The Amazon Alexa voice assistant can make your life easier, entertain you, and even control other devices like light switches and smart locks. Found in a variety of devices such as smart home speakers and displays, it also comes in the Alexa app form, for installation in Android and Apple phones and tablets.
But what do you do with this virtual assistant once you have it? The most basic functions, like asking for the time and weather forecast, are helpful but not life-changing. Alexa can do far more, and with the addition of skills, the possibilities are nearly limitless.
Here’s a list of nine amazing things your Alexa can do.
1. Control other devices
Alexa can control just about every smart-home device. Turn smart lights on and off, lock doors, arm security systems, adjust the thermostat, and more, all with your voice or on a timer. You can also set up routines to combine multiple tasks into one. For example, it can turn the porch and living room lights automatically at sunset. Or, ask her to only turn on select living room lights and play music via Pandora after dinner.
2. Make shopping easier
You can add products to your Amazon account’s cart just by asking Alexa, or reorder items you’ve purchased in the past. You can also enable skills like OurGroceries to add milk or OJ to a shopping list when you’re running low, synced to your favorite stores for automatic curbside pickup ordering.
3. Security
When you’re away, Alexa Guard will listen for sounds of fire or glass breaking and alert you. For $50 per year, the Guard Plus service adds even more safety features.
4. The Force is strong with this one
Entertain your family’s Star Wars fans by having it speak like everyone’s favorite green Jedi. “Alexa, speak like Yoda.” The Yoda Translator skill is impressively entertaining, or, in the words of Yoda, “very entertaining can be.”
5. Change its name
You can change Alexa’s “wake word.” So instead of “Alexa, what time is it?” you can say “Amazon,” “Computer,” or “Echo.” That comes in handy when you’ve got similarly-named family members, or you’re just craving new horizons.
6. Countdown days
Have Alexa calculate how many days until an event. From holidays to special occasions on your calendar, Alexa can help get the kids excited and keep adults informed.
Image by Thomas Kolnowski on Unsplash
7. Entertain
You can ask Alexa for jokes and trivia, of course, but that’s not all. The Radio Mystery Theater skill will let you listen to shows from the Golden Age of radio. The Magic Door skill will lead you through an interactive adventure. Link your Spotify account or add the AnyPod skill to listen to podcasts. Amazon Music is included with your Amazon Prime membership and it offers millions of songs, albums, and playlists to enjoy.
8. Help you stay fit
Alexa offers a variety of ways to help keep you in shape. You can add workout skills like 7-Minute Workout, 6-Minute Full Body Stretch, or Easy Yoga. Track your progress with the MyFitnessPal skill, or link Alexa with your Fitbit if you wear one.
9. Eat better
Alexa can help you eat better, too. Maybe not eat healthier, but hey, that part’s up to you. Many restaurants have their own Alexa skills available, so you can order from them just by asking. For cooking at home, Alexa can read you recipes, while the Meal Idea skill can give you new ideas for using ingredients you might already have in stock. Alexa is also super helpful as a hands-free way to convert measurements and start timers via voice command.
Where can you get Amazon Alexa?
You’ll find Amazon Alexa in a variety of compatible devices, including tablets, mobile apps, and Bluetooth speakers. Here are two examples you can find here at Adorama.
Amazon Echo Show
The Amazon Echo Show is a smart display, sort of like a tablet that stays on a shelf or counter. However, it features better speakers than many other Echo devices, and it’s always on for your convenience.
Bose Home Speaker 500
The Alexa-enabled Bose Home Speaker 500 smart speaker is eight inches tall and features a sleek, oval design with dual custom-made drivers that can create “wall-to-wall stereo sound.” It also has both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, so you could take it outside and connect via your iPhone without worrying about an internet connection.
Image by Sebastian Scholz (Nuki) on Unsplash
