We've been using the Amazon Echo since we were asked to be beta testers back in the early 1970s. Almost a half century and several dozen musical trends later, playing the planet on Alexa-enabled devices is now a part of the digital home landscape. We have several mutations of the Echo scattered all over the GBR complex - the original Echo, Echo Dots, and an Amazon Tap (which is now voice activated, so tapping's even gone the wayside), performing important tasks like lighting, getting local weather and traffic times, and occasionally accidentally shutting GBR off.
In Echo's early stages, getting GBR to play was as simple as saying "Alexa, play Great Big Radio." Sadly, with more and more content piling onto Alexa's delicate shoulders, saying that now brings up some goofy-ass FM station out of Milwaukee which, I swear to God, is doing a two minute infomercial about antique appraising as I write this.
Thankfully, we have a decade-long relationship with our pals at TuneIn. Now, just say:
"ALEXA, PLAY GREAT BIG RADIO ON TUNEIN."
...and we'll be blaring out of your Echo/Dot/Tap/Spot/Show/Look/Honk/Poot/Thbbft instantly.
We did feel slighted by this until we found out our friends at Sirius XM have the same problem. Even though they have proprietarily-named channels, you still need to tag the Alexa command with "...on Sirius XM." So at least we're in good company.
Now that you know how to get us, get an Amazon Alexa device by clicking the banner to the right. Every purchase supports the fine work we're still trying to accomplish. Thanks, Happy Alexaing.
In Echo's early stages, getting GBR to play was as simple as saying "Alexa, play Great Big Radio." Sadly, with more and more content piling onto Alexa's delicate shoulders, saying that now brings up some goofy-ass FM station out of Milwaukee which, I swear to God, is doing a two minute infomercial about antique appraising as I write this.
Thankfully, we have a decade-long relationship with our pals at TuneIn. Now, just say:
"ALEXA, PLAY GREAT BIG RADIO ON TUNEIN."
...and we'll be blaring out of your Echo/Dot/Tap/Spot/Show/Look/Honk/Poot/Thbbft instantly.
We did feel slighted by this until we found out our friends at Sirius XM have the same problem. Even though they have proprietarily-named channels, you still need to tag the Alexa command with "...on Sirius XM." So at least we're in good company.
Now that you know how to get us, get an Amazon Alexa device by clicking the banner to the right. Every purchase supports the fine work we're still trying to accomplish. Thanks, Happy Alexaing.
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