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The Mission Battery Shell For Amazon Echo 2 has you covered

The Amazon Alexa service is a world class platform for enabling natural language with a host of Alexa capable devices. Many people interact with the Alexa service using one of Amazon’s own Echo devices. Late in 2017, Amazon updated the original three-year-old Echo with a new design. The new design offered a lower price, new skins, and the ability to stream audio, but also kept the Echo tethered to an AC power receptacle. The Mission Battery Shell For Amazon Echo 2 looks to change that with designs that provide power and portability to the Echo.

What’s it offer?

The shell comes in 2 flavors and a total of four colors: black, white, sandstone or charcoal. The standard design offers a soft fabric finish, a non-marking silicone base, and 6 hours of portable playtime. In contrast, the rugged version offers a hard shell finish, an extra-thick silicone base and 8 hours of playtime.  In addition to offering a battery, each design also includes a three-segment LED battery level indicator. One thing this design apparently lacks: a charging dock. You’ll need to connect this to a cable to keep the battery full. Also, while the front looks suave and cylindrical, there is a jumper in the rear which connects the Echo’s existing DC plug to the battery compartment of the sleeve.

You may think it is preferable to purchase an Alexa enabled speaker with a built-in battery. The Amazon Tap is a viable option (and also compatible with hands-free mode). While there are some 3rd-party manufacturers that also build portable speakers with Alexa, Amazon will limit the services you can ask Alexa to stream.

Each version of the Mission Battery Shell sells for $49.99 at Amazon. Visit the Mission site here to find out more info.

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The Mission Battery Shell For Amazon Echo 2 has you covered originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Packages delivered directly into the trunk of your car: what will Amazon think of next?!

Last year Amazon introduced Key In-Home delivery which allowed Prime deliveries directly into your home. On Tuesday they launched Key In-Car, a new service that allows couriers to deliver packages directly into the trunk of your vehicle.

The new service is free for Prime members in 37 cities in the US driving a 2015 or newer Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, or Volvo with OnStar or Volvo On Call.

How it works 

To get started download the free Amazon Key app from the App Store or Google Play. Then select the in-car delivery option on your next Amazon order.

After that it’s pretty simple, just park your car in a publicly accessible parking space within two blocks of your delivery address. You’ll get a notification when the package has been dropped off and your car is relocked. Viola, package delivered!

Amazon stresses that it will authorize the delivery driver before your car is unlocked. And no special access or keys are given to the driver.

So you shouldn’t have to worry about a random driver just taking off with your car.

Key In-Car delivery is a great idea especially if you spend a lot of time away from home. It also means you don’t have to go home to get your package. And it’s certainly less invasive than the Key in-home delivery option.

To learn more about Amazon’s Key In-Car delivery service head over to their info page.

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Packages delivered directly into the trunk of your car: what will Amazon think of next?! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 25, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Amazon’s new Alexa Skill Blueprints lets you create your very own Alexa skills

The first review I ever wrote for the Gadgeteer was for the Amazon Echo Dot. With Amazon’s AI Alexa, you could use skills to do things such as turn on lights or order a pizza. Since that time Alexa has evolved. Now there are literally thousands of new skills. Some useful, others not so much. In a press release on Thursday Amazon revealed possibly its best feature yet, Alexa Skill Blueprints. Alexa Skill Blueprints allows users of Alexa to build their own personalized skills and responses using a set of easy-to-use templates.

“Alexa Skill Blueprints is an entirely new way for you to teach Alexa personalized skills just for you and your family,” said Steve Rabuchin, Vice President, Amazon Alexa. “You don’t need experience building skills or coding to get started—my family created our own jokes skill in a matter of minutes, and it’s been a blast to interact with Alexa in a totally new and personal way.”

Create personal Alexa skills in minutes

Creating your own Alexa skill and response is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

  1. Select your blueprint template by visiting the Alexa Skill Blueprints website.
  2. Unleash your creativity. Fill in the blanks, Mad Libs style.
  3. Use your Skill. Publish it with just a click, making the skill or response instantly available on all devices connected to your Amazon account.

At launch, there are 21 different blueprint templates available across four main categories. Fun & Games, Learning & Knowledge, At Home, and Storyteller.

I tried blueprint myself using Sci-Fi Storyteller. It was both easy and fun to use. In just a few short minutes I was able to listen to a short Sci-Fi story. Complete with far-out sound effects. And once you’ve created skills you can manage and edit them at any time on the Alexa Skill Blueprints website.

To browse the list of available blueprints and to get started creating your own skills head over to the Skill Blueprints website.

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Amazon’s new Alexa Skill Blueprints lets you create your very own Alexa skills originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 20, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Enhance your Amazon Echo Dot with stereo speakers and clock display

An Echo Dot can serve as your wake-up alarm all by itself, but iHome has created the Bedside Stereo Speaker that makes your Dot look like a regular alarm clock.  The Dot (generation 1 or 2) connects to the iHome via AUX cable to play all audio, so you can listen to the music Alexa plays for you through the stereo speakers.  It also powers the Dot, so you’ll only need one power cable.  The iHome has a dimmable digital display, so you can see the time at a glance in the middle of the night without having to ask Alexa for the time, but you’ll still use Alexa commands to set your alarm times.  There’s a USB port so you can charge up your phone as you sleep, too.  The iHome Bedside Speaker for Amazon Echo Dot measures 6.7″ X 6.7″ X 2.13″, and it’s available in black only for $49.99 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond or black ($49.77) or white ($49.95) at Amazon.

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Enhance your Amazon Echo Dot with stereo speakers and clock display originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 7, 2017 at 12:00 pm.

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Let your Amazon Echo Dot be anywhere with “This Dottie”

I love my Amazon Echo Dot and one of the best things about it is its portability, but I always find myself looking for somewhere to put it where it’s out of the way and then trying to figure out what to do with its ugly cord. Say hello to This Dottie, a plug-in mount specifically designed for the second generation Amazon Echo Dot. 

This Dottie makes it possible to mount your Dot anywhere you have an electrical outlet; No tools required. Simply insert your Echo Dot into This Dottie and plug it in. It keeps your Dot out of the way and eliminates the need for furniture on which to place it. It comes with a short Micro USB cord and USB power adaptor which are housed inside the mount, so there’s no more cord to deal with. The Dots vertical positioning improves the microphone arrays sensitivity and also improves the clarity of audio playback. The sturdy one-piece design can be mounted in an up or down configuration. Made by ‘Nothing Like This’ it’s the perfect Echo Dot accessory you never knew you needed until now.

This Dottie is available in either black or white and is priced at $19.99. Visit their site for more info and Amazon to purchase.

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Let your Amazon Echo Dot be anywhere with “This Dottie” originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 21, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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