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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: jdcarpe on Fri, 07 November 2014, 16:50:53

Title: Amazon Echo
Post by: jdcarpe on Fri, 07 November 2014, 16:50:53
What do you guys think of this? Useful? Too creepy?

http://www.amazon.com/oc/echo

(http://i.imgur.com/uGlqEkm.jpg)


But it's connected to SkyNet Amazon Cloud, so it must be good!
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Fri, 07 November 2014, 17:07:26
There's a very funny modified trailer of the echo on Reddit's front page, I'd post it here, but it's NSFW due to some profanity.

Its honestly not a bad idea, but I feel like it could have been presented in a better way. For some reason, amazon based ads are so... strange. Like all the characters are slightly over done and put in your face. The amazon phone ad is a good example of this.
If the voice software recognition has improved since mobile, as it is a dedicated device to voice recognition, it may have good potential. I would love something that reads me off ingredients or cooking methods.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: demik on Fri, 07 November 2014, 17:09:07
so thats where amazon stuffed their fire phones. in a speaker!
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Alex92 on Fri, 07 November 2014, 17:12:34
What I don't understand about this is that it seems like it would only be useful for people who live in a small home. What if you have it in your kitchen, but you're sitting in your living room and have a question that needs answered? Do they expect you to run into your kitchen to ask your question, or do they expect you to buy multiple ones to place in every room of your house? Or better yet, are you supposed to carry the thing around with you from room to room?  :p
I like the concept, but it doesn't seem like it does too many more things than Google Now, and Google Now has the advantage of it always being with you on your phone.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:31:57
mmmm, it seems pretty cool.. i guess if you like mono..
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: heedpantsnow on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:36:57
I registered.  Prime customers can get it for $100.  Impulse buy for some (not me).  However my wife and I tend to hang out together in certain parts of the house, and I think it would work living on the kitchen bar area.  Cooking, homework, making coffee (yes that is significant for me), etc. all happens in that area.  So having it there would be nice.

One thought I had:  it acts as a bluetooth speaker, but can I pair multiple phones with it?  Sometimes I would want to use it, and sometimes my wife would.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: nuclearsandwich on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:55:59
I just don't get the fascination with talking to our computers. I'm really interested in the living digital assistant but I want one that I can text with. I don't want to have to step into a private space to schedule an appointment or set a reminder.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:58:50
Quote
It updates using the cloud

...you mean "It's connected to the internet", right?  (I stopped watching the video here)

This is an interesting idea, but I don't really see the point.  During this video, they had like four of them in their house.  So to use it as much as they advertised, I'd have to spend at least $400 (not happening), or carry it around (why?).

Quote from: heedpantsnow on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:36:57
Cooking, homework, making coffee (yes that is significant for me), etc. all happens in that area.  So having it there would be nice.

Can you explain how it would help with cooking?  (I did end up finishing the video, and didn't see any mention of this)  Will it rattle off recipes to you?  Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't really trust it with this - I'd much rather have a sheet of paper I can check things off of, rather than having to remember a list that's read to me.  Or are your use cases different?

This is the sort of device that I want to want, but I just don't.  Maybe I'm not fully understanding the potential.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: jdcarpe on Fri, 07 November 2014, 23:00:17
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 07 November 2014, 23:01:29
Quote from: nuclearsandwich on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:55:59
I just don't get the fascination with talking to our computers. I'm really interested in the living digital assistant but I want one that I can text with. I don't want to have to step into a private space to schedule an appointment or set a reminder.

This is in the toy area of electronics..


In today's world.. no amount of organizing is going to make ur life any easier..


The main bottleneck to the modern life... is transportation, cooking/eating, short lifespan..

Everything else can not be optimized much further assuming our physical bodies remain the same..



Toys like this one is definitely a step in the right direction.. in terms of creating ai like interactivity..

but.. this device itself.. relative to humans is not itself a productive addition..
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: heedpantsnow on Fri, 07 November 2014, 23:11:29
Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:58:50
Quote
It updates using the cloud

...you mean "It's connected to the internet", right?  (I stopped watching the video here)

This is an interesting idea, but I don't really see the point.  During this video, they had like four of them in their house.  So to use it as much as they advertised, I'd have to spend at least $400 (not happening), or carry it around (why?).

Quote from: heedpantsnow on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:36:57
Cooking, homework, making coffee (yes that is significant for me), etc. all happens in that area.  So having it there would be nice.

Can you explain how it would help with cooking?  (I did end up finishing the video, and didn't see any mention of this)  Will it rattle off recipes to you?  Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't really trust it with this - I'd much rather have a sheet of paper I can check things off of, rather than having to remember a list that's read to me.  Or are your use cases different?

This is the sort of device that I want to want, but I just don't.  Maybe I'm not fully understanding the potential.

My thought is this:  we use Siri a ton.  But a lot of times in the mornings we are out of the bedroom and our phones are still plugged in on our nightstands.  We ask about the weather, traffic, and play music.  In cooking, we lived overseas and tend to do a lot of conversions.  Being able to just ask "Alexa" when your hands are full in cooking would be nice, rather than having to go find my phone and press the button.  I also am learning to measure by weight more, so I'm often asking how much a tablespoon of X is by weight.

I've been thinking about getting a decent BT speaker, and those are typically $40 for a crappy one and $60-100 for a nice one, so this would kindof be killing two birds with one stone.

There is that lack of a screen, so you can't say "show me a recipe for roast rat" or whatever.  So there's a loss in functionality.  But again we tend to not have our phones glued to our hips at home but often need some quick info.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: demik on Fri, 07 November 2014, 23:19:08
Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:58:50
Quote
It updates using the cloud

...you mean "It's connected to the internet", right?  (I stopped watching the video here)

This is an interesting idea, but I don't really see the point.  During this video, they had like four of them in their house.  So to use it as much as they advertised, I'd have to spend at least $400 (not happening), or carry it around (why?).

Quote from: heedpantsnow on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:36:57
Cooking, homework, making coffee (yes that is significant for me), etc. all happens in that area.  So having it there would be nice.

Can you explain how it would help with cooking?  (I did end up finishing the video, and didn't see any mention of this)  Will it rattle off recipes to you?  Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't really trust it with this - I'd much rather have a sheet of paper I can check things off of, rather than having to remember a list that's read to me.  Or are your use cases different?

This is the sort of device that I want to want, but I just don't.  Maybe I'm not fully understanding the potential.

so i have this cloud to butt extension and i keep forgetting about it and it brings me joy

(http://i.imgur.com/V9S1JW1.jpg)
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Hak Foo on Fri, 07 November 2014, 23:54:03
My immediate thought:  It's Siri/Cortana in a box.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 08 November 2014, 04:44:21
and when you go to sleep.. it's going to whisper to you... suggesting things to buy based on what it's learned about you and ur family habits..

You:   zzzzzzzzzzz......

Echo:    "buy matches, burn your house down for insurance money"

You: zzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Echo: " your family is having a rough time, you'll never be able to afford paying for the new baby on the way,  btw, theres a great deal for this automatic rocking crib"

You: zzzz.. wha.. wha.. did you say something Alexa ?


Echo:  <mimicking your wife's voice...>  no honey go back to sleep...


You:  oh ok.. love you..  /mumble matches.. zzzz..........

Echo:  Goood Good, amazon.com loves you... goood goood.. muahahahahahaha... i mean... sleeep now.. sweet customer
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Karura on Sat, 08 November 2014, 04:52:56
Amazon Echo? More like a voluntarily-self-installed NSA monitor and tracker.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: feizor on Sat, 08 November 2014, 05:27:56
Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 08 November 2014, 04:44:21
and when you go to sleep.. it's going to whisper to you... suggesting things to buy based on what it's learned about you and ur family habits..

You:   zzzzzzzzzzz......

Echo:    "buy matches, burn your house down for insurance money"

You: zzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Echo: " your family is having a rough time, you'll never be able to afford paying for the new baby on the way,  btw, theres a great deal for this automatic rocking crib"

You: zzzz.. wha.. wha.. did you say something Alexa ?


Echo:  <mimicking your wife's voice...>  no honey go back to sleep...


You:  oh ok.. love you..  /mumble matches.. zzzz..........

Echo:  Goood Good, amazon.com loves you... goood goood.. muahahahahahaha... i mean... sleeep now.. sweet customer

creepy
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: notsonerd on Sat, 08 November 2014, 05:45:52
Quote from: demik on Fri, 07 November 2014, 23:19:08
Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:58:50
Quote
It updates using my butt

...you mean "It's connected to the internet", right?  (I stopped watching the video here)

This is an interesting idea, but I don't really see the point.  During this video, they had like four of them in their house.  So to use it as much as they advertised, I'd have to spend at least $400 (not happening), or carry it around (why?).

Quote from: heedpantsnow on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:36:57
Cooking, homework, making coffee (yes that is significant for me), etc. all happens in that area.  So having it there would be nice.

Can you explain how it would help with cooking?  (I did end up finishing the video, and didn't see any mention of this)  Will it rattle off recipes to you?  Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't really trust it with this - I'd much rather have a sheet of paper I can check things off of, rather than having to remember a list that's read to me.  Or are your use cases different?

This is the sort of device that I want to want, but I just don't.  Maybe I'm not fully understanding the potential.

so i have this butt to butt extension and i keep forgetting about it and it brings me joy

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/V9S1JW1.jpg)


This made me get the extension.

They should've just called it Amazon Alexa.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Puddsy on Sat, 08 November 2014, 10:46:28
The ad is awful, but it seems like an OK piece of tech.

I personally don't want one, but I can see the applications for it.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: jinq-sea on Tue, 11 November 2014, 08:01:59
Quote from: Karura on Sat, 08 November 2014, 04:52:56
Amazon Echo? More like a voluntarily-self-installed NSA monitor and tracker.

Haha! Totally. I don't like the idea of it hearing my thoughts out loud when I am home alone, either. I permanently witter away to myself (I hasten to add it's all completely innocent), and I don't want Amazon/world+dog hearing!
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: SpikeBolt on Wed, 19 November 2014, 09:22:58
Creepy as ****! I also don't see any use for it, TBH. They should pay me 200€ to use it, no the other way around.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: vivalarevolución on Wed, 19 November 2014, 17:13:43
"Hey Amazon, could you please elaborate on your plans to take over the world with the sale of disposable junk?"
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: katushkin on Thu, 20 November 2014, 10:41:14
When I learned the parody advert was a parody, I looked at the real features. They might as well have kept the dubbed one because it seems just as pointless.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: slip84 on Thu, 20 November 2014, 11:28:46
Quote from: TacticalStache on Sat, 08 November 2014, 10:46:28
The ad is awful, but it seems like an OK piece of tech.

I personally don't want one, but I can see the applications for it.
Can you elaborate? It seems like a crippled smartphone, a pad of paper, and mono speaker. I could get all of those for less than $200.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: paicrai on Thu, 20 November 2014, 12:46:22
wouldya look at that
a little skynet cloud thing that stores information and records you
surely we all need this
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 20 November 2014, 12:49:33
The parody commercial had me rolling!


"Today is the day I kill you all."

YouTube embed still broken. :(

Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 20 November 2014, 13:20:00
Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 20 November 2014, 12:49:33
The parody commercial had me rolling!


"Today is the day I kill you all."

YouTube embed still broken. :(


hahahahahahhaah


Do you work while ur wife spends your money ??(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/uhuhuh-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862523)
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: paicrai on Thu, 20 November 2014, 13:30:08
"i'd say **** you but i don't vibrate"
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:05:08
Well, I ordered mine yesterday. It won't arrive until February, though.

Waste of $100? Maybe.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: heedpantsnow on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:11:12
I've been using "Hey Siri" lately and it has worked okay. Though the built in BT speaker on this would be nice. I just don't have the extra $100 to spend right now; other things I want more. And a house.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Sent on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:14:15
Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:05:08
Well, I ordered mine yesterday. It won't arrive until February, though.

Waste of $100? Maybe.

If I had gotten an invite for the discount, I would've grabbed one. :(
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:15:00
Quote from: Sent on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:14:15
Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:05:08
Well, I ordered mine yesterday. It won't arrive until February, though.

Waste of $100? Maybe.

If I had gotten an invite for the discount, I would've grabbed one. :(

They are still going out, apparently. I'm sure they're sending waves of invites.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:45:32
Can you choose what to name it? And it's voice gender?

I'd want to name mine "Computer" so it doesn't sound like I'm personifying it... plus then it'd be pretty Star-Trekkie...

Requested an invite anyway... this has me intrigued...
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: jdcarpe on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:50:12
Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:45:32
Can you choose what to name it? And it's voice gender?

I'd want to name mine "Computer" so it doesn't sound like I'm personifying it... plus then it'd be pretty Star-Trekkie...

Requested an invite anyway... this has me intrigued...

[Scotty voice] "Computer. Hello, Computer..."
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: demik on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:54:01
this thread is so much better with the cloud to butt extension.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:05:44
Quote from: demik on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:54:01
this thread is so much better with the cloud to butt extension.


Gosh demik get your head out of the clouds, you already said this.

Quote from: demik on Fri, 07 November 2014, 23:19:08
Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:58:50
Quote
It updates using the cloud

...you mean "It's connected to the internet", right?  (I stopped watching the video here)

This is an interesting idea, but I don't really see the point.  During this video, they had like four of them in their house.  So to use it as much as they advertised, I'd have to spend at least $400 (not happening), or carry it around (why?).

Quote from: heedpantsnow on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:36:57
Cooking, homework, making coffee (yes that is significant for me), etc. all happens in that area.  So having it there would be nice.

Can you explain how it would help with cooking?  (I did end up finishing the video, and didn't see any mention of this)  Will it rattle off recipes to you?  Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't really trust it with this - I'd much rather have a sheet of paper I can check things off of, rather than having to remember a list that's read to me.  Or are your use cases different?

This is the sort of device that I want to want, but I just don't.  Maybe I'm not fully understanding the potential.

so i have this cloud to butt extension and i keep forgetting about it and it brings me joy

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/V9S1JW1.jpg)

Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: demik on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:27:26
Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:05:44
Quote from: demik on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:54:01
this thread is so much better with the cloud to butt extension.


Gosh demik get your head out of the clouds, you already said this.

Quote from: demik on Fri, 07 November 2014, 23:19:08
Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:58:50
Quote
It updates using the cloud

...you mean "It's connected to the internet", right?  (I stopped watching the video here)

This is an interesting idea, but I don't really see the point.  During this video, they had like four of them in their house.  So to use it as much as they advertised, I'd have to spend at least $400 (not happening), or carry it around (why?).

Quote from: heedpantsnow on Fri, 07 November 2014, 22:36:57
Cooking, homework, making coffee (yes that is significant for me), etc. all happens in that area.  So having it there would be nice.

Can you explain how it would help with cooking?  (I did end up finishing the video, and didn't see any mention of this)  Will it rattle off recipes to you?  Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't really trust it with this - I'd much rather have a sheet of paper I can check things off of, rather than having to remember a list that's read to me.  Or are your use cases different?

This is the sort of device that I want to want, but I just don't.  Maybe I'm not fully understanding the potential.

so i have this cloud to butt extension and i keep forgetting about it and it brings me joy

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/V9S1JW1.jpg)


GOD DAMN IT HOUFF STOP TRYING TO TELL ME HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE. THIS IS WHY SENT DOESN'T LIKE YOU!!!
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:28:39
Quote from: demik on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:27:26
Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:05:44
Quote from: demik on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:54:01
this thread is so much better with the cloud to butt extension.


Gosh demik get your head out of the clouds, you already said this.

GOD DAMN IT HOUFF STOP TRYING TO TELL ME HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE. THIS IS WHY SENT DOESN'T LIKE YOU!!!

 :'(

Also, you missed a joke opportunity.  Amazon ECHO.   :cool:
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: demik on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:30:03
Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:28:39
Quote from: demik on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:27:26
Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Thu, 08 January 2015, 18:05:44
Quote from: demik on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:54:01
this thread is so much better with the cloud to butt extension.


Gosh demik get your head out of the clouds, you already said this.

GOD DAMN IT HOUFF STOP TRYING TO TELL ME HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE. THIS IS WHY SENT DOESN'T LIKE YOU!!!

 :'(

Also, you missed a joke opportunity.  Amazon ECHO.   :cool:

i've failed you.

time for seppuku :(
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Sent on Fri, 09 January 2015, 16:16:12
Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:15:00
They are still going out, apparently. I'm sure they're sending waves of invites.

Got the invite a few minutes ago and ordered one.  Estimated delivery date is April 16th.  Holy...
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: PunksDead on Fri, 09 January 2015, 16:18:40
Quote from: Sent on Fri, 09 January 2015, 16:16:12
Quote from: jdcarpe on Thu, 08 January 2015, 16:15:00
They are still going out, apparently. I'm sure they're sending waves of invites.

Got the invite a few minutes ago and ordered one.  Estimated delivery date is April 16th.  Holy...

thanks for the info, i was intrigued but now im gonna hold off with that wait time.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Sent on Fri, 09 January 2015, 16:21:58
Quote from: PunksDead on Fri, 09 January 2015, 16:18:40
thanks for the info, i was intrigued but now im gonna hold off with that wait time.

At least GH has taught me patience with online ordering. :(
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 09 January 2015, 16:45:12
Quote from: Sent on Fri, 09 January 2015, 16:21:58
patience

(http://i.imgur.com/a0PDZSa.jpg)
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: heedpantsnow on Fri, 09 January 2015, 17:42:21

Quote from: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 09 January 2015, 16:45:12
Quote from: Sent on Fri, 09 January 2015, 16:21:58
patience

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/a0PDZSa.jpg)


Lol yep CC has us all crazy
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 21 January 2015, 14:51:23
Just got an invite not sure if I want one or not, estimated delivery won't be until sometime in June-July.
Title: Re: Amazon Echo
Post by: Wildcard on Wed, 21 January 2015, 14:56:02
Honestly the original parody video is the best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GijLoiVkmYI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GijLoiVkmYI)