Does my Spin 5 (SP515-51N-59EE) support Alexa hands-free voice commands ("wake word")?

When I first set up my Spin 5, I was able to selected the "Wake Word" option in the Alexa app but it never worked. Today, after uninstalling/re-installing Alexa it now says "This PC does not support wake on voice". I have a Spin 5 (SP515-51N-59EE) with an "Amazon Alexa Enabled" sticker and have read a review of the Spin 5 from August that says Alexa will "respond to hands-free voice commands, utilizing four microphones to pick up the sound of your voice from across the room". Is this a hardware problem, software problem, or is Alexa hands-free support really not available on my Spin 5?

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JackE

Yes it's Alexa enabled. But it just doesn't support the voice wakeup feature. You must wake it by clicking the app button, not using your voice. After it's awake, then you can use your voice to tell Alexa what to do hands-free. Jack E/NJ

Rickx

My understanding is that some computers have hardware support that allows Alexa to wake up using the Wake Word without having to click on the Alexa button. I bought this computer based on reviews indicating the Spin 5 supported this option. Here are some related links:

https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/8/18075450/amazon-alexa-windows-10-app-download-features

“You can download and install it on any Windows 10 PC, but only compatible devices will support Alexa wake word functionality. If you don’t have a compatible PC then you can hit the button within the app to speak to Alexa”

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202186050

“If your Windows 10 device is compatible with hands-free access, you can say your wake word (for instance, "Alexa") followed by a question or command. You can also select the Alexa icon at the bottom of the app, and then say your question or command.”

https://venturebeat.com/2018/08/14/what-alexa-can-and-cannot-do-on-a-pc/

“Alexa on Acer Spin 5 is also able to achieve the imperative task of being able to respond to hands-free voice commands, utilizing four microphones to pick up the sound of your voice from across the room.”

JackE

Sorry, your links seem somewhat misleading. The Win10 Alexa app for PCs doesn't have wake word capability. You must click on the blue Alexa icon or use a KB shortcut to wake it before it'll respond. There may be a BIOS work-arounds for this limitation but I'm neither aware of any nor would risk modifying the BIOS if it were mine. If this limitation is absolutely essential to you, I'd recommend returning the machine to the vendor/seller for a refund or exchange on a machine with this hardware and software capability. Jack E/NJ

Rickx

Thanks for your help. Do you have any idea which computers would support this capability? Both Amazon and Acer websites gave a clear impression that the Spin 5 supported it so now I don't trust their advertising.

JackE

>>>Acer websites gave a clear impression that the Spin 5 supported it so now I don't trust their advertising. >>>

Wait! Which ACER website are you referring to that claims this model has the wake word feature as part of its Alexa package? I have not seen it yet. Jack E/NJ

Rickx

The first link below is a YouTube video of a Spin 5 review where he clearly uses Alexa’s wake word to make it respond without clicking the button. The next link is from Acer’s website that seems very misleading if the wake word is not supported.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yxlO1HHdr4

At 0:28 he says he is using a Spin 5

At 3:15 he uses Alexa wake word

https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/alexa-on-acer

Using Alexa is as simple as asking a question. Just ask and Alexa can play music, read the news, control your smart home and more.

Now available on Spin 5

5/21/18: Acer announcement

https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/press/2018/390515

Acer today announced that several of its popular Windows 10 notebook lines are the industry’s first to offer Alexa pre-installed, including the Acer Spin 3 and Acer Spin 5 lines, which are available at retailers now

The Acer Spin 5 has Acer Purified.Voice and four digital microphones that support far-field voice recognition. Other Acer notebooks feature dual microphones that support near-field voice recognition.

Other related links:

http://www.aftvnews.com/alexa-is-coming-to-windows-10-pcs-from-hp-lenovo-asus-and-acer/

1/8/18: HP, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer will work with a new Windows app that Amazon will in the Spring. The computers will access the voice assistant through far-field microphone and/or by pressing physical butto

Lenovo laptops, ASUS’s ZenBook and VivoBook laptops, the HP Pavilion Wave, and some of Acer’s Spin, Swift, Switch devices, as well as certain Aspire notebooks, will be among the first to provide access to Alexa

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-SP515-51GN-83YY-i7-8550U-GeForce-Convertible/dp/B07BRGNXB6/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1543248655&sr=1-1&keywords=laptop+with+alexa+built+in

This product has Amazon Alexa functionality built in, providing a hands-free, voice-controlled experience

Amazon Certified “Alexa Built-In”

Alexa App for PC:

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/8/16861502/amazon-alexa-windows-10-app

The app will also listen for the Alexa wake word, or you can use a keyboard shortcut to trigger the assistant

Spin 5 Laptop - SP513-52N-52PL

https://store.acer.com/en-us/laptops/convertible/spin-5-laptop-sp513-52n-52pl

Amazon Alexa Enabled

From a Distance; Stay engaged up to 4m away as Microsoft Cortana 2 with far-field technology expands your freedom of mobility.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/12783/acer-to-roll-out-amazon-alexa-to-all-pcs

Some models, such as the Acer Spin 5 will offer four digital microphones as well for far-field voice recognition, while others will only support the more common two microphone setup for near-field.

With the inclusion of Intel Smart Sound Technology, it also brings additional features such as being able to wake a PC that’s in Modern Standby as well, and with the far-field microphone, accessing Alexa on the PC should be the same as using it in your living room or kitchen.

Alexa will be available on the Acer Spin 5 on May 23

Alexa Win10 App 11/8/18

https://www.slashgear.com/alexa-for-pc-brings-amazon-ai-to-windows-10-08552995/

Several notebooks have offered support for Amazon’s assistant, with Lenovo, Acer, HP, and others taking advantage of the laptops’ microphone arrays for far-field voice pickup. However, that’s required specific software from each company, whereas this app can be installed on any compatible Windows 10 device.

JackE

Sorry. I'm still not seeing where the Alexa system is being turned on --- awakened --- initialized--- or otherwise activated --- by voice. Once it's on, yes it should respond to voice via Spin. Are you saying your Alexa system does not respond to voice via your Spin under any circumstances? Jack E/NJ

Rickx

Maybe we each talking about something different when we say it's not awakening. ?? The problem I'm talking about is that I can not talk to Alexa at any point without first clicking the blue circle. So if I have the Alexa app open and am looking at it's home screen with the blue circle at the bottom and I say "Alexa, tell me a joke" it doesn't do anything. If I click the blue circle I can then say "Alexa, tell me a joke" and it works. If I then immediately say again "Alexa, tell me a joke" it won't respond. So the only way Alexa ever responds to my voice is if I click the blue circle each time. Clearly I can't click the blue circle if my hands are busy rolling dough across from across the room (as the Acer add shows). And in the youtube video I mentioned in my last post the reviewer isn't clicking anything before he says "Alexa, add something to my shopping list".

I appreciate all your ongoing help with this problem!

JackE

OK. Now we're on the same wavelength! Perhaps has a sleep timer has been inadvertently set? Jack E/NJ

Rickx

It doesn't seem to be a problem with a sleep timer.

One thing I noticed is that in the youtube video the Alexa icon shows in the System Tray (bottom right of screen) in addition to showing on the left side of task bar. My System tray does not show the Alexa icon at any point.

I’m also wondering if I need the original Alexa app that Acer released with the Spin 5 and other supported models before the Alexa for Windows 10 app was released for all Windows 10 computers. From what I’ve read in posts from the first half of 2018 the Acer Care app downloaded and install it but I can’t find it on Acer’s website and the Acer Care says everything is up to date.

JackE

https://us.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/55335/session/L3RpbWUvMTU0NTA0NjU5My9nZW4vMTU0NTA0NjU5My9zaWQvZlVxRUwzczk2YnRXamVGSnBBN05wTExubFNpTEVjdU1IeWh5SmRqNGZtTDN3Ylh1cUYxX1EwSzVSSG91ajBRblJpVjgyT0UlN0V6Z1huQlVNQnE2elEwNDBJejlndDlEbjJWNE1oVUlyQkJLVjdRNmtUbjQzN2ZhVUElMjElMjE=

https://us.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/55752

Hmmm? I see the Alexa compatible list hasn't been updated since June. I think you need to get an explanation directly from customer service via your machine's serial number id(SNID). It may be Alexa-enabled but obviously not hands-free if the button must be pushed for each and every voice command. Jack E/NJ

Rickx

So far I haven't had any luck directly with Acer, Amazon, or the store where I bought the computer. I'll keep trying. Thanks.

JackE

Yes, thanks Rickx I'd like to know what ACER customer service has to say. The ACER ads seem to refer to the 513 model, not the 515, which is consistent with the June ACER Alexa-enabled list. The 515 seems partially-enabled. Perhaps a BIOS update is forthcoming? Jack E/NJ

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