Do you use Alexa or Google Home devices?

[Mary Beth Skylis]

I’ve been really curious about installing Alexa or a Google Home device for my dad. Not only can you talk to these devices, and ask them to play music or books. But you can also connect them to your phone, enabling you to make calls. Do you use Alexa or Google Home Devices? If so, have they been helpful?

[Tom]

Yes, I use the Alexa devices. You can’t have just one. I have one in the bedroom, one in the kitchen and one in the living room. One is within earshot of the other so I changed the name so they both don’t activate. They have been helpful for turning on and off lights, getting the weather outside, spelling words for me, answering questions, setting timers, wake up alarms. They also pair with the ring doorbell so I know if someone comes to the door. If you have the video one you can use it in a myriad of useful ways.
that’s just to name a few. I think they are a big help.

• This reply was modified 10 months, 1 week ago by Tom.

[Maynard]

I can hardly hear/understand my wife so I don’t think Alexa would work for her.

[Bert Shure]

I use Alexa devices to:

control lights, fans, thermostats
as an alarm clock, cooking timer, weather reports
play Spotify music and podcasts

Whenever something comes up that needs to go on the Grocery List, I tell Alexa to add it. I don’t let Amazon shop my list. I bring it up in a window, and shop in another window. This solved the problem of sitting in front of the computer and not remembering what to order.

I don’t make calls because I’m always near a wired phone or mobile phone.
I don’t use the “drop in” feature that lets me connect to other Alexa devices in my home

There are a ton of other uses. I subscribe to a CNET email list with new things to try. I can ask who the best puppy in the world is. Of course, it is my little buddy Stanley.

Cheers!

[Krukar]

Mary Beth,

Of course we ask Alexa lots of question particularly about the temperature outside. I find it very useful  as it reminds me to take my C/L 3 times per day. I think your dad may find it useful to remind him of stuff he needs to do. We try and keep it simple. Blessings, Mike

 

 

 

[Bert Shure]

I use an app called MediSafe on my Android phone to track all my medications. It would be nice if it was integrated with Alexa, but it has specialized knowledge of prescriptions that is helpful.

Like Alexa, you can use a celebrity voice for reminders. I’m currently following Morgan Freeman’s advice on when to take my meds.

Cheers!

[Marie]

Nope~ it’s bad enough I feel our phones, tablets and tv’s are listening in on everything we say.. I never enable Alexa on my car (just noticed it the other day) or phone or anywhere. Rely on my feeble brain, it works about  80% of the time, I never know what day of the week  it is.. and I use my phone calendar heavily.

[Author]

Posts