From AFTV News:
A new software update for the Amazon Echo and the Echo Dot seems to be rolling out that adds the option to select “Computer” as the device’s wake word. Instead of using “Alexa,” or one of the alternatives like “Echo” and “Amazon”, you’ll be able to get a little closer to the ultimate dream of having the Star Trek computer in your home.
Link to the rest at AFTV News and thanks to Felix for the tip.
** puts on James Doohan’s voice** … “Hello computer?”
Alexa will certainly be busy during the Star Trek marathon. It will be interesting to see what you’ve ordered after 24 hours of overhearing those commands. How many pallets of Earl Grey tea will arrive at your doorstep? How many diamond rings after all those orders to get engaged? Will Amazon be able to find your doorstep, after Alexa launches your house to Warp 5?
I will sulk in the corner until I can make the wake word “Jeeves”. 😀 Also, considering the problems Alexa has if there is a TV newscaster nattering on about Alexa, making the wake word “computer” is only going to make it worse.
*My* way, you would only have problems during the BBC Wodehouse festival…
What about “Alfred”?
Do you have to do anything to update it? Because I just shouted, “Computer!” to my Alexa and my hubby and daughter looked at me like I was losing it. lol. And Alexa completely ignored me.
It will update on its own schedule.
I’ve seen reports of owners of two Echoes that one updated days ago and the other not yet.
FireTVs are the same.
Not sure if they go by purchase date, serial number, or random number generator. 🙂
You have to change it in the Alexa app, under Settings for your device. “Computer” is not yet an option there.
Am I weird to want it to answer to HAL?
No more so than my husband who wants Alexa, having received an instruction, to reply “by your command”.
I’d go for “As you wish, so be it.”
From THE TRAVELLER IN BLACK. Can’t have enough reminders to be careful what you wish for.
Or Alexa doesn’t execute the command until you say, “Make it so.”
This!
Robbie.
Dan
If you calculate the amount of energy required to condense into enough matter to make one cup of tea, you drive Star Trek from science fiction to fantasy.
I dunno… “Computer” seems like it would be way too prone to false triggers.
Picard, “Tea, Earl Grey, hot.” Okay, first, if Picard’s only description of the tea’s temp is hot, I would expect the computer to respond with something such as, “WTF, temperature please.”
So, Picard would have surely needed to pre-program his order. Which, of course, would have eliminated the need to order it hot, or Earl Grey. (Never saw him order tea, Red Zinger, luke warm.)
He could have just ordered, “Computer, number one,” and then the computer could have summoned Riker to Picard’s quarters.
Dan
Like too many things, when writing the writers go either too far or not far enough. Picard need order his type and temperature of tea (and type of holder) just once and tell the computer “This is what I want when I order ‘tea’.” We never see it, but perhaps the good captain likes a different tea when he’s in the mood, and sometimes wants it icy cold.
I’d rather it be programmable so you could use a name you wouldn’t otherwise say.
“God Da** computer is on the fritz again!”
“Fritz ordered. You seem upset so I ordered the large economy size and rush delivery.”
““Fritz ordered.” 😀 😀
I always took Picard’s command to mean Picard drinks different types of tea and some types at different temperatures.
Captain Janeway’s morning command was “Computer, coffee,” which produced steaming java in an extra-large mug, except when the replicator was malfunctioning.
Picard only needs Number One when he’s been drinking too much “Tea, Earl Grey, hot.”
One day, Star Trek will be real! I mean, there’s already Klingon and communicators and those pad thingies. 😀 I’m just waiting for transparent aluminum. Oh wait! http://www.ubergizmo.com/2015/11/transparent-aluminum/
Time to start building the Luna Colony!
But not a Tarsus 4!
Yay! I want to look up and see Lake Armstrong!