No matter how many Amazon Echo ads you see, it takes a while to sync up with Alexa. Having a virtual assistant in your home prompts a change in lifestyle, such as adopting a puppy. There will be a lot of trial and error, but once you find your rhythm, you’ll forget what life was like without him.
Amazon Echo listens for the wake word, Alexa. To be honest, I was surprised by how many conversations my Echo recorded didn’t include the word wake. You can be too.
The device is programmed to respond to an almost limitless number of commands and variations, and there are thousands of individual “skills” you can add to its repertoire. But the journey of a million commands begins with a single wake phrase.
“Alexa, play Maroon 5.”
Lest we forget, the Echo is a speaker, originally designed to play audio. You can use the Echo to play your own music, Amazon Prime playlists, browse Spotify or Pandora, search the Internet for a song, and even check out global radio stations. can also do.
“Alexa, set the volume to six.”
You can also change the volume without leaving your seat or pressing the remote. You can also skip tracks, pause the music, and “like” a song. You can spend days just playing around with the music features, which become more expansive when you subscribe to various services.
“Alexa, what time is it?”
If your phone or watch isn’t working, you can ask Alexa what time it is. But that’s just the tip of the temporary iceberg: You can also ask what time it is in another city, or what time it will be in 37 hours, or even set a timer for the cake in your oven. Huh.
“Alexa, Wikipedia: Toilet Paper Orientation.”
Using Echo to find information is like searching Google again. The experience feels completely different. Most of us are used to typing our questions and then reading the results, not dictating our questions and listening to the answers read by us. If you asked Alexa this question, you’d hear the Wikipedia entry about more or less social consequences.
“Alexa, what’s the score…”
If you’re near your Echo, why aren’t you watching games? There may be a million reasons to break away from your favorite sport, but now you can check scores (verbally) whenever you want. This can be especially important when family obligations turn you away from TV, but you still want to know how your team is performing.
“Alexa, how many liters in a gallon?”
One of the best surprises for Amazon Echo users is how handy the device is in the kitchen. You also have no idea how many times you have to wipe your fingers before consulting a cookbook or an iPad. Your virtual assistant becomes a cook of sorts, looks up recipes, sets timers, and, yes, does quick conversions.
“Alexa, choose a number between one and 57.”
I don’t know about you, but I almost never carry cash anymore. This is less than ideal when you want to toss a coin. Alexa can randomize the results for you, from tossing a coin to choosing a number. You might be surprised how often this skill comes in handy, especially when you have tasks to delegate and you don’t want to refresh yourself on the rules.
“Alexa, buy more dental floss.”
After two solid months of malls and virtual storefronts, the last thing you want to think about is shopping. But you still need regular provisions to keep your household flowing, and the Amazon Echo makes those regular shopping trips infinitely easier. Once you pair your Echo with Amazon Pantry, you can ask Alexa to refresh household items whenever you want. It can be as handy for a small business when you need to refill an office supply closet.
“Alexa, buy this song.”
Amazon Music isn’t as popular as iTunes, but it has become a strong competitor. The subscription service combines some of the best parts of streaming platforms like Pandora and the traditional iTunes model.
“Alexa, ask Uber for a ride.”
For the millennial adult, it doesn’t get better than this: Sitting at home, playing with your Echo, and then deciding to meet someone for a hot tortie at a nearby gastropub, but you don’t want to drive. To call Uber or Lyft, you don’t have to get up from the futon, or raise your hand, or even open your eyes. Once you connect Alexa to your ride-share app, you can make local travel arrangements in seconds.
“Alexa, how’s the weather going to be in Boulder, Colorado this weekend?”
In the hustle and bustle of life, we often forget to check the weather, which can be extremely dangerous if we’re driving in a snowstorm for six hours. Alexa can check the weather almost anywhere on the planet, so you’ll know how to dress and ultimately whether or not to invest in those snow tires.