What is the difference between personal/consumer devices and Speak2 managed devices?
Some of your residents may have an existing Alexa in their apartment. Often we are asked what the difference is between their existing Alexa and the Alexa that is provided by Speak2. The below table highlights the most relevant differences between a consumer, home-based Alexa device and the managed devices provided by Speak2.
If a resident wants to keep their personal Alexa, Speak2 can change the "wake word" of the community supplied Alexa to "Echo". In this case, the Echo device is the community concierge device, while the Alexa remains their personal device. This way both devices don't answer to "Alexa".
| Consumer (the below are NOT available on your managed Speak2 device) | Managed Alexa from Speak2 |
|
No connectivity to community content. |
Community content is available such as menus, calendars, news and announcements. |
|
Invocation word needed to "open" a skill. E.g., "Alexa, ask my community what is on the menu?" |
There is no invocation word: "Alexa, what's on the menu?" |
| Credit Card & Amazon Account entry are required. | No personal information. No credit cards. No Amazon account needed. Completely anonymous device. |
|
Drop in (intercom feature) is enabled, this allows for unannounced video and audio monitoring of the room the Alexa is in. |
Drop In Disabled! Phone calls only (audio or video). Phone calls MUST be answered by a person. Only calls to those added to address books are allowed. No spam or unwanted/unaccepted calls. |
|
Music & paid personal accounts |
Radio stations only. Since you cannot add payment, paid apps (Apple Music, Audible) cannot be connected. |
|
Alexa App setup with Amazon account |
Devices are setup by Speak2 with the Alexa for Senior Living platform. They are not associated with the Alexa App. They do not have an Amazon account. |
Since these devices are set up on our portal, there is little technical setup. If there is a technical issue, please reach out to your community contact or submit a ticket to Speak2's support team.
If the WiFi or electricity goes out, the devices will not work. When either is turned back on, the device will automatically go back on.