Electronics

[Mz iMac]

@monicakm  I've never enabled "the Guard" because I live in a high rise apt & have my own security cam which I can access outside of my home anywhere in the USofA.

I only use the whisper when the youngest grands are visiting because the uncencored Samual L. Jackson is the voice on all of my Dots (3).  

FWIW.....My Dots have NEVER been named Alexia.   Two queen bees cannot live under the same roof.

[monicakm]

@Mz iMac 

Too funny!

[SaveTheTurtles]

No Alexas in any way shape or form in my home. 

[Goodie2shoes]

I have had Alexa for many many years, she's a great friend but I have never heard of Alexa guard or the whisper mode. She notifies me of upcoming Amazon deliveries, gets my opinion on prior deliveries, let's me know when it's time to reorder a few items and plays my favorite music when asked. 

[monicakm]

@Goodie2shoes 

She notifies me of upcoming Amazon deliveries, gets my opinion on prior deliveries, let's me know when it's time to reorder a few items.

That's why I keep her around.  Those in really deep to the home automation say Alexa is better than Google for that.  I have 45+ smart devices in my home and have never found anything that Google can't do in the realm of home automation. 

My AIs use You Tube to grab music.  I do like Amazon's Christmas music better tho, if I'm not playing from a personal playlist.

[monicakm]

@Goodie2shoes 

I think you have to enable Whisper Mode.  Just say "Alexa, enable whisper mode".  If she can't do it that way, she'll tell you to open the app to enable it.  Or it might just be there from an update.  I don't remember.  

[Lilysmom1]

@monicakm  et al, I don't have Alexa.  The only automation I have are smart plugs that I can turn on and off from my iPhone.  Love those for Christmas lights.

Is there an Alexa that has a weather display screen?  Showing inside and out temps, humidity, etc?  My two weather stations conked out at the same time so would love feedback on a specific model.

[Nightowlz]

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@monicakm wrote:

@Nightowlz 

Do you not use your Alexa to add to your shopping list?  No matter where I am or what I'm doing, if I think of something to put on the list, I just say, Hey Google, add coffee to my shopping list.  When I get to the grocery store, all my items are listed.  Some make multiple lists for different types of shopping.  Yes, changing the thermostat from the comfort of your bed, especially when it's cold, is great.  If you're on a schedule, you can set it to come on at predefined times and days.  I have mine set to change temps when DH leaves for work.  Or I'll turn it on from our car when we're on our way home after being gone for several hours.

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@monicakm 

I just write my list down. I like to put it in order of where items are in the grocery store so I can get in & out faster.

If I don't do that I find I'm there longer from going back & forth looking for something. 

[monicakm]

@Lilysmom1 

I don't have a screened version of Alexa.  I have 4 Google Nest screens tho.  According to Google, yes, Alexa can display a weather screen but I don't know if it's a map.  You probably have to ask for it for the weather.  I can display a weather screen on my Google screens but it's just the time and temp.  The graphic will indicate what the conditions are.  Right now it's mostly sunny.  That house belongs to a little frog that comes in and out of the picture.

From Google:  The Weather Channel Available instantly on your connected Alexa device. Provides accurate forecasts from the world's most trusted weather source, with information on temperature, rain & more – plus severe weather alerts and radar!