Issue 9.16
Before we start and in spite of an article published just a few weeks ago. I have seen an increase in people being tricked into calling a number purporting to be from Microsoft or Microsoft approved technicians. The pop up with the number won’t go away and stops you from using your computer. That should be enough to make you very suspicious about their motives and honesty, but if you missed it and need the solution, check the article online with Senior Sampler. The link is http://seniorsampler.com/2016/02/geek-speak-do-not-call-that-phone-number/ or just go to seniorsampler.com and look for my name in the archives.
Now to this week’s information. A few weeks ago I purchased an Amazon Echo (also known as Alexa). It is a cylinder about 8 inches tall and it links to the internet through wireless connection in your home. You need an app for your phone or computer that sets it up and makes it work, but it is not difficult.
Once it is set up, you can talk to it, much like you would to Siri on the Iphone, Cortana on Windows 10 machines or Google Now on Android devices. I have an Iphone so I can only compare it to Siri, but others have done reviews. For example CNN money recently did an article and indicated of the above options they would choose Google Now for their phone because it is mobile and also purchase the Alexa for their home because they found they used it more than the other options.
Alexa is not easily portable. You have to link her (it?) to a wireless network and plug it in to AC power. It would be difficult to take Alexa on a road trip for example unless you create a hot spot from a cellular provider with your phone or internet device. You would also need a power inverter.
For the home however, it is fun and easy to use. We have found we use it most for music. You can ask for any artists or for internet radio stations that you enjoy and Alexa will (usually) find them. My grandkids always ask it for Star Wars music, musicals or some other artist they like and I don’t usually know about. They also want Alexa to tell them jokes (usually bad jokes – but funny). You can ask for the weather, forecast, dow jones averages etc. You can also set up “flash news” briefings from a number of sources such as news services, stock reports that include your favorites, NPR and many others. We also ask it for movie times by theatre or by movie and it seems to do that pretty well. A number of new controls for home automation are also working well with Alexa. You can tell it to turn lights on or off, close blinds and other features if you have the needed controllers that are network controlled. My wife especially likes that she can ask for native American flute music when she wants to wind down and go to sleep and we both like that it will play religious music on Sundays. It accesses Pandora, Prime Music and other music services so you can set up stations you like and it will play from them.
The sound is quite good and can be made louder or softer by just asking or turning the volume control. You can pause, ask questions or ask for the next song if you have one come up you don’t like. Price is a little high at $179, but I have decided to keep ours even though I bought it just to let our readers know what I thought. As with all items, it might be good to try it at a friend’s house that has it before you buy, and remember – make sure you always have a backup of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 33 years, 26 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently works as a computer consultant. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.