I'm using routines (not notifications) in Alexa to announce various things; 'garage door is opening', etc.  Was working great.

All of a sudden, in addition to the intended message, she is spouting a bunch of other gibberish, sounds like 'Amazon selection blah blah blah, then my message, then the gibberish again.

Anyone else having this problem? 

I just got an email from one of my Virtual Buttons skill users who is encountering this very problem, so you are not alone.

It's weird, but I have to believe it will likely get fixed by Amazon soon.

-Randy

9 minutes ago, randyth said:

I just got an email from one of my Virtual Buttons skill users who is encountering this very problem, so you are not alone.

It's weird, but I have to believe it will likely get fixed by Amazon soon.

-Randy

That was me, might as well join the conversation directly.  It sounds like Amazon is bracketing the actual Say text with something close to <AmazonForceUnitSelection> "actual text' </AmazonForceUnitSelection>.  Anyone has Jeff's phone number?

Edited January 23, 20205 yr by Lexx

1 minute ago, Lexx said:

That was me, might as well join the conversation directly.  It sounds like Amazon is bracketing the actual Say text with something close to <AmazonForceUnitSelection> "actual text' </AmazonForceUnitSelection>.  Anyone has Jeff's phone number?

Small world!

Well, sadly, I do not have Jeff's number.

Let us know if it goes away on its own or if you had to do something like change the announcement text.

I know this is an easier way to integrate voice announcements with less investment in time. But, this is a perfect example of why Local First vs Cloud First is key. Requires no reliance on the Internet or a third party vendor making changes or interrupting service.

Nothing here in southern Canada. I have been hearing "The dryer has stopped" and "Garage door one has opened"  all day, from select speakers.

Workaround: change current Alexa Says/Custom action which is what triggers this bug right now, to Messaging/Send Announcement action.  It generates an extraneous tone, but at least it doesn't pollute the voice part with this garbage.

Edited January 23, 20205 yr by Lexx

More reports of Announcement weirdness: 

 

Looks like it went away on it's own last night.  With a programmer's help of course.

16 hours ago, Teken said:

I know this is an easier way to integrate voice announcements with less investment in time. But, this is a perfect example of why Local First vs Cloud First is key. Requires no reliance on the Internet or a third party vendor making changes or interrupting service.

This is so true.  Imagine doing all of your scheduling and programming in the cloud.  

"Oh, gee, a glitch on their server set my furnace to 100 degrees"

6 hours ago, jgcharlotte said:

This is so true.  Imagine doing all of your scheduling and programming in the cloud.  

"Oh, gee, a glitch on their server set my furnace to 100 degrees"

What are you doing in the Doctor's office today, Mr Smith? Your appointment was last week.