question

Jon E Watte asked Apr 19, '15

How do I push to an Echo device?

I'm reading through the Echo/Alexa development API, and I only see a way to get information into my API server; I don't see any way of asynchronously push data out. Also, I don't see a way of telling Alexa to use the media player functionality. What I had hoped to develop for the Echo are two apps: 1. A repeating alarm, that reads a short newsbrief and excerpt from my calendar. (Users of Samsung phones may recognize this as the Briefing alarm option) This would require the app to be able to push data to the device asynchronously. 2. The ability to play music from a DLNA server on the same local network as the Echo device. This would require control of the music player (and, ideally, socket-style network access to scan the local network for available music sources.) Am I running into a wall before I even start here?

alexa skills kit debugging

10 |5000

Attachments: Up to 2 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 512.0 KiB each and 1.0 MiB total.

Nick Gardner answered Apr 20, '15

Hi, Neither of the use cases you mentioned are currently supported by the Alexa SDK. In particular, the support is for a call-response type user interaction, done when the user launches the app, and not time delayed at a specific point. Further, there is no control over the music player at this time. Thank you for your feedback and suggestions. -Nick

10 |5000

Attachments: Up to 2 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 512.0 KiB each and 1.0 MiB total.

Amazon Customer answered Apr 23, '15

This kinda stinks... as the first project I wanted to do was to target the 'alarm clock' horribleness. I actually wanted to build a calendar app. No push means no way to generate reminders. Does anyone know if this functionality will be added a anytime soon? Without it, the echo/Alexa seem extremely limited.

10 |5000

Attachments: Up to 2 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 512.0 KiB each and 1.0 MiB total.

James T. Culmone answered Mar 2, '16

Make my Echo more useful! Currently its just a toy people will get tired of quickly, MAKE IT A USEFUL TOOL!! 1) Put an audio output jack on it so it can be the source for my whole house audio system. 2) Make the echo compatible with bluetooth speakers and or support 'AirPlay' so I can connect it to my home audio system. 3) Make echo receive data from IFTTT (PUSH) so I can have echo speak to me and remind me of events and about a million other uses. Id love a call from a DEVELOPER, don't waste my time with a customer service person telling me they passed on my requests.... SOMEONE else will do this and Amazon will lose because they sat on their hands!

10 |5000

Attachments: Up to 2 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 512.0 KiB each and 1.0 MiB total.

Naikel answered Mar 3, '16

Buy an Echo Dot it does almost everything you ask.

10 |5000

Attachments: Up to 2 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 512.0 KiB each and 1.0 MiB total.

Naikel answered Mar 3, '16

By the way I push to my Echo using Bluetooth. I have explained it few times but people is not interested since they all want is monetize skills and that is obviously not a solution if you plan to publish your skills.

10 |5000

Attachments: Up to 2 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 512.0 KiB each and 1.0 MiB total.