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Question

Alexa Show 8 no longer supports "Alexa join my Zoom meeting" command

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
June 9, 2023
16 replies
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Up until about 2 weeks ago, the Alexa Show 8 units would connect to a scheduled Zoom meeting by just saying "Alexa, join my Zoom Meeting". Now, Alexa responds with "try asking me to open Zoom on a device that supports Zoom". Why has support for this feature been broken? I have 3 elderly, blind, or handicapped individuals in our congregation who rely on this simple command. Typing in the meeting ID and passcode is impossible for them, so this has been a huge loss. There also seems to be some change to the ability to link Zoom to their gmail calendar. Are the new instructions detailed somewhere? All 3 of these units are registered in my name, but it now appears that I can only link them to MY gmail calendar, not theirs. If I try to link to their gmail calendar it gives me some kind of permissions error. Is that true also?

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E

East-Auburn-Ca

Newcomer

Happening to us too on Show 8 with latest software 6.5.5.9. Three bedridden sisters who are unable to navigate or press buttons. Alexa, Help!

Y

yolanday

Newcomer

Sorry to hear that. I'm wondering if this is a Zoom problem or an Amazon problem. Any ideas?

Z

ZQ3

Newcomer

I personally think it's an Alexa/Amazon problem since Alexa previously dealt with connecting to a requested meeting when Alexa was orally given the meeting ID and PW, making the connection to Zoom meetings. Alexa now responds to such an oral request by telling the user (with an audible response) to try to join via a device which supports joining Zoom meetings. WHY Alexa quit handling the connection would seem to be an Alexa/Amazon problem since it's still possible-- with many more detailed steps, not orally-- to join a Zoom meeting without using Alexa (which used to be SO simple).

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George6421

Newcomer

Has anybody got zoom to work again with echo 8?

K

keydiver2

Newcomer

The "Alexa, join my Zoom Meeting" command is definitely broken, and nobody from either Amazon/Alexa or Zoom has cared enough to comment on it. However, I have had fairly good success by:

1. Create a Google/Gmail account in the same name the Zoom account is under.

2. Paste the entire Zoom link, with the encrypted passcode in the link as well as the separate meeting ID and passcode (as I don't really know which one it is using). I could only get this working again for my in-laws when I had a complete link WITH the encrypted passcode.

3. I have linked the Google calendar to the Zoom account, both in the Zoom advanced settings at zoom.us, and on the Alexa 8 units settings screen.

4. If everything is linked correctly, at the appropriate time you can say "Alexa, open Zoom", and hopefully on the left side of the screen the event will show up, with a blue "Join" button underneath it. Just tap on "Join", and it should log you right in.

It's definitely not as easy for elderly, handicapped, or the blind, but at least it seems to work. If anyone has anything to add, or anything I have missed, please join in!

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ZQ2

Newcomer

My compliments! You make me happy there is SOME work-around. It's a bit complicated, requiring use of Google Calendar and linkage of the calendar to Zoom. Not generally a user of G-calendar. Getting that set up, then linking G-Calendar dually but separately to Zoom and to Alexa (for Windows Echo Show) is a substantial complexity. Perhaps I'll try it. Regardless, many thanks for a serious and detailed contribution! (Where is Amazon? Where is Zoom? ???)

K

keydiver2

Newcomer

I must add: I also installed the "Zoom for Google Workspace" app to my Windows 10, which allows you to select a Zoom Meeting vs a Google Meets meeting when setting up the event in your calendar. I have tried so many things that I'm not sure if this was the missing piece of the puzzle or not. What I don't know, and I'm still searching is this: when you select "Zoom Meeting" instead of a Google Meet, it responds by asking for a Zoom login. Which Zoom account? The owner of the Zoom meeting, or the person who is trying to log into the meeting? I very often got an error code 404 when trying to get past that point. It was very frustrating, and not much support that I can find. Maybe someone can help????

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ZQ2

Newcomer

You are over my head. I am happy you have arrived at a process which works for you. A bit too complicated for me-- we lost the simplicity when we lost the ability just to ask Alexa and have it done! Too bad that without notice the feature was pulled and not replaced. Zoom continues to get more complicated to accommodate enterprise level applications. It was a nice ride.

W

willjoe2442

Newcomer

Ensure the Alexa app has the latest software updates. Check if the Echo Show 8 is ready for a software update. Uninstall the Alexa app. Power off the device it was installed on briefly before reinstalling the app.

Regards,

Will

Z

ZQ2

Newcomer

Thank you Will. For me, an ignoramus, please break it down a bit.

"Ensure the Alexa app has latest software updates." Does this mean
there is an Alexa app on the Echo Show? If that is the meaning, I
was under the impression Echo Show updates are automatic-- the Show
has occasionally told me there is an update pending and I have updated
then following the instructions. Is there something else to do to
check that the Show is ready for an update-- and what to do?

"Uninstall Alexa app:" Take it off the Echo Show or off of the iPhone I use
that has Alexa? If that means take Alexa off the Echo Show, how do I do that?
If it means take Alexa off the iPhone, I think I can do that but
wouldn't reject guidance!

"Power off the device ..." must mean, in my case, the iPhone, then
turn it back on and reinstall Alexa. After Alexa is back on iPhone,
then what next?

I greatly appreciate your substantive guidance already given.

L

Lucas_Brown

Newcomer

Ah, the symphony of technology, occasionally hitting a sour note. The harmony between Alexa Show 8 and Zoom seems to be undergoing a remix. Here's the backstage insight:

1. **Zoom Command Shift:**
- Alas, the once harmonious "Alexa, join my Zoom Meeting" serenade is experiencing a hiatus. The Alexa- Zoom integration may have faced a temporary disconnect, perhaps due to updates on either side.

2. **Calendar Conundrum:**
- The waltz with Zoom and Gmail calendars can indeed be intricate. The recent shifts in permissions might be the culprit behind the error. Ensure your congregation members' calendars are shared appropriately, and permissions are aligned.

3. **Technical Curtain Call:**
- A potential solution could involve checking for Alexa and Zoom updates, as well as perusing the official Alexa and Zoom support channels. Sometimes, a simple app update or a device restart can be the wizard's wand.

4. **Voice Profile Quandary:**
- The Gmail calendar linkage might indeed pose challenges if Alexa insists on syncing with your account only. Confirm the voice profiles linked to each device, and whether they align with the intended calendar.

As the technological overture evolves, periodic shifts in compatibility may occur. Embrace the troubleshooter's mantle, consult the user manuals, and explore the realms of community forums for the latest incantations. May your congregation's Zoom journey soon regain its harmonious cadence.

F

faengelm

Newcomer

I haven't found a way to get back to the "Join by Voice method", but here is a way using a single onscreen button

https://youtu.be/ZdzniyOnIbw?si=F9ax3n1kU3WPdYlJ

There are step-by-step instructions in the YouTube video description

https://frankseasytechcorner.substack.com/p/how-to-fix-the-2023-problem-in-joining