How to get the most out of your Alexa-enabled device
More than 500 million Alexa-enabled devices are out there in the world, according to Amazon. People use them to find out sports scores, the weather and set alarms. But are they getting the most out of their devices?
Whether the goal is pure entertainment, ease of use or keeping information private, here are five Alexa settings and commands that every device owner should know.
Change the wake word
With so many people asking their voice assistant questions by calling out the name Alexa, what are people with similar names to that wake word to do?
In 2015, a year after Amazon released the first Alexa-enabled devices, more than 6,000 unwitting people gave their babies the same name, according to the Social Security Administration. And several thousand other people have similar names like Alex, Alexis and Alexia.
If you are in a household that’s been avoiding Alexa-enabled device out of loyalty to someone with a similar name, I’ve got good news. Users now have five choices when it comes to which wake word prompts the device to perk up.
You can change the wake word on a device by going to Settings>Wake Word. The choices are Alexa, Echo, Amazon, Computer or Ziggy.
Erase your voice data
It’s not new for people to be concerned that their voice assistant is saving data from every question and command that comes its way. But now, it’s fairly easy to delete your requests and questions once you opt in for the ability to do so.
In the Alexa app, go to Settings>Alexa Account>Alexa Privacy>Manage Your Alexa Data. After you toggle on “Enable Deletion by Voice”, you can choose to delete data three different ways.
Say, “Alexa, delete what I just said,” to erase your most recent request. Say, “Alexa, delete everything I said today,” to erase everything you’ve asked or requested from Alexa since midnight. And say, “Alexa, delete everything I’ve ever said,” to get rid of all data.
Create a story
Amazon recently reported that kids ask Alexa more than 25 million questions each month. And there are more ways for kids to engage with Alexa-enabled devices than by asking questions.
If your child is the type who wants a custom, personalized story each night, let Alexa help. You and your child can create stories together using prompts from Alexa.
Start by saying, “Alexa, make a story” or “Alexa, create a story.” Alexa will then ask questions so you can choose themes, characters, settings and other variables. Once you and your child choose the direction the tale will take, AI formulates the story along with graphics and music. No two stories are ever the same.
Create character alarms
One of the fun perks of staying at a Disney property is that one of its characters can be the voice on your wake up call. Now, that special moment is available through Echo devices no matter where kids are sleeping.
Choose who will be the voice behind the character alarm on the Alexa App. Sulley from “Monsters University,” Maui from “Moana,” Rapunzel from “Tangled” and Patrick from “SpongeBob” are just some of the 23 options.
You will need an Amazon Kids+ subscription to take advantage of character alarms. Amazon Kids+ is geared toward preschool to preteen children and features age-appropriate, ad-free games, apps, music and videos. Many Alexa-enabled devices come with a certain number of free months, but after that, subscriptions start at $4.99 per month.
Open sleep sounds
Alexa can help you or your kids go to sleep and possibly stay asleep a bit longer with sleep sounds. These choices for ambient noise can play for up to 12 hours and include sounds like rain, ocean, thunderstorm, babbling brook and jungle, as well as white, brown or pink noise.
Soundscapes include AI-generated remixes such as rain sounds layered with piano music. Only Amazon Kids+ subscribers have unlimited sound and soundscape usage, while nonsubscribers will only have two choices. Start by saying, “Alexa, open Amazon sleep sounds.”
