Awards Moderator Onyx2 Posted September 1, 2018 Awards Moderator Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 (edited) Inspired by @deathrey. I have three Google Home Minis around the house and it feels like living in the future. I am Captain Picard: "computer, plot a course to the Amagosa star cluster." I use mine all the time for music, random searches, passing time doing the washing up ("hey Google, let's play a quiz"), adding to shopping lists, setting timers and when I'm feeling cheeky broadcasting missives to the whole house. I never thought I'd go for these smart devices but they have changed the way I search. Google Home / Amazon Echo fans: what do you do with yours? Edited November 11, 2018 by Onyx2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members ColinBollocks Posted September 1, 2018 Paid Members Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 My time with it consists of going round my Mum's to fix whatever nonsense she's done to stop it working. She probably feeds it gravy during the week in the hope it doesn't go upstairs and throttle her. Not a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FailedPromoter Posted September 1, 2018 Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 4 Amazon Echo's/Echo Dots around the house to control my TV, doorbell cam, other external cams and Philips Hue lights (especially ideal for the late night bathroom shits, no dithering between going in the dark or being blinded by light at 3am, nice dimmed lighting really makes it a pleasant turd. Highly recommended) Hive heating thermostat next on list in run up to Xmas. As mentioned in OP, ideal for setting timers/reminders, adding stuff to shopping list and playing music. Only caveat I have discovered lately is that my 3 year old now continually shouts "Alexa, play Hokey Cokey by Justin Fletcher"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Undefeated Steak Posted September 1, 2018 Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 (edited) I had an Amazon Echo but never used it for much more than a speaker or to ask it the odd question rather than googling it. Can't say I miss not having one now though. Once the 'Internet of Things' (think that's the correct term) becomes common and you can use an Echo or similar device to make you a tea or start running the bath or whatever then they'll be must-have items. Edited September 1, 2018 by Undefeated Steak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Accident Prone Posted September 1, 2018 Paid Members Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 I have an Echo as I was gifted one for a birthday a couple of years ago. It sits in the office and I purely use it for Spotify. You're bonkers if you set up the damn things to cameras and what not. There's been many a time where Alexa has piped into a conversation without being asked anything (hence why it's now turned off when I'm not playing music through it), so how do you know when some Google/Amazon exec isn't spying on you tucking into a chippie tea or having a cheeky go of it on the sofa? My missus is worse; she covers the webcam on her phone, tablet and laptop with tissue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members johnnyboy Posted September 1, 2018 Paid Members Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 2 hours ago, Accident Prone said: My missus is worse; she covers the webcam on her phone, tablet and laptop with tissue. I have a privacy cover on my laptop's cam. If someone gets my cam feed they're getting the reverse of a Sophos logo rather than me in my pants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members SpursRiot2012 Posted September 1, 2018 Paid Members Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 I've got an Echo Dot. Unfortunately my flat isn't built in such a way that I can make use of things like smart lighting. So right now the Dot doesn't get a lot of use. But when we move to our next place, my plan is to make it as smart as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members PunkStep Posted September 2, 2018 Paid Members Report Share Posted September 2, 2018 I haven't got Google home or an Echo/Dot, which us just as well because all I use Google Assistant for is to ask her 'who let the dogs out' or 'what does the fox say', for japes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Fatty Facesitter Posted September 2, 2018 Paid Members Report Share Posted September 2, 2018 Not related to Google or Amazon but on seeing the thread title this popped straight into my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Sergio Mendacious Posted September 2, 2018 Paid Members Report Share Posted September 2, 2018 Have two echo dots, use them to control some lamps, the air con, for weather info, and as a speaker. Looking for cheap knock offs of Phillips Hue so we can control the ceiling lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Chest Rockwell Posted November 5, 2018 Moderators Report Share Posted November 5, 2018 I got a free echo dot. I'm not sure what I should be doing with it and don't fully understand how I get it to work yet. However, I see that it works with Plex so that will be my first port of call. If I can get it to connect to that then that takes care of all media on all my devices pretty much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Hannibal Scorch Posted November 6, 2018 Paid Members Report Share Posted November 6, 2018 I do not get the love for Echo/Dots/Home etc. Hue lighting on the other hand is genius! Lights on when I’m out to make it look like we’re home, controlling the colours and brightness. Syncing them to movies I don’t find too impressive but all in all certainly my favourite futuristic gimmick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Supremo Posted November 6, 2018 Paid Members Report Share Posted November 6, 2018 The other week, without any prompting whatsoever, my Google mini randomly said, "see you later Alligator." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W35ty Posted November 6, 2018 Report Share Posted November 6, 2018 That's alien tech  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Danger Posted November 6, 2018 Report Share Posted November 6, 2018 8 hours ago, Supremo said: The other week, without any prompting whatsoever, my Google mini randomly said, "see you later Alligator." It's when it randomly starts asking you for riddles you want to worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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