5 clever ways to use your Echo and Alexa that you’ll wish you realized sooner

When I’m cooking, it’s uncomplicated to say, “Alexa, remind me the cauliflower pizza is finished in 15 minutes.” Which is a person of the most valuable and essential means to use the Amazon-owned sensible assistant.  

The downside is that it can decide up discussions we’d somewhat it didn’t. Faucet or click for measures to listen to and erase any errant recordings. I do this frequently. 

That is not the only essential privateness phase if you have an Echo or far more at residence. Faucet or click on listed here to assure your intelligent speakers are locked down the correct way. 

Now, let us soar into 5 good methods Alexa can improve your lifetime. 

1. Get an alert if glass breaks or an alarm goes off 

Alexa Guard is like a pair of ears you depart at house. Your Echo product will pay attention for glass breaking, smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms. You’ll get an warn on your cell phone if these appears are detected. 

Alexa Guard can also immediately turn any connected wise lights on and off to make it glance like you’re house. Handy! 

Here’s how to established it up: 

• Open the Alexa app and tap the More icon in the bottom right, then Configurations.
• Tap Guard > Set up Seem Detection.
• Toggle the alerts you want to activate, and tap Confirm.

To help Alexa Guard, set it into Absent method by saying “Alexa, I’m leaving.” Change it off when you get household by indicating, “I’m dwelling.” 

Pipe down! This Alexa trick solves a person of the Echo’s most troublesome challenges. 

2. Seem in on your dwelling when you’re absent 

The built-in display offers you yet another helpful stability attribute if you have an Echo Display. You can turn on the camera from any place to make sure everything is Okay at residence. 

With Drop In, you can pop in on your speaker or just one owned by a friend or loved ones member who has approved obtain. It is an exceptional way to say howdy devoid of selecting up the telephone.  

To enable Fall In: 

• Open the Alexa application. Faucet Devices.
• Pick Echo & Alexa, then select the unit you want to use.
• Faucet the options icon in the best correct corner (it appears like a cog), then decide on Communications.
• Tap the toggle to permit Fall In and other communications.
• Faucet Drop In to personalize who can Drop In. You can decide on My Domestic to limit this to only gadgets on your account.

Now, you can use the Alexa app to pop into your personal Echo products. In the application, faucet Talk at the base of the monitor, then Drop In. Pick out the unit you want from the listing. 

A lot more ECHO Uses: ‘Alexa, I want to speak to a doctor’ – How to use your Echo to get health-related enable 

3. Verify-in on more mature kinfolk 

I get questions on my countrywide radio show about the ideal way to remain in touch with far-away household or getting older kinfolk. 

Amazon’s Alexa Jointly assistance is some thing I normally advocate. Initially, the caveat: It expenditures $19.99 per thirty day period or $199 for a 12 months. If you can abdomen the rate, it has some knockout functions: 

• Customized alerts: Get a notification when your loved just one makes use of Alexa for the very first time for the duration of the working day. It will also inform you if Alexa hasn’t been applied by a predetermined time. This is like an automatic wellness check out.
• Urgent reaction: If a little something goes wrong, the 24/7 Urgent Response purpose permits your loved one particular to call properly trained pros as a result of fingers-free access to get guidance.
• Distant Guide: You can set up music companies, manage searching lists, or established reminders for your loved a person from anyplace.
• Fall detection: If a appropriate product detects a slide, Alexa phone calls Urgent Reaction and notifies unexpected emergency contacts.

You can use this link for a six-thirty day period no cost demo. You can also want two Amazon accounts (a person for you and a single for your relative) and an Echo unit in the property of the particular person you are caring for. 

4. Make sure the doorways are locked 

It’s late, and you lastly crawl into bed. You might be drifting off when you know, “Oh no, I can not don’t forget locking the doors.” Rather of owning to get up, inquire Alexa or pull out your cellphone. 

Of study course, you can only do this if you have good locks. Tap or click on listed here for good good lock solutions beginning below $100. 

In most instances, you’ll need to have to include the Alexa skill designed by your sensible lock maker. At the time you do, it’s as straightforward as indicating anything like, “Alexa, lock the entrance doorway.” 

5. Come across your cell phone 

Misplaced your phone? Generally you would check with an individual to get in touch with your number so you can find it. What if you are alone and really don’t have entry to a further cellphone? Alexa can support. 

• Open the Alexa application and faucet the Additional icon, then Skills & Games.
• Lookup for Come across my Cellular phone and select from the list of competencies.
• Faucet the talent, then Launch to set it up.

Alexa is not the only way to obtain a lost cell phone. Here’s how to obtain your telephone when it’s long gone missing — even if the battery is lifeless. 

PODCAST Decide: Tech Refresh: A distinctive job interview with me, Kim Komando 

In this special episode of Tech Refresh, I sat down with Komando.com Information Director Allie to discuss about my career in broadcasting, making a business, my family and the tragedy that formed who I am now. 

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando These days” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favored podcast participant. 

Listen to the podcast below or wherever you get your podcasts. Just lookup for my final title, “Komando.” 

What electronic life-style concerns do you have? Call Kim’s national radio display and faucet or click right here to uncover it on your area radio station. You can pay attention to or view The Kim Komando Display on your cell phone, pill, television, or laptop. Or tap or simply click listed here for Kim’s absolutely free podcasts. 

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