Amazon Echo: How my 70-ish Parents Have Embraced Home Automation - Sort Of

Amazon Echo: How my 70-ish Parents Have Embraced Home Automation - Sort Of

Jun 18, 2017 June 18, 2017

Meet Alexa
For the uninitiated, Alexa is your in-home virtual assistant from Amazon. It is a voice-enabled service that comes with the wireless Amazon Echo range of smart speakers. Available in “echo”, “dot” and “tap” variants, the intelligent speakers are always listening (once linked to a power source and internet). Simply say one of the wake words - Alexa, Echo or Computer – and get ready to welcome a life of convenience.
With Alexa, you can accomplish a range of tasks. Just say “Alexa”, followed by your voice command and you can easily schedule your morning alarm, play your favorite song, dim the lights (for smart homes), call for an Uber and cook dinner (okay, not the last part yet, they might take a while to get there.) Nonetheless, Alexa is changing the way some homes -- and people -- function, for the better.

Amazon Echo Alexa
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon - Amazon Echo device
 
Meet the Parents
My dad, Cyrus loves socializing, parties and telling jokes. My mom, Homa enjoys cooking and keeping up with Cyrus. Both are retired baby boomers, who spend their days in a waterfront condo in Miami’s Biscayne Corridor.
 
How my parents use Alexa?
My parents have been using the Amazon Echo since my dad’s birthday on Feb 2nd, 2017. So not too long. I had to set it up for my parents, but I am pretty sure they -- well, my mom -- could have figured it out on their own. It is not too complicated. Once set up, I could see Cyrus gravitate towards it more than Homa.
 
Today, Cyrus gets his news Flash Briefings several times a day from Alexa. He also loves listening to music, so Alexa fetches him his daily dose of Frank Sinatra and other classics.
Cyrus loves listening to jokes (and re-telling too). Although Alexa’s sense of humor isn’t as sharp as Cyrus’, he does remember one particular joke from her that he likes to share. “So, why did the football coach shake the vending machine?” he asks. “Because he needed a quarterback”, he chuckles.
 
For Homa, Alexa is a great assistant while cooking. She can listen to her favorite classics, as she whips up dinner. Also, “I don’t need a separate timer now. It’s much easier to call out the alarm on Alexa whenever I’m cooking to keep track”, she says.
 
Both Homa and Cyrus love checking up on their daughter in DC. “We ask Alexa for the weather forecast in DC, as it can get pretty bad there. So, when the weather is really bad, we call her directly to see if she’s doing okay.”

Amazon Echo Alexa
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon - Amazon Echo device
 
His Only Complaint
Alexa doesn’t catch accents easily (and they have Middle Eastern roots), so Cyrus ends up requesting the same thing twice or thrice before hitting the home run. Pandora’s library (you can connect your Pandora account to the device. I set that up for them too) is a bit limited too, as it doesn’t usually turn up with Cyrus’ request for Middle Eastern songs. “Sometimes I hear a song on the radio and want to listen to it again, but if I ask Alexa for it, she won’t recognize it or turn up with another melody”, he says.
 
Her Only Complaint
Homa mentions that unless you’re specific with your recipe names, chances are you won’t find what you’re looking for. Especially if you simply request a ‘soup’, you’ll be on a wild goose chase. Although the app has upgraded to include a good load of recipes, Homa hasn’t warmed up to using it regularly quite yet.
 
But her biggest complaint is that she has to hear Cyrus’ news and stock updates all the time.
 
Can Alexa get annoying?
Alexa is listening all the time. So, most users complain that she butts in unrequested at times. When asked, Cyrus mentioned that this one time he was trying to get his friend to ask Alexa to do something. Since Alexa cannot distinguish between voices, she popped up asking “what would you want me to do”. According to Cyrus, this actually led to a funny moment rather than annoy anyone.
 
The only slight annoyance (they don’t really get annoyed as they are relaxed folk) according to my parents is the volume control. Alexa doesn’t always seem to understand how many decibels “lower” they’d like her to go. “At times Alexa can get very loud, so when we ask her to go ‘lower’, we have to repeat two or three times for the volume to adjust to a comfortable level”, says Homa. (They could easily fix this by asking Alexa to lower to a specific volume, like “Volume 5”. They were happy for the tip.)
 
Does Alexa make people rude?
A lot of articles have been floating around the web mentioning that Alexa is encouraging kids to be rude, since the virtual assistant doesn’t require common courtesies. However when I asked my parents, they said they usually end up saying please each time they have a request for the virtual assistant. “It comes so naturally to say please that it’s funny how often we say ‘Alexa, please…’”. So, I guess all those naysayers can rest their case.
 
What’s next?
Cyrus would love to take Alexa out (of course, he has Homa’s consent). Cyrus says he’d love to create a playlist for his next party or get-together and play DJ provided he could have some help with setting up and syncing Alexa at the venue.
 
When asked if they will be using Alexa to call an Uber or order pizza anytime soon, they say “we don’t really have the need for that, we have two cars and prefer home-cooked meals, so we won’t be using Alexa for such things.” Also, with no smart home devices around their home as of yet, their chances of controlling home appliances are ruled out for now as well. 
 
What I’m going to get Alexa to do for them in the near future?/What I’m going to get them to use Alexa for next?
I will certainly be encouraging them to buy Alexa/Echo-compatible devices from here on out. I’d love for them to be able to control their TV with Alexa, but it would take a $100 device and some time setting it up. But being able to watch them ask Alexa to turn the TV on to their favorite channel or app, or to change the TV volume,  would bring a big smile to my face. So would them being able to change the a/c temperature or turn on and off lights without having to get up. And for my mom, I would love to have her be able to turn on the coffeemaker, turn off the stove or check how much time is left on the oven timer from the couch.
 
Would Cyrus and Homa recommend Alexa?
Yes, certainly. Both Cyrus and Homa unanimously agree that Alexa is a very helpful virtual assistant and a good thing to have around the house. “If someone is tech savvy or has people to help with set up, they should get Alexa”, they say. Cyrus further points out “Alexa is great for people who love music and like to stay updated with the news”.
 
Do you own an Alexa? We’d love to hear your side of the story in the comments below.

Amazon Echo Alexa
Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon - Amazon Echo device

Contact Us
Sep Niakan
Broker / Team Lead
(305) 697-7667
sep@blackbookproperties.com
Request Info
By sending you agree to CondoBlackBook's Terms of Use

Your Miami Condo Awaits

Recent Posts

New Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Law Florida: Complete Condo Guide
Opinions and Advice New Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Law Florida: Complete Condo Guide
Finding and moving to a new home can be a strenuous experience, even when you like the change you’re making. This is more so when you have an emotional condition or disability and part of your treatment involves having an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). In this case, finding a new home comes with a whole new set of challenges only you and your furry friend can know. And no one needs the added fear and stress of possibly being denied housing or being discriminated against for owning an ESA. Thankfully, a new Florida law on emotional support animals that went into effect July 1, 2020, explicitly states what you and your current/prospective landlord or HOA can and cannot do regarding Emotional Service Animals. The law applies to all condos, apartments, and rental homes. Photo courtesy of Oleg Ivanov Here’s how the 2020 Florida ESA law empowers both sides:  — ESA Rules: What a Florida Landlord Can & Cannot Do A Florida landlord cannot deny housing for a disability or...
New Construction Miami Condos You Can Move Into in 2024
Real Estate News New Construction Miami Condos You Can Move Into in 2024
It’s no secret that we are in the middle of a major building boom and there are quite a few new developments in Miami opening in 2024 that you’ll be able to move into. So, if you love being the first to turn the key on your crisp new luxury condo, keep reading. (Psst, we also have a bonus list of all the condos you can expect to move into in 2025 at the end!)  With about 100 new pre-construction condos (and counting) in the pipeline since 2021, Miami developers have been on the fast track to deliver on the growing demand for luxury condos in the Magic City, especially condos on the water or condo buildings with water views. Even as most of the global housing market showed signs of a slowdown these past few years, Miami’s luxury condo market has witnessed sustainable growth. Following the business migration trends that started somewhere around 2020, we’ve seen a continued influx of international wealth, families, C-suite executives, and other top earners and investors moving to our...
The Ultimate Expat Guide to Moving to Miami
Lifestyle The Ultimate Expat Guide to Moving to Miami
Ever thought about grabbing your passport and moving to Miami? You wouldn’t be the first to be drawn to this tropical metropolis. It’s a place with a rich history, diverse culture, and spearheading innovation. Also known as the Magic City, it’s the only major city in the US to be founded by a woman, and it proudly claims the origin of sunscreen and the ATM! It’s no secret that Miami is a great choice for expats in pursuit of new opportunities. Its appeal is truly worldwide, attracting people from Latin America, Europe, and beyond. Proof of this is that the city was the most popular destination for people born outside of the U.S., attracting 54,500 new residents in 2023, the most out of anywhere in the country. This diversity is evident everywhere, from the vibrant neighborhoods and incredible food scene to its dynamic business, art and hospitality sectors. Living in Miami offers a global lifestyle with a very local flavor, full of opportunities to grow and explore. So, if you’re...
The Most Luxurious Condo Buildings in South Beach
Opinions and Advice The Most Luxurious Condo Buildings in South Beach
Situated at the southern tip of Miami Beach, South Beach continues to command its status as a premier global destination, attracting discerning individuals from around the world. Developers have meticulously crafted luxury condos in South Beach that appeal to people from every international location, whether for business, favorable tax environments, seasonal escapes from winter weather, or the cultural richness exemplified during events such as Art Basel and the South Beach Food and Wine Festival. Whatever the reason, there is significant investment potential for condos in Miami, specifically South Beach, as well as a proven superior quality of life. Below is our list of the 5 Most Luxurious South Beach Miami condos (or the 5 Most Expensive Condos in South Beach) based on the average listing price per square foot at the time of publishing, as well as some other favorites to note. But first, let’s start with an overview of what makes South Beach so special. Last updated: March 15,...
The Residences at 1428 Brickell Video Tour: Exquisite, Eco-conscious Living with Italian Luxury
Video Blog The Residences at 1428 Brickell Video Tour: Exquisite, Eco-conscious Living with Italian Luxury
Brickell, the Wall Street of the South, one of the most desirable Miami neighborhoods for international business professionals and families alike, is synonymous with innovation, a luxury lifestyle and original ideas. This time, the Brickell spirit is embodied in the fantastic new pre construction condominium — The Residences at 1428 Brickell.  In our latest video, Stephanie Bienstock, our director of Luxury Sales, visited the newly opened sales gallery to talk with Jennifer Behar Cervera about what makes The Residences at 1428 Brickell unlike any new residential development coming to Brickell, Miami. Join us as we learn about the project’s six driving forces — detail, craftsmanship, architecture, nature, privacy, and innovation — and tour the sales gallery to see all the finishes and details up close.     — What You Can Expect at The Residences at 1428 Brickell, Miami  If you care about the environment and love leaning into Italian design, then the first-ever solar-powered...
February 2024: Miami New Development and Pre-Construction Condo Update
Real Estate News February 2024: Miami New Development and Pre-Construction Condo Update
Miami’s pre-construction market buzzed in February with many newsworthy events throughout the city. The much-awaited Bentley Residences, Cipriani Residences, and Indian Creek Residences and Yacht Club all broke ground this month. And Brickell’s Mercedes-Benz Places, Key Biscayne’s Key Cassa, and Sunny Isles’ St. Regis' second tower launched sales.  Also, developers accelerated construction efforts for several luxury condo projects including Una Residences, 501 First, St. Regis Brickell, and more. Read on for details on these and more exciting updates in our monthly Miami pre-construction condo market roundup for February 2024: Launched Sales Mercedes-Benz Places – Brickell St. Regis Residences (North Tower) – Sunny Isles Beach Key Cassa – Key Biscayne New Sales Gallery Bay Harbor Towers – Bay Harbor Islands Broke Ground Cipriani Residences – Brickell Indian Creek Residences and Yacht Club – Bay Harbor Islands Bentley Residences – Sunny Isles...