Mac Alexa As Speaker Wifi
The draw and appeal of Amazon’s Echo (or Alexa, as it is commonly known) include a variety of abilities ranging from instant news updates, streaming music, and having questions answered about any topic on a whim! While Alexa is growing more popular each day, there are alternative ways to put your Amazon Alexa to use.
2019 Update: While this post is over a year old, all of the information is correct and up-to-date.
Best Wireless Speakers With Alexa
If you do not have Wi-Fi in your home or if you are planning on heading out for a vacation, it is still possible to utilize Alexa as a Bluetooth device with a bit of preparation. There are two ways to use Alexa without WiFi:
- Use a mobile hotspot
- Connect Alexa via Bluetooth
- The JAM WiFi Home Audio app enables you to control all of your JAM WiFi compatible speakers directly from your mobile device. Group and ungroup speakers, manage your stations and presets, control volume, use the intercom, Amazon Alexa and more. Works with the following JAM WiFi speakers:.
- Press the WPS Button on your wireless router. Within two minutes, press the WiFi button on the back of your JAM WiFi Speaker. Once the speaker connects, it will say, 'WiFi Connected.' Option Two: Connect your mobile device to your Wifi Speaker through the aux-in at the back of the speaker.
- Once it’s set up, they’ll be able to use Alexa via a smart speaker, smart display, or app to pause or unpause Wi-Fi access for individual devices or groups of devices, and to schedule Wi-Fi.
One of the most powerful speakers you’ll find for the money at 330W, buy two Amazon Echo Studio speakers and you can set them up in the Alexa app to create an immersive home cinema system.
Products from Amazon.com
Why Alexa Does Not Work Without Wi-Fi
Amazon’s Alexa is a device that strictly revolves around WiFi to access everything from Google to various music-streaming services. Without WiFi it is simply impossible to connect to these applications and features. In order to make the most out of your Amazon Alexa investment, a Wi-Fi connection or hotspot must be available to get started and to take advantage of all that the device has to offer.
How Does WiFi Work?
As it stands right now, Wi-Fi carries over 60% of the world’s internet. Wi-Fi stands for wireless fidelity and it’s just a different way of saying WLAN which means wireless local area network. Wi-Fi uses wireless radio frequencies to send signals to and from wireless devices. As opposed to a no wifi radio which uses kilohertz and megahertz, Wi-Fi uses Gigahertz frequencies. If you want to break down even farther, Hertz (Hz) is just a unit of frequency. One Hertz is equal to one cycle per second. So one GHz is equal to one billion cycles in one second.
Using Alexa as a Bluetooth Speaker
If you are wondering, “does echo dot have to be plugged in?” that answer varies between power and connectivity. One possible way to utilize Alexa without internet access or a steady Wi-Fi connection is by putting your device to use as a Bluetooth speaker. However, to get started, you must first at least have access to a WiFi connection for the pairing process. If you do not have WiFi in your home or while you are traveling, consider opting for a public WiFi location or a venue that offers hotspots for those who are on the go. Always be sure to use any WiFi connection you choose as securely as possible to keep your personal and private data safe and unavailable to potential hackers or malicious individuals.
Once you have established a basic internet connection you are then able to quickly pair your phone with your Amazon Alexa. The following steps will get you access to pairing your devices so you are able to use your Alexa in the future without connecting to WiFi:
- Open the Alexa application on your smartphone, select your menu, and choose “Settings”.
- Pick the device you would like to pair.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Select a device from the list, then select “Forget”. Repeat this step for all other Bluetooth devices on the list.
Getting the Most out of Your Amazon Alexa
After your Alexa has successfully paired with your Bluetooth device(s), you can then begin using Alexa as a second speaker. You can stream music, podcasts, and other audio material you have saved onto your device. If you seek additional services & features, it is important to remember that a WiFi connection is necessary. Amazon Alexa focuses on the ability to connect in order to maximize what it has to offer.
If you choose to opt for WiFi in the future, be sure to do so with a secure connection that is safe and reliable. Looking for new ways to add a layer of security to your home and electronics? Contact Protect America today to learn more.
I am unable to connect to my speaker.
If you're having problems connecting your speaker, first try resetting it. If that doesn't work, you may need to reset your WPS connection on your wireless router.
Press the WPS Button on your wireless router. Then, within two minutes, press the WiFi button on the back of the JAM WiFi Speaker.
Once the speaker connects, the speaker will say, 'WiFi connected.'My speakers were previously connected, but now they cannot be found.
Make sure your speakers are on.If no light (no matter what color): please check to see if the speaker is plugged in.If showing a solid red light: your speaker is disconnected from your WiFi network and needs to be reconnected.If showing a solid blue light: your speaker is connected to a WiFi network; please proceed to step 2.Make sure your mobile device is connected to your home network.If you've recently moved or installed a new router, simply reconnect the speakers to your new router by following the step-by-step process in the app. After confirming that your mobile device is connected to your home WiFi network, open the JAM WiFi App. If your speakers still cannot be found, please continue to the next steps. Did you recently move or install a new router in your home?If you’ve recently moved or installed a new router, simply reconnect the speakers to your new router by following the step-by-step process in the app.If all else fails, reset and reconnect the speaker.You will need a pin to press the reset button at the back of the speaker. Press and hold until you hear the audible response, “Resetting back to factory settings.” It will take the speaker some time to reinitiate, so please wait until the LED shows solid red before attempting to connect to it.
How to group speakers and separate right and left stereo channels.
Grouping is linking two or more speakers together so that they play the same music. Grouped speakers share the same 'Now Playing' screen, but have separate volume levels. To group two speakers together:
On the 'Speaker Screen,' press and hold one of the speakers that you wish to group. Drag it to the other speaker you wish to group and release.When you want to add additional speakers into an existing group, simply press and hold the single speaker that is not in the group, then drag it into the already-established group and release.When two speakers are grouped together, you can separate right and left channels. There is a button that toggles between stereo, left, or right channels. Cycle through the choices to make your desired selection.Can I connect my speakers to my computer?
The speakers are not designed to pair with computers using DLNA.
Can I use the speakers with my TV?
Yes, through the aux-in at the back of the speaker. If you would like to connect wirelessly, you can only do so if your TV supports a DLNA connection.
Can I use the speakers as a home entertainment system?
No, they are not designed to be used this way.
I cannot connect my JAM WiFi Speaker at work.
WiFi networks in a working environment can be complex and full of barriers, which will cause issues with connecting and streaming. Our speaker is designed for home use, and therefore we don’t recommend setting up your JAM WiFi speaker in the office.
- JAM WiFi Home Audio Basic Speaker Setup
- Setting Up Multiple JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
- Downloading the JAM WiFi Home Audio App
- Grouping and Ungrouping All JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
- Checking WiFi Signal Strength When Setting Up JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
Does it work with Apple Airplay?
Yes, all JAM Wifi Speakers can be streamed to via Airplay, because our speaker is a DLNA-compliant device. Therefore, when the speaker is connected to your wireless network, iOS devices can stream to it using Airplay.
Does it work with Google Music?
For HTC Devices:Connect your JAM WiFi Speaker to your home network via WiFi.Connect your HTC device to your home network via WiFi.Open any music app on your phone.Swipe up with three fingers on the screen.From the list of available devices, choose the JAM Wifi Speaker you want to play the music.Once connected to the device, tap the onscreen controls to control playback, adjust the volume, and more.
For LG Devices: Use Smartshare.
For Samsung Devices: Not available.Does it work with Apple Music?
Tap on the track information button, or swipe up from the mini player to access 'Now Playing.'Tap on the AirPlay button, middle right.Tap on the JAM WiFi Speaker source you want to stream to.
What if the music from my Apple Music library is not appearing in the Jam WiFi app?
Verify that your device has allowed the Jam WifI app access to your Music Library by going into Settings -> Jam WiFi -> Media Library (On)
Does it work with Amazon Music?
For iOS Devices:
To stream Amazon Music to your JAM WiFi speaker, you can use the iOS system-wide AirPlay.
For Android Devices:
HTC:Connect your JAM Speaker to your home network via WiFi.Connect your HTC device to your home network via WiFi.Open the Amazon Music App on your phone.Swipe up with three fingers on the screen.From the list of available devices, choose the JAM Wifi Speaker you want to play the music.Once connected to the device, tap the onscreen controls to control playback, adjust the volume, and more.LG: Use Smartshare.
Samsung: Not available.Can I stream YouTube to my JAM WiFi Speaker?
For iOS Devices:
To stream your YouTube video sound to your JAM WiFi speaker, you can use the iOS system-wide AirPlay.
For Android Devices:
HTC:Connect your JAM Speaker to your home network via WiFi.Connect your HTC device to your home network via WiFi.Open YouTube on your phone.Swipe up with three fingers on the screen.From the list of available devices, choose the JAM Wifi Speaker you want to play the music.Once connected to the device, tap the onscreen controls to control playback, adjust the volume, and more.LG: Use Smartshare.
Samsung: Not available.Can I stream Pandora to my JAM WiFi Speaker?
For iOS Devices:
In your iOS Pandora App, double tap the bottom 'Now Playing' bar on the 'Now Playing' page. Hit the Airplay button and then select the JAM WiFi Speaker you want to stream to.
For Android Devices: JAM WiFi speakers do not work with the Android version of Pandora.How do I assign presets?
Press the icon within the Jam app's Music Source or Now Playing screen to add a station to your presets.Follow the instructions to assign the preset to a position (1, 2, 3 or 4).Once the preset is assigned, you can activate it without the app. Just press the button on your speaker to cycle through your presets.
What if my streaming music cuts in and out?
Sometimes intermittent or skipping music is not an issue with the speaker, app, or network. It could be from the streaming service itself. Check to make sure that the streaming service you’re listening to isn’t the issue by listening with your smart device. If you’re certain there’s an issue, see the steps below:
Check the WiFi signal strength of the speaker, if the signal strength is weak, try relocating the speaker closer to the wireless router to improve signal strength.Wireless Network Bandwidth Restraint
High bandwidth consumption activities, like streaming video, online gaming, or downloading/uploading from the Internet may cause slowdown of audio streaming. Try stopping some of these activities to see if your music streaming improves.What streaming services are offered with the app?
Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn, Napster, Tidal, Amazon Alexa, and Deezer are offered within the JAM WiFi app. However, the speakers are DLNA and Airplay compliant, so you can cast your favorite music outside of the JAM App.
Do I need to have a Premium+ Deezer account to login through the JAM App?
Yes, a paying subscription with Deezer is required in order to access the music library through the JAM app. However, you can use the free version by casting to your JAM speaker using DLNA (Android) or Airplay (Apple).
I’m unable to login to Deezer through the JAM App, what can I do to get logged in?
Unfortunately, at this moment Deezer does not support the use of connected account logins such as Google or Facebook through the JAM app. You must have a Premium + login with Deezer.
- Grouping and Ungrouping All JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
Why is there an exclamation mark next to my speaker in the app?
If you see an exclamation mark beside your speaker, it means that a firmware update is available for your speaker. It is recommended that you update your speaker whenever an update is available.
To update your speaker, press the exclamation mark icon and select firmware update from the menu. Then, tap 'download and install' to start the update. When complete, the speaker will provide an audible confirmation.How to group speakers and separate right and left stereo channels.
Grouping is linking two or more speakers together so that they play the same music. Grouped speakers share the same 'Now Playing' screen, but have separate volume levels. To group two speakers together:
On the 'Speaker Screen,' press and hold one of the speakers that you wish to group. Drag it to the other speaker you wish to group and release.When you want to add additional speakers into an existing group, simply press and hold the single speaker that is not in the group, then drag it into the already-established group and release.When two speakers are grouped together, you can separate right and left channels. There is a button that toggles between stereo, left, or right channels. Cycle through the choices to make your desired selection.How do I assign presets?
Press the icon within the Jam app's Music Source or Now Playing screen to add a station to your presets.Follow the instructions to assign the preset to a position (1, 2, 3 or 4).Once the preset is assigned, you can activate it without the app. Just press the button on your speaker to cycle through your presets.
How do I factory reset my JAM WiFi speaker?
JAM Symphony - HX-W14901
1. Make sure the speaker is currently plugged into power and has been running for more than 45 seconds.
2. Using a paperclip or some other small object, press and hold the reset button inside of the speaker for 15 seconds.
3. The speaker will announce “Restoring to factory settings” and will flash a red light on the top.
4. Wait around 1 minute for the factory reset to complete. The speaker will announce when the reset has finished.
JAM Rhythm - HX-W09901
1. Make sure the speaker is currently plugged into power and has been running for more than 45 seconds.
2. Using a paperclip or some other small object, press and hold the reset button inside of the speaker for 15 seconds.
3. The speaker will announce “Restoring to factory settings” and will flash a red light on the top.
4. Wait around 1 minute for the factory reset to complete. The speaker will announce when the reset has finished.
JAM Voice - HX-P590
1. Make sure that the speaker is powered on and is either currently plugged into power or has 50% charge.
2. Press and hold both the Power Button and Bluetooth Button on the bottom of the speaker for 5 seconds.
3. The speaker will announce “Restoring to factory settings” and will flash a white light on the back.
4. Wait around 1 minute for the factory reset to complete. The speaker will announce when the reset has finished.
- Setting Up Multiple JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
- Assigning the Presets on JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
- Using the Intercom on JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
- Assigning Left and Right Channels for JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
- Adjusting Bass and Treble for JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
Mac Alexa As Speaker Wifi Booster
Can I still play music if my Internet is down?
Yes you can, but only from the content that’s in your phone, like your own music library. You cannot stream music from the Internet.
What if I don’t know my WiFi password?
Option One:
Press the WPS Button on your wireless router. Within two minutes, press the WiFi button on the back of your JAM WiFi Speaker.
Once the speaker connects, it will say, 'WiFi Connected.'
Option Two:
Connect your mobile device to your Wifi Speaker through the aux-in at the back of the speaker. This will enable you to listen to music until you can retrieve your password or get technical assistance with your router.How do I know if my speaker is close enough to the WiFi?
Check the WiFi signal strength of the speaker:
If the signal strength is weak (one bar only), try relocating the speaker closer to the wireless router to improve signal strength.Is the low bass/treble adjustment normal?
Music with heavy bass will have a more pronounced bass adjustment effect. The same applies to music with more acoustics, which will be more evident with treble adjustment.
What do I do when my speakers are grouped and the sound is intermittent?
When grouping multiple speakers in your house, choose the speaker that has the most central location (relative to your other speakers) to be the Master Speaker. The Master Speaker is the one that controls the music played on all other speakers.
Which one of my grouped speakers is the Master Speaker?
The Master Speaker is the speaker you drag the other speakers into in order to pair multiple speakers. You know it’s the Master Speaker if all the other speakers continue playing the same music the Master Speaker was playing before you grouped your speakers.
- Checking WiFi Signal Strength When Setting Up JAM WiFi Home Audio Speakers
Speaker For Alexa
Questions about a different Jam product?
Visit the Customer Support help center located here: https://www.jamaudio.com/customer-support