I think the issue is two device attributes [Announcements & Text-To-Speech]. All working devices have these attributes set to YES while this new device has the attributes set to NO. See below.
I already sold my 15" :-(. I don't know if purchasing another 15" will be a solution. Amazon may be setting this attribute on all new devices. I guess I can purchase one and return it if it does not work. Amazon needs to be more open with their devices if they want to sell more of them; although I am sure they are doing fine on their own.
Anyone purchased a 15" echo recently?
Anyway I wanted to let the group know in case they are considering a 21" and run into the same issue or if anyone has a workaround.
I am so done with purchasing or upgrading any more Amazon Echo devices. They are still the best TTS Hubitat output device, but the constant ads (Yes, I have all the device settings to suppress advertisements), and 50/50 right/wrong answer when asked a simple question.
I have several Sonos speakers that will be their eventual replacement if/when Amazon changes TTS settings and causes Echo Speaks to fail, as you are reporting in the 21".
I would try the 15", or look for a used Echo and stick with what still works.
Completely agree. Last evening I installed my first Sonos device [era 100] using Hubitat built-in functionality. Setup of the device itself & in Hubitat could not have been any easier.
Moving forward, my strategy will be to turn off alexa voice and place More Sonos devices throughout the house [but in less numbers]. I really just need the text-to-speach capability in Hubitat.
Great direction @user837. My only drawback to using Hubitat's Built-in Sonos App or the HPM's Sonos Advanced Controller for TTS is that a TTS message interrupts the currently playing song or playlist on the targeted Sonos device(s).
I also like how the Echo Speaks app lets you send a TTS message to all Echo devices, and they play in sync. But the unwanted visual ads are definately annoying.
But I will not purchase any more Amazon Echos in the future if Amazon prevents TTS via Echo Speaks.
Did you use the Echo display device as a Hubitat dashboard? Google Calendar? Other home automation use?
Ignoring the ads issue for a second, did it work well for any home automation or daily reminders type stuff?
I would not typically if ever watch video on it, I just would like a reasonably affordable and mostly turnkey display. I probably would be better off with a tablet, but the voice recognition for the spouse would be nice to have over a generic tablet.
We use Echo devices for voice control of Hubitat devices, Sonos Play/Pause, Weather, Ring camera monitoring, Photo Album, and answering basic questions.
It works reasonably well in those areas above. There are times when it says it does not know how to do that, and when asked again in the same manner, it works.
There are advantages and disadvantages on either side—no silver bullet, IMHO.
I did not get around to using it as a dashboard on the 15" because it was a bit too small. That was the primary driver for upgrading to the 21". With the 15" I used it; much like Kurt, for voice control, and sending text-to-speech output to it from Hubitat. I also view ring cameras, and review shared calendars, etc. Again like Kurt.
From what I have seen, new installations of EchoSpeaks do not work (or some of them do not work).
Again, it's an issue with the authentication of the Alexa device.
By the way, another alternative to Sonos devices are Apple HomePods.
