Alexa - tell me some top tips 21 January at 1:47PM in Techie Stuff 45 replies 5.9K views

Misslayed

We're very late to the Alexa party, but we needed to replace our music box so bought a Sonos smart speaker and an extra one. We normally listen to the radio or music downloaded onto an iPod. Any useful insights into what magic tricks Alexa can perform? We're getting to grips with it, although we did chose a day when Alexa wasn't playing for people all over the UK, so when she doesn't respond as we expect we don't know if it's us or her! Any useful phrases us Old Pharts may not have thought of?

MSE_James

"Alexa, will I need an umbrella today?"

Also useful for converting metric/imperial measurements and temperatures, and currency conversion etc 

flaneurs_lobster

"Alexa, set timer for 15 minutes" - useful for lateral flow tests

MSE_Laura_F

"Alexa, what's free from Audible?" to hear a list of free audiobooks you can stream.

MX5huggy

“Alexa will you marry me?” 😂

kimwp

flaneurs_lobster said:

"Alexa, set timer for 15 minutes" - useful for lateral flow tests

Second this. Also good for timing food in the oven and waking you up from a nap 😴

cx6

Alexa, if I am 30 now and plan to retire at 70, how much will you have cost me over that time? Please include financial cost and the cost of losing the ability to think for myself.

RumRat

cx6 said:

Alexa, if I am 30 now and plan to retire at 70, how much will you have cost me over that time? Please include financial cost and the cost of losing the ability to think for myself.

Ah, you are one of those that can make things happen just by thinking about them....They used to cure that with a burning at the stake...

OP.. Alexa, play the latest [artist name] [album/song]

Misslayed

cx6 said:

Alexa, if I am 30 now and plan to retire at 70, how much will you have cost me over that time? Please include financial cost and the cost of losing the ability to think for myself.

I'll get her to remind me how many days till I get my state pension! (Finally got the letter and applied on line. Very modern, me)

Le_Kirk

Combined with Smart plugs and programming a routine, I use my key phrase to tell her I am going to bed and she turns the lights off sequentially giving me just enough time to get upstairs.  On Friday when I go out, I have written another routine with a key phrase for Mrs Le_Kirk to use that turns off a couple of lights and leaves enough on for me to see when I come home.  I thought it would be good to use her for help with the general knowledge crossword at the week-end (only the answers to clues we cannot work out) but I am tired of hearing "I am sorry, I don't know that".

JJ_Egan

Alexa sends out email tips every couple of weeks .