Smart speakers are reinventing the way we interact with technology
Here are five tips to make the most of your Amazon Echo
Set reminders
The Amazon Echo can handle timers simultaneously, so you can ask Alexa to remind you to buy bread next Tuesday and check the oven in 30 minutes. Try setting procrastination timers, work timers and break timers to structure your study time into bite-size chunks. When it’s time to be reminded, the light ring on your Echo device will turn green and Alexa will update you. Don’t worry if you miss the reminder – the light ring will pulse periodically, ready and waiting for you to ask: “Alexa, what did I miss?”
Sync your viewing
It’s simple to connect your Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick to Alexa. Controlling the TV with your voice makes chilling with Netflix that much easier. You can ask Alexa not only to turn the TV on or off, but search for the perfect film by genre, title or actor. So when you say, “Alexa, show me movies with Leonardo DiCaprio”, his entire filmography will be ready to watch. Go for Catch Me If You Can, not Blood Diamond.
Hungry? Just ask for pizza
Amongst Alexa’s vast suite of skills, this one might just be the most useful. Create a Pizza Profile with Dominos and add the skill to your Amazon Echo via echo.amazon.com. Whether it’s after a night out or you’re in need of something new for breakfast, just ask Alexa to get your pre-set Easy Order. You’ll never be hangry again.
Connect your calendars
It doesn’t matter whether you’re using iCloud, Outlook or Google to keep your schedule, Alexa can tap into any of the above to help you stay up to date. When you wake up in the morning, review your schedule by asking Alexa one of the following questions. Now there’s no excuse for being MIA.
“Alexa, when is my next event?”
“Alexa, what’s on my calendar?”
“Alexa, add an event to my calendar.”
Keep your kids engaged
If you have children, Amazon’s Echo Dot is a great tool for them to play and learn with. Available in a range of cool colours, Alexa is ready to tell your children a story, play games or dim the lights and get them ready to sleep. Here’s a few fun requests your kids can try:
“Alexa, sing me a song”
“Alexa, fart”
“Alexa, start bedtime audio book for 30 mins”
Amid the burn-out and ever-growing demands for our attention, voice assistants are a great way to delegate life’s mundane tasks. Instead of using your phone to type notes, schedule events and set alarms, take a break by asking Alexa to help out. Sometimes the best way to refresh your use of technology isn’t to unplug completely, but just try something new.
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