We all know her voice ... That perky, yet eerily calming voice that greets you when you wake up in the morning and asks how your day is going.
No, I'm not talking about your significant other --- I'm talking about Alexa.
We all know her as the helpful voice that lives inside our Amazon Echo devices, but did you know that Alexa can do a whole lot more than just play music and answer questions?
Just ask her this: "Alexa, what are your skills?"
That's right—with a little help from some third-party developers, Alexa can now also make your home life a whole lot easier.
The Amazon Echo's virtual assistant has become a staple in many homes across the country, and for good reason --- not only can she tell you the weather forecast and turn on your favorite songs at the touch of a button, but she can also help you be more productive around the house.
Here's how:
To-Do Lists
One of the best ways to stay on top of things around the house is to make sure you have a to-do list handy at all times.
- With Alexa, there's no need to worry about remembering to bring a pen and paper with you everywhere you go. Just ask her to add milk to your shopping list when you're running low, and she'll take care of the rest. You can even ask her to read off your entire list so you can be sure not to forget anything when you're at the store.
Calendar Management
Whether you're trying to remember what day garbage day is or coordinating a playdate for your toddler, having a central place where everyone in the family can view the calendar can be a lifesaver.
- With Alexa, adding events to your calendar is as easy as saying "Alexa, add 'Take out the trash' to my calendar for Tuesday." She can also help with scheduling by letting you know what's on tap for the week ahead. Just say "Alexa, what's on my calendar for today/tomorrow/this week?" and she'll give you a rundown of everything that's going on.
Hands-Free Help around the House
Let's face it: sometimes it feels like there are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done. That's where Alexa comes in.
- There are now dozens of different "skills" or hands-free apps that Alexa can use to help around the house, from ordering pizza delivery to turning off all the lights before bedtime. Check out some of our favorites here.
- Check the weather forecast.
- Set cooking timers.
- Add items to your shopping list.
- Find out traffic conditions for your commute.
- Check the latest news headlines.
- Play games with the family.
- Stream your favorite TV shows and movies.
- Check sports scores and standings.
- Get a workout in with some at-home fitness routines.
- Control smart home devices like lights and thermostats.
With Alexa by your side, household productivity is only a voice command away. By utilizing some of her many features, you can make sure that nothing falls through the cracks and that everyone in the family is on the same page (literally).
And this is just the tip of the iceberg; there are literally thousands of things that she can do to help simplify your life.
Our next article gives you some of the first few ways you can help Alexa help you untangle your life ...
You can start off by checking out Alexa Skills.
So ... if you've been thinking about getting an Echo device, now might be the time to pull the trigger — you won't regret it!
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