Amazon Echo - Music

Shrimply

Hi guys,

So just after a bit of advice. I got given an echo as a present, which in fairness isn't a bad gift as I do like gadgets but it's not something I'd have bought myself. I can't see what it can do that my phone can't but with the benefit of a visual display.

I think being used to Google on my phone I actually find Alexa pretty naff, people say she is good at listening but sometimes what she "hears" isn't even remotely like what I've asked for. Maybe it's it Scottish accent but again Google never seems to have a problem.

I have her set up in the kitchen and have found her useful for adding things to my shopping list, timers and getting a brief news update while I'm making a cup of tea.

I've also used her a little to listen to the radio but she seems useless at selecting a radio station by genre, she can play an 80's radio station. But ask her for a 90's one, a rock one, a classical one, nothing. She also can't get my local radio station Tay FM. I get t.f.m, b.f.m, dream.f.m. But never what I actually want and there seems to be a frustrating lack of a way to correct her mistake, vocally or in the app, which would surely be useful in her learning process. This really confuses me, you can note in the app that she didn't do what you wanted, but not actually tell her what you did want.

Anyway the actual question was about music, requesting songs and playlists is something I might actually use her for. But I don't currently pay for a premium music service, and I'm a bit reluctant about doing so. My music provider of choice is Deezer, which I maybe wouldn't have been against paying for, but again this is not supported.

So that leaves Spotify or a flavour of Amazon music. And I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on which was my best choice. I believe I can get Amazon unlimited just on the echo for £3.99 a month, but my understanding is that you have no visual way to manage playlists or anything using this option.

I'm a student, so I could pay the £39 for Amazon prime and try Amazon music, or pay the extra for their unlimited service. Which seems like a decent deal

That was pretty long winded but any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

Shrimply

I'm sorry but what an unhelpful reply

DavidP24 wrote: »

Who the hell is "her" that you are referring to?

"Her" is clearly Alexa, they didn't give her a female name so that she could be referred to as it.

DavidP24 wrote: »

I heard that Echo is going to carry ads

Completely irrelevant - some third party skills may carry short ads, has very little to do with Amazon or direct interactions with the Echo.

To be honest it is the last thing I would want to have snooping

Also I have had very bad experience with Amazon products, I simply do not trust them as a brand for kit nor for their approach about warranty and the law.

Completely irrelevant to the question being asked.

If you were going to dole out money for Amazon Prime you just missed Amazon day or whatever they call it where subscriptions are reduced.

Yes because I would want to pay £59 for it on one specific day when I can get it for £39 on any day I choose.

My advice would be to package it up and flog it on eBay, bound to be some doofus silly enough to pay good money for it.

I obviously have more respect for the gifts people buy me than you do.

Gers

I've just tried the options from the OP

Echo found a 90s station, a rock station and Classic FM. Had the same trouble with Tay FM. ( Alexa, play a rock station etc)

If you look at the history of your use of your Echo, on the app, you can feedback to the development team on the results. Not sure if my Scottish accent put off reaching Tay FM but it's best to feedback anyway.

Today I tried to reach what I was told was Argyll FM, I got Oban FM from Echo. Different name, same bunch of rubbish!

I really enjoy using my Echo, it's not a useless gadget at all. Others I know make huge use of it for HA, especially important for those with impaired movement, I have set up a two TP-link smart bulbs and two TP-link smart plugs which are enough for me.

There's a FB page for Echo users, have a search around if you're on FB. There's some great help there.

System

DavidP24 wrote: »

Sorry you did not like my reply, you will find a plethora of opinions on this forum, someone is bound to come along and say whatever "acceptance" you are seeking. As you say it was a bit long winded.

"Her" is is a computer algorithm and computer generated voice, not a member of the female sex!

I think the things I raised are entirely relevant, you seemed to be at a point of deciding whether to waste time on this device.

Well they say don't look a gift horse in the mouth but don't be surprised when it turns out to be a nag!

You can give sound advice on these forums but when you really don't like something you really come across as bitter and make people feel like they're complete fools for having the product or even considering it.

Disappointing!

Shrimply

DavidP24 wrote: »

Sorry you did not like my reply, you will find a plethora of opinions on this forum, someone is bound to come along and say whatever "acceptance" you are seeking. As you say it was a bit long winded.

I don't need any acceptance, the question was about using the music services on the echo and which was best. And other posters have already added helpful advice on issues I was having with the radio stations. So spending a bit of time explaining what I was having problems with was worthwhile.

DavidP24 wrote: »

"Her" is is a computer algorithm and computer generated voice, not a member of the female sex!

Neither is every boat ever built, but humans like to anthropomorphise. As the poster above said this comment can only have been meant to try and make me feel foolish, there was no other purpose for it.

Gers

I did send feedback to Amazon about Tay FM and just got a reply back:

This is XXXX from Echo customer care, I do apologise that Alexa could not understand your request to find Tay FM, so lets try to look for this specific station on Alexa app:

Go to Alexa App
Click on Music & Books
Click on TuneIn en try to look for Tay FM, then stop it and ask alexa to continue playing.

[STRIKE]Haven't tried this yet, hope it works[/STRIKE].

Just tried it and it does work.

Great work Amazon for the prompt response.

IN EDIT - just tried to select it again by voice and got something weird. So, I've used the app again. Must be the accent!

mac.d

If you already shop at Amazon, it seems worth giving the student Prime option a try for £39. That'll let you sample Amazon Music and see how you get on with selecting playlists, albums etc via the echo. If you end up being happy enough with choosing what music to play this way, then the £3.99 option for the full Music Unlimited can be added at a later date.

Doshwaster

Just tried with my Dot

I got Tay FM by going to the Alexa App on my phone -> Music & books -> Tune In -> search for Tay FM.

But in answer to "Alexa, play Tay FM" I get either TFM or KFM

"She" seems pretty good at genres though, asking for "70s rock music" or "80s pop music" gets an appropriate station.

In terms of music library, I am a Google Prime member (mainly for the deliveries) and their 2 million song library seems fine to me. Not interested in paying extra for their delivery service. It would be nice to have access to Google Music but that would mean Amazon and Google talking to each other.

I've only had my Dot a few days so I'm still getting used to what she can do. It's amazing how soon talking to a device becomes natural. I even found myself asking my "dumb" kitchen radio to play Radio 2 earlier and wondering why it didn't answer. It's still early days for voice control but it's going to to the next big thing.

Johnmcl7

I don't have issues with the voice recognition on the Dot even though I'm Scottish, works fine for my Mum as well and she normally can't get voice recognition to work for her. I'm not sure what to suggest as to why you're having issues with yours.

I use Spotify with my Echo as I receive it free with my Vodafone subscription, it works well with the Echo particularly as you can set up the music in the Spotify app and choose to output on the Echo. I'm not sure if there's any student options to get it cheaper.

There should be a free trial of Amazon unlimited you can try through the Echo Dot which is probably worth a go and see if it works for you or not. There should be some options to manage the playlists through the Alexa although I've not used Amazon Unlimited, I've used it for standard Amazon music just with voice commands.

I'm not sure if you get any space with a basic Amazon account but it may be worth checking as you should be able to upload 250 tracks for free which the Echo can access and would give you a way to try it out.

John

Gram_Parsons

Tay FM is my local station.
I had the same problem.
Try "Alexa, play ninety-six point four fm"

SeduLOUs

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

I use Spotify with my Echo as I receive it free with my Vodafone subscription, it works well with the Echo particularly as you can set up the music in the Spotify app and choose to output on the Echo. I'm not sure if there's any student options to get it cheaper.

Spotify Premium is reduced to £4.99 per month for students.