Video calls using an Amazon Echo Show

[guest189040]

A few weeks ago they started to be sold at a well cut down price so I bought an 8” version.

I was intending to set it up and give it to my older Brother and my Sister in Law as a Christmas present.  I thought that the ability to have the device nearby and be voice activated would be very useful to them and especially the Video calls function.

They are a neat looking unit and after unboxing and plugging into the mains I went through its set up routine which was easy and it imported the contacts off my mobile with no problem.

Alexa play a christmas playlist .... caused the device to play a great selection.

Then my wife said, Alexa play Wondrous Place by Billy Fury

And it did.

Alexa, what is the weather forecast .......?

We tried a whole variety and it just worked.

Then the problems started.

I asked Alexa to video call my Wife, nothing.

I asked Alexa to Video call myself, nothing.

I asked Alexa to Skype my Wife, nothing.

I asked Alexa to Skype myself, nothing.

Spent an hour online looking for solutions and found nothing.

I set up a call back with Amazon, they rang straight back and one hour later we had video working.

There is no way my 80 year old Brother and his Wife could set up these devices.

So I ordered another set of prezzies for them and we will keep the Echo Show and get them one once the Covid situation has eased and I can set it up for them in their home.

[Kiltpin]

I don't wish to pour cold water on your good intentions, but it is a fact that these devices are always listening.   

"But I have to say the wake up word first!" 

Yeeess, but if the device isn't listening, how does it hear the wake up word? 

Regards 

Chas

[guest189040]

I don't wish to pour cold water on your good intentions, but it is a fact that these devices are always listening.   

"But I have to say the wake up word first!" 

Yeeess, but if the device isn't listening, how does it hear the wake up word? 

Regards 

Chas

It can get even more concerning, the Drop In feature is enabled by default.

With it enabled someone can literally bring your device to life and start a conversation or just watch you, scary.

Still I have until the end of January to decide if I am going to keep it.

[ev]

As a side note , I asked Alexa "What do women want ?"
Spent the last 7 days trying to switch it off 


ev

[arthurk]

A man fell down and hurt himself, so shouted out "Alexa, call me an ambulance!"

Alexa: "You are an ambulance!" 

[JenB]

We asked Alexa to find us Michael Palin's 'Himalaya'.

The reply was: 'Michael Palin lives in Suffolk, I hope this is answer to your question