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I really want an Echo, I just can't justify the cost. And the cheaper options don't have the listening mode which nerfs the whole appeal.

delecti 11y ago
The full echo happens to be on sale today, and the Echo Dot (which doesn't include the full speaker, only a smaller one, and you can plug it into your own) is about half the price, and does still have the always-on listening mode.
- extra88 11y ago
  The Echo Dot is ~$90 but my understanding is to buy it you must A) be an Amazon Prime member and B) use the voice interface on an existing Amazon product to place the order (the Echo itself being an obvious example but I guess also the Fire Stick).
  - delecti 11y ago
    I don't remember the specifics, but I was able to buy my Dot without an existing Amazon voice product, they seem to have "fixed" that "problem" though. I have Prime, so I can't comment to that other issue.
  - _JamesA_ 11y ago
    I was able to place an order for the Dot using the Amazon iOS app yesterday. I just tried again and it says "Available Exclusively from Alexa".
manyxcxi 11y ago
I got early access to pre-order (can't remember why) at $99 and almost didn't do it. I'm SO glad I did. It gets used all day every day. I grab the last two eggs and say "Alexa, add eggs to the grocery list", hands are full of mess while cooking, "Alexa, set a timer for 5 minutes", etc. The fact that it works with my home automation hub is also nice, when I'm across the room and want the lights off, or want the garage door closed. I could live without it for sure, but it just makes things easier. The voice recognition, especially from far away is incredible. I don't have to yell, or say things exactly right (like in my car). Knowing what I know now, I'd pay full price- especially with the new functionality and apps that get released every week it seems. I've even written a few of my own. The speaker itself is just okay, we play music on it all the time for the kids, but there are way better Bluetooth speaker setups, so if that's your primary goal you won't be that excited. If you can afford it and have a routine of any sort throughout the day where checking the weather, traffic, maintaining a grocery list (especially when you might not be the person going), getting a news briefing or listening to a podcast are part of it, then you'll find it useful immediately. If you don't, to get your money's worth, you'd want to start a routine of sorts.
- post_break 11y ago
  I have a gen 1 iPad mini taped to my fridge so I have voice control with Siri and I don't think Alexa can do anything Siri can't (for me). I want one, I just don't think I need it. I'd love to automate everything though.
dbbk 11y ago
The "cheaper option" is the Amazon Tap, a different product. All of the Echo products have constant listening (Echo and Echo Dot).
creeble 11y ago
I've had one for the better part of a year, and still can't quite figure out what it's good for, besides kitchen timer and weather. Most of the questions I ask it are returned with "hmm I'm not sure I understood the question" when the very same question asked of Google Now on my phone returns an intelligent, spoken answer. Of all the features I wish the Echo had, the best would be.... Google Now integration. Haha.
_JamesA_ 11y ago
The Echo and Tap are on sale today for 15% off. That brings the Echo to $153.71 or 5 payments of $30.74. The Tap is $111.01 or 5 monthly payments of $22.20. I just happened to order both yesterday and Amazon refunded the difference without any hesitation.

delecti 11y ago

The full echo happens to be on sale today, and the Echo Dot (which doesn't include the full speaker, only a smaller one, and you can plug it into your own) is about half the price, and does still have the always-on listening mode.

extra88 11y ago
The Echo Dot is ~$90 but my understanding is to buy it you must A) be an Amazon Prime member and B) use the voice interface on an existing Amazon product to place the order (the Echo itself being an obvious example but I guess also the Fire Stick).
- delecti 11y ago
  I don't remember the specifics, but I was able to buy my Dot without an existing Amazon voice product, they seem to have "fixed" that "problem" though. I have Prime, so I can't comment to that other issue.
- _JamesA_ 11y ago
  I was able to place an order for the Dot using the Amazon iOS app yesterday. I just tried again and it says "Available Exclusively from Alexa".

manyxcxi 11y ago

I got early access to pre-order (can't remember why) at $99 and almost didn't do it. I'm SO glad I did. It gets used all day every day. I grab the last two eggs and say "Alexa, add eggs to the grocery list", hands are full of mess while cooking, "Alexa, set a timer for 5 minutes", etc. The fact that it works with my home automation hub is also nice, when I'm across the room and want the lights off, or want the garage door closed. I could live without it for sure, but it just makes things easier. The voice recognition, especially from far away is incredible. I don't have to yell, or say things exactly right (like in my car). Knowing what I know now, I'd pay full price- especially with the new functionality and apps that get released every week it seems. I've even written a few of my own. The speaker itself is just okay, we play music on it all the time for the kids, but there are way better Bluetooth speaker setups, so if that's your primary goal you won't be that excited. If you can afford it and have a routine of any sort throughout the day where checking the weather, traffic, maintaining a grocery list (especially when you might not be the person going), getting a news briefing or listening to a podcast are part of it, then you'll find it useful immediately. If you don't, to get your money's worth, you'd want to start a routine of sorts.

post_break 11y ago
I have a gen 1 iPad mini taped to my fridge so I have voice control with Siri and I don't think Alexa can do anything Siri can't (for me). I want one, I just don't think I need it. I'd love to automate everything though.

dbbk 11y ago

The "cheaper option" is the Amazon Tap, a different product. All of the Echo products have constant listening (Echo and Echo Dot).

creeble 11y ago

I've had one for the better part of a year, and still can't quite figure out what it's good for, besides kitchen timer and weather. Most of the questions I ask it are returned with "hmm I'm not sure I understood the question" when the very same question asked of Google Now on my phone returns an intelligent, spoken answer. Of all the features I wish the Echo had, the best would be.... Google Now integration. Haha.

_JamesA_ 11y ago

The Echo and Tap are on sale today for 15% off. That brings the Echo to $153.71 or 5 payments of $30.74. The Tap is $111.01 or 5 monthly payments of $22.20. I just happened to order both yesterday and Amazon refunded the difference without any hesitation.