True story: Last year, a friend’s toddler ordered 20 pounds of dog food and a karaoke machine using only their smart speaker. Mom had no idea till the Amazon boxes arrived. Voice commands and toddlers? Not a great combo.
Funny, yes, but a massive pain — and it’s more likely to happen around the holidays when you’re busy and ordering lots of gifts and last-minute supplies. I’ll show you how to stop that and get your smart speakers in tip-top shape for guests.
From here, you can also set up a code for voice purchasing if you prefer to keep it on but protected.
When you have guests and it looks like overindulgence in voice commands (and/or cocktails) could be a problem, tap the mute button on your smart speaker to stop any commands. It looks like a crossed-out speaker icon. For Amazon Echo displays, an accompanying switch turns off the camera, too … just in case.
There are things you don’t want voice assistants to look up when guests are around. Parental blocks prevent certain searches, no matter how naughty or rambunctious people get. It is eggnog season, after all.
In the Google Home app, open Digital Wellbeing and add filters to specific devices to block unwelcome content.
Smart speakers tell you the weather, play music, answer trivia questions, help you prank your spouse (more on that at the end), and they just might save your life one day, too.
Make sure you know these commands to get help in an emergency by heart. Be a pal and tell your friends and family members about them, too.
🌤️ Rise and shine: Have an Echo? Say, “Alexa, good morning.” Your speaker will provide a personalized briefing — weather, news and the day’s events on your calendar.
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A tragic shooting at Apalachee High in Winder, Georgia, left four dead and nine injured. It may have been worse without a new safety system — teachers used a digital panic button to save lives. Plus, Amazon Alexa loses billions, Taylor Swift surveillance, and FB censors opinions.
Alexa-ly what you need: The Echo Show 21 ($399) has a big 21-inch 1080p display, better sound than previous models and is Wi-Fi 6E ready. If you prefer a smaller model, there’s the upgraded Echo Show 15 ($299). Both include wall-mounting equipment. If you want a countertop stand, that’s an extra $100. Both make great gifts for any Echo lover.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Did you know “Alexa” wasn’t always Amazon’s smart assistant’s name? In its earliest development stages, it was called something altogether different. Was it … A.) Echofina, B.) Beza, C.) Laura or D.) Ivona?
🎄 “How long until …” Christmas, a vacation or a birthday? Just ask your smart assistant (Siri, Alexa or Google) to do the math for you. This is way easier than counting on your fingers.
Got kids? Amazon’s Echo Show 5 Kids (45% off right now) includes kid-focused Alexa services — think “Alexa, help me with my homework!” It also has parental controls, like time limits, language filters and activity reviews.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Not today, Amazon: Your Echo will hold onto your voice recordings for analysis unless you tell it not to. In your Alexa app, choose More > Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History. Here, you can delete recordings to your heart’s content.
Alexa, enough already: Set up commands that do more on your Amazon Echo. In the Alexa app, tap More (bottom right corner) > Routines. Tap the + (plus sign), then choose your trigger (time of day or command) and what happens. For “go to bed,” you could include shutting off the lights, starting your white noise and locking your smart doorknob. Sweet!
Talk to the hand: You can use Alexa without vocal controls or needing to touch the screen if you have an Echo Show. Open your Alexa app and tap More > Settings. Select Device Options and tap Gestures. Now, just lift your hand to stop a timer.
Buzz off: Your Amazon Echo will store your voice recordings for analysis — unless you tell it not to. From the app on your phone, choose More > Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History.
Alexa can update you on your favorite teams: In the Alexa app, open Settings > Sports Update. Add your teams (you’ll find all the major American sports), and then say, “Alexa, give me my sports update” for scores and schedule info.
🚨 Alexa wants you to vote a certain way: When asked why you should vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Amazon Alexa said, “I cannot provide content that promotes a specific political party or a specific candidate.” But for Kamala Harris, it returned a list of answers, including, “[S]he is a female of color with a comprehensive plan to address racial injustice and inequality throughout the country.” Amazon says it was a glitch and they’ve since fixed it. Makes you wonder where else Big Tech is spewing their employees’ opinions.
🗣️ Alexa’s makeover is going to cost you: This is interesting. Amazon’s in-house Alexa AI software struggled, sometimes taking seven seconds (a digital lifetime) to reply. Now, they’re using Anthropic’s Claude AI. Amazon invested $4 billion in Anthropic. A smarter Alexa is coming in October, costing $5 to $10 a month.
“Alexa, change your voice”: If you have multiple Amazon Echo speakers, Alexa will ask which one to change, and then she can preview some voices for you. The British accent makes Alexa feel fancy.
🍕 Pizza or sushi? Let your iPhone decide what to get for dinner — or anything else when you’re stuck in a stalemate. Just say, “Hey, Siri, flip a coin.” Works with Google Assistant and Alexa, too.
Morning news, your way: If you ask Alexa for the news, the default is an NPR briefing. You can change that. Open the Alexa app, then go to More > Settings > News. Options include ABC, Associated Press, Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, among others.
Amazon sold Echos below cost, hoping for more Alexa shopping. Spoiler: it didn’t work. Venmo transactions aren’t private, and how your ‘digital twin’ could save your life. Also, Phil from Indiana isn’t happy about his ex-wife FaceTiming their kids at his place.
“Alexa, Wikipedia [topic]”: If you’re the type of person who loves to settle arguments on the spot, try this. Ask Alexa to “Wikipedia” it, and she’ll read a preview of the full article aloud.
