Listening Using Echo Devices

[Jeanie]

I got an email inviting me to try out the Echo Auto--I signed up nearly a year ago and it's taken since then for them to roll it out.

It requires a mobile phone to connect via the Alexa app.

Now I'm debating whether to go a ahead and give this to my sister to try out... her phone can already do much of what Alexa does so I'm not sure it will be worth even the $24.99 they are asking for it.

Anyone out there get the invite or have an opinion?

[SA]

I received my Echo Auto on July 3rd and am pleased with it so far. Have been listening to Audible books in the vehicle on it instead of public radio since I got it.

[Jeanie]

SA wrote: "I received my Echo Auto on July 3rd and am pleased with it so far. Have been listening to Audible books in the vehicle on it instead of public radio since I got it."

Is there any problem with the Echo Auto using your mobile phone's data plan? If you have an unlimited plan, I guess it's no issue, but for those without an unlimited plan it might be.

[SA]

The first month I used it my data usage went up from an average of 0.3GB to 1.1 GB (all mobile data for 7 of those days)

at 0.2GB through 10 days of this month

[Joselyn]

Well as a person who aren't in the states, I will try to be as objective here as I can.

It sounds more that you're being conditioned to buy things from amazon actually, I think depending on the car radio you have it will be easier to just put it on bluetooth with the audible app? that way you doesn't have to pay for echo auto? now I don't actually know what this echo can actually do, do it read like a text to speech thing?

I think maybe other options can work too like the bluetooth one.

[Jeanie]

Joselyn wrote: "Well as a person who aren't in the states, I will try to be as objective here as I can.

It sounds more that you're being conditioned to buy things from amazon actually, I think depending on the ca..."

Not so much conditioned to buy from Amazon as becoming reliant on the Echo device and wanting it to go everywhere with you. But it does seem that the Alexa app on the phone now lets you access the Alexa functions without an Echo device. If that's so, then why do we need an Echo device in the car when the phone can be the device?

As for Alexa... as my dad used to say, she's as handy as a pocket on a shirt! ;P The text to speech function is quite natural and so many of her capabilities are so handy--time, weather, information, GPS-like functions, and, of course, playing audiobooks with voice control. In this particular case, the question isn't whether Alexa is useful but whether a separate device is necessary.

[Jan]

I had the opportunity to get the Echo for Car and at first I thought I would love it. I listen to a lot of Prime music on my echo and thought it would be great to have it in the car. But then I thought about data usage. I am on the lowest data plan available and I don't want to worry about going over so I didn't make the plunge. I'm still using an MP3 player in my car for music and audiobooks.

[Jan]

Jeanie - this may be old news for you but I was just reading that you can now change the narration speed on your Audible books on your Echo by asking Alexa to:

Narration speed
Alexa, read faster.
Alexa, read slower.
Alexa, read at normal speed.

This was something I was NOT aware of and am anxious to give it a try.

[Jeanie]

Just because I might have known about it doesn't mean it isn't worth repeating! I've been using this feature for a while and don't know what I'd do without it. I do often wish for just one more level of increase in speed--1.75 or 175 percent. But I do appreciate the 150 percent rate and have no trouble understanding.

Also, for Echo device users... the first Harry Potter book is free to stream using Alexa through July 31.
Just ask: Alexa, read Harry Potter Book 1.
That's what the email said to do so I suppose it works and maybe so does, "Alexa, read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
If you don't already have it, it's worth a listen... and it's free!