You've seen the ads starring Alec Baldwin, but you're still not sure what the Amazon Echo does or if you need one in your home. What makes this speaker better than others on the market? We're about to find out.
First released in late 2014, Amazon Echo is a hands-free 9.25-inch wireless speaker that you control with your voice. Thanks to voice command technology called “Alexa,” what's inside the Amazon Echo is now available on other devices, including the Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Echo Dot, and Amazon Tap.
Note:While this post is about Amazon Echo, most of the tips may work on other devices as well.
What became Alexa first launched in 2010 at Amazon's Lab126 offices in Silicon Valley and Cambridge, Massachusetts. The technology, codenamed "Doppler" or "Project d," was part of Amazon's early attempts to expand its portfolio of devices beyond the original Kindle e-reader.
Alexa runs on Amazon Web Services and requires a Wi-Fi internet connection to work. To initiate a command, Alexa must hear a "wake word." The default word is “Alexa,” although you can change this to “Amazon” through the free Amazon Alexa app.
With Alexa, a compatible device can play music, answer questions, control lights, and more. Since its launch, Alexa has added more than 100 new features and abilities.
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Not surprisingly, the Amazon Echo is great for playing music and is compatible with Amazon Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn. You still can't control Apple Music through the Alexa app. However, since the Amazon Echo doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, you can use it with Apple Music.
In this example, we will add Pandora to our list of music services on the Amazon Echo. From within the Alexa app, tap the three-bar menu button at the top left, and then click “Pandora .” Next, link your Pandora account . If it's that simple.
Try the following music commands:
We all like to know how our favorite sports teams are doing. With Amazon Echo, you can hear details like scores and upcoming schedules from the NFL, NBA, MLS, MLB, NHL, WNBA, NCAA, and other US sports. All you need to do is say "Alexa, give me my sports update."
To set up your favorite teams in the Alexa app, go to the menu and select Settings , followed by Sports Update . From here, add your favorite teams .
You can use Alexa to control cloud-based devices on other services, such as Insteon, Philips Hue, SmartThings, Wink, TP-LINK Kasa, Sensi, and ecobee.
You must configure these devices under the Connect to home section about the Alexa app, located directly below Settings . The easiest way to attach your Amazon Echo to another service is by selecting Discover Devices under the Devices section on this page. Alexa searches for compatible devices on the same Wi-Fi network.
We love the 4 ways Philips Hue can take your lighting to the next level 4 ways Philips Hue can take your lighting to the next level Without Philips Hue, however, the smart home concept may never have gotten off the ground. Here are some cool ways to make use of them. Learn more IFTTT and how it connects to smart devices like the Amazon Echo. IFTTT, or "If This Then That," is a free web-based service where everyday users can create chains of statements, called "recipes." There is an extensive library of Alexa commands on IFTTT.
For example, with just your voice, you can control your lights. You can ask Alexa to turn all your lights on or off, or change the color of your lights every time a new song plays on your Amazon Echo.
Click here to find a complete list of smart home devices that are compatible with Echo.
Amazon.com is the largest online store on the planet. It shouldn't surprise us too much to learn that the Amazon Echo does an excellent job of helping you make shopping lists and spend your money.
With Amazon Echo, you can ask Alexa to add items to your to-do or shopping list. Both lists are now available through the Alexa app.
For example, the command, “Alexa, add granola bars” adds this item to your shopping list. Conversely, “Alexa, add 'working from home' to my to-do list” adds that item to your to-do list. Each item can be bookmarked through the app. You can also access your lists from Amazon.com.
One can purchase items on a shopping list through Amazon.com, or they can search for the item through Bing through the Alexa app. You can also tell Alexa to buy a product using your 1-click settings and preferred shipping address on file.
Ordering products through Alexa is an interesting process. Depending on the item you want, Alexa will first see your order history for a similar product. It will also make suggestions..
Don't worry :Alexa will notify you before processing an order.
Unless you work from home, traffic conditions to your place of business is an important detail to be aware of every day. Fortunately, Alexa can help you avoid traffic jams thanks to its partnership with HERE, a Nokia company.
To get started, make sure Alexa knows your home and work addresses. Under the Alexa app Settings menu, select Traffic under Accounts . Add your two addresses and the stops you want to make. Each address must include the street name and number, city, and state.
Once these addresses are added, you can say, "Alexa, what's my ride??" or “Alexa, what is the traffic right now??” HERE is not available in all locations, so keep this in mind.
Domino's Pizza now allows you to order food simply by sending a tweet. Thanks to IFTTT, this feature has been further automated so you can order pizza with your voice. To do this, you must use IFTTT and have a Twitter account.
To get started, visit Dominos.com and sign in to your profile . Under the Pizza Profile page, check the box next to “Sign up to order your Tweet ,” and connect your Twitter account . Finally, from the Domino's home page, look at the previous orders and click on “Save as easy order .”
Next, you'll need to select the IFTTT recipe., “If you say 'Alexa Wake Order Pizza,' tweet to order the Domino's Pizza” of the IF application. You will be prompted to connect your Twitter account to IFTTT if you have not already done so.
The next time you say “Alexa, trigger order pizza ,” Alexa will send a tweet to Dominos that says #easyorder. A direct message will confirm your order.
Yes, you can order from Uber using your Amazon Echo. To do so, you'll need to add the capabilities through the Alexa app. Select Skills under the main menu in the app Find “Uber ,” and then select “Enable skill .” You must “Agree and enable ,” which allows Uber to access your device's location.
After setup is complete, you can offer Alexa the following commands:“Alexa, ask Uber to request a ride,” “Alexa, ask Uber to request an Uber X,” or “Alexa, ask Uber to bring me a ride.” a car..”
These are just a few of the creative ways you can use the Amazon Echo with Alexa. As you can see, it is much more than a speaker.
How do you use your Amazon Echo? Share with us in the comments section below!
