5 essential tips for setting up your new Amazon Echo devices

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 attempting to determine the place to start. 

For instance, Alexa can be taught who it is speaking to, order provides for round the home, turn on the lights and even act as a home security camera. To not point out, you can also make calls and send texts using the Echo speaker — or drop in on someone else’s speaker (with their permission, after all).

Proper out of the field, Alexa will not let you know easy methods to do this stuff, however we have you lined. Whether or not you simply acquired your fingers on a brand new Echo machine otherwise you’re getting ready for the upcoming gift-giving season, learn on for important suggestions to your Amazon Echo ($30 at Amazon) that you will have to know.

Learn extra: Amazon introduced the brand new Echo Show 15 good show at its September 2021 fall product launch event, together with a number of different new Echo and Ring products. 

Discover a great spot to your Echo in the home

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

Learn extra: Amazon Echo tip: Put one in every room of your home 

Get the essential stuff taken care of first

Now that you have 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 advocate that you just take the time from the start to create a voice profile for everyone who lives in the house. When you can set this up at any time, having the ability to let Alexa acknowledge the totally different customers’ voices will give every person a personalised expertise. For instance, when Alexa acknowledges your voice, it will play the music and information you wish to hearken to and can name or message folks in your tackle guide.

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

Utilizing voice instructions to get stuff accomplished

Each motion you need Alexa to make will require a voice command. For instance, turning on music, controlling the amount of the good speaker and creating lists or reminders. You will simply say one thing like, “Alexa, flip the amount down,” or, “Alexa, add espresso to my buying listing.”

It’s also possible to communicate with Alexa through texts, as a substitute of talking. Simply open the Alexa app and faucet the Keyboard button within the prime left nook.

Don’t desire your wake phrase to be Alexa? You’ll be able to change it to Echo, Laptop or Amazon. Simply say, “Alexa, change the wake phrase” and make your alternative. 

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

Management your good dwelling units out of your Echo speaker

Wishing you can arrive dwelling at night time with the lights already lit up? Properly, for those who’ve acquired good lights, smart plugs ($25 at Target) or switches, you possibly can management them utilizing the Alexa app so that you just by no means must journey going up the entrance porch stairs once more.

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

Name, textual content and drop in in your pals 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. Simply say one thing like, “Alexa, name Mother,” or, “Alexa, textual content Katie.” The contacts must be in your tackle guide for this to work. 

It’s also possible to use your Echo speaker to drop in on family and friends who’ve added you as an accepted contact. To take action, 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 the necessities out of the best way, 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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