Amazon Echo continues to thrive. With a number of highly user-friendly features, the smart speaker is exceptionally versatile.
Amazon keeps on adding all new features to the Echo devices to ensure they are able to not just deliver the goods with aplomb but also live up to the high expectation with better results.
There are several voice commands which work with Alexa. The amazing library continues to get bigger and better with time. In order to let you get the best out of Alexa, we have compiled these 20 tips and tricks. I am sure they will be very handy in enhancing your user experience. Let’s jump across to discover them all!
Best Amazon Echo Tips and Tricks
How to force a software update for your Amazon Echo
If your Amazon Echo is up for an update which hasn’t yet hit it off. You can force a software update. Simply press the mute button and then leave the Echo on mute for around 30 minutes. Your device will be updated.
Make the Best Use of Voice Remote
With Voice Remote, you can easily control Amazon Echo even from other room. A Voice Remote for Amazon Echo is priced at $29.99. It has designed to work with both the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot (not the Tap).
To get started, all you have to do is simply pair the remote in the Settings menu in the Alexa app. As it connects using Bluetooth, the range is limited. However, it offers you just the freedom to control Amazon Echo with ease.
Make Alexa more Skilled
There is a Skills section, which is an excellent app store, in the Alexa app. Since the app store continues to grow, Amazon Echo has the opportunity to learn more skills. You connect the personal assistant to home automation gadgets such as smart lights, thermostats as well as food ordering services
Use Alexa’s Voice cast
With the use of Voicecast, you can give Alexa a screen in order to have visual feedback for your commands. You can easily set it up using your Amazon Fire tablet. Moreover, Voicecast will display song, album info, game scores, shopping lists, timers and more. It can be very handy for hearing impaired. Personally, I use it when kids are making a lot of noise in the room and it’s a bit difficult to hear Alexa’s response.
Play Around with Alexa’s
Alexa boats of an excellent package of easter eggs. So, you can play around with them. The ever-growing library of easter eggs is worth exploring. I bet you will really love having a go at them all.
How to Make profiles for every family member
Making profiles for other family members is quite simple. If they have amazon accounts, you will be able to add them to your Alexa household profile with ease.
Step #1. First off, you have to open the Amazon Alexa app or head over to echo.amazon.com in a browser from your computer. Then, you need to navigate to Settings.
Step #2. Next, you have to scroll to the bottom of Settings and find Household Profile.
Step #3. Now, you need to enter your Amazon log-in info and sign in. On the next page, you have to click Continue.
Step #4. Now, ask the person who is adding to the account to enter the log-in information for that Amazon account.
Step #5. Once you are done, you need to click Join Household.
If you want to check which profile is currently being used, just ask, “Alexa, which profile is this?” If you want to switch profiles, say, “Alexa, switch profiles.”
Note: Though adding additional members doesn’t offer you separate shopping or to-do lists, it lets you share content libraries effortlessly. One thing you must know that they can use your Prime account to order items.
Solve quick conversions and math problems
You can use Alexa for quick calculations or conversions. It can easily convert currencies or measurements. Better still, it can solve some difficult mathematic equations. Simply say, “Alexa, 500 dollar to pounds or “Alexa, 34 times 50”
Add Non-Supported Smart Home Devices
You can add non-supported smart home devices as well. But adding them, make sure to check out if there is an Alexa Skill for that device or not. If there isn’t, you need to check Yonomi and IFTTT to find out if your devices are supported.
Yonomi or IFTTT can enormously enhance the functionality of Alexa. As for instance, it can let you export your Alexa to-do or shopping list, tie a number of actions to a single voice command and more.
Some of the Compatible smart home devices Alexa can control:
- Lifx LEDs (on, off or dimming – no color changes)
- Belkin WeMo Switches
- Philips Hue LEDs (on, off or dimming – no color changes)
- SmartThings Hub-connected devices (lights and switches)
- Wink Hub-connected devices (lights and switches)
- If This Then That (IFTTT)
- Ecobee3 Connected Thermostat
- Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi Thermostat
- Nest Learning Thermostat
- Honeywell Lyric Connected Thermostat (coming soon)
- Belkin WeMo Light Switches
- Insteon Hub-connected devices (lights and switches)
List of some of the major Skills Support:
- Skybell HD Video Doorbell
- Garageio
- Vivint
- HomeSeer Home Automation
- TP-Link Kasa
- Ooma Smart Home Phone System
- Big Ass Fans Haiku Smart Ceiling Fans (coming soon)
- Lutron Home Lighting Control Devices
- Stringify
- Automatic Labs Connected Driving Assistant
- Lifx LEDs (full color control)
- Fitbit
- Scout DIY Security
- Rachio
- D-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plugs
Use IFTTT
IFTTT (If This Then That) is a free web service. It allows you to create a lot of conditional commands, called “recipes,” for your Amazon Echo. With IFTTT Triggers, you can connect Alexa directly to certain apps.
Making the most of the IFTTT, you can use the personal assistant to turn on/off your TV, change the temperature with Nest or ecobee etc.
Turn on the End of Request sound
When you call Alexa, the light bar on top of the Echo turns on; thereby letting you know that it has heard you. But, if you are in other room or not looking at it how would you know whether it has heard you or not?
You have the option to enable an End of Request sound which will audibly confirm that you have been heard.
Delete your Recordings
By default, Alexa records everything you ask her in order to understand your commands as well questions better. Just in case, you are concerned about privacy, you can delete the voice data by going to the Manage your Content and Device section on Amazon. One thing you must know that once you have deleted the recordings, you won’t be able to retrieve them.
There are two ways you can delete the recordings.
How to Delete individual recordings
Step #1. In order to delete specific recordings, you have to launch Amazon Echo app.
Step #2. Open Settings → History.
Step #3. Now, the list of all the requests you made will appear. To delete a recording, just tap it, and then tap Delete voice recordings.
How to Delete the Entire Recording
Step #1. If you want to delete all the recording, head over to www.amazon.com/myx.
Step #2. Now, you have to sign in to your account.
Step #3. Click on your Devices.
Step #4. Select Amazon Echo.
Step #5. Click Manage Voice Recordings and delete everything.
Prevent Alexa from Hearing Her Wake Word
If you want to prevent Alexa from hearing her wake word in random conversation, you need to mute the microphone. Simply press the mute button on the top.
Change the wake word
You can change Alex’s wake word. You have the option to choose between Alexa, Amazon or Echo.
Step #1. In order to choose one of the two alternate wake words, you have to open the Alexa app or echo.amazon.com.
Step #2. Open Settings and select your Echo device.
Step #3. Hit Wake Word.
Step #4. Now, you have to select one of the three options from the dropdown menu and click Save to confirm the change.
How to add Alexa Skills with your voice
More often than not you would need to add Skills to your Alexa devices. Getting it done via Alexa app or echo.amazon.com to search the Skills database and then manually add them to the device is a bit complicated. Luckily, you can now add Alexa skills with your voice.
If you know the name of the Skill you wish to add, then say, Alexa, enable Rachio” The skill will be enabled instantly.
Stream any audio using Bluetooth
The personal assistant allows you to listen to Amazon Prime Music, Audible audiobooks, iHeartRadio, TuneIn Radio, Pandora, and Spotify. But, what if you want to tune into Apple Music, Google Play Music, your own music library or other unsupported audio? You will have to pair the Alexa device to a computer or mobile device using Bluetooth to stream the audio through your Echo.
How to Set the default music service to Spotify
There is an option to replace Amazon Music as the default music library with Spotify or as the default station service with Pandora or iHeatRadio.
Step #1. Open the Amazon Alexa app on your device.
Step #2. Head over to Settings → Music & Media → Select default music services.
Step #3. Now, you have to select your favorite services.
From now on, you will have to specify “on Spotify” whenever you wish to stream music. If you want to play a song through Amazon’s music service, just specify “on Amazon Music”
Order anything from Amazon Prime
Do you know that you can now order a plethora of products from Amazon Prime?
Unlike before, you have the option to order anything which is Prime-eligible and is not apparel, jewelry, shoes, watches, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Prime Pantry, Amazon Prime Now or add-on items.
Moreover, you can now order Uber, Dominos pizza etc.
Track your Amazon packages
If you order anything from Amazon with you Echo, Echo Dot or Tap, you have the option to track the package.
To do so, just ask “Alexa, where’s my stuff?” or saying, “Alexa, track my order.”
Though Alexa doesn’t give the detailed information about the package, it does tell you the day it is expected to arrive.
Make the Most of Exclusive Prime deals
More often than not Amazon offers pretty special deals reserved only for Echo, Echo Dot, and Tap owners. Hence, don’t forget to make the most of those hot deals.
Settle an argument
Just in case, you are unable to take a decision as to where to go for a party, picnic or vacation. Take the help of Alexa. She can perfectly settle the argument for you.
Just say, “Alexa, flip a coin” to select between two possibilities.
That’s it! Now, make the best use of these smart tips to get the best out of Amazon Echo.
I hope you have thoroughly liked these tips. You can buy Amazon Echo/Echo Dot along with other products from Amazon.com.
