Amazon Alexa is a multipurpose digital assistant that helps you find solutions while performing all sorts of tasks for added convenience. This virtual personal assistant has been in the market for quite some time now, but it keeps getting smarter, innovative, advanced, and unique. It resides in the Echo smart speaker by the company so the users can dictate commands and control every single smart device of their house, listen to music, get answers to their questions, and get entertained.
What is Amazon Alexa?
Amazon Alexa is a computer-generated personal assistant that is designed and manufactured by Amazon’s Secretive Lab126 to hear your voice commands and reply with circumstantial answers to help you get the work done.
The Amazon Alexa is capable of voice interaction and can also perform music playback, set alarms, generate automatic to-do lists, play audiobooks, live radio/podcasts, and deliver weather/traffic and sports information like news. With Alexa, you can control all the smart devices in the house by using it as a home automation system. You can even extend the abilities by installing “skills” developed by third-party vendors.
It was propagated by Amazon Echo, a device that works as a speaker and a smart home hub. Like other virtual assistants, Amazon Alexa has its own troubles and challenges, but the makers are constantly updating the intelligence to overcome the issues.
Where To Use Amazon Alexa?
To use Amazon Alexa effectively, the user will need a device with integrated voice technology. It means that you can use several Amazon devices such as Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show. You can also integrate it into Echo Auto or other third-party systems as per your preference. Some examples of third-party systems include Fire TV, Ecobee Switch plus Light Switch, LG refrigerators or headphones, and Sonos One Speaker.
Alexa has also become the heart of many smart home systems like SmartThings, Wink, and Logitech Harmony. You can also use this voiceassistant to make a smart home fragmentary as t can be paired with many hub-less devices like WeMo switches and Nest Thermostats.
History Of Amazon Alexa
During November 2014, Amazon announced the launch of Amazon Alexa with Amazon Echo.This system is enthused by the conversational system and computer voice in a science fiction TV series called Starship Enterprise. The makers chose this name as it is in agreement with the letter X, so have more chances of recognition and precision.
After the first Alexa conference in January 2017 (a massive, self-governing meeting of Alexa enthusiasts and developers), Amazon further announced the system for business and app developers. The first Alexa-themed pop-up shop was released in November 2018to showcase all the home automation products through Amazon smart speakers. Apart from mall franchises, Amazon sells Alexa devices via Amazon Books and whole food marketlocations through the US to reach more and more smart homeowners.
What About The Companion Application?
The Amazon Alexa companion app is the key to enjoy the Amazon Alexa experience to its most. This application is available in Apple’s application store, Amazon app store, and Google Play store for potential users for free. Using thisapplication, you can control music; your smart home devicesmake/view to-do lists and check out current activities, etc.
Most importantly, the companion app is a place you can use to add skills and enhance Alexa’s appeal and versatility. This app holds many, many services available to the system while still allowing you to add more according to your convenience. Though the app is not a must to use the Amazon Alexa, it is best to enjoy a round-up experience, so one must consider using it to make the most out of their smart home ecology.
Amazon Alexa Functions And Skills
You can expect Amazon Alexa to perform a wide range of preset functions right out of the box. The users say the wake word “Alexa” to alert the device of the subsequent function command. The system listens to the command and then performs the desired action, skill, or answers the question.
When commands are given, Amazon Alexa converts sound waves into the text to gain related information from different sources. Apart from performing the already set functions, it can also perform some extra functions using third-party skills. Let us discuss some of the features and functions of Amazon Alexa in detail.
- Home Automation
Within your home automation space, Alexa can communicate with devices from multiple manufacturers such as LIFX, Fibaro, PhilipsHue, IFTTT, Wink, and SmartThings. The home automation feature was launched so people can create their own Smart home skills through the Amazon Alexa skills kit.
- Technological Advancements
As of last year, Alexa has over 90000 skills/ functions that the users can download on Alexa-enabled devices. In 2018, a new “brief mode” was integrated so Alexa can respond with a beep sound instead of saying ok to verify acceptance of the command. It also features Wolfram Alpha answer engine to provide more accuracy to users asking questions related to astronomy, math, geography, science, and history.
- Music
Amazon Alexa supports a wide range of subscription-based as well as free streaming skills on Amazon devices. Some examples of streaming devices include Amazon Music, Prime Music, Apple Music, Amazon music unlimited, Audible, TuneIn, Spotify premium, and Pandora.
Alexa can also stream music and media directly if linked to an Amazon account. Apart from audiobooks, your audible library can also access playlists, stations send more than two million songs free of cost. Amazon Music for computers allows you to play your favorite songs from iTunesand Google Play. You can upload up to 250 songs free of charge.
- Messaging And Calls
You can even send messages using Alexa’s application. It Delivers messages to the recipient’s application and to all the supported echo devices linked with the Amazon account. However, Amazon Alexa cannot send attachments like photos and videos. For bigger families, the contacts are pulled across devices that are registered to the linked account. When supported by the Alexa application or the Echo device, the message in the feature is available to everyone in the household, as it does not contain a password yet.
The feature to block the alerts is also accessible momentarily via the Do Not Disturb feature.
- Sports
Using Amazon Alexa, you can also get updates on your favorite sports team. Simply add the sports team to the list under Alexa’s sports updates application sections. You can add up to 15 supported teams, including:
- Football Bowl Subdivision
- WWE – World Wrestling Entertainment
- MLS – Major League Soccer
- WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association
- IPL – Indian Premier League
- FA Cup – Football Association Challenge Cup
- MLB – Major League Baseball
- EPL/BPL – English Premier League/Barclays Premier League
- German Bundesliga 1st Division
- NFL – National Football League
- NCAA men’s basketball – National Collegiate Athletic Association
- UEFA Champions League – Union of European Football Association
- German Bundesliga 2nd Division
- NCAA FBS football – National Collegiate Athletic Association
- NBA – National Basketball Association
- NHL – National Hockey League
- Business
Amazon Alexa for business is a paid subscription that allows companies to use the system to join the conference call, personalized their designs by third-party vendors, and schedule meetings.
- Productivity
Amazon Alexa is here to keep you productive and well organized. From alarms, sleep timers, calendar management, and email, it can take care of every little detail of your life so you can stay focus on the big picture. You now have Alexa proactively telling you when things are happening. It can remind you of yourfavorite shows, cooking time, and email from a contact.
Can also manage and create lists with Alexa. The account comes with to-do and shopping lists, so you can use your voice and manage your daily routine through the application.
- Alexa Shopping
Whether you are on the go or have your hands full, Amazon Alexa will help you make and share a list with everyone in the house. You can add items to your shopping cart using your voice with Alexa, and it will automatically go into your account. You will always have your list on your phone wherever and whenever you want it.
Shop for groceries from Amazon Fresh, Amazon.com, and the whole food market using Alexa. It helps you save items you want. Simply add the items to your wish list and get notified when there is a deal. Alexa also notifies you when it is time to reorder anything or if the package is about to be delivered.
- Care Hub
Another free feature in the Alexa application is the care hub. This feature gives you new ways to remotely check in on your other house members. With an echo device in the house and an Alexa app on your phone, you can stay close to your house even when you are apart.
Amazon Alexa’s Competitors
If you want to get the similar features that Alexa offers but don’t want to utilize amazon’s option? There are many other similar voice assistants that you can try. For example, Apple devices come with Siri, which is another virtual personal assistant that helps you boot up applications, listen to your favorite music, and create to-do lists, etc. The same goes for Microsoft’s Cortana and Google Now as they can do many of the things red Alexa can.
Moreover, Google is promoting a new service called Google assistant to focus on machine learning and help you get by your routine life. If you want integration of Smart home device and virtual assistant like Echo, consider Google home a new smart home device to control your smart devices.
Even though there are many options to choose from, the competitors mostly rely on the cloud system and machine learning to keep you productive. It makes Alexa a better and most convenient option as compared to others.
Best Alexa Skills Of The Year
Many new and unique Amazon Alexa skills have been Incorporated so you can make the most out of your personal voice assistant. You can use Alexa hands-free on your phone when the recently launched application is working. Though Amazon has added many features to Alexa, the solution to making this smart assistant suitable for your needs is by using Alexa skills.
Following are some of the best Alexa skills (along with some recent additions to the skills library) that you can use with your Amazon Echo smart speaker:
Alexa Guard: It turns your smart speaker into a security device to indicate the sign of troubles like the smoke alarm going off or break-in in the house. The application will notify you when there is something wrong and suspicious.
Send a hug:Send a hug through Alexa and let your family know that you are thinking of them and miss them. Simply say “Alexa, send a hug”, followed by the recipient name you send your emotions.
Get weather report: Amazon Alexa has integrated support for the forecast. It gives you accurate and up-to-the-minute weather information due to the hyper-local forecasts based on your location.
Nutrition tips:If you want to make a healthy adjustment to your diet, you can ask Alexa for quick nutrition tips. Though guidance from a certified nutritionist is recommended, your voice assistant can also offer generic advice depending on your lifestyle choices.
Exclusive Amazon deals:You can get a series of Amazon Prime member exclusive deals and take advantage while shopping. When you are done purchasing, ask Alexa for updates on your delivery status or place a reorder as needed.
Make a donation:You can also donate to different organizations and charities through Alexa. Simply order Alexa to make a donation, then choose an organization and dollar amount, and you are good to go.
Great recipe ideas:Another favorite Amazon Alexa skill is easy meal ideas and quick/easy recipe recommendations. If you own Echo Show or Echo Show 8, just order Alexa to show the recipes and then walk through the cooking steps.
Listen to audiobooks:If you enjoy reading, it is time to give audiobooks a try. Alexa allows you to read a book while still doing other house chores. The mobile audiobook service called Audible allows you to read through speakers and control them with your voice.
Alexa as a personal trainer:This virtual assistant can suggest reportedly tested exercises to improve your metabolism, energy, and health. Alexa has many fitness trackers integrated into the system to act as your workout coach within the house.
Bottom line
Alexa is a voice-activated virtual assistant changing the meaning of the smart home ecosystem with its unique features. It can perform a wide range of simple tasks like locking the doors, controlling smart home devices, playing music, adjusting the thermostat, and answering simple questions. It is a useful tool for controlling a smart home ecosystem. It connects to popular smart home services so you can manage your house safely and effectively.
It definitely makes your life easier, meaningful, and a lot more fun by allowing your voice-control your world. It can help you get more out of the things that you already have while discovering new possibilities beyond your imagination.