Alexa tips and tricks – 10 must-know Amazon Echo hacks for your new speaker

IF YOU just received an Amazon Echo this holiday season, then you need to try out these 10 hacks.

It didn’t take long for the Amazon Echo to become a household item after being released in 2014.

Getty – ContributorAmazon Echo has a number of features you probably didn’t know about[/caption]

Since then, features have only improved on the multifunctional device, which can not only order your pizza but do your online shopping for you, too.

Here are 10 other awesome hacks you absolutely need to know.

1. You can change Alexa’s name

Straight out of the box, your virtual assistant is called Alexa, but unlike other smart home assistants, Amazon gives you the option to change the activation name.

Most people are unaware of this name feature and just stick to calling their echo ‘Alexa,’ however, you can choose to say ‘Echo,’ ‘Amazon,’ or more depending on the version you have.

2. You can play music in every room

If you have multiple Echo devices in your home, you can easily sync them to play the same song/playlist.

You also have the option to just sync specific Echos in certain rooms, depending on your preference.

You can control all of these features on the Alexa app by clicking Settings > Multi-Room Music.

You can create as many groups as you want, but keep in mind that each device can only appear in one group.

3. You can create seperate profiles

You probably didn’t know that you can create separate profiles for the people in your household.

In doing so, you can switch between user profiles on Alexa so the device can access the appropriate music playlists, calendars, and shopping accounts.

It’s important to note that only the registered owner of the device can create new profiles.

If that’s you, you can do this by going to Settings in the Alexa app, clicking Household Profile, and entering your account password.

Once you’ve done that, the other members can log in using the same device to link the accounts.

4. You can protect your voice purchases

You can assign a PIN code for online shopping to make sure not just anyone can access your card info.

This feature will especially come in handy if you have kids, so they don’t say just “Alexa buy ten cases of Cheetos,” or something.

To do this simply open eh Alexa app, then hit Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing.

Once you’ve hit Voice Purcashing you add a pin to the Require Voice Code field.

5. You can change Alexa’s voice

You might have heard about this development that was launched at the end of 2019, but in case you didn’t, you can now change Alexa’s voice to sound like a famous celebrity.

Some of the celebrity voices include Melissa McCarthy, Shaquille O’Neal, Samuel L. Jackson, and Gordan Ramsay.

To do this go to Settings > Alexa Preferences > Voice Responses. 

Then tap on Celebrity Personalities and take your pick.

6. You can connect to external devices

Many people don’t realize that they can connect Alexa to other smart devices in their homes.

For example, if your use smart lights in your home that utilize Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, you can pair them with your Echo.

You can then use Echo’s voice control to control those items (i.e. turn your lights off, or turn the volume on your TV up).

To connect devices to your Echo, simply use the app’s settings to discover new items and pair them.

7. You can find your iPhone

If you’re, well just a normal person, then you’ve probably misplaced your phone in your home before.

Whether it got lost in between the couch cushions or ended up in the fridge (it happens), Alexa can help you locate your missing device.

Assuming you’ve confirmed your phone number in the Alexa app before it got lost, all you need to do is say, “Alexa, Find my phone,” and she will call your phone so you can follow the ringer to its destination.

8. You can create a routine

If you’re telling Alexa the same set of commands frequently (i.e. every morning you tell Alexa to “turn on the lights,” “turn on the TV,” and “read the news”), you can create a “morning” routine so she can run the commands automatically.

To do this, go to the app then hit Settings > Routines > and then the plus sign (“+”).

Click on “When this happens,” then “When you say something,” and type the trigger phrase.

You can say “Alexa, start my day” to set up your morning routine, as one example.

9. Ask Alexa how to spell a word, or about anything else

You might not realize this, but your Alexa is smart, after all, she is linked to the internet.

You can not only ask her how to spell things, or do things, or cook things, but you can also ask her for important dates and facts.

Simply say “Alexa,” and then follow up with your query (i.e. Alexa, when did the American Revolution happen?).

10. Ask Alexa to flip a coin

With credit cards and crypto being the “modern” way to pay for things, you probably don’t have much change lingering around.

You can avoid debates with your friends or fam by simply asking Alexa to flip a virtual coin and decide for you.

Just say, “Alexa heads or tails,” and you’ll get an unbiased judge.

Getty – ContributorAmazon Echo Dots were released in March 2016[/caption]

In other news, Samsung is reportedly killing off its beloved Note smartphone after more than a decade.

Apple has announced that it will let customers fix their own iPhones for the first time starting next year.

The UK is fighting an epidemic of hack attacks targeting consumers and businesses, according to officials.