People often ask me if I have a personal assistant. Well, I don’t have a physical assistant. Multiple times a day, I use an AI (artificial intelligence) device such as Alexa. Check out these 10 ways to use Alexa in your home.
Music Player, Ebooks, & Video
The most used service I use is a music player and to read ebooks. Although Alexa has various music streaming services, I typically only use Pandora and Apple Music. I have an Alexa device in my kitchen, home office, and master bathroom. I love listening to music while cleaning the kitchen or cooking. It is so easy to just say “Alexa play Cooking playlist” or “Alexa open Pandora and play Beyonce.” Long gone are the days of CD players and turning the dial on a radio. With an AI, I can listen to playlist, albums, or individual songs. Alexa is also connected to my eBook library. I can listen to my various AudioBooks and other eBooks.
An Alexa Show is absolutely wonderful. With the screen, you can watch videos on apps such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, and YouTube.
Alexa is a Great Speller
Alexa is like your personal virtual dictionary that is available without having to open a book or go to dictionary.com. If you need to spell a word, simply say “Alexa, spell Chiaroscurist.” Not only will she spell the word, she will pronounce it perfectly and provide you with the meaning.
Fun & Fast Facts
Alexa is full of knowledge. She is basically a verbal search engine. At any time, you can ask her to tell you a fun and interesting fact. She always surprises me with her fun facts. “Trivia Hero” is an excellent game you can play on Alexa.
Alexa can also find recipes for you. Alexa will give you the ingredients and the step by step process for making your desired mean. She can also send the information to the Alexa app on your phone. Using the app, you can create a shopping list.
“Alexa Set a Timer For 20 Minutes”
AI has basically replaced my kitchen timer. I can use her as a timer or to set an alarm. A tip I always give people who are decluttering is to set a timer. Declutter for that set amount of time. Don’t feel stressed to complete the task. Just do as much as you can during that amount of time. Alexa’s timer makes this task easy.
You can have multiple timers and alarms set for Alexa. You can also set up Alexa to send you reminders. “Alexa, Remind me to rotate my laundry in 10 minutes.”
Setting Routines
Creating routines is an excellent way to stay on track and get more things accomplished. With Alexa, you can have her do a variety of things. For example, in the morning you can have her turn on your light at a certain time. She can play your favorite “wake up” song. She can also tell you what’s on your schedule, the news, and the daily traffic report. In the evening, she can automatically turn on your alarm, give you a countdown till your bedtime, and play your favorite “night time” song.
Security Footage
I am constantly saying “Alexa, show me the driveway.” An Alexa Show can be used to display footage from your security camera. The images are clear and you’re able to hear audio as well. Alexa is integrated with multiple security companies.
Amazon Shopping
Alexa is connected and has access to your Amazon shopping account. If you want to order something, you can simply make a command for Alexa to order it. You can enable or disable that feature on your Alexa device. I disabled mine. I don’t want myself or my children to accidentally order something. You can however ask Alexa to give you updates on items you have ordered. She can keep you updated on delivery status or any potential delays. Alexa has often reminded me of items that may need to be replaced soon. She reminds me that I am running low on my printer ink and gives me the option to make an order.
Announcements
If your home is not equipped with an intercom system, Alexa is an alternative. The app allows me to make announcements to be played on either all or a specific device. I can go to the app on phone and type “Bring me a bottle water.” A few minutes later, someone in my home magically appears with a bottle of water. The announcement function is a great feature to make short announcements to people in your home. You can let everyone know dinner is ready, to take the dog out, or even just say “Good Morning.”
Connect Alexa to Your Smart Devices
One of my favorite Alexa features is the ability to connect to smart devices. In my home, Alexa is connected to my thermostats and a few outlets. During the Christmas season, my tree and lights are plugged into a smart plug. I can control the time and duration of when my lights are on. I can also just say “Alexa, turn on the Christmas tree” whenever I want to see the lights outside of the schedule. This can be your hub to control everything in your smart home.
Alexa can also be used to control your television if you have a smart TV or use a Harmony remote. You can change the channel, switch between HDMIs, and control the volume using Alexa.
Alexa will also automatically connect to any Fire Stick devices you have connected to your wifi. You can control the Fire Stick via Alexa.
Phone Calls
Alexa can also be used to make phone calls. It is convenient to ask Alexa to call someone and have a hands free conversation. This is particularly great when cooking, working on a project, or just need your hands. In my home, I usually use it to call my phone because it is missing.
We hope you enjoy these 10 Ways to Use Alexa in Your Home! What are some additional features you use.
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This is clutch!! I never you could use Alexa for al of this. I definitely need to take advantage of the self timer- it is much easier to declutter for a set time limit than trying to tackle the whole task.
Yes, I love cleaning or decluttering in time blocks. It’s less intimidating. Thanks for reading.
I didn’t know Alexa could read ebooks. I guess I’ve never thought about it. I do have her locking the doors, changing the thermostat, and setting my home alarm.
I have a device on my desk. When I’m working, I listen to ebooks.
Now that can be dangerous…asking Alexa to purchase something from Amazon lol. But I like the use of it checking your cameras or setting reminders.
Yes, I don’t use that function.. lol
This is cool and scary all at the same time. I like that it can help you do do many things. My uncle bought me something similar to Alexa but I haven’t used it. Maybe I should utilize it. I you scared that Alexa has to much of your information?
You’re right, Alexa does have a lot of information. But at least if you use her properly, you’ll know how to keep it safe.