Change Alexa’s Voice

Alexa can speak in a language other than English or use a different accent. To change Alexa’s voice, open the Alexa app and select the device you want to apply the changes to. Select Language and choose an option from the drop-down menu.

  • A dozen languages available.

  • Specific to any device.

  • No character voices or other options.

  • Cannot apply to multiple devices at once.

Say ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Good Afternoon’

Saying, “Alexa, good morning” or “Alexa, good afternoon” will emit a dynamic, entertaining response. In the morning, Alexa will provide motivational quotes and in the afternoon, Alexa will respond with a helpful tip or encouraging statement.

  • Response is always different.

  • Easy to use.

  • You do not need to enable the skill to use it.

  • Can only use “Good morning” before noon.

  • Can only use “Good afternoon” after 12 p.m.

Listen to Music Throughout the House

If you have multiple Echo devices throughout your home, you can stream the same music to all of them simultaneously. In the Alexa app, go to Devices. Select the + (plus) icon and choose Add Multi-Room Music Speakers. Select the devices you want to include and then create the group.

  • Can play multiple streams simultaneously to different groups with Music Unlimited and a Family Plan.
  • Will stream from multiple music services.

Get Traffic Updates

Check the traffic en route to school or work using Alexa’s Traffic skill. To do so, you must enter a destination in the app. Select Settings from the menu, select Traffic under Alexa Preferences and enter both your home and destination addresses.

  • You can add stops on your route.

  • Basic setting, no skill involved.

  • Can only enter a single destination.

  • Destinations are not device-specific.

After you have entered this information, you can ask, “Alexa, how’s traffic?” to receive real-time information.

Establish Parental Controls

  • Access the Parent Dashboard on your computer.

  • Highly customizable.

  • Paid subscription.

  • Enabled on per-device basis.

To use FreeTime, go to the list of devices under Settings in the Alexa app. Select the device to which you want to add parental controls. Select FreeTime and enable the service.

Make Multiple Profiles

  • Use voice commands to switch profiles.
  • Manage profile-specific photos on devices with screens.

Family members can also say, “Alexa, learn my voice,” and Alexa will provide prompts so she can distinguish between different users.

Protect Purchases

Being able to shop with your voice is a cool feature of Alexa devices, but you might not want others to have this option. In the Alexa app Settings menu under Voice Purchasing, you can set up a four-digit voice code or disable voice purchasing altogether.

  • Easy to set up.

  • View the code in the app if you forget it.

  • Kids can overhear the code.

  • Not device-specific.

You can connect your Xbox console to an Alexa device and download games via Xbox Game Pass. You don’t have to install a skill; Just say “Alexa, download [game] from Xbox Game Pass.”

Whip up an IFTTT Recipe

IFTTT (which means If This, Then That) recipes enable actions based on triggers; If this happens, then that should happen). You can use these applets to increase Alexa’s abilities. For instance, you can use an IFTTT recipe to send the shopping list you created on Alexa to your phone or trigger smart lights to flash when a timer goes off.

  • Easy to incorporate smart home devices.

  • Large collection of applets to choose from.

  • Requires the use of one or more third-party services.

  • Custom ‘recipes’ can be complex.

Create Custom Routines

Routines tell Alexa to run multiple tasks at once based on a trigger. To create a new routine in the Alexa app, select Routines from the menu and click the + (plus) to go to the New Routine screen. Select the criteria, actions, and devices you want to use to create and access a custom routine for your device.

  • Device-specific.

  • Lots of choices.

  • No way to skip actions.

Custom Flash Briefings

Saying, “Alexa, play my flash briefing” will result in Alexa playing default news sound bites. You can customize these briefings in the Alexa app by adding and deleting sources.

  • Extensive list of available clips.

  • Customize the order in which they play.

  • No way to skip entries.

  • Many available entries are outdated or have no content.

Select Flash Briefing in the Settings menu and search for content that interests you. To change the order in which they play, tap Edit on the Flash Briefing screen and then drag and drop them in the desired order.

Build DIY Skills

  • Dozens of templates available.
  • Fun and useful.

Turn on a Night Light

Alexa can help kids (and adults) sleep more soundly or find their way to the bathroom at night. Say, “Alexa, open Night Light” and Alexa’s notification ring or bar will be illuminated.

  • Set amount of time, if desired.

  • Use on multiple devices at same time.

  • Cannot use simultaneously with music or other skills.

  • Unable to customize light color.

Check in While You’re Away

With the drop-in feature, you can check in via any device, even when you are away from home. Once you have enabled the feature, select Drop-in from the Communicate screen and choose the device with which you want to connect.

  • Permission required to drop in.

  • Check in from any location with app.

  • Echo device with screen required to view surroundings.

  • Must enable to use.

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