Accessible Solutions: November 2017

Alexa – my virtual girlfriend

As we all know Alexa is a name of a virtual assistant used by Amazon for its voice based devices/services like Amazon Echo. Back in 2015 Amazon launched these Echo devices in United States which created a trend. All over the world people started talking about Echo. After all they are the first Artificial Intelligence(AI) based smart speakers. Since launch Echo devices received attention from the media, customers & techies worldwide. Indian gizmo lovers like me were gathering every tip of info on AI Speaker services and desperately waiting for these devices to arrive in India. Finally, on 4^th October 2017, Amazon India launched Echo devices officially in India. To get one you need to request an invitation from Amazon for purchasing these devices. Once invited you can purchase one of them offered model out of 3 as per your need and choice. Amazon started shipping Echo devices in the last week of October; I may be one of the firsts in India who bought Echo dot just a forthright ago, on 2^nd November.

What is Echo?

Amazon Echo (shortened and referred to as Echo) is a brand of smart speakers developed by Amazon.com. The devices connect to the voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa, which responds to the name "Alexa". This "wake word" can be changed by the user to "Amazon", "Echo" or "Computer". The device is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audio books, and providing weather, traffic and other real-time information. It can also control several smart devices using itself as a home automation hub. Echo comes in 3 variants as

Echo dot - smallest version,

Echo the original speaker &

Echo + the higher variant.

All variants support same voice based assistant Alexa, in short all are equally smart however differs in terms of speaker capabilities, battery backup & connectivity options. I ordered an Amazon Echo dot the smaller version.

Unboxing & setting up Echo

Amazon shipped my Echo dot in a tiny box, that includes an Echo dot speaker, wall charger & some instruction manuals please note, this Echo dot needs continues power supply as it is not battery operated. Echo dot is a round shape portable speaker having 4 buttons on the top. The shape is like a round jewelry box of a ring. A button with raised dot is an action button, in fact feeling this raised button we can find the correct position of Echo dot. Hold your Echo dot in such a manner so that this action button should come on 12 o’clock. Now buttons on 9 & 3 o’clock respectively are for increase/decrease the volume. Button placed on 6 o’clock is for mute/unmute the microphones installed on device. As per Amazon claim, all echo devices are imbedded with high intensity microphones which can even work in louder surroundings.

I hooked the power adaptor & connected Echo dot device using small USB pin. As soon as I turned on the switch Echo dot started flashing green light. This light is placed on top corner of circular shape. Make sure you have active wifi connection in your phone, your phone will become controlling device for your Echo & as per the requirement Echo & controlling device should be on same wifi. As per the instructions given, I downloaded & installed app “Amazon Alexa” in my Android phone & quickly opened the same. Of course, on first screen it asked my “Amazon” credentials, you can even create new profile using “Sign up” button at bottom. Since you ordered your Echo device from Amazon it means you already have Amazon credentials. I entered my details & went ahead. On next screen it gave me option to select language, by default it was on “English India” which should be same for all of us. Now I came on home screen of app. To set up my Echo dot I tapped on menu-settings-set up new device. Now on this screen I will have to select my product name, in my case it is “Echo Dot”. Immediately I got a next screen which said “wait for orange light on your device” & click on continue. Hold on, you may require sighted help here however I found a small fix for this, as per the documentation you can put your Echo dot in set up mode by holding “Action” button pressed for more than 5 seconds. I followed these instructions & light must be orange by now as it prompted “Your Echo is in set up mode, complete set up using your Alexa app”. I followed all instructions on app including providing wifi password & tapped on “Continue”. There was a message “Please wait, configuring your Echo dot”. After a minute may be

Alexa replied “Your echo dot is now connected”, wow, finally. My first question to Alexa was “What is time?” & she instantly replied “Its 7:30 PM”. I observed that Alexa voice is highly customized for Indian English hence she is understandable for all those who otherwise having difficulties in understanding American & British accent. My excitement was on top hence was asking many non-sense questions but she was politely answering all of them. Here I would like to give one small tip or recommendation to all my visually impaired friends, when you say wake up phrase “Alexa”, light on Echo device turns blue, now only you can ask your question, this is little frustrating at times as we don’t really see the lights. Relax! No worries as Amazon had provided additional sound feedback when Alexa wakes up. You can go to your Alexa app menu-settings & tap on name of your Echo device, this will open additional options related to your device, in these options tap on “Sounds” & enable “Start” & “Finish” sound. Once enabled your Echo will play a small sound along with blue lights when Alexa will start & stop recording. I admit that intensity of microphones is really high claimed by Amazon as it recognizes my voice from distance that too in louder environment. In terms of flexibility, you can save multiple wifi connections, means; Echo will work at your friends place easily if you configure it once. Whenever Echo has difficulty in connecting to internet then Alexa prompts “Your Echo loses its connection”, not to worry as it reconnects on its own, smart, right?

As I mentioned, Echo dot is a small speaker, not too great for streaming music loudly however it has got multiple connectivity options, by using 3.5 MM audio output or Bluetooth you can connect this to main sound system in your house.

Amazon Alexa Android app

The Mobile app “Amazon Alexa” is a nicely designed user experience. Although app response is slow at times on Android but it is an accessible interface. App has got one main screen to always show your current activity which includes “now playing” screen. “Menu” tab opens up list of options including routine, skills, things to try & most important “Settings”. To customize your Echo device, you should go to settings & then tap on device name. You can edit device language, device location, device time zone. You can even change wake up phrase “Alexa” from this screen; unfortunately, you can’t add your own word as you will have to select from options “Amazon”, “Alexa”, “Computer”, “Desktop”.

Bottom of this screen you can see serial number & mac id of your device. You may require this mac id for registration if you’re connecting to secure corporate networks.

Alexa skills

This is one of the features which take Amazon echo-Alexa ahead in race of smart speakers. Using these skills, Alexa the virtual assistant can learn new stuff & she can be compatible with third party applications. In short developers & service providers can develop skills of their apps for Alexa & integrate their services into Amazon eco system. For instant popular cab provider Uber developed their skill for Alexa, using this skill Alexa user can book their Uber ride only using their voice, don’t you think it is cool? These skills are nothing but small programs written to make services accessible through Alexa. There are more than ten thousand skills presently available for Alexa & this number is growing day by day. When Amazon launched Echo devices in our country they smartly included all the Indian skills into Alexa, for e.g. Ola, Zomatto, Times of India, economic times, Fresh menu. In fact, I found many skills by regional news channels. Since Alexa has dedicated skill for Tune in radio we can listen all the available FM & internet radio on the same. By the way when you purchase Echo devices Amazon is offering free prime membership for one year, which includes Amazon prime for shopping, prime video their popular video service & upcoming service Amazon prime music. They also collaborated with Saavn for add free music. When you ask Alexa to play any music then by default she plays it through prime music & optionally plays it on Saavn. I tried playing Hindi & Marathi songs through Alexa & she smartly recognized the song & played it within fraction of seconds. My parents are really happy with this feature as both of them are music lover & not a user of smart phone/internet. Good news for regional radio listeners as all India radio is coming up with Alexa skill very soon.

Using a skill “Astrobot” I configured my Gmail account & Alexa reads my emails while I am having coffee, I can even delete & reply to emails, amazing experience overall. Inside your Alexa app under settings-skills you can find Alexa skills, you can even search skills based on category. There are many skills for productivity, business/finance, food/drink, games & trivia. You can manage all your enabled skills from same tab. Under my area of interest “Food/drinks” I found skill for “Zomatto”, I enabled it quickly & linked my account using Google id. Asked Alexa to open Zomatto & she quickly greeted me & asked my intension, “Dine out” or “Order online”. I went for “Dine out” & she asked me to choose my food type, “Chinese”, “Italian” an all. I must tell you, discovering nearby restaurants using only your voice & reading desired information is just outstanding. Alexa even helps you to find new skills, just say “Alexa enable skill finder”, she will enable this skill called “Skill finder” now she will help you in reading skills based on ratings & category, everything is managed with your voice.

Alexa & smart home

Echo supports smart devices installed in your home, it means you can turn on/off lights, control temperature of oven, control air conditioner & so on. Unfortunately, presently in India we have only smart bulbs/LED available however India is a big market so I expect many IOT devices in coming months.

Final word

After using Amazon Echo dot for 2 weeks now, I can say that sci-fi movies we have seen during our school days are coming in reality. Now I use Echo dot to play music, listen to news, checking my emails & for other leisure time. My usage is growing as I am exploring new stuff. Overall it is an amazing experience. I do agree that Google assistant is little smart in answering our queries & more functional due to its integration with our phone. However, Alexa is nowhere behind. Skills are making her smarter & many service providers are jumping into this for reaching potential customer base.

I see another great usage of these AI based smart speakers for senior citizens and kids as they may prefer to work on voice. People say that in the coming years artificial intelligence & machine learning is going to change our life a lot. Being a user of AI technology, I definitely say here that story has begun. We will soon be heading to a sci-fi future. If you’re a gizmo mad or even a non-techy but want to try something very interesting then just grab one Echo device for your living room. Go & ask any question to Alexa however don’t trouble her much, after all she is my virtual girlfriend.