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An American Tragedy.
Last year I bought an Amazon Echo Dot which unfortunately needs the Alexa app to set up. I foolishly thought it would be a bit of fun, but the damn thing is just annoying, mainly because I can't stop her from making announcements like "Now connected to Marc's Galaxy Note..."
This is in spite of setting announcements to NONE, announcements volume to ZERO and do not disturb to ON. In the end I just want it to act as a Bluetooth speaker, so if I can't fix this, I'll sell it and buy a simple, non-robotic JBL.
Update
I removed the Alexa app from my phone, reset the Echo Dot, reconnected my phone to it in Bluetooth but still get the annoying "Now connected to Marc's Galaxy Note..."
She simply will NOT go away!
Have you tried chatting with Amazon support to find out how to turn out these unwanted announcements? They are usually pretty responsive.
Have you tried chatting with Amazon support to find out how to turn out these unwanted announcements? They are usually pretty responsive.
I've trawled the net for hours with thousands of others pissed off with this. Nothing seems to work and chatting with Amazon support appears to be a waste of time.
If anyone wants to buy a nearly new Echo Dot, it's up for grabs because I'm asking Santa for a JBL Flip 6 which is inanimate.
I’m sure you can sell it. I feel the same way you do. Better off without it.
I removed the Alexa app from my phone, reset the Echo Dot, reconnected my phone to it in Bluetooth but still get the annoying "Now connected to Marc's Galaxy Note..."
I suggest un-pairing all Bluetooth from the Echo device. Streaming audio via BT from other devices to the Echo is not it's primary reason for existing. The main reason for using an Echo is to listen to audio directly from the internet. You ask it to play thousands of real worldwide Radio stations. Or music streaming from Spotify, Apple Music, etc...
The Alexa app on your phone is only a convience app to control the Echo when you do not feel like talking to the inanimate speaker. From your phone, Only internet is required, not BT. There is no reason to leave it BT paired or to have your phone auto BT connect to Echo.
If you have actual real digital content on your phone or computer that you want to BT stream, that is fine, though as you have realized a true BT speaker is probably better. Do not waste your phones battery to connect to some internet audio and then also BT stream that connection to the Echo speaker. That defeats the purpose of a "smart" internet enabled speaker.
Unfortunately the BBC radio only plays from Argentina, using Echo, if you have your home network VPNd into a UK server. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/help/qu…r/sign-in-alexa
I suggest un-pairing all Bluetooth from the Echo device. Streaming audio via BT from other devices to the Echo is not it's primary reason for existing. The main reason for using an Echo is to listen to audio directly from the internet. You ask it to play thousands of real worldwide Radio stations. Or music streaming from Spotify, Apple Music, etc...
The Alexa app on your phone is only a convience app to control the Echo when you do not feel like talking to the inanimate speaker. Only internet is required, not BT. There is no reason to leave it BT paired or to have your phone auto BT connect to Echo.
If you have actual real digital content on your phone or computer that you want to BT stream, that is fine, though as you have realized a true BT speaker is probably better. Do not waste your phones battery to connect to some internet audio and then also BT stream that connection to the Echo speaker. That defeats the purpose of a "smart" internet enabled speaker.
Unfortunately the BBC radio only plays from Argentina if you have your home network VPNd into a UK server. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/help/qu…r/sign-in-alexa
Alexa/Echo Dot don't support YouTube Music and I cancelled my sub to Amazon Music, hence BT over Echo Dot because the sound is good.
But you are right of course. It does so much more but I don't like it. In fact I did a sound test on all four BT devices I have and the best sound was from this little fella which I'll be using in future.
Alexa/Echo Dot don't support YouTube Music and I cancelled my sub to Amazon Music, hence BT over Echo Dot because the sound is good.
That is unfortunate. The battles between Internet rivals who fail the consumer. Mostly I listen to the same 20 or so US National Public Radio morning news and then the other advertisement free Public Radio stations who have real live djs FM broadcasting to their local cities yet also who stream to the internet. That is all I have listened to since they all started Internet broadcasting in the 90s. Alexa/echo made my radio habit even easier these past years.
Most network streaming receivers have higher audio quality compared to BT speakers. Your network wifi has more bandwidth to provide those audio protocols. The convience of BT is to join anywhere you might be traveling around, and low power usage for battery operated devices like headphones. But in your own home, your network and sufficient power outlets make better choices for quality listening.
Some network streaming devices and some smart speakers, will receive YT music streams.
I believe Google Nest smart speakers work for YT. Quick search suggest only YT premium subscribers can play directly without streaming from their phone. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…-nest-speakers/
Others options I know some people who use streaming devices that are more than a smart speaker without any speaker. You plug into a separate stereo system. I keep thinking about it https://www.wiimhome.com/
