New Amazon Echo? 5 necessities ideas it’s good to know now

You simply took your new Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Dot with Clock or Echo Show 8 out of the field, however what precisely do you do with it now? You already know that it can play music, let you know the climate forecast and set alarms — however Amazon’s Alexa does so many issues that it may be overwhelming making an attempt to determine the place to start. 

For instance, Alexa can study who it is speaking to, order provides for round the home and even turn on the lights. Not to say, you may make calls and send texts using the Echo speaker — or drop in on someone else’s speaker (with their permission, in fact).

Right out of the field, Alexa will not let you know methods to do this stuff, however we have got you lined. Read on for important ideas on your Amazon Echo ($60 at Amazon) that you will have to know.

Find a great place on your Echo in the home

The very first thing you may do while you’ve unboxed your new Amazon Echo is to plug it in. And while you solely have one Echo speaker, you do not wish to simply plop it down anyplace in the home — in truth, there are four places you should never place your device. You ought to be certain it is in a centralized spot the place your voice can carry from most rooms, like within the kitchen or living room. (Here are the four best uses for Amazon Echo in every room of your house.)

Get the fundamental stuff taken care of first

Now that you’ve your Echo plugged in and arrange, it is time to learn the basics. This consists of downloading the Alexa app and establishing your location so you may have an correct climate forecast. 

We additionally suggest that you simply take the time from the start to create a voice profile for everyone who lives in the house. While you possibly can set this up at any time, with the ability to let Alexa acknowledge the totally different customers’ voices will give every consumer a customized expertise. For instance, when Alexa acknowledges your voice, it will play the music and information you prefer to take heed to and can name or message individuals in your handle e book.

You might also wish to arrange voice buying so you possibly can rapidly order an merchandise you usually purchase, like paper towels. To do that, you may additionally have to allow 1-Click ordering within the settings app. Remember to arrange a password in order that solely you may make purchases this manner. You can discover this in Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing.

Using voice instructions to get stuff executed

Every motion you need Alexa to make will require a voice command. For instance, turning on music, controlling the quantity of the good speaker and creating lists or reminders. You’ll simply say one thing like, “Alexa, turn the volume down,” or, “Alexa, add coffee to my shopping list.”

You can even communicate with Alexa through texts, as a substitute of talking. Just open the Alexa app and faucet the Keyboard button within the prime left nook.

Don’t need your wake phrase to be Alexa? You can change it to Echo, Computer or Amazon. Just say, “Alexa, change the wake word” and make your alternative. 

Read extra: We tested all 4 Amazon Echo wake words. Here’s what we learned about Alexa

Control your good residence gadgets out of your Echo speaker

Wishing you would arrive residence at evening with the lights already lit up? Well, should you’ve acquired good lights, smart plugs ($25 at Amazon) or switches, you possibly can management them utilizing the Alexa app so that you simply by no means must journey going up the entrance porch stairs once more.

Other gadgets you possibly can management embrace smart locks (in case you overlook to lock your door earlier than leaving), thermostats, robot vacuums and extra
.

Call, textual content and drop in in your buddies utilizing Alexa

Lost your phone in the house once more? No worries — you do not want it as a result of Alexa can make calls and send texts for you. Just say one thing like, “Alexa, call Mom,” or, “Alexa, text Katie.” The contacts must be in your handle e book for this to work. 

You can even use your Echo speaker to drop in on family and friends who’ve added you as an accepted contact. To achieve this, simply say one thing like, “Alexa, drop in on Dad.”

Oh, and about that misplaced telephone — Alexa can help you find it in your house.

Now that we have got the necessities out of the way in which, listed here are five surprising things you didn’t know your Amazon Echo could do, 10 weirdest things Amazon Echo can do and how to turn your Fire TV into a larger Amazon Echo Show.

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