Or, “My Pet Peeve About OS Version Checking”.
So, after the iOS update, Amazon Music users using Alexa found that it would just sit there seemingly not hearing them dramatically over enunciating their musical requests. At least it took me a couple tries to understand that “she” was not hearing me. It turned out that Alexa was broken (or iOS—who knows for sure?) but these things happen. I’ve had the same problem with a couple of my apps after OS updates—especially those that use hardware.
I immediately checked for an update to Amazon Music and there was one. Unfortunately, as soon as I saw the “fix” I suspected what I was in for: it appears Amazon merely replaced the Alexa function with a grammatically disturbing message. It is not the grammar that upsets me.
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| "We're Sorry, Alexa is temporarily broken on iOS 11.2. We are working on a fix." |
So now it appears that Amazon Music is checking the iOS version and, if greater than or equal to 11.2, displaying a message. So what happens if Apple fixes the problem? The Amazon Music app would still be coded to display this message instead of trying to perform the desired function. Now, I can’t say for sure that they are not checking in some other way but this is precisely the kind of fix to a problem that just further complicates the problem. Given the poor (presumably hastily created) message, I feel more confident this is that kind of fix.
I’d rather they just left the app alone and let it try to work. If they needed to let customers know they were working on it due to the volume of complaints, throw in a message but, again, still try the Alexa functionality.
UPDATE: And, moments after finishing this rant,
my phone asks me if I want to update to 11.2.2. With great hopes, I am performing the update.
Why am I so excited about Alexa in Amazon Music? Mostly because Siri keeps saying “I’m sorry. I don’t think I should do that while you’re driving.” Alexa, up until recently, would happily play my musical requests in the car—the only place I use the Alexa feature of Amazon Music.
Okay. Update complete. The message is still there with no Alexa functionality and there’s not yet an Amazon Music update. I am mildly satisfied that my suspicions were correct but more moderately upset by the situation.
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| "We're Sorry, Alexa is temporarily broken on iOS 11.2. We are working on a fix." |
So I’m forced to emit a first world sigh and do what I should have done to begin with: create a playlist. Oh, the humanity!
UPDATE (01/25/2018): Another update is available
So another update for Amazon Music is available.
After the update, because I’m still on iOS 11.2.2, we get the same message.
After installing iOS 11.2.5 (which required uninstalling many apps—I only have 16GB), we finally have Alexa in Amazon Music again.
Hoorah!
