Now playing:.
Watch this:.
Well, call me weird– however do not evaluate prior to you hear me out, because there are so numerous neat techniques you can do with that unused Echo Dot stuffed in a forgotten drawer or that Amazon Echo speaker thats gradually getting dusty in the corner of your living room– or, soon, with one of Amazons brand-new Echo Dot speakers, announced along with a bunch of other Alexa gadgets on Sept. 28. Those old hockey pucks still rock, specifically when matched with my black Echo Show 8, so I dug them out and discovered homes for both of them. One third-gen Dot went in my half-bath, the other in my upstairs hallway– bringing my menagerie of Alexa gadgets up to a whopping 11 smart displays and wise speakers.
Why numerous Alexa devices? Due to the fact that more is betterSome Alexa includes just work better the more Amazon Echo speakers and screens you have actually established in your house. If youve never ever skilled whole-house audio previously, its a surprisingly dazzling experience– even if many of your speakers are Echo Dots (and even if you dont have an Amazon Echo Subwoofer). On days when youre moving a lot from space to space– cleaning up the house, say, or hosting a get-together– its impressive how neat it is to have music playing all over you go. Those old third-gen hockey puck Echo Dots make ideal speakers for your garage, corridor or other less frequently used spaces.
Ry Crist/CNET
Multiroom music, here are some of my other favorites: Announcements: Say, “Alexa, announce dinner is all set,” or, “reveal that its bedtime,” and check out what happens (Alexa adds some audio “color” to the message). Drop In: You can have an intercomlike discussion with someone in a specific space– “Alexa, drop in on the kitchen area”– or with the entire home at once– “drop in all over. The second-gen Amazon Echo is still a powerful wise speaker, so do not push yours in a drawer and forget about it.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
Assign wake words aside from AlexaIf youre like me and have multiple Echo devices in the very same area, then you already know how annoying it can be to scream, “Alexa!” and have every device contend for your attention. If you have 2 or more devices in the very same vicinity, then its best to provide each one its own wake word. For example, I have an Echo Show in my kitchen area and an Echo Dot in the living space just a couple of feet away. I utilize the Dot primarily to play music, not necessarily to listen for commands. I gave that speaker (and other speakers I just utilize for audio) a wake word other than “Alexa.” While Amazons standard choices for calling your voice assistant are Alexa, Computer, Amazon and Echo, there are numerous more recent wake word additions you can use like Ziggy and Hey, Disney. Regrettably, you cant give it a name other than these, so youll need to hold back calling your device “Buddy” or something else distinct. Heres how to change the wake word on specific devices:1. Open the Alexa app, navigate to Devices. 2. Tap Echo & & Alexa from the leading row of icons.3. Tap the name of the device with the wake word you wish to change. Youll have to alter each devices wake word independently.4. Select the Settings icon in the leading right-hand corner then scroll down and tap Wake Word.5. Select a wake word besides Alexa (see above for your alternatives).6. Tap OK when a pop-up lets you know it may take a few minutes to alter over, then either revoke that menu or close the app.You can likewise alter the wake word with voice commands, too. Merely say, “Alexa, change your wake word.” Alexa will prompt you to pick from the list of used wake words. Then select whichever word you want. Now youre all set! And you can constantly return and alter the wake word at any point. Learn more: All Amazon Echo Wake Words That Arent Alexa– and What They DoWhen establishing a stereo set, the Echo with Clock, Echo Kids and Echo Dot are all interchangeable..
Julie Snyder/CNET.
That set will then appear as a single speaker in the Alexa app when directing audio in a regular or producing an even bigger set of speakers (more on that soon). Before you set this up, make sure both speakers are in the exact same virtual “room” in your Alexa app and that both are on the very same network. Open the Alexa app, tap Devices on the bottom menu bar, then tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner.2.
This story is part of House Tips, CNETs collection of useful recommendations for getting the most out of your house, inside and out.
Alexa gets new features to make it a better listener.
7:02.
Well, call me strange– but do not judge before you hear me out, because there are so numerous neat tricks you can do with that unused Echo Dot packed in a forgotten drawer or that Amazon Echo speaker thats gradually getting dirty in the corner of your living room– or, soon, with one of Amazons new Echo Dot speakers, announced together with a lot of other Alexa gadgets on Sept. 28. Since more is betterSome Alexa includes simply work much better the more Amazon Echo display screens and speakers you have set up in your home. Multiroom music, here are some of my other faves: Announcements: Say, “Alexa, reveal dinner is ready,” or, “reveal that its bedtime,” and inspect out what happens (Alexa adds some audio “color” to the message). I gave that speaker (and other speakers I simply utilize for audio) a wake word other than “Alexa. Either select a name from the list or type your own custom-made name at the bottom, then tap Save.Protect your Amazon Echo privacy With all of these Echo devices scattered around your home, youre probably wondering: Is Alexa constantly listening?
Open the Alexa app, tap Devices on the bottom menu bar, then tap the plus indication (+) in the upper right corner.2. Either pick a name from the list or type your own customized name at the bottom, then tap Save.Protect your Amazon Echo privacy With all of these Echo devices spread around your house, youre probably questioning: Is Alexa constantly listening? For one, you can disconnect the device or turn the mic off by pushing the microphones mute button to make sure Alexa isnt constantly listening.