IF YOU have an Amazon Alexa, then here are nine tricks you need to know about right now.
It didn’t take long for the Amazon Echo and Dot to become household items after being released in 2014 and 2016, respectively.
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Since then, features have only improved on the multifunctional device, which can not only order your groceries but play you in Blackjack, too.
Here are nine other awesome tricks you should try today.
1. Play Akinator
Users can try to stump Alexa with Akinator – a form of 20 questions, where you think of a character.
You then answer a series of yes-or-no questions and Alexa tries to guess who you’re thinking of.
To start a game, say, “Alexa, open Akinator.”
2. You can play music from every room
If you have multiple Echo devices in your home, you can easily sync them to play the same song/playlist.
You also have the option to just sync specific Echos in certain rooms, depending on your preference.
You can control all of these features on the Alexa app by clicking Settings > Multi-Room Music.
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You can create as many groups as you want, but keep in mind that each device can only appear in one group.
3. Play “Love Story”
Love Story is one of Alexa’s skills that is meant to help you reignite the spark between you and your partner.
Simply answer a couple of questions and say ‘stop’ after each one, so Alexa can remember the answers for next time.
Just say “Alexa, open love story”.
4. You can change Alexa’s name
Straight out of the box, your virtual assistant is called Alexa, but unlike other smart home assistants, Amazon gives you the option to change the activation name.
Most people are unaware of this naming feature and just stick to calling their echo ‘Alexa,’ however, you can choose to say ‘Echo,’ ‘Amazon,’ or more depending on the version you have.
5. Alexa can roll a dice for you
This is a handy tool for anyone who wants to leave their big decisions to chance.
Alternatively, this is a great replacement if you’ve lost dice from a board game.
Simply say “Alexa, roll a dice.”
6. You can protect your voice purchases
You can assign a PIN code for online shopping to make sure not just anyone can access your card info.
This feature will especially come in handy if you have kids, so they don’t say just “Alexa buy ten cases of Cheetos,” or something.
To do this simply open eh Alexa app, then hit Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing.
Once you’ve hit Voice Purcashing you add a pin to the Require Voice Code field.
7. Alexa can change the conversation for you
Saying “Alexa, change the subject” can both help avoid awkward pauses and offer up a topic of conversation for you to discuss with your friends.
This is especially great for dodging impending arguments over the dinner table.
8. Alexa can rap for you
Our favorite AI is not quite Jay-Z, but Alexa can lay down some pretty sweet rhymes if you give her the chance.
Just say “Alexa, rap for me”.
9. You can find your iPhone
If you’re, well just a normal person, then you’ve probably misplaced your phone in your home before.
Whether it got lost in between the couch cushions or ended up in the fridge (it happens), Alexa can help you locate your missing device.
Assuming you’ve confirmed your phone number in the Alexa app before it got lost, all you need to do is say, “Alexa, Find my phone,” and she will call your phone so you can follow the ringer to its destination.
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