Installing and Using Amazon Alexa on Orbit Speak Plus

This guide explains how to install Amazon Alexa on the Orbit Speak Plus, sign in to your Amazon account, and use the basic Alexa functions.

Important - Please Read Before Installing Alexa

Amazon Alexa is a third-party application provided by Amazon. Orbit Research makes the application available for use on the Orbit Speak Plus, but does not provide technical support for Alexa, including its installation, setup, sign-in, operation, features, availability, updates, or application-specific problems. Orbit Research continues to support the Orbit Speak Plus and its built-in accessibility interface.

• The Alexa application available on the Orbit Speak Plus is the standard Amazon Alexa application for Android. It is not a dedicated Alexa application with a customized Orbit Speak Plus user interface.
• Amazon controls the Alexa application user interface and overall experience. Orbit Research does not control or modify the Alexa application interface.
• Navigation within the application is similar to using the Alexa application with TalkBack on an Android phone.
• You must have an Amazon account that supports Alexa. If you do not have an Amazon account, you will need to create one before using Alexa.
• Alexa may request permissions during the initial setup. These permissions are required for certain Alexa features.
• We recommend using computer Braille for input into any edit box for the best results. This includes the login screens, as well as any place that allows you to enter information.
• For Alexa-specific issues, refer to Amazon's Alexa help resources or the relevant third-party service provider. Orbit Research cannot troubleshoot Alexa-specific problems.
• Alexa depends on network connectivity and Amazon services and may sometimes be unavailable because of network or Amazon service issues.
• Amazon may update the Alexa application from time to time. When a compatible updated version is made available through the Orbit Speak Plus App Catalog, you may need to install it to continue using Alexa. Availability of future versions is not guaranteed by Orbit Research.

Step 1: Update the Orbit Speak Plus, if Needed

Before installing Alexa, make sure your Orbit Speak Plus is running software version 2.3.1 or later. Alexa is not supported on earlier versions. See the Orbit Speak Plus user guide for instructions on updating the unit.

Step 2: Install the Alexa Application

Once your Orbit Speak Plus is running software version 2.3.1 or later, install the Alexa application from the App Catalog.

1. From the home screen, use the Tab key to navigate to the Tools group.
2. Press the Select key or dot 8 to open the Tools group.
3. Use the Up Arrow or Down Arrow key to navigate to App Catalog.
4. Press the Select key or dot 8 to open the App Catalog.
5. Use the Tab key to navigate through the list of available applications until you find Amazon Alexa.
6. Press the Select key or dot 8 to select Alexa.
7. Use the tab key (space with dots 4-5) to navigate to the Install button.
8. Press the Select key or dot 8 to start the installation.
9. Wait until the Orbit Speak Plus announces that the application has been successfully installed.

Step 3: Launch the Alexa Application

After Alexa has been installed:

1. Return to the Orbit Speak Plus home screen.
2. Use the Tab key to navigate to the Android Apps group.
3. Press the Select key or dot 8 to open the Android Apps group.
4. Use the Tab key to navigate to Amazon Alexa.
5. Press the Select key to launch the application.

Step 4: Sign In to Your Amazon Account

When Alexa opens, you will need to sign in using your Amazon account.

Enter Your Email Address or Mobile Number

1. Use the tab or shift-tab keys (space with dots 4-5 or space with dots 1-2) to navigate through the available controls.
2. Locate the Email or Mobile Number edit box.
3. Enter the email address or mobile number associated with your Amazon account, in Computer Braille.
4. Use the tab key (space with dots 4-5) to navigate to the Continue or Submit button.
5. Press the Select key or dot 8.

Enter Your Amazon Password

1. Navigate to the Password edit box.
2. Enter your Amazon account password in computer Braille.
3. Use the tab key (space with dots 4-5) to navigate to the Continue or Submit button.
4. Press the Select key or dot 8.

Complete OTP Verification

If Amazon requests a one-time password (OTP):

1. Check your registered mobile phone or email for the OTP.
2. Use the tab key to navigate to the OTP edit box.
3. Enter the OTP in computer Braille.
4. Use the tab key to navigate to the Continue, Submit, or equivalent button.
5. Press the Select key or dot 8 to complete the verification.

Step 5: Complete the Initial Alexa Setup

After successfully signing in, Alexa may display additional setup options.

You may see options such as:

• Privacy Policy
• Get Started with Alexa
• Profile setup
• Permission requests
• Name pronunciation

Use the tab key to navigate through these options.

Allowing Permissions

During the initial setup, Alexa may request permissions required for certain features.

1. Use the tab key to navigate through the permission dialog.
2. If the permission is needed for a feature you want to use, navigate to the Allow option using the tab key.
3. Press the Select key or dot 8 to grant that permission.
4. Repeat as needed for additional permissions required by the features you wish to use.

The permissions requested by Alexa can vary depending on the features being used. Amazon states that permissions may be used for functions such as voice interactions, device setup, location-based features, Bluetooth-related functionality, notifications, and other Alexa features.

Name Pronunciation Dialog

During setup, Alexa may display a dialog asking you to configure name pronunciation.

If you do not want to configure this option:

1. Press the Back button (space with dots 1-5).
2. You will return to the previous screen or the home screen.

Step 6: Complete the Alexa Setup

After completing the initial setup:

1. Return to the Android Apps group if necessary.
2. Open Amazon Alexa again.
3. Use the Tab key to navigate through the remaining options.
4. Complete any remaining permission or setup prompts.
5. Once setup is complete, Alexa is ready to use.

Navigating Within Alexa

Navigation within the Amazon Alexa application emulates navigation using TalkBack on an Android touchscreen device.

Navigation Keys

• Tab or Down Arrow: Move to the next element on the screen.
• Shift-tab or Up Arrow: Move to the previous element on the screen.
• Select or dot 8: Activate the currently focused element. This is similar to double tapping an item when using TalkBack on an Android phone.
• Back (space with dots 1-5): Return to the previous screen or exit a dialog.
• Home (space with dots 1-2-5): Exit the Alexa application and return to the Orbit Speak Plus home screen.

Entering Text

When an edit box is focused:

1. Use the Tab key to navigate to the desired text field.
2. Enter text using the Orbit Speak Plus keyboard in the same way you enter text in other native Orbit Speak Plus applications, but only in Computer Braille for the best results.
3. Use the Tab key to navigate to the required button, then press Select or dot 8.

Exiting Alexa

To exit the Alexa application and return to the Orbit Speak Plus home screen, press the Home command (space with dots 1-2-5).

You can open Alexa again at any time from the Android Apps group.

Talking to Alexa

There are two ways to interact with Alexa. The first is by pressing the Talk to Alexa button in the app, and the other is by using the wake word.

Using the talk to Alexa button

To use the talk to Alexa button, please perform the following steps:

1. Open the Alexa application from the Android apps group.

2. Once you are at the main screen of the app, use the Tab key to find the Talk to Alexa button.

3. Press Select or dot 8, after which you should be able to speak with Alexa.

Using the wake word

You can also use the wake word: “Alexa” when the app is focused and you are on its main screen. When you say: “Alexa”, the assistant starts listening and you can give commands to it. Note that this method of hands-free operation will only function when the app is focused. If you move to another app, or any other screen on Orbit Speak Plus, the wake word will not trigger Alexa.

Note: sometimes, you might hear some screen reader speech when Alexa is listening. This is normal.

Known Behaviour and Basic Self-Help

The information below is provided as general guidance only and does not constitute technical support for Alexa. Because Alexa is a third-party application, its behaviour may change without notice.

Question: Alexa gives an error of no connection. What should I do?

Answer: Sometimes, there are connection issues between the application and the Amazon server side. If re-launching the app does not help, disable and enable wi-fi again from the Orbit Speak Plus settings, and try talking with Alexa again.

Question: Alexa still plays content when the device is sleeping, unlike other Orbit Speak Plus apps. Why is that?

Answer: Orbit Speak Plus apps are designed to stop playback when the device goes to sleep by default. Alexa, which is an app for regular smartphones, is designed to continue playback of content even when the device is sleeping, since it is useful to have this functionality on a regular Android smartphone. Please stop any playback if you want the device to remain silent while sleeping and using Alexa.

Question: What happens if I do not receive an OTP authentication code?

Answer: The authentication process is completely controlled by Amazon. Please contact their customer service team in case of any issues.

Acknowledgment

Orbit Research gratefully acknowledges the Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC), St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, for its support in bringing Amazon Alexa to the Orbit Speak Plus.