Share:
A simple way to fix one of Alexa’s most annoying behaviors
Virtual assistants like Alexa are helpful gadgets to have around the house. They can help you with the weather, the traffic on the road, or daily reminders. Tap or click here for three great Alexa tricks. But while they do have volume controls, their responses can be rather loud.
And if you have multiple devices that answer in unison across your home, you run the risk of waking up family members when they are sleeping. That is never a good thing, but luckily there is a way to prevent grumpy outbursts of tiredness.
Amazon’s Alexa is packed with technology to make your life easier. And some settings and tweaks will benefit the entire house.
Here’s the backstory
TikTok user Alana Tsui recently explained that she figured out how to make Alexa whisper. So, instead of the assistant blaring a response to any request, the device will use her inside voice.
@jamaica_asthma This is a game changer for talking to Alexa at night if you don’t want to wake your partner or kids up… #alexa #alexatips #alexahacks #heyalexa
♬ original sound – Alana Tsui
Here’s how you can set answers to be whispered:
- Open the Amazon Alexa app.
- Tap the More icon in the bottom right.
- Select Settings.
- Under the Alexa Preferences section, tap Voice Responses.
- Slide the toggle next to Whisper Mode to the right to enable it.
Now when you whisper to Alexa, responses will be whispered back. That’s it. You’re ready to have Alexa answer you without causing a disturbance.
“Don’t want to wake up a sleeping partner or family member when you ask her for the weather in the morning or turn off the alarm? Whisper Mode allows you to whisper to Alexa, and she’ll whisper her response back to you,” Amazon notes in the Skill description.
More Alexa tricks
Whisper Mode is for quieter responses, but you can also change Alexa’s voice and wake word. Other than the default name, you can also call her “Ziggy,” Amazon,” “Echo,” or “Computer.
It is a relatively simple process when you are ready to change the wake word. All you need to do is say, “Alexa, change the wake word.” From there, Alexa will guide you through the rest of the process.
Here’s how to change Alexa’s voice in the app:
- Open the Amazon Alexa app.
- Tap the Devices tab at the bottom.
- Select the Echo & Alexa button in the top left.
- Choose the device you want to change Alexa’s voice on.
- Tap the Settings cog wheel button in the upper right.
- Scroll down to the option for Alexa’s Voice and select it.
- Choose Original (the feminine voice) or New (the masculine voice).
If you fancy a celebrity in your home, you can do that too. By saying, “Alexa, introduce me to Melissa,” you’ll be introduced to Melissa McCarthy. Or if you say, “Alexa, introduce me to Shaquille,” you’ll get to know about the former professional basketball player.
You can purchase the celebrity voices for $4.99 each if you like what you hear. Tap or click here for details on enabling celebrity voices.
Keeping things brief
Even if you have set Alexa to whisper, sometimes answers can be a bit long-winded. Getting straight to the point will make the message clearer and shave a few minutes off your interactions.
That is where Alexa’s Brief Mode comes in handy. You can select the option for more concise answers or just a short tone of acknowledgment through a couple of taps. Here’s how to set it up:
- Open the Alexa app.
- Tap More and select Settings.
- Under Alexa Preferences, tap Voice Responses.
- Slide the toggle next to Brief Mode to the right to enable it.
Keep reading
Have an Amazon Echo? 5 smart routines to use with Alexa
20 smart new Alexa commands for your Amazon Echo
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Tags: Amazon, Amazon Alexa, Amazon Echo, brief mode, celebrity voices, commands, computer, devices, family, gadgets, home, multiple devices, reminders, settings, technology, traffic, video, Virtual Assistants, wake word, weather, whisper mode
Share: