7 Ways to Get The Most Out of Your Amazon Echo: Alexa Makes Life Easier!
Do you have an Amazon Echo? …I’m sure you know someone with a smart home device.
…but do you know how to use Amazon Echo products?
There are so many fun things to do with Alexa. We have really enjoyed getting to know all of the best Amazon Echo features available to our family through our new devices.
Even though our family is pretty tech-savvy, there are still many benefits & features we didn’t know about. So, Burton, our resident tech expert, is here to help with some great ideas for getting the most out of your Amazon Echo Alexa this year. Take a look…
Disclaimer: iFamilyKC is supported by its readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Complete Guide to Your Amazon Echo Alexa
Making its debut in 2016, the Amazon Echo Alexa has quickly become one of the hottest gadgets around.
If you have an Amazon Echo Alexa, Echo Spot, Dot, Tap, or Show, there are lots of things you can ask Alexa, the virtual assistant to do.
This device has so many useful features, it’s easy to overlook everything it can do. To help you get the most out of the Echo Alexa, I’ve put together a list of tips and suggestions that make sure you enjoy this awesome device to the fullest.
We participate in the Amazon Associates Program, so we earn commission from qualifying purchases of Amazon products…it helps keep our coffee pot and snacks stocked.
What is Amazon Echo Alexa?
Amazon Echo Alexa connects to your home WiFi, which allows you to connect to the Internet to give you the information you want by vocal commands. The setup process is very simple making it easy for even the basic user to configure.
Once you have your Echo set up, Alexa, the personal assistant listens to your voice and responds to your requests. She will either return information found online or sync with Amazon-compatible devices that allow you to vocally control items in your home, like your lights or speakers.
There are 3 options for Amazon Alexa:
Amazon Echo | Amazon Echo Plus | Amazon Echo Dot
What are the cool things you can do with your Amazon Echo?
The Amazon Echo suite can control virtually anything digital in your life. You can also ask your Amazon Echo any questions you have – the weather, traffic, or a random question you think of…
Here are our top 7 reasons to buy an Amazon Echo:
#1 Control Your Smart Home
One of the best features of an Amazon Echo is being able to give voice commands to control the environment of your house. You can tell Alexa to dim your lights, lock your doors, turn home security on or off, change the temperature, and make coffee for you. Remember, all devices that you want to control must be compatible with the Echo. Look for the Amazon logo when purchasing a product that you want to work with your smart home.
#2 Purchase Items Using Your Voice
Echo Alexa allows you to buy stuff from Amazon using your account and default payment method. Search for something you like, buy it and it magically appears on your doorstep. The challenge is, anyone can talk to your Echo and make purchases. If you’ve got kids or have visitors who like to play jokes, you should probably turn that feature off.
#3 Listen to Audible or Kindle books on your Echo Alexa
If you have an account with Audible or Kindle, you can have Echo Alexa read books to you. While Alexa does a great job reading books to you, you will get a more robust reading through Audible. If you don’t have an Audible account, you can sign up for free.
#4 Make Voice Calls
When you link your mobile number to your Echo, you can call anyone who is in your phone contacts. To make a call from your compatible Echo Alexa devices, just ask Alexa to call the person or contact you want to reach by name.
#5 Control Your TV
If you’re the owner of an Amazon Fire Stick, you can use your Echo to control it using your voice. To use your voice as a remote control, just say “Alexa,” followed by a playback command, such as pause, fast-forward or skip an episode. You can also tell Alexa to search for a specific video and open other apps on your smart TV.
#6 Play Music
You can hook up your different music accounts, so when you command Alexa to, “Play ___.” your song will start playing.
#7 Check the Weather When Getting Dressed
We have all left the house in jeans & a jacket only to be sweating as soon as we walk out the door…
Avoid mixing up the seasons (or staying up with the crazy Midwest weather changes) with Alexa’s voice. She can read the current weather as well as the forecasts published.
These are just a few of the things you can do with an Amazon Echo Alexa. How do you use your Echo? Drop me a line and let me know.
Want other technology help? Check out our Technology Guide!
Make sure you stay up to date on the latest tips from our tech guru! Are you ignoring software updates? This can be harmful to your safety. Learn why now.
Check-in with Integral on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, YouTube, and Google+ for more tips on helping you get the most out of the technology you use in your home or office.
