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iHome iAVS16 Alexa Bedside Speaker System with Far Field Voice, Bluetooth, and USB Charging



This seems like a good idea.  I can turn on lights and control Alexa controlled devices from this unit. It also has a very decent speaker system which means that music played through this should be much better than in the Echo Dot or it would be if I could get it set up in the Alexa ap as a device.  The Bluetooth worked just fine from my phone and the sound quality was excellent.  The idea of this unit is positive but so far the implementation is disappointing.   The first unit I got would not connect to my Echo Dot regardless of how many factory resets I did. I spent over two hours with a large part of that being with a very nice tech rep from iHome.   They asked me to return it and I did so.  They decided that the unit was defective and sent a new one out.  It connected immediately which was satisfying.  You must download their ap to get this to work at all.  For those of you who are as oblivious as I am, the more important menu is at the bottom of the screen.  On my phone I may have noticed it sooner but on my 10” tablet I was getting annoyed prior to my seeing the menu.  

This unit needs better documentation.  I was able to use it to turn on devices through the Echo Dot.   I like that part.   I was not able to get music to play through it via the Dot.  I am sure it is possible but I could not figure it out.  I think that better documentation would help, lack of such has colored my opinion.


From the vendor:
  • Amazon alexa is built in the cloud, so it is always getting smarter. Just Ask alexa to play music, control your smart home, hear the news, check weather and more.
  • The iAVS16 also allows you to play your music and answer calls over the Bluetooth wireless Connection.
  • The iAVS16 works great with iHome smartplugs (sold separately), just Ask alexa via your iAVS16 to turn off your lights, turn on a fan, Start the coffee and much more, all from the comfort of our Bed.
  • The integrated light bar provides all the familiar alexa-based experience while also allowing for always-on mood lighting with adjustable modes and colors.
  • One-touch action buttons provide the quickest way to trigger a Series of events such as controlling your smartplugs and playing a Spotify music.

 If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

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