Want to set a timer for your lights? Alexa can do that. What about managing the family schedule, ordering household supplies or finding out what’s playing at the movies? Amazon Echo and Alexa have you covered on all fronts!
Every family can find a ton of uses for the Amazon Echo, if only you know where to look. Here are our favorite Amazon features for families, from funny jokes kids will love to making sure everybody’s big events are on the calendar.
This post is sponsored by Amazon Echo.
Make a Daily Routine
With the Amazon Echo, you can get ready for the day consistently by setting up a routine on Alexa that will control multiple tasks with a single voice command. This string of tasks can turn on your lamp first thing in the morning, play your favorite song as an alarm, give another alarm to remind you to grab your lunch from the fridge and and other actions like traffic reports and new flash briefings. For a full list of actions go to your menu on the Alexa app and select Routines.
Set a Reminder
Need to do something later and don't want to forget? Just say, "Alexa, set a reminder to [what you want to do] at [when you want to do it]." Alexa will get your attention then.
Make an Announcement
Got several Echo devices? One handy feature is that you can “announce” something across all of your compatible Echo devices. Just say, “Alexa, tell everyone [what you want to announce],” and it will be broadcast immediately. For example, say “Alexa, tell everyone that dinner is ready,” and you’ll hear a stampede in no time.
Drop In
Want to use your Echo like an intercom? Drop In lets you to instantly connect, hands-free, with the Echo devices in your home. Just say, “Alexa, drop in on [the name of your other Echo].” If you only have one Echo, you can use Drop In from your Alexa app to instantly connect with home.
Check the Weather
Blue skies or a chance of rain? Just ask, "Alexa, what's the weather like today?" for an up-to-date forecast.
Check Drive Time
When your commute is crushing, every minute counts. You can ask, “Alexa, how is traffic?” for a snapshot of your commute, or if you’re going somewhere outside of your daily commute, ask, “Alexa, how long would it take to get to [location]?” for an estimate.
Get a Stock Update
If you’re trying to keep an eye on stock prices, you can ask, “Alexa, how does NASDAQ look today?” or ask more specifically about a stock you care about to know where they stand.
Hear the Latest News
Get a flash briefing on the day's news nationally or internationally by asking, "Alexa, what happened in the news today?"
Order Household Supplies
Always forgetting to add things to your shopping list? Just tell Alexa what you need to order. For example, say, “Alexa, order more laundry detergent.” Not ready to buy yet? Say, “Alexa, add laundry detergent to my shopping list,” and she’ll create a list for you to check when you need it.
Order Dinner
Last-minute dinners don’t have to be a headache. Your family can order a pizza from Domino’s by saying “Alexa, open Domino’s and place an order.” The same is true for Denny’s, Wingstop, GrubHub and Seamless.
Find Content with Your Voice
With a FireTV steaming media player or a Fire TV Edition television there’s less futzing with the remote. With the Alexa Voice Remote, you can just press the microphone icon and ask Alexa to find a TV show or movie. You can also pair Fire TV and Echo devices, allowing you to control your Fire TV with Alexa.
Create a Family Schedule
Connect your calendar to Alexa and you can make sure important events (like soccer games or that ice cream you promised) are penciled in. Learn more with Calendar Help.
Host a Board-Free Game Night
There are all kinds of games just waiting to be played on the Amazon Echo — including classics like Tic-Tac-Toe and 20 Questions. It’s as simple as saying, “Alexa, play [name of game].”
Turn Lights On and Off
When your hands are full, Alexa makes turning the lights on and off easy when you have smart plugs or bulbs like the Philips Hue color ambience — which can also change the light it emits to any color of the rainbow — a breeze.
Manage the Thermostat
If you have a compatible smart thermostat, just ask Alexa to make it warmer or cooler.
Listen to the Radio
Love listening to NPR in the mornings but hate fumbling with an app? Just say, “Alexa, play NPR,” and your radio needs are handled.
Make a To-Do List
For those of us who need a little organizational help, the Echo is happy to help. Just say, “Alexa, add [your task] to my to-do list” and she’ll get it added. All done? Say, “Alexa, check off [your task] from my to-do list.”
Track Orders
Nobody enjoys searching out when their package is going to arrive, and with the Echo, you don’t have to — just ask “Alexa, where is my package?” and Alexa will provide delivery notifications for your Amazon orders.
Check Movie Times
When it’s time to head to the movie theater, say, “Alexa, what movies are playing?” and she’ll help you choose a great flick.
Hear a Joke
Families who love to laugh will get a kick out of the jokes from the Echo. “Alexa, tell me a joke” will provide you with fun, on-demand humor.
Call a Ride
In a rush? Have Alexa order an Uber or Lyft for you without having to dig out your phone. Just say, "Alexa, ask Uber for a ride."
Play Sleep Sounds
When you need to get some shut-eye but are having trouble falling asleep, Alexa is full of soothing white noise. Just say, "Alexa, play sleep sounds."
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