Echo Tips

In this episode learn about how to pull from various podcast databases, on your Amazon Echo. Learn how to play a previous episode or even by episode number. Or if you don't know what to listen too, learn how to search for podcasts by a given category or genre. 

Voice Pad is a powerful but simple tool that allows you to dictate a note or message and then have it sent to your email. Easy-peasy. 

This week we take a look at the Samuel L. Jackson Trivia game and the Quiz of the Day Skill. 

In this episode we geek-out on the new Star Trek Trivia game.

In this episode you'll learn about Photo Frame mode, a feature originally unique to the Echo Show 15, but now available on all modern Echo Shows. This feature allows you photos to be viewed in all their glory minus the time and annoying news blurbs covering them up.  Link to Website Mentioned in Podcast: About Amazon Blog Website with Alexa Updates

I've used this feature since the beginning. But only recently learned you could invoke it via voice.

Learn how I use People Detection, Routines, and Smart Plugs to make a apartment seem dwelled in, even when I'm not around.

In this episode we highlight the Dot to Dot podcast which is passing 2,000 episodes this week. It is a powerful resource for learning about Alexa Skills.

In this episode we compare the Echo Show to the Google Nest Hub. We'll highlight two features that differentiate the Nest Hub from the Echo Show. We'll try to revisit this topic, since there's a lot more to say.

In this episode you'll learn about live captioning of a video call that can be placed on your Amazon Echo Show. Additionally, you can change the font, font size, font color, and background to aid easier viewing.

In this week's episode we review the Braille Bot and Braille Dots Skills. One serves as a reference tool and the other is a game to help with learning various Braille symbols.

In this week's episode we cover additional educational skills on the Amazon Echo. These might be good for pre-schoolers, kindergartens, and more.

In this episode we look at three Skills that might be useful for your little ones. Aiding them with letters, numbers, counting, and more.

In this episode we review a number of sleep sound skills available on the Alexa Store. I even have a recommendation in here for my dear Uncle Todd. Enjoy!

In an effort to help a client who wanted to see folks on her big screen TV, we came up with this solution for Zoom Meetings.

In this episode we go back to episode 56, a super popular episode about Old Time Radio.

Trying to listen to an old episode of a podcast? Learn how you can tell your Echo to play a specific episode.

In the April Alex Blog Roundup, Amazon discussed this new feature. Which allows a Ring Video Doorbell and soon a Google Nest Camera to send an alert to your Amazon Echo when a person or package is detected. Follow along as we discuss the step-by-step guide at bit.ly/frontdooralexa

Want to dip your toes into home automation? Learn how your Echo can detect people in the room or when its empty; an respond accordingly. In today's episode we demo an Echo Show 10 using its camera for occupancy detection but hopefully we'll give the Echo Dot a try in the future. And see how the ultrasonic detection works in comparison. 

Battling Allergies? Learn how your Amazon Echo can reveal the pollen count for the day in your area! We will also look at how you can learn about the current air quality in your area.

Learn how you can get your reminders sent to your phone via a text message! Great for folks who don't have a smartphone.

Want to save a buck or two? Learn how your Amazon Echo can give you notice that an item in your wish list or cart is about to go on sale. [Revision: An Edit was added to this episode on 4/13/2022 at 9:45am EST, highlighting that this feature is advertised as a Amazon Prime feature.]

Trying to diet? Learn how your Amazon Echo can help you with food facts, so you know what you're eating!

Learn how you can join Zoom Meetings on a modern Amazon Echo Show.

In this episode we discuss the new "Notify When Nearby" accessibility feature. Ever missed a notification on your Amazon Echo; can't see the yellow ring spinning to indicate you've missed something. If so, this feature is for you and really anyone who doesn't want to miss their important notifications.