How to Set Up an Amazon Echo Dot
One of the most valuable tools in a smart home
Amazon’s Echo series of smart speakers are some of the most popular options on the market, standing toe-to-toe with the Nest lineup of speakers. (Sorry, HomePod. You don’t count.) The Echo Dot is the most affordable entry-level option at just .
These devices areeasy to set upand user-friendly to operate. You can do a lot with an Amazon Echo Dot, including adding items to a shopping list,streaming your favorite music, and controlling your smart home.
How to Set Up an Amazon Echo Dot
One of the Alexa app’s great features is that it automatically picks up compatible devices and prompts you to add them. This feature works more seamlessly when it’s an Alexa-branded device.
If your Echo Dot is brand-new out of the box, it should enter setup mode shortly after you turn it on.
The Echo Dot used in this example is a second-gen model, but the process is similar for third-generation Echo Dots.
How to Make the Most of Your Alexa Device
After you set up your Echo Dot, you should learn how to utilize its features to take full advantage of all the smart assistant has to offer.
The Echo Dot is a great device to keep in your kitchen. As soon as you notice that you’re low on something, just say, “Hey Alexa, add milk to my shopping list.” You can access the list from within the Alexa app anywhere you are.
If you use the Echo Dot in your bedroom, it makes a great alarm clock.
These alarms are great tools for waking yourself up on time or keeping track of reminders. You can also set the alarm just by asking Alexa to create an alarm at a given time.
Alexa has more than100,000 different Skillsto perform almost any kind of task imaginable. Some are games, while others like Sleep Sounds can help you fall asleep faster. There are even medical Skills to help diagnose illness or connect with a doctor for treatment.
You can browse through the available Skills and choose the ones you want to add. Skills are broken into different categories to make searching more effortless.
You can set up specific Reminders that utilize Alexa’s features. For example, you can ask Alexa to remind you to start thawing out dinner when you get home. The skill uses your phone’s GPS and other functions to carry out the assigned task.
You can use Alexa to make phone calls to friends and family. Alexa does this through yourcontacts listwithin your phone. It’s easy to set up and a way to be hands-free.
You can call any Echo device within your own home, or you can call friends and family through the app. You can also ask Alexa to make a call by saying, “Hey Alexa, call _____.”
You can perform almost all Alexa tasks through voice commands as well as within the app. After you set up your Echo Dot, learn to utilize all of its features. This smart assistant is one of the most valuable tools in a smart home.
Patrick is an Atlanta-based technology writer with a background in programming and smart home technology. When he isn’t writing, nose to the grindstone, he can be found keeping up with the latest developments in the tech world and upping his coffee game.Read Patrick’s Full Bio
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