply and you could then add, "Add Milk to the shopping list" without having to say, Alexa before each item. New Houses Will Come Equipped with Alexa Lennar (the largest homebu

Comments? 888-563-3228 Alexa just rolled out the ability to use all the Amazon Devices as a one-way intercom. Simply Say Alex Announce that dinner is ready and she will announce it on any Amazon Device. iHome iAVS16 SMart Alarm Clock with Alexa Enabled Today I'm reviewing the iHome Smart Alarm Clock the iAVS16 https://youtu.be/QrwihUQSx6w I found the iHome Smart Alarm clock (with Alexa) at Best Buy (FYI it's $25 cheaper at Amazon) and it sounded pretty darn good. Then I found out it was Alexa Enabled and it had my attention, throw in that is has a built-in phone charger and I was sold. And as they say, "But wait there is more" the iHome app really takes advantage of your Spotify and other services integration. I can finally do what I've been trying to do and that is wake up to a Spotify playlist. For me, this was super cool. Other features as this unit is more than likely going to end up in a Bedroom is there is a light bar that you can set up. There are even smart buttons you can program. That's right you c

Alex is Getting Brief Mode is Coming This is an experimental feature not available everywhere. Settings > Alexa Voice Response (at the very bottom) Alexa Can Fart On Command Just say, "Alexa Fart." Yep, this should be a big hit with the kids. Taking Another Look At Alexa Routines Launch the Amazon Alexa app on your phone, tap the hamburger and select Routines. Routines can be triggered by a phrase, or set to turn on at a specific time (repeat options for multiple days are available).  Then you put in what you want her to do (so it's a big if this then that statement For me I say, "Alexa, kill the lights," and all of my smart lights go out and she tells me the weather (as I plan on using this when I get ready to leave). I did find I couldn't use it with things that she already had built in. For example, "Alexa, I'm outa here" already had a built-in response.  There are other ways I could do this. I could assign the lights to a room and ask her to turn of a room or scene. You can also have her tell you th

Today we are joined by William Nut from aelxa.bio which is one of our partners who is supporting our mission to help users make the most of Alexa, and follow her captivating evolution, through meaningful news, intuitive guides, trusted recommendations and much more. It's “the book” on Alexa, if you will, and they'd be delighted for you to join them on their journey along the next great technological phenomenon. Check them out at alexa.bio Mentioned on the Show School of Podcasting here is a video demonstrating the School of Podcasting Skill Castbox Stitcher Anypod Mentioned in this episode:Power of Podcasting NetworkFind this and other great podcasting, weight loss and tech shows at powerofpodcasting.comPower of Podcasting

Today I talk about how I can control my Amazon Fire TV with my Alexa Device, and I try out Firefox on Fire TV Mentioned in this episode:Power of Podcasting NetworkFind this and other great podcasting, weight loss and tech shows at powerofpodcasting.comPower of Podcasting

Amazon Music News: Goodbye Music Storage - Hello Hits By Location - Waking Up to Music Amazon quietly announced this week it’s retiring its Amazon Music Storage subscription plans, with plans to completely disallow playing or downloading songs from the service starting in January 2019. So in the past, you could upload your entire music catalog into Amazon and have it available to play (and for Alexa). There’s a long grace period before access to your music is permanently disabled, however. The tracks you’ve already uploaded to Amazon Music will still be available until January 2019. The shutdown affects both the free storage plan, which allowed for 250 songs to be stored in the cloud, as well the paid plan – originally $25 per year – which offered cloud storage for up to 250,000 songs. MP3 files you purchased from Amazon will stay available. If you are an Amazon Music Unlimited or  Prime Music customers you can now ask Alexa to "Play the top songs in (your city" or the "hits in (your city).  Another feature i

Support the show by going to www.alexacast.com Being Careful Checking Your Orders with Alexa Currently, when I ask Alexa for an update on my orders she tells me when an item should arrive including the item's name. This may not be a good thing as at times Alexa needs to whisper sometimes (and she hasn't been programmed for that). You can go into your app and turn of the ability for her to announce the name. Go to: Settings > Notifications >Shopping Notifications (from there you can set product names on/off News: Alexa is headed for the workplace.  The WSJ reports that Alexa for Business will also give enterprise users the opportunity to build apps and skills for calendar management, meeting room scheduling and ordering supplies. The introduction of Alexa for Business also presents an opportunity to let users access business information on their phones or outside of the building using the Alexa app on their phone. In the future, you may be able to schedule a virtual meeting with the sales team that is delivere

There are some great deals on Alexa enabled items where you can save up to $50. These end on Cyber Monday 11/27 at midnight. Echo Dots are $29 (normally $50) The New Echo with Improved sound is $79 Echo Plus that comes with a philips bulb is $120 For all the great deals see http://amzn.to/2iSR2oD (aff liMentioned in this episode:Power of Podcasting NetworkFind this and other great podcasting, weight loss and tech shows at powerofpodcasting.comPower of Podcasting

See full notes at www.alexacast.com/32 This week we have Alexa take a look at Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for? When was the first Thanksgiving? Give me a Thanksgiving Haiku? Tell me a Vegetable Joke? MOre great conversions (Gigabytes to Megabytes) It's Turkey Time! Am I Naughty or Nice (multiple answers) Christmas Facts Skill Who is hosting Saturday Night Live Alex Let's shop Oprah's Favorite Things? Canada Now Gets Alexa!Mentioned in this episode:Power of Podcasting NetworkFind this and other great podcasting, weight loss and tech shows at powerofpodcasting.comPower of Podcasting

What's Up Alexa? Today we learn a way go get a quick update (alexa, What's up) How to get a 7-day forecast (Alexa what's the 7-day forecast?) Best Buy Deals Use the Best Buy skill to: - Hear and purchase deals from Best Buy's Deal of the Day - Research products and get recommendations - Learn about our return policy Alexa asked me if I wanted to buy each deal. On days where there are a lot of deals, this could be very annoying. More information A Love Song Alexa, sing me a love song." Support the show at www.alexacast.comMentioned in this episode:Power of Podcasting NetworkFind this and other great podcasting, weight loss and tech shows at powerofpodcasting.comPower of Podcasting

How to Make Music Groups Work I was having an issue after creating a music group (Go to Smart Home in the Alexa App > Groups > Add Group I talked about this in a previous episode that you can use Spotify with this feature, but you can use the following: Amazon Music Unlimited (Individual plan or Family plan) Prime Music Amazon Music Some third-party music providers I found out one of the third party features is iHeart Radio and Pandora Once enabled, say, "Play [music selection] on [group name]," to play your music on the selected devices. Amazon has a TON of built-in playlists for those on Amazon Prime. I might start checking these out.  The bad news is Alexa won't play one of your custom playlists.  Using Alexa Routines I was excited when I heard about Alex routines. This is where you could say one command and Alexa would do multiple items.  For example, I have one called "Start My Day" it turns on my bedroom light, give's me the weather, and plays my news brief.  This is good, but that's just about everythi