Alexa - anyone else? - HTC U11 Questions & Answers

First let me say, I have an Amazon Dot, and I love it. From playlists to appointments, trivia questions and timers, its great.
But on the phone it is driving me nuts.
For the Dot to work, I quite clearly have to say 'Alexa.' Then it works perfect;y. The phone on the other hand responds to, well I don't know what? If the TV is on and someone says, 'exactly'it opens. But 99% of the time I have no idea what it responded to. It comes on about 15 times a day to no really recognisable 'Alexa' command.
Anyone else?

works great on my smart lights

grentuu said:
First let me say, I have an Amazon Dot, and I love it. From playlists to appointments, trivia questions and timers, its great.
But on the phone it is driving me nuts.
For the Dot to work, I quite clearly have to say 'Alexa.' Then it works perfect;y. The phone on the other hand responds to, well I don't know what? If the TV is on and someone says, 'exactly'it opens. But 99% of the time I have no idea what it responded to. It comes on about 15 times a day to no really recognisable 'Alexa' command.
Anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have seen that too , it isn't as helpful as assistant by Google

I have had Alexa pop up for no apparent reason too. (And on a few occassions, NOT pop up to "Alexa")
Seems strange that there's no Voice Training for it (unless I'm missing it?)
Anyway, the funniest one happened today: I sneezed - and boom - Alexa

Yep turned her off on the U11. Never worked correctly compared to the dot.

The only thing I don't like is everytime the Alexa commercial comes on the TV those 2 idiots keep making it pop up and I'm 25 feet away in my living room lol.
Sent from my HTC U11 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Hi guys,
I have Alexa switched off but on occasion Google Assistant switches on when nothing has been said, maybe that is the same issue as OP but it's not 15 times a day. It's more like why did my screen come on situation...

Related

Problems in my pocket!

Apologies if this question has been asked and answered before, but if so, could someone please redirect me. This is my first time on this forum. I've had my HTC Touch Pro (Raphael) for a couple of months now, and cannot get round the problem that whenever I receive a call, I somehow manage to cut it off before I can get the phone out of my pocket. I have tried several different cases (the current one opens like a book, so doesn't press any of the buttons), but something happens in the process of removing the phone from my pocket, however gently and swiftly I try to do it, which means that all I get is a "missed call" message, even after only one ring. If the phone is on a flat surface, it will ring for a long time, so it's not that setting. This is SO frustrating, especially when you try to see who called you, and it just comes up with "unknown caller".... it's also costing me a lot of money having to phone people back when I do know who they are. Please help somebody. I really like my little phone, but it may well end up being thrown out of a window at this rate! Thank you!
Check out this utility here on XDA. Works great. Unlock the phone by rolling it over. It uses the gravity sensor.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=422871
Many thanks for that. We've installed this thread, although I'm not really clear about what it does. It seems I can now lock and unlock the phone by turning it clockwise and counterclockwise respectively along its axis (in addition to the long press, which is what I usually use to lock the phone).
I tried answering one call whilst it was locked, but couldn't free it up to press the "answer" key until I had turned it several times. Fortunately, the caller was quite patient! Is this just a technique I have to get used to, and will it mean that I get a chance to answer calls before the connection is severed? Sorry to sound so thick, but this is all very new to me.
Sarahah said:
Many thanks for that. We've installed this thread, although I'm not really clear about what it does. It seems I can now lock and unlock the phone by turning it clockwise and counterclockwise respectively along its axis (in addition to the long press, which is what I usually use to lock the phone).
I tried answering one call whilst it was locked, but couldn't free it up to press the "answer" key until I had turned it several times. Fortunately, the caller was quite patient! Is this just a technique I have to get used to, and will it mean that I get a chance to answer calls before the connection is severed? Sorry to sound so thick, but this is all very new to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the settings menu and edit your SensorLock preferences to lock the screen only on an incoming call thus leaving the buttons unlocked.
Maybe the "face down mute" is happening to your calls? Try disabling it.
Um..... how?
answer keys disabler
You the thread below, it disables the onscreen answer buttons while ringing. Helps me getting the phone outta my pocket when ringing
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=425650
Ooooh. Thank you. Sounds like just what I need ... watch this space!
if u want to thrown your htc trough windows, how about if u thrown it to my window bro.
HHumbert said:
Check out this utility here on XDA. Works great. Unlock the phone by rolling it over. It uses the gravity sensor.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=422871
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gravity sensor... I ever seen this technology on nokia phone. but until now I'm still amazed by this technology. how this sensor works..
sorry 4 my english cause I'm from asia
Ah Dedy - if I win the lottery I shall come and throw a brand new Touch Pro through your window, I promise! I'm afraid that I'm having far too much fun with this one (despite the problems in my pocket) to part with it just yet though. Hope you have a great Christmas, and maybe Santa will bring you one, you never know!

mango turn by turn navigation

Is the turn by turn working properly for you guys? If i want directions read to me, i have to tap the screen. Just wondering if this is like this for everyone, if so it must just be part of the beta. or maybe it's has something to do with the fact that i'm in canada...
A Dustman said:
Is the turn by turn working properly for you guys? If i want directions read to me, i have to tap the screen. Just wondering if this is like this for everyone, if so it must just be part of the beta. or maybe it's has something to do with the fact that i'm in canada...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's how it works. It does not automatically read to you. You tap anywhere on the screen to have it talk. An different implementation.
well that's kinda silly in my opinion, why would they do that? I noticed my screen also times out during navigation, and when i turn it back on it has to reacquire a gps lock...
A Dustman said:
well that's kinda silly in my opinion, why would they do that? I noticed my screen also times out during navigation, and when i turn it back on it has to reacquire a gps lock...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dunno. In some regards, it probably makes sense. I use a Garmin for normal GPS navigation, and really, i'm terribly annoyed every time it has to talk. Especially when it repeats itself over and over (such as "recalculating"). The fact that I simply tap the screen and the phone will tell me directions when I need to hear it is rather useful to me. Also the phone doesn't automatically recalculate, which I think makes the most sense. When I drive, and I accidentally go off course, I dont need my GPS to recalculate every 5 seconds. I need to slow down, get my bearings, and then have it recalculate. Because I tell the phone when it recalculate, its not yelling at me every 5 seconds that its recalculating. In other words, I have more control over the GPS this way.
At the same time, I do see the value in automatic direction narration and automatic recalculation. It would have been nice to be able to choose between the two.
Ah. My only real beef with Mango. While not too terribly offputting, I'm wondering if MS was trying to be too different here.
I don't use GPS at all as I'm mostly in Dallas and know my way around the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. But, I do travel from time to time and GPS can come in handy. That being said, the design choices here seem a wee bit weird.
You tap it to get voice and it only notifies you if you've made a correct or incorrect turn. By that time, it's too late. And, you have to turn around. Now, you don't have to look at he screen as you can tap while watching the road. So, it's not as if it's any less safe but... really?
Edit: Reading prjk's post above, I guess if MS revealed the reason behind this particular design choice, it might more sense for all of us.
Yea it still kinda sucks compared to....
It is very weak, compared to every real navigation system in existence. Not having the option to have the instructions automatically read to you, and not providing any kind of audible warning when you approach a turn, and not automatically rerouting you when you miss a turn, all combine to make the system almost useless.
I'll either be keeping AT&T Navigator, or switching to T-B-T from GPS Tuner if they ever get all of the kinks worked out of their system.
Most people use this thing called a radio when they're driving, or they're having conversations in the car, and I think this approach works perfect during those situations. My car has a built in navigation which automatically lowers the radio and then gives my the direction, but the phone, unfortunatelly, can't do that... So it's best if, when you need the direction, you put the radio down, just randomly tap, and have the kind woman give you the information rather than missing it or it interrupting you... Just my opinion though.
FiyaFleye said:
Most people use this thing called a radio when they're driving, or they're having conversations in the car, and I think this approach works perfect during those situations. My car has a built in navigation which automatically lowers the radio and then gives my the direction, but the phone, unfortunatelly, can't do that... So it's best if, when you need the direction, you put the radio down, just randomly tap, and have the kind woman give you the information rather than missing it or it interrupting you... Just my opinion though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another great example. I always have my music blasting in the car so I can't hear the directions anyway. With this method, I can pause the music, tap the screen to hear my directions, and resume my music. I'm not trying to hear directions over my music, or having to bend to the will of the GPS and have it tell me what to do when it wants to.
prjkthack said:
Another great example. I always have my music blasting in the car so I can't hear the directions anyway. With this method, I can pause the music, tap the screen to hear my directions, and resume my music. I'm not trying to hear directions over my music, or having to bend to the will of the GPS and have it tell me what to do when it wants to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm definitely not trying to rain on anybody's parade here, but there isn't a person here (unless they're a complete weirdo) who can tell me they haven't been annoyed at the GPS interrupting them. Or at missing the directions, and having to struggle to find them. The phone DOES make a noise when a correct turn was taken, and a different one for an incorrect turn, so it does alert you to some degree, but I like the power being in your hands...
I'm sorry guys, but you're really reaching here, and I don't see why you are being so zealous about it.
First of all, the app telling you that you made a correct or incorrect turn after the fact serves no purpose at all. If you are in an unfamiliar area, you need the app to alert you that the turn is coming up, or you are very likely to miss it.
Second, it's kind of insulting to imply that anyone who has a different opinion is a "weirdo".
Third, most people prefer to keep their eyes on the road when they're driving, not fish around for their phone so they can check to see if they are still on course. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the anti-texting laws in some areas might also cover the kind of distracted driving that Microsoft's implementation might cause.
And fourth, we're talking about an option here, not forcing you to join our weirdo brigade. You want to be forced to find your phone, unlock it, and tap the screen to get your next instruction (while potentially driving in congested traffic in an area you don't know)? Fine. I don't. I want the Mango app to behave the same way every other professionally designed GPS navigation system currently available does.
Uh... Do you know what an opinion is? A navigation device interrupting isn't an opinion, but nice try though... I really apologize that my actual opinion is "reaching" for you... I like it, if you don't, sucks, never told you that you should feel the way I do
Sent from my HD7 using Board Express
RoboDad said:
I'm sorry guys, but you're really reaching here, and I don't see why you are being so zealous about it.
First of all, the app telling you that you made a correct or incorrect turn after the fact serves no purpose at all. If you are in an unfamiliar area, you need the app to alert you that the turn is coming up, or you are very likely to miss it.
Second, it's kind of insulting to imply that anyone who has a different opinion is a "weirdo".
Third, most people prefer to keep their eyes on the road when they're driving, not fish around for their phone so they can check to see if they are still on course. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the anti-texting laws in some areas might also cover the kind of distracted driving that Microsoft's implementation might cause.
And fourth, we're talking about an option here, not forcing you to join our weirdo brigade. You want to be forced to find your phone, unlock it, and tap the screen to get your next instruction (while potentially driving in congested traffic in an area you don't know)? Fine. I don't. I want the Mango app to behave the same way every other professionally designed GPS navigation system currently available does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not being zealous, but seeing it from both perspectives. They both make sense just fine. Course some people prefer one over the other, and that's perfectly fine too.
IMO, any device whether its your regular Garmin GPS or your Windows Phone device is possible cause for distracted driving. And obviously not understanding or knowing how to use said devices is even more cause for distracted driving.
I'm not sure how you use your GPS devices, but I certainly don't fumble around in my car so it can tell me directions. That sounds like a cause for distracted driving no matter what device you are using. Haha. I would have my phone mounted and already set to navigate. Then when directions are necessary, you just tap on the screen. You tap anywhere on the screen. So you don't even have to look at your phone to hunt for a specific repeat button or something, and that eliminates the need to turn away from the road as well. You would be no more distracted than if you were to have to look at your map on your good old Garmin GPS, or have to tap your Garmin to have it repeat directions that you missed because your music was too loud or because you just weren't paying attention to it. The sounds indicate whether I made my turn or not, then I just tap anywhere on my phone again when I'm ready for the next set of directions. If I go off course, my phone also won't repeatedly yell "recalculating" at me every couple seconds while I try to get back on the right track. I can tell it to recalculate and resume when I'm ready to get back on course.
Its not perfect, and certainly its not for everyone, but for those who like a little more control over their GPS experience, and a little less annoyance, it makes sense.
Has a propper driving 3d mode been implemented yet? kida seems pointless what they have implemented here to be honest. Hopefully the nokia driving app will be available on the store once they sort themselves out and release a phone for wp7.
edit. Acording to an article i read earlier nokia apps will be available for every wp7 phone, but most likely not ovi maps or navigation, those are being reserved for the nokia handsets.
I think we can all agree that having the directions automatically read to you would be a good *option*, even if it's not enabled by default. I only use the GPS when I have no idea where I'm going, so I need something that tells me how far a turn is, then reminds me as I'm approaching, then tells me that I need to turn now.
The old bing app on WM6.5 worked remarkably well. I wish the WP7 navigation could be configured to function like that. Yes it did talk A LOT and got annoying at times if someone else is in the car, but to have tapping the screen constantly be your only choice for being read directions is even more annoying especially if you are in unfamiliar territory.
Aside from that, I'd also like the option to have it automatically recalculate directions when you make a wrong turn. I can't think of an instance of where I'd miss a turn, then not want it to tell me how to get back on track.
To give the navigation some credit though, I use the Zune software for my music when I'm in the car, and it does pause the music when saying something and then resume it after, which is nice.
I used the gps nav for the first time last night and I must say they have some work to do.
I get what some are saying about it's nice not to be interrupted, but last night I needed to know my directions as they were coming up. Make it an option to not automatically read aloud for those that like that. Currently I wouldnt call this turn by turn voice navigation. Most gps units have the ability of getting details or just the bare minimum as far as guidance goes.
Second thing that really annoys me is the layout of buttons. when you are in the directions mode, and then go to the large map, it's annoying to go back to the directions view. Clicking the directions button brings up the new directions field. Also when in large mode, why can't i get voice guidance.
Lack of landscape mode is annoying as well and seems more like a forgotten feature than anything, there's no reason not to have it since metro isn't in use
There also needs to be the option to allow gps to track you if you have to leave the application to do something else. It takes to long, even though it's pretty fast, to re-aquire the satelites.
ken52787 said:
Aside from that, I'd also like the option to have it automatically recalculate directions when you make a wrong turn. I can't think of an instance of where I'd miss a turn, then not want it to tell me how to get back on track.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can. If you are driving in a city or very populated area with tiny blocks and roads everywhere. If you miss just one turn, then your GPS starts recalculating for you. It'll tell you to take the next right, but it doesn't recalculate in time because the blocks are so small and the next turn is so close, so by the time its telling you to make the next turn to get back on track, you've missed it. Then GPS has to recalculate again, and you miss your next turn again, and this repeats over and over, along with your GPS yelling "recalculate" "take the next right" over and over again.
This is where I think I'll enjoy the manual recalculation the most. If I miss the turn, I simply wait until I know I can respond properly to the next turn direction, maybe on a longer stretch of road, or maybe I can simply stop or slow down somewhere, then have the phone recalculate once, and get right back on track.
prjkthack said:
Not being zealous, but seeing it from both perspectives. They both make sense just fine. Course some people prefer one over the other, and that's perfectly fine too.
IMO, any device whether its your regular Garmin GPS or your Windows Phone device is possible cause for distracted driving. And obviously not understanding or knowing how to use said devices is even more cause for distracted driving.
I'm not sure how you use your GPS devices, but I certainly don't fumble around in my car so it can tell me directions. That sounds like a cause for distracted driving no matter what device you are using. Haha. I would have my phone mounted and already set to navigate. Then when directions are necessary, you just tap on the screen. You tap anywhere on the screen. So you don't even have to look at your phone to hunt for a specific repeat button or something, and that eliminates the need to turn away from the road as well. You would be no more distracted than if you were to have to look at your map on your good old Garmin GPS, or have to tap your Garmin to have it repeat directions that you missed because your music was too loud or because you just weren't paying attention to it. The sounds indicate whether I made my turn or not, then I just tap anywhere on my phone again when I'm ready for the next set of directions. If I go off course, my phone also won't repeatedly yell "recalculating" at me every couple seconds while I try to get back on the right track. I can tell it to recalculate and resume when I'm ready to get back on course.
Its not perfect, and certainly its not for everyone, but for those who like a little more control over their GPS experience, and a little less annoyance, it makes sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand how tapping the screen is a good feature? If your voice navigation doesn't tell you to make a turn ahead of time, then that makes the navigation useless...If you're in an unfamiliar area, how are you supposed to know when to tap?
mmian said:
I don't understand how tapping the screen is a good feature? If your voice navigation doesn't tell you to make a turn ahead of time, then that makes the navigation useless...If you're in an unfamiliar area, how are you supposed to know when to tap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That'e easy. Anytime is a good time to tap if you are in an unfamiliar area. That's the point of manually controlling when you need (or do not) need directions. You choose when you want your phone to tell you where to go. Then once you've started, the phone makes a sound when you are on track, just tap again right after the sound when you are ready for the next set of directions.

[APP][2.3+] Avanos, the first guest mode for Android

**My last thread got closed, should've read the rules, here goes a second try.**
One day when I was jogging, a little girl that looked scared and confused approached me. She couldn't find her mother and she asked if she could use my phone to call her. I thought to myself 'Sure, I'm helpful.' When I was waiting for her to finish her phone call, I noticed that she was swiping her finger on the screen. I was thinking to myself, 'Why does she need to scroll during a phone call?' I took my phone back and lo and behold, she was going through my pictures. I reprimanded her, telling her that she shouldn't be going through other's phones like that. I felt real bad that I had to take my phone back before she could find her mother, but what else was I supposed to do? It's not like there's an app that can do that.
That's when Avanos was born.
It's a simple phone dialer that locks the user in it so that no other app can be opened, fullscreen so that the notification bar cannot be accessed, It even closes the long home press automatically. It operates just like the built in dialer. After the person hangs up, it opens a password prompt that unlocks the phone and makes it go back to normal when the correct password is entered. I honestly think this is a revolution in Android. It can be helpful to coaches when kids that don't have phones need to call their parents, nice people who gives their phone out to others frequently, or as an everyday emergency phone.
So tell me what you guys think; I need the feedback.
Here's a link if you want to try it out, I don't know if it works for rooted phones. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mshaw.avanos8.lite

Outlook Reminders - EVERY MINUTE!

Hi, owned my Gear S3 for about 5 months now and it is awesome.
Just one issue though;
I have Outlook installed on my phone for work purposes and meeting reminders come up on the watch, usually 15 minutes before the meeting (obviously to give me time to prepare / get to the meeting room etc), which is great, but even if I dismiss it and clear all notifications from the watch, it still comes up every single minute. So that's 15 reminders before the meeting, which is becoming very irritating.
The only way to get rid of it, is to select "Open on phone", which works, but then my phone screen is on and whilst it is in my pocket (as I am driving a lot), becomes very hot!
If I dismiss it from my phone, then it's fine, but very often I am out and about in my car so the phone cannot be used.
Is there anyone else who has this and has a potential workaround?
Many thanks in advance
Mark
Hi Mark,
I have the same issue using a Redmi 4x and a Gear S3 watch. Its very annoying and I have not found a workaround yet.
However, when I get the Outlook notification on my watch, I click the 3 dots on the right hand side of its screen and select the trash can. This deletes the Outlook notification and the phone stops nagging every minute.
Hope this works for you.
MCrid said:
Hi, owned my Gear S3 for about 5 months now and it is awesome.
Just one issue though;
I have Outlook installed on my phone for work purposes and meeting reminders come up on the watch, usually 15 minutes before the meeting (obviously to give me time to prepare / get to the meeting room etc), which is great, but even if I dismiss it and clear all notifications from the watch, it still comes up every single minute. So that's 15 reminders before the meeting, which is becoming very irritating.
The only way to get rid of it, is to select "Open on phone", which works, but then my phone screen is on and whilst it is in my pocket (as I am driving a lot), becomes very hot!
If I dismiss it from my phone, then it's fine, but very often I am out and about in my car so the phone cannot be used.
Is there anyone else who has this and has a potential workaround?
Many thanks in advance
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi... I think this is an Outlook app issue and not a watch issue. I have had the same issue with a Garmin as well as a Huawei and now the S3.
I've noticed that, when I pick reminders on some programs, sometimes it chooses 2 options. So check your reminder and make sure you only have 15 mins selected. Maybe it's firing off on some button you missed when you set it up. Since I retired I don't use Outlook at all so I'm not that familiar anymore.

Google listening in on all the time, 24/7 , and i do not even say OK Google

Have anyone experienced, that the microphone of "OK Google" shows on screen, when you unlock, like someone said OK Google, i keep thinking my phone uses a lot of battery on listening in on the conversation.
A second note, my dog barking can even make OK Google react, that is so weird , anyone else on that topic having dog barking making Google assistant open?
I could even replicate the problem, making my dog bark, and it opened, and waited for a command So im not kidding.
Maybe my first question has the answer in my second question, that it hear my dog barking, and when i unlock, my dog activated this screen ;(
Do you have the Google Search bar active on your homescreen? Try to remove it. I know that this is what keeps the ok google on at all times.

Categories

Resources