Author Topic: Amazon Echo - UK release end of this month  (Read 2295 times)

Amazon Echo - UK release end of this month
on: September 15, 2016, 10:36:33 AM
Not sure if anyone on here is aware of it, but I've been looking forward to it, although I do want to see what Google home comes out with too!

This will tie in to my home automation kit giving me voice control, and reviews from the yanks really rate it! Although my current dilemma is that the Google offering could provide mobile integration via android as well...

Anyone else interested in echo?

Re: Amazon Echo - UK release end of this month
Reply #1 on: September 17, 2016, 22:56:32 PM
Yep. Ive been looking at it, the videos look pretty good, I just havent quite put together a decent use case for it to justify the £99.

Ive got Evohome heating and Hue lighting, Id like to voice control the lights but beyond that I'd need to upgrade my harmony to a hub version (from 900) to be able to control my media or setup some none trivial linking to my Logitech media server to try and control my Squeezeboxes to get any further functionality from it.

Im concerned it might get get used.
Formerly sexytw

Re: Amazon Echo - UK release end of this month
Reply #2 on: September 19, 2016, 10:28:01 AM
Yep. Ive been looking at it, the videos look pretty good, I just havent quite put together a decent use case for it to justify the £99.

Ive got Evohome heating and Hue lighting, Id like to voice control the lights but beyond that I'd need to upgrade my harmony to a hub version (from 900) to be able to control my media or setup some none trivial linking to my Logitech media server to try and control my Squeezeboxes to get any further functionality from it.

Im concerned it might get get used.

I'm using smart things home automation, either hue lighting, and looking to buy a house at the moment to add in heating and multi room audio, may consider getting the harmony as well was on deal recently but hear it can be unreliable if something isn't quite perfect ..

One thing to note though is that there is likely to be a Google Home announcement on the 10th October so possibly worth holding out.. If this ends up being good then it may make me also move from iPhone to an android..

Re: Amazon Echo - UK release end of this month
Reply #3 on: October 11, 2016, 23:10:01 PM
Just to say I think I'm going to be waiting for Google Home despite it not releasing in the UK for a while it seems to have better intelligence than the echo, not to mention the integration with chromecasts and hopefully android.

Re: Amazon Echo - UK release end of this month
Reply #4 on: October 12, 2016, 14:00:00 PM
I know I want one of them, but Im not sure which.

Amazon integration seems better, already integration with Plex and more third party dev work underway. It also had the options of using the Dot in other rooms, making it cheaper for multi-room setups. Also integrates well with Fire Stick and box.

Google appears to have access to more information but much less third party compatibility, also very expensive to have more than one in a setup.

I think Im going to have to wait to see how the respective development improves for each platform.



Formerly sexytw

    • Tekforums.net - It's new and improved!
  • Offline Clock'd 0Ne

  • Clockedtastic
  • Posts: 10,937
  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
Re: Amazon Echo - UK release end of this month
Reply #5 on: October 12, 2016, 21:50:40 PM
We might be getting one in our office to dick around with, if we do I'll let you know how well it works.

Re: Amazon Echo - UK release end of this month
Reply #6 on: October 14, 2016, 22:41:30 PM
I know I want one of them, but Im not sure which.

Amazon integration seems better, already integration with Plex and more third party dev work underway. It also had the options of using the Dot in other rooms, making it cheaper for multi-room setups. Also integrates well with Fire Stick and box.

Google appears to have access to more information but much less third party compatibility, also very expensive to have more than one in a setup.

I think Im going to have to wait to see how the respective development improves for each platform.

In terms of integration as long as the other services have an API opening up to Google Home is easy, they have already listed partners such as smartthings which I already use for full home automation.

I see your point in terms of cost, but wouldn't surprise me if Google release a dot equivalent in the future, possibly part of the chromecasts. Remember that mobile integration is already there which android doesn't have and Home will work with any chromecast device..

I expect the technology and integrations will be much of a muchness once Home catches up, but Google I think have the better AI and ability to hold a conversation.

Had Home not been released I would have went straight for the echo! But the openness of Home I think will give it the better experience, they aren't limiting to android tech either although that would open up to head units and TVs... I do wonder if you could just pick up a cheap android box to work as a dot like device?

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.