Amazon's Alexa smart speaker, the most useful features

We are currently in the era of smart speakers. Maybe you rely on Apple's Siri intelligent voice or other built-in assistants in mobile phones to control some devices, but in the home environment, you have a mature AI assistant that can call for standby 24 hours a day - smart speaker products, is the kingly way.

　　Alexa is the name of the artificial intelligence voice assistant in Amazon's smart speakers.

　　When setting up your smart speaker, be careful not to overlook security, tap or click to see the basic privacy settings you must check, because some smart speakers have cameras and see what you're doing.

　　With that out of the way, here are some fun, useful, and smart new ways to use your smart speakers:

　　1. Use the Alexa speaker to make calls

　　You don't need to hold your mobile phone when making a call, but use the Alexa smart speaker as a hands-free device, and through the speaker, in addition to being used as a Bluetooth output, you can also make Internet calls directly.

　　2. Tell Alexa smart speakers to watch out for thieves

　　Alexa Guard is like a pair of ears that you can stay at home. Your Echo device will listen for sounds and  you when needed. When you leave the house, say "Alexa, I'm leaving." When you get home, say "Alexa, I'm back."
　　3. Use the Alexa smart speaker as a walkie-talkie at home

　　Remember those old-fashioned walkie-talkies in big houses? Think of this feature as a modern version. Just say, "Alexa, turn on all your devices." and do a house-wide intercom. You can also make a call to just one device, "Alexa, (device name) send what message."

　　4. Voice on demand for your favorite TV show or movie

　　With the Echo Show attached speaker, you can watch some shows directly with your voice, and you can also stream Netflix, Hulu, NBC, and other services.

　　5. Ask Alexa to share your photos

　　If you have an Echo smart speaker device with a screen, like the Echo Show, you can snap a photo and send it to another Echo user.

　　6. Tell Alexa to lock doors, including garage doors

　　A smart lock needs to be linked with the Alexa smart speaker, not only the door at home but also the garage door.

　　7. Ask Alexa to open your audiobook

　　You may be used to listening to audiobooks with headphones, but the Alexa smart speaker can also play and read your books.

　　8. Tell Alexa you need white noise to fall asleep

　　Husband snoring? Or you can't stop hearing every squeak and moan in your house. Search for "white noise" or "sleep sound" in the Alexa app, then enable your preferred sound, or say "Alexa, play sleep soundly" for a few options.

　　9. Ask Alexa to tell you the news from your favorite channels

　　You can ask Alexa to play the news, but what if you want a specific source? You can set it.

　　10. Lost your phone? Ask Alexa to find it

　　When you can't find your phone, you usually have someone else in the house call you, right? What if you're alone and don't have another phone? Alexa can help.

　　11. Change Alexa's voice or accent

　　If the default sound is getting old, mix it up.

　　12. Play over 5.000 games with Alexa

　　Think about the games you played as a child. Chances are it's an Alexa skill. Simply say, "Alexa, open (name of game).

　　13. Start customizing Alexa's daily schedule

　　14. Ask Alexa to make you laugh with jokes

　　15. Ask Alexa to help remember important events

　　If you don't want to pull out your phone, Alexa can help you remember specific dates and events.

　　"Alexa, remember..." Then say what you want her to know. For example, "Alexa, remember I had a doctor's appointment at 9 am on Wednesday" or "Alexa, remember I put my phone on my nightstand.

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