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I've got two Fire TV devices. The novelty wears off, especially for browsing content (you can't) and the remotes have the voice function built in anyway. Maybe

I've got two Fire TV devices. The novelty wears off, especially for browsing content (you can't) and the remotes have the voice function built in anyway. Maybe if I had a full smart home with lights and whatever. But then I always think 'please, no more bloody cables, power bricks or extension cords'. Maybe I really am just getting old.

ergothus 9y ago
> Maybe if I had a full smart home with lights and whatever. Even though I love my Echos - I've never gotten the appeal of the current "smart home". Sure, controlling some lights that aren't convenient to reach is helpful, but not a major selling feature. Turning on the TV is great, but rarely can you change the volume, and if you could, you're talking over the show. As I jokingly called it in another thread, "a fancy expensive Clapper". Otherwise...you get what, ability to turn them off and on remotely? Again, not useless, but also not a big deal. When they are SMARTER I'm all aboard. Recognize who I am, the volume level I like, and adjust for whatever volume is coming out of the TV. Give me 'mood lighting' on command. The ability to get answers to even marginally complex questions. Read my email and tell me when her flight is coming in. Know to remind me to clean the place up a day in advance without me explicitly setting it to do that. Generate playlists dynamically based off of more than one term, and build up further definitions based on my reactions. ("No, that was too mellow. Something calming, but still with a beat" results in it adjusting what I meant by 'easy-listening' compared to what others might mean). I can be excited about the potential, but not about the reality of this aspect.
- jjeaff 9y ago
  I have most of my lights and TV's hooked up and although I wasn't sure we would use it often, we use it all the time. The biggest thing is being able to turn of lights after I am in bed. Or on the way out, turning everything off without hunting for remotes. And adjusting the thermostat by voice is something we do on a regular basis. We also use it to play music in whatever room, ask it the time, weather and set timers, the usual stuff. I don't know how many times before getting it that I was about to doze off and then had to fully ransack the bedroom just to find the tv remote to turn off the TV. We also use it as an intra house intercom and just today when I was out shopping, I needed to ask my spouse about an item and she didn't answer her phone. But I just piped in directly to the living room and got the answer I needed. I definitely am getting my $35 worth. Although I never buy things with it, so I'm not sure Amazon is making out too well.

ergothus 9y ago

> Maybe if I had a full smart home with lights and whatever. Even though I love my Echos - I've never gotten the appeal of the current "smart home". Sure, controlling some lights that aren't convenient to reach is helpful, but not a major selling feature. Turning on the TV is great, but rarely can you change the volume, and if you could, you're talking over the show. As I jokingly called it in another thread, "a fancy expensive Clapper". Otherwise...you get what, ability to turn them off and on remotely? Again, not useless, but also not a big deal. When they are SMARTER I'm all aboard. Recognize who I am, the volume level I like, and adjust for whatever volume is coming out of the TV. Give me 'mood lighting' on command. The ability to get answers to even marginally complex questions. Read my email and tell me when her flight is coming in. Know to remind me to clean the place up a day in advance without me explicitly setting it to do that. Generate playlists dynamically based off of more than one term, and build up further definitions based on my reactions. ("No, that was too mellow. Something calming, but still with a beat" results in it adjusting what I meant by 'easy-listening' compared to what others might mean). I can be excited about the potential, but not about the reality of this aspect.

jjeaff 9y ago
I have most of my lights and TV's hooked up and although I wasn't sure we would use it often, we use it all the time. The biggest thing is being able to turn of lights after I am in bed. Or on the way out, turning everything off without hunting for remotes. And adjusting the thermostat by voice is something we do on a regular basis. We also use it to play music in whatever room, ask it the time, weather and set timers, the usual stuff. I don't know how many times before getting it that I was about to doze off and then had to fully ransack the bedroom just to find the tv remote to turn off the TV. We also use it as an intra house intercom and just today when I was out shopping, I needed to ask my spouse about an item and she didn't answer her phone. But I just piped in directly to the living room and got the answer I needed. I definitely am getting my $35 worth. Although I never buy things with it, so I'm not sure Amazon is making out too well.