Oh, Alexa. The digital assistant I never knew I always wanted. If you had told me ten years ago that I would be alone in my house asking a robot named Alexa for a weather update, I would have thought you were insane. But now here we are. The Jetsons I grew up on have managed to manifest their fantastical reality into our everyday lives. Self driving cars? Yeah, it’s a thing. Video calls? An absolute necessity. Tiny computers that fit in your pocket? Of course! But perhaps my favorite of all the futuristic technological gadgets are the cute little echo dots placed in nearly every room of my house. Personal robotic assistants? Yeah, I’m into that.
Here are six ways Alexa makes my life better.
Easy Access to Music for the Whole Family
We first got on the Alexa train about five years ago. I wanted a way to play songs and playlists from my Apple Music subscription throughout the house. I had speakers set up that I could plug my phone into, but that meant the phone was basically unusable for the time I was listening to music. How could I scroll Instagram, look up a favorite recipe, or Marco Polo my bestie while also listening to my tunes? Enter: the Echo Dot. Affordable and so easy to order online and set up quickly. Sure, they don’t have the greatest speakers, but that’s not a problem. Plug your own speakers right into the back! Now all I have to say is “Alexa, play my afternoon playlist.” Voila, the magic happens.
An echo dot is also a great way to give your kids access to their own music. With iPods now a thing of the past, and many kids not ready for their own smartphones, an echo dot is a great solution. Now my kids have access to an entire music library. They make their own playlists from my phone and then easily access them through their echo dot. Now everyone can go to their own room and play their own music. Imagine that! I don’t have to listen to hours of the Descendants soundtrack! Follow these simple tips for setting up parental controls on your kids’ devices.
A Communication Device
Remember the old intercom systems in houses from the 70s to 80s? When I was a kid I thought those things were so cool. I never had one and of course, it seemed super glamorous to have a home with such fancy technology. Now here I am using my Alexa for the very same thing. I can lay in bed and call with my phone to any one of my kids individually on their Echo Dot. I can also control their lamps, timers, and alarms all from the Alexa app on my phone. You can even make an announcement that rings on every device in the house by saying, “Alexa, make an announcement.”
Set Reminders and Timers
Let your Alexa really shine as your personal assistant by creating alarms and reminders. I no longer say “Feed the dog” because Alexa says it for me, twice a day, right on schedule. You could also set this up for any number of routines or chores around the house: get your shoes on, brush your teeth, clean your room, etc. Let Alexa do the nagging!
Timers are also great for cooking, reading, waiting for fingernails to dry, you name it. Even as motivation for kids to pick up their toys or focus on a project. Make it a game. For example, “See how many toys you can clean before the timer goes off… Alexa, set a timer for three minutes!”
Keep Track of The Ever Growing Shopping List
Anyone at any time can add to the grocery list with an Alexa. Notice the peanut butter is running a little low? Add it to the list immediately even while your hands are still sticky from making a sandwich. Used the last trash bag? Put it on the list. Access the list easily from your phone while shopping and check each item off as you buy!
Warning, once your kids realize that whatever they say will get added to your list, you may find some *interesting* items on your list, like “a million dollars” or my favorite, a “your butt.”
Set the Mood & Help with Bedtime
I also use Alexa to create lighting routines around the house. I have several smart light bulbs and when I say “Alexa, make it cozy” the lamps in my living room dim to 50%.” With a simple “Alexa, Good Night” as I’m headed to bed, all the lamps turn off. At night, my eight year old sets his bedside lamp to 50% and then sets a ten minute timer for reading. Then he’ll say “Alexa, play a sound bath” for soft relaxing mood music as he drifts to sleep!
Keep the Kids Entertained
Alexa can play silly songs and games with your kids too- the perfect solution to the ongoing chorus of “I’m bored.” For older kids, try 20 Questions, Animal Rescue, and even Jeopardy! Say, “Alexa Open the Magic Door ” for a fun interactive choose your own adventure.
Have toddlers and preschoolers? Wow, do I remember the exhaustion! The ideal “playtime” involved laying down for a moment while they had something to entertain them. Bonus if that something got them moving! Try Alexa’s games “Animal Workout” and “Freeze Dance.” She also has some pretty cute stories and songs. Say “Alexa, sing me a song” or “Tell me a story.” Want more? Here are a few sites with tons of Alexa activities for kids of all ages.
How do you use your personal robotic assistants to make life better? Give us all the ideas in the comments below!
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