Amazon Echo

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#2124033 12-Nov-2018 12:41

gehenna:

freitasm:

is this normal when buying from Noel Leeming?

Nope, mine came with the correct NZ plug from NL.

Same here. All mine came from NL, and all have NZ plugs. It's quite a bulky plug/PSU, and not something you'd ideally want hanging from an adaptor. I'd take it back if it was me.

Trevor Dennis
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#2124096 12-Nov-2018 13:15

Any tips on setting up Amazon Echo and HK Allure to play Spotify in a multi-room setup? The HK is in the lounge and the Echo in a studio - ideally they would play independent streams but by default if I say "Alexa, play rock & roll on Spotify" in the lounge it will stop the studio playing - and vice-versa...

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#2124161 12-Nov-2018 14:19

freitasm:

Any tips on setting up Amazon Echo and HK Allure to play Spotify in a multi-room setup? The HK is in the lounge and the Echo in a studio - ideally they would play independent streams but by default if I say "Alexa, play rock & roll on Spotify" in the lounge it will stop the studio playing - and vice-versa...

I think you would need separate spotify accounts in order to do this - AFAIK spotify only allows one stream at a time (its not an Alexa constraint per se)

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#2124162 12-Nov-2018 14:22

I read somewhere that Skype will be allowed soon, does anyone know when it will be?

Keen on getting these for the parents and inlaws...whom dont have computers or the need for smart phones.

richms

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#2124410 12-Nov-2018 19:38

freitasm:

Parents-in-law bought a Harman Kardon Allure (with Alexa) and an Amazon Echo (for the studio) from Noel Leeming. The Amazon Echo came with a US plug - is this normal when buying from Noel Leeming?

No and quite illegal too. Possibly an error by amazon or if it was opened already someone doing the buy a local one and swap it and return it routine which plagues NZ retail where they just pop it back on the shelf since its not illegal to resell it here.

Richard rich.ms

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#2124411 12-Nov-2018 19:39

freitasm:

Any tips on setting up Amazon Echo and HK Allure to play Spotify in a multi-room setup? The HK is in the lounge and the Echo in a studio - ideally they would play independent streams but by default if I say "Alexa, play rock & roll on Spotify" in the lounge it will stop the studio playing - and vice-versa...

That is correct. And getting a family spotify doesnt help at all since you have to make seperate accounts and then have one on each of them which means spotify connect is a pain and you dont have access to your own discover weekly and daily mixes.

Richard rich.ms

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#2124420 12-Nov-2018 19:54

In which case, better to create a group and simply play the same thing in all of them...

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TLD

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#2124453 12-Nov-2018 21:00

richms:

freitasm:

Parents-in-law bought a Harman Kardon Allure (with Alexa) and an Amazon Echo (for the studio) from Noel Leeming. The Amazon Echo came with a US plug - is this normal when buying from Noel Leeming?

No and quite illegal too. Possibly an error by amazon or if it was opened already someone doing the buy a local one and swap it and return it routine which plagues NZ retail where they just pop it back on the shelf since its not illegal to resell it here.

It wouldn't be the first time I've heard of returns being resold, but not from NL. The previous occurrences had the initials HN.

Trevor Dennis
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da5id

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#2124694 13-Nov-2018 12:37

Goosey:

I read somewhere that Skype will be allowed soon, does anyone know when it will be?

Keen on getting these for the parents and inlaws...whom dont have computers or the need for smart phones.

Alexa now has "drop-in" and "calling" features which are basically the same as Skype. I think the 'parents' would need an Echo device though.

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#2124907 13-Nov-2018 18:09

da5id:
Goosey:

I read somewhere that Skype will be allowed soon, does anyone know when it will be?

Keen on getting these for the parents and inlaws...whom dont have computers or the need for smart phones.

Alexa now has "drop-in" and "calling" features which are basically the same as Skype. I think the 'parents' would need an Echo device though.

Indeed.
Whatever it was I read, went onto say That Amazon has realised the uptake of people using ‘drop in’ isnt As good as the population base that uses Skype and as such will be allowing the Microsoft app on future models.

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#2125062 13-Nov-2018 21:10

found the link..

Here

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

freitasm

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#2127165 15-Nov-2018 13:18

Amazon Blueprints now available in AU/NZ:

Amazon today introduced Alexa Skill Blueprints, a new way to create your own personalised skills and responses for Alexa. Using a set of easy-to-use templates anyone can create customised experiences for Alexa within minutes just by filling in the blanks. Whether it’s your own answer to the question “Alexa, who is the best grandmother in the world?” or a skill that offers helpful information for the babysitter, “Alexa, open My Sitter,” Alexa Skill Blueprints allow you to build experiences into Alexa that are personalised to you and help make Alexa even more useful around your home. The skills you create are specially designed by you, for you and your family. You can choose to keep them specifically for the devices registered to your Amazon account or enable sharing and send to friends or family by email, Facebook or message.

“Alexa Skill Blueprints is an entirely new way for you to create personalised Alexa skills just for you and your family,” said Kate Burleigh, Australia and New Zealand Country Manager, Alexa Skills. “You don’t need experience building skills or coding to get started—my family created our own jokes skill in a matter of minutes, and it’s been fun to interact with Alexa in this new and personal way.”

Using Alexa Skill Blueprints is as easy as filling in the blanks. You can customise responses to questions like “Alexa, what is the best city?" or “Alexa, who has the best sense of humour?” You can also use Skill Blueprints to create an interactive adventure story with your child as the lead character, “Alexa, start Anna’s Story,” or create a skill to poke fun at Dad’s daggy one liners, “Alexa, open Dad Jokes.” The skills and responses you create with Alexa Skill Blueprints will be available instantly on the devices associated with your account.

Getting Started with Alexa Skill Blueprints:

Creating your own Alexa skill and responses is simple. Just follow these easy steps:

Select your Blueprint template by visiting the Alexa Skill Blueprints website: Blueprints.amazon.com.au There you can browse more than 30 Skill Blueprints across four categories including Fun & Games, At Home, Storyteller, and Learning & Knowledge.
Unleash your creativity. Each Blueprint comes with pre-filled content that can be used as-is or customised as you like.
With just one click your skill will be available on all Alexa-enabled devices associated with your Amazon account. You can also see the list of skill Blueprints in the “Private Skills” section of the Alexa App.
To launch your personal skill just use the relevant name you’ve chosen, for example “Alexa, open House Guest” or “Alexa, start Dave’s story.”
There is no limit to the number of skills you can create. Need to add even more hilarious jokes to the “Dad Jokes” skill? No problem, editing is just as simple using the Alexa Skill Blueprints website.

Alexa Skill Blueprints available at launch include:

At Home

Custom Q&A: Customise responses to your questions
House Guest: Make your guests feel at home with quick access to important info
Babysitter: Help your sitter find things, remember steps and get important info
Pet Sitter: Help your pet sitter care for your favourite animal
Whose Turn: Figure out whose turn it is to do something by having Alexa choose for you
Flatmate: Help your roommates by providing them with all the important information they should know
Fun & Games

Family Jokes: Create a list of your favourite jokes for when you need a laugh
Dad Jokes: Create a list of your favourite dad jokes
Trivia: Create your own multiple choice trivia game on any topic
Inspirations: Curate a list of your favourite inspirational quotes
Family Trivia: Play together and brush up on family history
Birthday Trivia: Play to see who knows the birthday girl or boy best
Sledges: Roast your friends and family with light-hearted sledges
Compliments: Flatter your favourites with a list of custom compliments
First Letter: Play a game of categories starting with a certain letter
World's Best Mum: Celebrate mum with a list of customised compliments
World's Best Dad: Celebrate dad with a list of customised compliments
Five Item Rush: Score your friends in this wacky categories game
Sidekick: Alexa always has your back with these supportive and funny responses
What To Do: Make choices fun and easy by having Alexa randomly choose an item from your list
Three Word Sort: Train your brain in this topsy-turvy sorting game
Storyteller

Adventure: Write an adventure story where your child is the hero
Fairy Tale: Customise an interactive prince and princess-themed tale
Sci-Fi: Create an interactive story with a far-out theme
Fable: Create a short narrative with a moral of the story
Spooky Story: Create an interactive spooky story with your child as the main character
All About Mum: Surprise mum with a personalised story
All About Dad: Surprise dad with a personalised story
Story Quiz: Create a story and test your memory
Learning & Knowledge

Flash Cards: Study, test yourself, and master any subject by voice
Facts: Keep a list of facts on your favourite topic, all in one place
Quiz: Challenge yourself and others with a customizable quiz
Listening Quiz: Listen and recall what you’ve learnt with this listening quiz skill.
To get started with Alexa Skill Blueprints visit: Blueprints.amazon.com.au. For frequently asked questions: Blueprints.amazon.com.au/help/frequently-asked-questions

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TLD

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Ultimate Geek
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#2127279 15-Nov-2018 16:18

Thanks for that. It will be cool to hear how this forum's posters use this.

Trevor Dennis
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freitasm

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#2130745 21-Nov-2018 07:24

Skype calling now officially available for Amazon Alexa devices, including New Zealand.

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MyFriendAutism

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#2130802 21-Nov-2018 08:42

freitasm:

Skype calling now officially available for Amazon Alexa devices, including New Zealand.

Fantastic!. Been waiting for this feature or similar of the old man who is vision impaired.

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