So, what can Alexa do? Some people think an Alexa-enabled device is nothing but a glorified clock-radio. And although it’s true that you can use Alexa to tell the time and play a radio station, the limit with what you can do with Alex and Alexa Skills (like apps on mobile devices) is almost nonexistent:
Source: ©Shutterstock.com- Playing media: You can connect your Alexa device to your favorite music service — such as Amazon Music or Spotify — which gives you voice access to millions of songs. You can ask Alexa to play a particular song, artist, playlist, or genre. If you have multiple smart speakers in your home, Alexa’s multi-room music feature enables you to play the same music in each room that has a speaker. Alexa can also play radio stations, podcasts, and audiobooks; recite the text of a Kindle book; and, if your device has a screen, play shows from Amazon Video.
- Communicating: One of Alexa’s more surprising features is that you can use it to communicate with other people, even if they don’t have an Alexa device. You can send text messages and place voice calls, but the real fun begins when you and the other person have Alexa devices with screens, because then you can make video calls to that person. If you have multiple Alexa devices at home, you can also use them as either a two-way intercom system or as a one-way intercom for making announcements.
- Shopping: It wouldn’t be an Amazon product if shopping weren’t involved, so of course you can use Alexa to place orders through your Amazon account, check the latest Amazon deals, and track your shipments.
- Getting help around the home: We’re all busy, so who couldn’t use an extra hand around the house now and then? Alexa has no hands, alas, but it can help big-time by making it easy to create a to-do list or shopping list; manage your Google, iCloud, or Office calendar; and set reminders for upcoming tasks. Alexa can also set an alarm and run a timer. It’s mother’s (not to mention a father’s and kids’) little helper.
- Getting news and information: Alexa is always up on the latest news, so all you have to do is ask. You can even customize the news you hear by configuring Alexa’s Flash Briefing feature. Alexa can also tell you the current weather and the latest forecast, give you traffic updates, let you know the scores and schedules for your favorite sports teams, and tell you movie showtimes at nearby theaters.
- Answering your questions: If there were such a thing as a Swiss Army Knife for information, Alexa would be it. I’ve already mentioned it’s a news anchor, weather forecaster, and sportscaster, but Alexa can also be a calculator, speller, dictionary, encyclopedia, and search engine. Ask a question, and the odds are in your favor that Alexa can find the answer.
- Accessing skills: Alexa comes with tons of built-in features, but Amazon has set up a system that lets third parties add new features to Alexa. These features are called skills, and there are thousands of them available in Amazon’s Alexa Skills store. There are skills for ordering a pizza or an Uber, playing games or trivia, tracking your fitness or your investments, and so much more. You can even build your own skills without programming!
- Automating your home: Alexa is smart-home savvy, so it gives you voice control over many different home-automation products, including lights, thermostats, baby monitors, security cameras, and door locks.
- Having fun: Alexa may seem like it’s all business with its easy access to news and weather, its to-do lists and reminders, and its massive catalog of life-hacking skills, but Alexa has a fun side, as well. Alexa can tell jokes, read limericks, sing songs, tell stories, and play games. Alexa even comes with a large trove of so-called Easter eggs that bring surprise and whimsy to your Alexa conversations.
Amazon Alexa and Echo Setup
Alexa requires an Internet connection, so make sure your Wi-Fi network is up and running. Here's how to set up Amazon Echo Dot and other Alexa devices:1. Install the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. You need a smartphone or tablet that meets one of these qualifications:
- An iPhone or iPad running iOS 9 or later
- An Android phone or tablet running Android 5 or later
- An Amazon Fire tablet running Fire OS 3 or later
2. Sign in to your Amazon account with the Alexa app.
3. Give Alexa access to your device's microphone in the Alexa app Here's how.
- In the Alexa app, tap the Alexa icon. You'll see some text telling you that you need to give the app permission to use the microphone.
- Tap Allow.
- Tap OK (iOS) or Allow (Android).
4. Position your Echo device where it's accessible to your family and within Wi-Fi range.
- Make sure the device is close enough that you can give your voice commands without having to yell. Depending on the ambient noise in your environment, this usually means being within 15 to 20 feet of the device.
- For the best sound quality, keep the device at least 8 inches from any wall.
- Alexa devices require full-time power, so make sure there’s an outlet close enough to the device.
5. Add your Echo device using the Alexa app, where you can give your Echo access to your Wi-Fi network.
The Alexa app is really simple to use and will walk you through all the settings you can play with to get your Echo set up just how you want it.