I'm 66 today and they've bought me an Amazon Echo. Another woman, called Alexa, talking to me! She even told me off when I swore at her.
She wants me to subscribe to Spotify and Unlimited Music to play tunes.
Does anyone know of an alternative but free, please?

I think Spotify has a free version, but it plays adverts between songs.

Spotify is free. Use that.
The adverts aren't so bad and they're only played occasionally so you're not bombarded after every song.

Thanks lads - I'll set about it.
Greatly appreciated.
UTC

Now you can enjoy the "Alexa, play Despacito" meme.

The problem with the free version of Spotify is that you now can't play which individual
tracks from an album you want to. You have to use "shuffle play" which is basically
a random pot luck method.

However, there are a couple of vids on YouTube showing how to get round this.

ElectroClaret wrote:The problem with the free version of Spotify is that you now can't play which individual
tracks from an album you want to. You have to use "shuffle play" which is basically
a random pot luck method.

However, there are a couple of vids on YouTube showing how to get round this.

I've got the free version and i have no such problem. I'm listening to Remedy by Little Boots right now. Track #5 of Hands album.

Maybe you suck at Spotifying.

Basil, if you have family members who also use Spotify, I believe you can get a sort of 'family pass', which makes it cheaper.

To be fair Spotify premium is worth every penny

Imploding Turtle wrote:
Maybe you suck at Spotifying.

I'll try it again.

3 months for 99p. Then a tenner per month after that:
https://www.spotify.com/uk/premium/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've literally just this minute changed my subscription from premium to family so they can avail themselves of bluetooth speakers and suchlike that might be brought by Santa. As C&J says, its worth every penny and is a model for the distribution of digital media which makes piracy not really worth the while.

Needs some careful thought this. I've downloaded Spotify free to my mobile but when I try to connect it to Echo bloody Alexa comes on again saying I must link my Spotify Premium account. I've tried to reason with her but she seems to have dug her heels in - bitch! I suspect the software will be configured to reject the free version and make you pay.

basil6345789 wrote:Needs some careful thought this. I've downloaded Spotify free to my mobile but when I try to connect it to Echo bloody Alexa comes on again saying I must link my Spotify Premium account. I've tried to reason with her but she seems to have dug her heels in - bitch! I suspect the software will be configured to reject the free version and make you pay.

Basil, it appears you're right - you need a Premium account to connect to Alexa.

https://community.spotify.com/t5/Closed ... -p/1700722" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Additional - if I'm going to subscribe to something then I'd prefer to be able to play tracks through Alexa but also to be able to download, convert to mp3 then save the track to my laptop (like I do now with youtube + youtubemp3converter).
Anyone any ideas please?

Try amazon music you get 30 days free and if you like it thinks its under £5 per month to have it on one device

basil6345789 wrote:Additional - if I'm going to subscribe to something then I'd prefer to be able to play tracks through Alexa but also to be able to download, convert to mp3 then save the track to my laptop (like I do now with youtube + youtubemp3converter).
Anyone any ideas please?

Not possible as far as I'm aware with Spotify. You can download tracks onto devices, but only for as long as your subscription is valid.

basil6345789 wrote:Additional - if I'm going to subscribe to something then I'd prefer to be able to play tracks through Alexa but also to be able to download, convert to mp3 then save the track to my laptop (like I do now with youtube + youtubemp3converter).
Anyone any ideas please?

Why would you need to save tracks to your laptop if you have spotify? Not being an arse, just curious.

basil6345789 wrote:Additional - if I'm going to subscribe to something then I'd prefer to be able to play tracks through Alexa but also to be able to download, convert to mp3 then save the track to my laptop (like I do now with youtube + youtubemp3converter).
Anyone any ideas please?

I'd consider the 3 months for 99p on Spotify (link further up). After 3 months you can then decide whether you wish to pay the £10 a month.

Rileybobs - cos I DJ (yes, still at my age). I play soul, particularly Rare Soul, much of which is not kown to Spotify, etc but some collectors upload singles to youtube to share or often to demo for sale (singles worth hundreds and thousands of pounds), so I download them and save for onward playing. I never play tracks from live downloads as it's too risky - if you pick up a virus or something it messes up the show (once saw a digital dj whilst playing at a wedding - disaster!)
So I play everything thru Virtual DJ on my laptop from external hard drives.

basil6345789 wrote:Rileybobs - cos I DJ (yes, still at my age). I play soul, particularly Rare Soul, much of which is not kown to Spotify, etc but some collectors upload singles to youtube to share or often to demo for sale (singles worth hundreds and thousands of pounds), so I download them and save for onward playing. I never play tracks from live downloads as it's too risky - if you pick up a virus or something it messes up the show (once saw a digital dj whilst playing at a wedding - disaster!)
So I play everything thru Virtual DJ on my laptop from external hard drives.

Fair play sir. I dabbled myself with mp3 decks - don't get the time any more.

I taught ours to say:

"No Nay Never, No Nay Never no more... "

I thought there was going to be a problem with the word B****** but no, she carried straight on.

Yep, you're right, Juvenile but, it is funny coming from a computerised woman !

RalphCoatesComb wrote:I taught ours to say:

"No Nay Never, No Nay Never no more... "

I thought there was going to be a problem with the word B****** but no, she carried straight on.

Yep, you're right, Juvenile but, it is funny coming from a computerised woman !

I always laugh at our Satnav she pronounces Burnley as Burnleh ..... hilarious .....

Bosscat wrote:I always laugh at our Satnav she pronounces Burnley as Burnleh ..... hilarious .....

I had B. A. Baracus on mine, but the SatNav would stop working whenever I asked him to direct me to the airport.

basil6345789 wrote:I'm 66 today and they've bought me an Amazon Echo. Another woman, called Alexa, talking to me! She even told me off when I swore at her.
She wants me to subscribe to Spotify and Unlimited Music to play tunes.
Does anyone know of an alternative but free, please?

Remember to film your grand kids using it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5p0gqCIEa8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've been struggling to decide between an Echo or a Sonos for a while now. So much so that I'll probably die before I ever make a decision. Has anyone experienced both? I imagine Sonos would have greater sound quality (and offers multi room with another speaker) but you can't beat telling something what to do, can you?

Fretters wrote:I've been struggling to decide between an Echo or a Sonos for a while now. So much so that I'll probably die before I ever make a decision. Has anyone experienced both? I imagine Sonos would have greater sound quality (and offers multi room with another speaker) but you can't beat telling something what to do, can you?

I’ve got both. I don’t really see them as the same thing. The sonos is far superior sonically and therefore more expensive but you can get a Sonos with Alexa functionality now.

dushanbe wrote:I’ve got both. I don’t really see them as the same thing. The sonos is far superior sonically and therefore more expensive but you can get a Sonos with Alexa functionality now.

Is that so? Game changer!!