By now, most households have an Echo Dot that started out with the first generation and is now up to the fourth generation. Some households have more than one. Even so, some people fail to use all the features the smart speakers offer. It’s time to take Alexa off unemployment and put her to work.
What is a Smart Speaker?
There are thousands of commands Alexa responds to. Unfortunately, owners use only a few of them. Alexa wants to assist you in every area of your life.
Evolution of the Echo Dot
Start Out With a Basic Smart Speaker
The Echo Dot (3rd generation) seems to be a popular model. Two years ago, the speaker was unveiled with a fabric covering that is shown in the photos on this page.
About the Echo Dot
This writer recommends the Echo Dot (3rd generation) because of its versatility, shape, and size. It can be mounted on a wall or put into small spaces such as on a desk, table, or nightstand because it is compact and looks like a hockey puck. It is beautifully designed with a fabric that comes in four colors: charcoal, gray, sandalwood, and plum. Teenage girls favor the plum color.
Let This Echo Dot Be Your First One
What the Echo Dot Can Do
The Echo Dot (3rd Generation) is reasonably priced. It has thousands of features. Most of them are not used. Let’s change that.
Music
Foreign Languages
Let Alexa help you with foreign languages. She is fluent in many of them.
Updates
Ask Alexa for the time and weather. Set an alarm for her to wake you up in the mornings or even when you take a nap during the day. You can set timers for other things. If you are in the mood for a joke, ask Alexa to tell you one. She can tell you a joke in your favorite comedian’s voice. For instance, say “Alexa, tell me a joke in Jimmy Fallon’s voice.” She will not disappoint. Fallon will give you a joke courtesy of Alexa.
Intercom
If you have two or more of the same smart speakers throughout your house, you can use them as an intercom. For the Echo speakers, the word to use is “Announce.” You can say, “Alexa, announce that dinner is ready.”
Comments
Margaret Minnicks (author) from Richmond, VA on December 26, 2020: Cheryl E Preston from Roanoke on December 26, 2020: I don’t have one. Louise Powles from Norfolk, England on December 26, 2020: Well, I do have an echo dot, but the speaker broke in it. I did, however, get an Echo Show and love it!
