Amazon Echo, is it accessible/reviews?

Category: accessible Devices

Post 1 by kithri (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Sunday, 04-Dec-2016 19:57:57

Hello to all. I am wondering if anyone has used the Amazon echo product and how accessible it is? I know you are supposed to be able to ask it questions to find news or weather or play songs/audio books, but I'm wondering if anyone here has one and what some reviews of the device are.

The reason I'm asking is my mom would like to get me one for the holiday, but we both would like some feedback from this community on it if possible.

Post 2 by maddog (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Sunday, 04-Dec-2016 20:41:56

It's actually extremely accessible. I believe Liam has done some reviews on it if you want to look around for them or ask him about it, and I know that he has done some reviews on the blind bargains podcast, if you ever listen to that in your spare time. Setting it up is fairly simple, and you can do most of it yourself. It's easier if you have an iDevice of one kind or another so you can do it through the app and teach it the skills you're going to want for yourself.

If you're looking for another option as well, the google home is probably going to some day surpass the echo, if what people are saying is to be believed. Look around for those blind bargains podcasts for the echo and google home on www.blindbargains.com, and search around the rest of the net to see what you can find!

Post 3 by kithri (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Sunday, 04-Dec-2016 22:49:32

Sounds great and I probably missed that podcast as I don't always keep up with those, but will check it out. Plus I have an iPod so if I can link to the echo with that, great. I still have to get the TPP link plugs so it can turn off lamps and tv *like when my mom falls asleep with it on full volume downstairs and you can hear every word*. Thanks for the advice.

Post 4 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 05-Dec-2016 8:29:00

If you get it and just hate it, Amazon is really good about allowing you to return it.
They also will try to support you.

Post 5 by sia fan bp (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 05-Dec-2016 15:28:40

yeah, it is pretty accessible! and pretty fun too! :)

Post 6 by Dave_H (the boringest guy you'll ever know) on Monday, 05-Dec-2016 18:28:36

Glad to hear that these devices are accessible.

Post 7 by Voyager (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 06-Dec-2016 12:52:30

Someone rigged Amazon Echo and Google Home to talk to each other and it's hilarious. It's like a Mobius strip!

Post 8 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 08-Dec-2016 14:04:11

This comes from Flying Blind.
6A) This article is called "Amazon Echo As An Accessibility Support:"
https://luisperezonline.com/2016/12/05/amazon-echo-as-an-accessibility-support/

Post 9 by Frozen Teardrop (Veteran Zoner) on Monday, 19-Dec-2016 15:43:10

I've had mine for about two weeks now, and it works perfectly for me. the app is a bit annoying, but its nothing that i would say isn't accessible.

Post 10 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Monday, 26-Dec-2016 17:42:39

I love my Echo Dot, which is the small version of the Echo. I was able to set it up as a totally blind person, completely by myself and am enjoying the wide array of things that it can do. Best Christmas present ever, by far! My only complaint though, would be that the Alexa app seems to be somewhat clunky.

Post 11 by Jack Off Jill (why the hell am I posting in the first place?) on Tuesday, 03-Jan-2017 17:47:54

I use it all the time, she does a lot for me

Post 12 by Pasco (my ISP would be out of business if it wasn't for this haven I live at) on Wednesday, 04-Jan-2017 1:27:02

I just got an Echo Dot and it is a blast. They do use an app to configures some things, but you can configure a lot through voice commands, and there is also a regular web interface if you prefer that to the ap. Very accessible. https://alexa.amazon.com.