Mike OettingMike OettingAdult Services LibrarianAdult Services LibrarianHinsdale Public LibraryHinsdale Public Librarymoetting@hinsdalelibrary.infomoetting@hinsdalelibrary.info

Tech Talk LiveTech Talk LiveSomeone gave me an Amazon Echo Someone gave me an Amazon Echo speaker. Now what?speaker. Now what?

An Echo is a voice-controlled information An Echo is a voice-controlled information and entertainment device using Amazon’s and entertainment device using Amazon’s Alexa technology. It currently comes in three Alexa technology. It currently comes in three varieties:varieties:The EchoThe Echo: has a built-in medium-sized : has a built-in medium-sized speakerspeakerThe Echo DotThe Echo Dot: has a small speaker and an : has a small speaker and an external audio connectionexternal audio connectionThe TapThe Tap: a battery powered portable device : a battery powered portable device

What is an Amazon Echo?What is an Amazon Echo?

Amazon has built Alexa software Amazon has built Alexa software into its into its Fire TV Fire TV series of media series of media players and players and FireFire series of tablets. series of tablets.

It has also licensed Alexa It has also licensed Alexa technology to third parties (e.g. technology to third parties (e.g. Nucleus Anywhere Intercom).Nucleus Anywhere Intercom).

What other devices use What other devices use Alexa?Alexa?

Prior to November, 2016, Consumer Prior to November, 2016, Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimated Intelligence Research Partners estimated that that 5 million 5 million Echo speakers had been Echo speakers had been sold.* sold.* Amazon says that it sold over Amazon says that it sold over nine times nine times as many Echo devices this holiday as many Echo devices this holiday season as last.**season as last.*** http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-r-levin/amazon-echo--what-we-know_b_13336684.html* http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-r-levin/amazon-echo--what-we-know_b_13336684.html

**http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2232897**http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2232897

How popular is it?How popular is it?

An An Amazon AccountAmazon Account A A WiFi WiFi network and passwordnetwork and password Ideally, an Ideally, an Amazon Prime Amazon Prime account for account for

the best free music selectionthe best free music selection

What do I need to set up an What do I need to set up an Echo?Echo?

1.1. Download the Alexa AppDownload the Alexa App on your iOS or on your iOS or Android Device. Android Device. Run the Alexa AppRun the Alexa App..

2.2. Follow the instructions on the Follow the instructions on the Alexa AppAlexa App to connect your Echo device to WiFi and to connect your Echo device to WiFi and get started. get started.

Here are detailed instructions for an Echo Here are detailed instructions for an Echo Dot. Other devices should be similar: Dot. Other devices should be similar: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201994280

How do I set up my Echo?How do I set up my Echo?

Next: Set up Free Music Next: Set up Free Music AccountsAccounts

iHeart iHeart RadioRadio

PandoraPandora tunein tunein

radioradio

Weather: Weather: "Alexa, what’s the weather”"Alexa, what’s the weather” News: News: "Alexa, what’s the news”"Alexa, what’s the news” Calculations: Calculations: "Alexa, what’s 13 times 7”"Alexa, what’s 13 times 7” Conversions: Conversions: "Alexa, how many "Alexa, how many

teaspoons are in 3 tablespoons”teaspoons are in 3 tablespoons” Words: Words: "Alexa, what’s the definition of "Alexa, what’s the definition of

hyperbolic”hyperbolic”

What can I do with my Echo? What can I do with my Echo? (General)(General)

Timer: Timer: "Alexa, set a timer for 15 minutes”"Alexa, set a timer for 15 minutes” Timer: Timer: "Alexa, how much time is left”"Alexa, how much time is left”

Note: You can set multiple timers at once. Note: You can set multiple timers at once. Simply speak another timer command with Simply speak another timer command with the second timer’s duration.the second timer’s duration.

Timer: Timer: "Alexa, cancel timer”"Alexa, cancel timer” Alarm: Alarm: "Alexa, set an alarm for 6 AM”"Alexa, set an alarm for 6 AM”

What can I do with my Echo? What can I do with my Echo? (Time)(Time)

Music: Music: "Alexa, play Frank Sinatra”"Alexa, play Frank Sinatra” Music: Music: "Alexa, play Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra” "Alexa, play Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra” Music: Music: "Alexa, play Top Pop” "Alexa, play Top Pop” (Amazon Prime)(Amazon Prime) Music: Music: "Alexa, play Today’s Hits on Pandora”"Alexa, play Today’s Hits on Pandora” Music: Music: "Alexa, play WXRT”"Alexa, play WXRT” Music: Music: "Alexa, play 24/7 Comedy on I Heart Radio”"Alexa, play 24/7 Comedy on I Heart Radio” Music: Music: "Alexa, Next Track” "Alexa, Next Track” "Alexa, Stop” "Alexa, Stop” Podcasts:Podcasts: "Alexa, Play Serial Podcast” "Alexa, Play Serial Podcast”

What can I do with my Echo? What can I do with my Echo? (Audio)(Audio)

Alexa skills are Alexa skills are additional abilities that can additional abilities that can be added to your device to enhance its be added to your device to enhance its functionality.functionality. They are optional, and can They are optional, and can be added and removed as desired. be added and removed as desired.

Some skills are made by Amazon, and Some skills are made by Amazon, and some are made by third parties.some are made by third parties.

To add a skill, simply enable it by name To add a skill, simply enable it by name (e.g. (e.g. "Alexa, enable What’s My Sign”"Alexa, enable What’s My Sign”))

Introduction to Alexa SkillsIntroduction to Alexa Skills

What’s My Sign (astrology)What’s My Sign (astrology) "Alexa, ask What’s My Sign for Cancer”"Alexa, ask What’s My Sign for Cancer”

Big Sky Big Sky "Alexa, open Big Sky” "Alexa, open Big Sky” (this returns a detailed forecast for (this returns a detailed forecast for

your address)your address) "Alexa, ask Big Sky about the weather on this weekend” "Alexa, ask Big Sky about the weather on this weekend” "Alexa, ask Big Sky if it will rain in the next three hours”"Alexa, ask Big Sky if it will rain in the next three hours”

Ask My Buddy (alert friends/family if you are in trouble)Ask My Buddy (alert friends/family if you are in trouble) "Alexa, Ask My Buddy to Alert Jim”"Alexa, Ask My Buddy to Alert Jim” "Alexa, Ask My Buddy to Alert my Family”"Alexa, Ask My Buddy to Alert my Family”

Interesting Alexa Skills (Part I)Interesting Alexa Skills (Part I)

Short Bedtime Story Short Bedtime Story "Alexa, open short bedtime story” "Alexa, open short bedtime story” (it will ask for a child’s (it will ask for a child’s

name) name) This Day in HistoryThis Day in History

"Alexa, open This Day in History”"Alexa, open This Day in History” "Alexa, hear more about this event”"Alexa, hear more about this event”

The Magic Door (a verbal adventure game)The Magic Door (a verbal adventure game) "Alexa, open The Magic Door”"Alexa, open The Magic Door”

Curiosity (interesting facts and conversation starters)Curiosity (interesting facts and conversation starters) "Alexa, open Curiosity”"Alexa, open Curiosity”

Interesting Alexa Skills (Part Interesting Alexa Skills (Part II)II)

Quick Events (add events to Google Quick Events (add events to Google Calendar) Calendar)

"Alexa, Lauch Quick Events”"Alexa, Lauch Quick Events” "Alexa, Ask Quick Events to add Lunch "Alexa, Ask Quick Events to add Lunch

with Molly Tomorrow at 11AM”with Molly Tomorrow at 11AM” Uber (an app-based taxi alternative)Uber (an app-based taxi alternative)

"Alexa, Ask Uber to request a ride”"Alexa, Ask Uber to request a ride” Jeopardy! (a mini version of the TV game)Jeopardy! (a mini version of the TV game)

"Alexa, Open Jeopardy”"Alexa, Open Jeopardy”

Interesting Alexa Skills (Part Interesting Alexa Skills (Part III)III)

The Echo can control your smart home, with The Echo can control your smart home, with Alexa-compatible devices. Search Amazon Alexa-compatible devices. Search Amazon for for “works with Alexa” “works with Alexa” to identify them.to identify them.Lighting:Lighting: "Alexa, turn bedroom on”"Alexa, turn bedroom on”Lighting:Lighting: "Alexa, dim bedroom to 50%”"Alexa, dim bedroom to 50%”Switch:Switch: "Alexa, turn fan off”"Alexa, turn fan off”Smart Thermostat: Smart Thermostat: "Alexa, lower the living "Alexa, lower the living room by 4 degrees”room by 4 degrees”

Echo and the Smart HomeEcho and the Smart Home

Questions?Questions?