{"id":2656,"date":"2020-09-22T06:40:04","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T06:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alternative-spaces.com\/blog\/?p=2656"},"modified":"2023-05-12T09:12:48","modified_gmt":"2023-05-12T09:12:48","slug":"amazon-echo-tips-to-fresh-up-your-experience-with-the-smart-speaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alternative-spaces.com\/blog\/amazon-echo-tips-to-fresh-up-your-experience-with-the-smart-speaker\/","title":{"rendered":"Amazon Echo Tips to Fresh Up Your Experience with the Smart Speaker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are reading this post, it is likely that you own an Amazon Echo and\/or regularly use Alexa to manage your smart home devices or check the weather forecast. You also know that these devices constantly receive updates and are getting smarter. New ways to use Amazon Echo may appear faster than you may realize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will explore several surprising options that users often underestimate, neglect, forget, or are unaware of. Try them to enrich your experience with Echo speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a Profile for Each Person<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a family, you can create personal Alexa profiles for each family member. Each profile will connect to their corresponding Amazon account. Then you will need to remember about switching profiles every time you come home, just in case someone was using Alexa while you were away. This will prevent confusion while adding useful functions. For example, you can share calendar events and movies or music between profiles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re not sure which profile is active, just ask \u2018Alexa, which profile am I using?\u2019 If it is not yours, say, \u2018Alexa, switch profile\u2019 to fix this. It would be useful if you also make voice profiles for everyone. This way, Alexa will recognize everyone\u2019s voices and not mix up your musical playlists with other family members. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may change the settings via the Amazon Alexa app. Choose \u2018Settings > Account Settings > Amazon Household,\u2019 and follow the on-screen guidelines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wake Word for Alexa and Your Nickname Are Changeable<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This one seems obvious but is often overlooked. \u2018Alexa\u2019 sounds cool, but for various reasons, users may need to use a different name. A few options are available: \u2018Computer\u2019, \u2018Echo,\u2019 and \u2018Amazon\u2019. To change the name, choose your device in the Alexa app, then tap the \u2018Wake Word\u2019 option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also choose any word you like (except curse words) for Alexa to address you. To do this, you need to go to \u2018Communicate > My profile and settings\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tie Non-Supported Smart Home Devices and Extra Options<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may find it frustrating to give multiple voice commands every time you need to manage everything that happens in your smart house. However, you can connect some smart devices that Amazon Echo doesn\u2019t support officially and make use of their possibilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To expand the usefulness of Alexa, check the Yonomi<\/a> and IFTTT<\/a> connection sites. There, you will find out if you can \u2018break the rules\u2019 imposed by Amazon. For example, IFTTT\u2019s extra Echo tips include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Find your phone.<\/strong> You can create an IFTTT applet that will help you find your phone. You can choose your unique phrase for this or use the default one. Alexa will call your phone when you say the command. It works on all phones unless it is on silent mode.<\/li>
  2. Send a shopping list to your Android phone.<\/strong> Use Alexa to create a shopping list, and if you forget it, Alexa can send it to you as a message.<\/li>
  3. Night lockup.<\/strong> This option is especially useful for people who are always unsure if they have locked the doors. With such an applet, they will check or lock their Alexa-compatible smart locks. <\/li>
  4. Make a cup of coffee.<\/strong> When you wake up, just say \u2018Alexa, trigger brew coffee,\u2019 and it will be ready when you get to your coffee maker.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    These are just a few examples of how new applets can make your experience with Alexa more efficient. Just like the official skills, their number grows constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Calls via Alexa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Amazon lets you call anyone from your phone contact list using Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, or another Alexa device, provided that they have an Echo device too. If it\u2019s not urgent, you can send a message the same way. They will receive it via the Alexa app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Intercom-like calls are another option. If you have multiple Alexa devices around the house, you can retranslate anything you say in any room. No need to yell to gather everyone to dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Alarm Options<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If your usual alarm becomes boring, or you are so accustomed to it you don\u2019t even hear it anymore, try to set your favorite music on the alarm. You only need Alexa and a streaming service: Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, or Sirius XM. You can test the new alarm by saying, \u2018Alexa, wake me up to the Roxxete\u201d (or Christmas carols, or any other music you like). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bluetooth Speaker Is Dead? Play Music with Echo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    When your speaker is dead, it\u2019s time to remember that you own another one. You can stream Amazon Music and Audible audiobooks or make Alexa read something from your Kindle library. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With unsupported music services, such as Apple Music, Google Music, or your music library, you will need to connect your devices via Bluetooth and use Echo as a typical Bluetooth speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Educate yourself with Amazon Alexa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most plain ideas is to learn a new language. For example, the Daily Dose skill helps in learning 34 languages. It can be a new-word-in-one-minute or a full lesson that takes 10-20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A special skill from Coursera won\u2019t allow you to do your homework or quizzes, but will help you not to miss your deadlines and check on your progress. This way, Coursera hopes to fit education into the daily life of its students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You may find custom skills for very special expertise. For example,\u00a0Birdzilla\u00a0will help you become an expert in North American birds and even distinguish them by their songs. The Alexa skill allows you to not only listen to almost 600 different bird songs but also learn more about the feathery singers. If you have Echo Show or any device with a screen connected to your Echo, you can see a picture of the singing bird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Add New Alexa Skills with Your Voice Only<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Initially, when users wanted to add a new Alexa skill, they had to open the Alexa app and do it manually. The skills library wasn\u2019t organized well, but now that has been fixed, and you can manage the skills via voice commands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now, knowing the skill name all you have to do is say, \u2018Alexa, enable Magic-8 ball\u2019 (or the Bartender skill, or whatever skill you need). You can use the enabled skills right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Additional Amazon Echo Tips and Tricks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Here are a few more Alexa Amazon tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n