No matter how long you've been using Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant is constantly evolving and that is why there is always the possibility that you can discover a new trick. These are the ones you should know if you have a smart speaker. You are ready? Well let's get to it.
Tricks and curiosities that you might not know about Alexa
Alexa is in continuous development. From time to time he improves in sections that are not always as visible, such as his ability to understand questions that are formulated using a the language more natural and less corseted, although there are also others that are easier to appreciate.
For all this it is normal that even using Alexa continuously and for a long time, there is always the possibility of discovering a new trick. Here are the ones that we think you should know yes or yes.
Control Alexa from the browser
The Alexa application for mobile devices could be said to be almost essential, the easiest way to configure your smart speaker with Alexa and access advanced features such as routines, skills, etc.
The problem is that you don't always have your phone at hand and that's why it's interesting to know that you can control Alexa and its settings from the browser. This is because Alexa is a web-based platform, hence accessing alexa.amazon.com you can configure everything In a less visual way, it is true, but in the end you have access to all the settings.
Start the day with Alexa
More than a trick, it is a suggestion that Amazon's voice assistant gives as a routine to get more out of the speaker or Alexa-compatible devices. To do this, normally, it is enough to go to the mobile app and in Start click on create routine where the command "Alexa, start my day" will appear.
Equalize the music to your liking
An interesting detail of the Amazon Echo is that they allow the equalization, so each user can adapt the sound to their preferences. To change these settings you can use the mobile phone app or voice commands.
With a command like “Alexa, turn up treble +2” or “Alexa, turn down bass to -2” you can change the equalization and achieve a richer sound or, at least, more in tune with your personal preferences.
Connect your smartphone to your Amazon Echo with Alexa
If you have an Amazon Echo speaker with Alexa, you should know that you will also have a Bluetooth speaker for your mobile phonehe. Ok, it may seem absurd to connect one of these smart speakers to a phone when, in the case of wanting to listen to music, you can resort to available services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, etc. But if you want to listen to the sound played by your mobile device with better audio quality, go ahead.
To configure your Amazon Echo as an external speaker you just have to go to Settings> Bluetooth and there connect the device you want to send audio wirelessly. You can also do the opposite, take advantage of the speaker's 3,5mm audio output to connect it to a higher quality external sound system or even take advantage of its Bluetooth connection to make Alexa sound better on other speakers.
Control TV with Alexa
If you have an Amazon Fire TV, you should know that thanks to it you will be able to control your TV with your voice. To do this, you only have to install the Alexa application on the Smart TV if it gives the option and then link both devices.
If this is not the case, you will only need to purchase a Fire TV, connect it to your television and from there enjoy the use of the Alexa voice commands to control the Smart TV.
Change Alexa's wake word
When you have multiple Alexa-enabled smart devices at home, it can get a little annoying when you speak to one speaker and the speaker in another room answers. This happens because it has better microphones as it is a more modern generation or because there are certain settings where you can specify which speaker should speak, the one you are addressing or another.
To avoid this, an interesting trick is change the wake word. Instead of using Alexa you can turn to Echo or Amazon. It is true that you will have to remember which one you use with each one, but it can be very practical and beneficial for your user experience.
Connect the calendar with Alexa
Alexa's great rival is the mobile phone and its screen, for most users it is much easier to look at their smartphone than to check their smart speaker. Even so, when you know that you can connect your calendar so that Alexa is the one who tells you if you have appointments or not, everything changes. Because it is very comfortable to be able to continue doing other activities without having to look at a screen.
To connect your calendar with Alexa You just have to go to “Settings” and then to “Alexa Preferences” and “Calendar”. There, for example, if it is the Google calendar that you want to add, you just have to link both accounts following its instructions and that's it.
Flip a coin or a random number
Either because you are an indecisive person or because you live with other people, there are times when it is difficult to agree and the only solution to certain situations is to let chance decide.
Alexa is able to flip a coin so that it is luck that dictates sentence. To do this, the trick is to ask it with a command like “Alexa, flip a coin” or “Alexa, heads or tails”. Amazon's assistant will do a random virtual toss and give you the result.
In the same way that you flip a coin, you can also make Alexa give a random number.
Whisper mode
Without a doubt one of the most unknown and useful features of Alexa is the whisper mode. Talk by whispering to the Amazon voice assistant and it will answer you in the same way, ideal for not disturbing anyone at night or simply for not being startled if the volume is at maximum. Of course you can also take advantage of the automated routines to adjust the volume of your smart speaker.
Alexa and the shopping list
This is one of those little things that when you discover Alexa it completely changes you. You can add anything to the alexa shopping list. This way you will have the option of not forgetting anything if you buy through Amazon or in your traditional supermarket.
To do this you just have to say:
- "Alexa, create a list"
- Then name it when I ask you
- Ready
With these simple steps you already have your list created and you can add anything without having to complicate yourself beyond telling Alexa.
White noise
Ask Alexa to play white noise for you and Amazon's voice assistant will do it without any problem. A good option when you need concentration and some kind of help to fall asleep.
Along with the possibility of playing white noise, you will also have the possibility of playing other types of sounds such as relaxing, etc.
Play Audible content
Alexa integrates seamlessly with services like Audible and even Kindle and that allows you to use the voice assistant to play audiobooks. This will give you options to read some creative writing that otherwise you would not finish. It is true that reading is not the same as listening, but it is interesting to know that the option is there and even the synchronization so that you can continue reading from the point of view that you stopped listening to or vice versa.
Squeeze Alexa
Alexa gives many options and, to this day, it has so many abilities that it is worth investigating them to know how to get the most out of the assistant. Not forgetting the different hidden modes.
Did you know these tricks? Do you usually use them with your team with Alexa?