Alexa Calling Experience: How It Works
Table of Contents Overview K4Community Voice ...
Overview
This document provides a detailed comparison of the features and capabilities between an Echo Show purchased by an individual in a retail environment, and an Enterprise-Managed Echo Show purchased via K4Connect.
For this document, we are only comparing the features and capabilities of the Amazon Echo Show 8” Second Gen device as this is the only Echo Show device currently supported by K4Connect.
Device Setup
| Feature | Consumer Device | Enterprise-Managed Device |
|---|---|---|
|
How is the device set up for use? |
Consumer devices are set up and provisioned one at a time by the individual user at the time the unit is unboxed. Setup is done directly on the device and using the Alexa Mobile App and is associated with an individual’s Amazon account. The setup includes associating the device to WiFi, specifying the device’s location (for features like weather), and other personalization settings. |
Enterprise-managed devices are set up and provisioned for an entire community by K4 before they are shipped to the community. This setup includes setting the location and WiFi information specific to the community and will only work when connected to the K4Community SSID. The device is associated with a residence in the community, not the individual.
Upon unboxing the device, the unit is completely functional and does not require any additional setup. |
|
Can the user change the device’s settings? |
Yes, the user can change the settings on the device from the device itself or the Alexa app. |
No, all settings are changed by the community or K4Connect Support. |
|
Can the community change the device settings? |
No. Each user’s device is associated with their Amazon account. In general, users don’t share their Amazon accounts with 3rd parties. |
Yes, configurations can be changed for all devices at once or on a device-by-device basis by K4Connect.
Settings that can be changed include wake word, speaking rate, and accessibility features such as captioning. |
Home Screen Content
Your community’s ability to display information on the device’s screen is an essential feature of enterprise-managed devices.
| Feature | Consumer Device | Enterprise-Managed Device |
|---|---|---|
|
Can the community display information on the screen of the device when the device is idle? |
No, the device will only show content controlled by Amazon. Users can select what categories of content they want to see, but there is no way for the community to display their information such as events and notices. |
Yes, communities can publish information using the K4Connect Team Hub, including notices, menus, etc., to the enterprise-managed devices in the community. |
Built-In Alexa Requests
Built-in Alexa Requests are top-level questions a user can ask Alexa without the need to invoke a specific skill. Generally, the user will say the device’s wake word and then a question. The chart below is not an exhaustive list, but in general, if the request requires the device to know personal information about the user, the enterprise-managed device will not fulfill it.
| Feature | Consumer Device | Enterprise-Managed Device |
|---|---|---|
|
Can the user put items on a list, for example: “Alexa, add eggs to the shopping list.” |
Yes |
No, lists require an Amazon account and enterprise-managed devices are not associated to individual users due to Amazon’s privacy policy. |
|
Can the user ask the device for current news stories, for example: “Alexa, what’s in the news?” |
Yes, the user is presented with news videos and they can choose from various news sources. |
Yes, the user is presented with news videos and they can choose from various news sources. Available news sources are determined by Amazon. Users can not add or remove news sources. |
Entertainment
Entertainment includes music and videos directly from Amazon and third party providers such as IHeart Radio, Netflix, Apple Music, and many other content providers. The table below highlights the general differences between the two devices, and it does not focus on any particular content provider unless specified.
| Feature | Consumer Device | Enterprise-Managed Device |
|---|---|---|
|
What music services can the device play music from? |
The device can play music from any of the available music services Amazon Alexa offers including Apple, Amazon, Spotify, IHeart Radio, Pandora, and others. The features available for playing music vary depending on the service used. The majority of music services require a paid subscription that is associated with the user. |
The device plays music from the IHeart Radio service. This is included with the device. |
|
Can the user ask to play a certain genre, for example: “Alexa, play jazz music” |
This depends on the music services configured on the user’s Alexa account. If there is no service configured, Amazon Music will fulfill the request. If the user is not an Amazon Music subscriber, a few songs will play and they will be prompted to subscribe. |
Yes, IHeart Radio will play a station that matches the genre requested. |
|
Can the device play music from a bluetooth device like a phone? |
Yes, the device can act like a bluetooth speaker. |
No, bluetooth is not supported by Amazon enterprise-managed devices. |
|
Can the user ask to play music by a certain artist, for example: “Alexa, play songs by The Eagles” |
If there is no music service configured, Amazon Music will fulfill the request. If the user is not an Amazon Music subscriber, a few songs will play and they will be prompted to subscribe. |
Yes, IHeart Radio will play a song by the requested artist then continue playing a station that matches the genre of the artist. |
Third-Party Home Automation Skills
Home automation is another area where third parties can extend the capabilities of Alexa devices including smart appliances, entertainment devices, and home comfort and security devices like lights, cameras, and thermostats.
| Feature | Consumer Device | Enterprise-Managed Device |
|---|---|---|
|
Can the user install the K4Community Home Automation skill on their device? |
Yes, the K4Community Home Automation skill is available in the Skill stores. The user must install the skill themselves using the credentials used to access K4Community on the web or mobile app. |
Yes, the device is pre-configured with the K4Community Home Automation Skill and it is associated to the user’s room when the device is unboxed and turned on. |
|
Can the user incorporate K4Community Home Automation devices in Alexa Scenes and Routines? |
Yes |
No, Alexa Device groups require the device to be associated to an Alexa Account. To learn more about K4Community Smart Home scene options, please contact K4Connect Support. |
|
Can the user install other third party home automation skills on the device? |
Yes, personal devices support both paid and unpaid home automation skills. |
No, only the K4Community Home Automation skill and devices are available. |
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