Alexa screen - wasted real estate?

[bgg1]

Forgive me if this is just something obvious that I've just overlooked, but I've only had the R1S for a week so still learning. When on the audio screen and with Alexa selected for source, it seems that the entire center portion of the screen is taken up by a list of some examples of what you can ask Alexa. Is there a way to get rid of that and actually make void use of the area? Perhaps some sort of frequently used streaming stations (which right now is the only thing I use it for to make up for the lack of AM radio)?
Thanks

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[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Not by the user. Things will change as software development continues.

 

[bgg1]

That's a little disappointing. Hopefully it will change soon, but it's another reason I miss Android Auto. I like tinkering and being able to customize things, so even the limited options there were still options. But the other 99% of the car does overshadow this one negative.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I would give Spotify a whirl. I think you'll find the UI more robust than what they currently have for Alexa.

 

[bgg1]

I'll try my daughter's account later and see how that is. How is it at handling podcasts? Currently using Podcast Addict for that after Google ended their offering. Right now I'm running that and Waze on my phone and through BT, so not ideal.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I'll try my daughter's account later and see how that is. How is it at handling podcasts? Currently using Podcast Addict for that after Google ended their offering. Right now I'm running that and Waze on my phone and through BT, so not ideal.

Depends on which podcaster and if they distribute their content on Spotify. But unlike Apple Music, which is music only, Spotify has music and podcasts. You can create your own free account. Difference between free and paid is free has ads. Once logged in, from center display, check account profile and set stream quality setting to highest allowable.

 

[CharonPDX]

Hey, at least there's that now - for most of the time I've had my Rivian, there was *ZERO* UI for playing media through Alexa. No way to select it, you just had to say out loud "Alexa, play <media> on <Amazon Music/whatever>", and it would play it. If you tapped on the "Music" app/icon, the large screen view would show whatever you had *last* listened to before having Alexa play something.

 

[foxerson]

Not holding my breath but... sure hope that a fully-functional Amazon music app with Dolby Atmos support is somewhere on the roadmap.

I just started playing around with Atmos tracks through the Apple Music 3-month trial offer. Some are quite impressive, many are just "meh". I'm sure its all gravy for anyone who was already invested in Apple music. Selfishly, I am already invested in Amazon music and sure would appreciate the ability to use it fully.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I'm probably in the minority, but I use Alexa for almost everything. Much easier to just say "Alexa, play such-and-such radio station", or "turn on cameras", or "play whatever band", than fiddling with buttons or on-screen controls. Same at home, we use Google voice for pretty much everything. Turn on the dog's heated bed, turn on the TV, play something on Netflix. Tell me the weather, time, etc. Big fan of voice commands.

Not so big a fan of Alexa's god-awful navigation, however. ?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I'm probably in the minority, but I use Alexa for almost everything. Much easier to just say "Alexa, play such-and-such radio station", or "turn on cameras", or "play whatever band", than fiddling with buttons or on-screen controls. Same at home, we use Google voice for pretty much everything. Turn on the dog's heated bed, turn on the TV, play something on Netflix. Tell me the weather, time, etc. Big fan of voice commands.

Not so big a fan of Alexa's god-awful navigation, however. ?

If you have Alexa enabled pet feeder, you could have her feed your cats. She can’t walk your dog though. I have her turned off. But at thought of using her to switch to cameras for parking… I just might give that a try.

 

[bgg1]

While we're on the Alexa limitations, I find it strange that you can turn on/off the AC, but can't choose a specific temperature. My Chrysler Pacifica did this 10 years ago. Can't turn on the cooling seats either it seems. I did, however, learn this morning that you can turn on the heated steering by voice.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Quite sure you can tell Alexa to set temperature to XX. Owner Guide has a list of commands. Search past threads. Some have found ways to “teach” her additional skills.

 

[VSG]

While we're on the Alexa limitations, I find it strange that you can turn on/off the AC, but can't choose a specific temperature.

It boggles my mind that people continually make such blatantly false proclamations without taking even the least bit of effort to ensure they weren't spouting bullshit. Didn't you even try this before posting that it's impossible?

Here's what I did: I was *sure* you were wrong, but I *didn't* just dash off a reply that says you're full of shit - instead I went to my garage, climbed into my R1T, asked Alexa to turn the climate on then asked Alexa to set the temperature to 80 degrees. Alexa did both thing without hesitation. I then reset the temperature and walked back inside to reply to your post, two minutes after I first read it.

I mean, spend some effort dude, don't just post whatever comes into your brain without fact checking.

 

[bgg1]

Real nice. I'm not sure what your problem is or why you feel the need to unload on me, but I sincerely apologize for offending you in any way.

For the rest of the helpful people who may be reading this, the reason I mentioned it was precisely because I tried it in various ways with the same results. Namely, that it could not be done. I tried asking to change the temperature, change the AC, the air conditioner, and the climate control to a certain temperature. I don't remember the exact Alexa response, but each time it was along the lines of "I can't do that, but what I can do is put it on/off/low/max."

As a reasonable person with the understanding that when it comes to technology not everyone will always have the same experience, and that that can be due to both user error and quirks or bugs in the hardware or software, I fully accept that someone can get in his vehicle and have it work as expected, but I also am not so naïve as to think that someone who doesn't have the ideal experience is obviously lying. I'm here to ask questions and learn based on my experiences, and I appreciate everyone else who has been more than helpful on this forum. If anyone has a useful answer I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[bgg1]

Quite sure you can tell Alexa to set temperature to XX. Owner Guide has a list of commands. Search past threads. Some have found ways to “teach” her additional skills.

It did seem strange to me that it wouldn't do this, so I fiddled a little more and after a couple of resets I got it to fully work. I should have tried that first but I'm still not used to treating my car like a computer. Thanks

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