Alexa Features Only Advanced Users Know About

Alright, folks, let’s dive into the wonderful world of Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant that’s smarter than your average bear. Whether you’re an Alexa newbie or a seasoned pro, there are always a few tricks up her sleeve that you might not know about. Ready to level up your Alexa game? Let’s get into it.

Introduction

We all know Alexa can play our favorite tunes, set alarms, and even control smart home devices. But did you know that there are a ton of hidden features and advanced capabilities that can make Alexa an even more powerful tool in your daily life? Yep, that’s right! There’s more to Alexa than meets the eye.

So, what’s the deal with these advanced features? Why don’t we hear about them more often? Well, they’re not exactly secrets, but they’re definitely the kinds of things you need to dig a little deeper to discover. And that’s what we’re here to do today. Ready to unlock the full potential of your Alexa device? Let’s go!

Digging Deeper into Alexa’s Hidden Gems

1. Routines: Your Personal Assistant on Steroids

Ever wished you could automate multiple tasks with just one command? Enter Alexa Routines. Imagine this: you wake up and say, “Alexa, good morning.” Instantly, your lights turn on, the coffee maker starts brewing, your favorite morning playlist begins, and Alexa gives you a weather update. Cool, right?

Here’s how to set up a routine:

• Open the Alexa app.
• Tap on the menu (three horizontal lines) and select “Routines.”
• Tap the “+” to create a new routine.
• Choose “When this happens” to set your trigger (voice, schedule, device, etc.).
• Select “Add action” to specify what Alexa should do (play music, give a weather update, control smart home devices, etc.).

Pro tip: You can create routines for bedtime, workout sessions, or even when you leave the house.

2. Hunches: Alexa Gets Predictive

Alexa’s Hunches feature takes smart home management to the next level. Based on your past interactions, Alexa can suggest or automatically perform actions. For example, if you always turn off the living room lights before bed, Alexa might remind you to do so or do it automatically if you forget.

To enable Hunches:

• Open the Alexa app.
• Go to Settings > Hunches.
• Toggle the switch to enable Hunches and follow the prompts to set preferences.

3. Alexa Guard: Your Home’s New Best Friend

Feeling a bit uneasy when leaving the house? With Alexa Guard, your Alexa device can act as a security system. When you set Guard to “Away” mode, Alexa listens for sounds like breaking glass or smoke alarms and sends you an alert.

Here’s how to set up Alexa Guard:

• Open the Alexa app.
• Go to Settings > Guard.
• Follow the instructions to set it up and enable notifications.

Pro tip: Combine Alexa Guard with smart lights for added security, making it look like someone’s home even when you’re out.

4. Drop In: The Ultimate Intercom

Need to check in with someone in another room? Use the Drop In feature. It’s like having an intercom system throughout your house. You can also Drop In on other Alexa-enabled homes, provided both parties have given permission.

To use Drop In:

• Open the Alexa app.
• Go to Communication > Drop In.
• Select the device you want to connect with.

Pro tip: Use Drop In to check in on elderly relatives or to keep an ear on the baby’s room without needing a separate baby monitor.

5. Alexa Blueprints: Customize Your Alexa Experience

Want Alexa to tell your kids a personalized bedtime story or create a custom trivia game for family night? With Alexa Blueprints, you can create custom skills and responses without needing any coding knowledge.

Here’s how:

• Visit the Alexa Blueprints website.
• Choose a blueprint (e.g., story, quiz, houseguest guide).
• Customize the template with your own content.
• Save and use your new skill on any Alexa-enabled device.

Pro tip: Use the Houseguest blueprint to create a custom guide for guests staying at your place, detailing everything they need to know.

Advanced Features for the Tech-Savvy

6. Multi-Room Music: Sync Your Sound

Love listening to music throughout your house? With Multi-Room Music, you can play synchronized tunes across multiple Alexa devices. Perfect for parties or just moving from room to room without missing a beat.

To set this up:

• Open the Alexa app.
• Go to Devices > + > Set Up Multi-Room Music.
• Choose your speakers and follow the setup instructions.

7. Voice Profiles: Personalized Alexa Experience

Did you know Alexa can recognize different voices and personalize responses? By setting up Voice Profiles, Alexa can tailor responses based on who’s speaking. This means she can give you your specific calendar updates, play your preferred music, and even shop based on your voice.

To set up Voice Profiles:

• Open the Alexa app.
• Go to Settings > Your Profile & Family.
• Select “Add Your Voice” and follow the prompts to train Alexa.

8. Skills for Specific Needs: There’s a Skill for That

From meditation guides to recipe finders, Alexa’s Skills Store is packed with third-party skills that can enhance your Alexa experience. Advanced users know the key is to find and enable skills that match their specific needs.

To find and enable skills:

• Open the Alexa app.
• Tap on “More” > “Skills & Games.”
• Browse or search for skills and tap “Enable to use.”

Pro tip: Check out skills like MyFitnessPal for health tracking, or Any.do for task management to boost productivity.

Conclusion

Look, there’s no doubt about it: Alexa is a powerhouse. From automating daily routines to acting as a home security assistant, she’s got a lot more to offer than just playing music and setting timers. By diving into these advanced features, you’re not just getting more out of your Alexa device—you’re making your life smarter and more efficient.

So, why not take a few minutes today to explore these features and see how they can fit into your lifestyle? Trust me, once you start using these advanced capabilities, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.

Key Takeaways

• Alexa Routines can automate multiple tasks with a single command.
• Hunches allows Alexa to suggest or perform actions based on your habits.
• Alexa Guard turns your device into a security assistant.
• Drop In acts as an intercom system for easy communication.
• Alexa Blueprints let you create custom skills and responses.

Pros and Cons

Ready to unlock the full potential of your Alexa? Start exploring these advanced features today and transform your smart home experience. Don’t forget to share your favorite Alexa tips and tricks with us!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I create an Alexa Routine?

To create an Alexa Routine, open the Alexa app, go to Routines, tap the “+” icon, set your trigger, and add actions for Alexa to perform.

2. What is Alexa Guard?

Alexa Guard is a feature that allows your Alexa device to listen for specific sounds, like breaking glass or smoke alarms, and send you alerts if detected.

3. How can I enable Drop In?

To enable Drop In, open the Alexa app, go to Communication > Drop In, and select the devices you want to connect with.

4. What are Alexa Blueprints?

Alexa Blueprints are templates that allow you to create custom Alexa skills and responses without any coding knowledge.

5. Can Alexa recognize different voices?

Yes, by setting up Voice Profiles in the Alexa app, Alexa can recognize different voices and provide personalized responses.

Article written by Laura Bennett, Alexa Enthusiast and Tech Writer.