Amazon Echo is powered by Amazon’s all-knowing voice assistant, Alexa. Investing in such an intelligent home device is one of the most useful ways to automate your residence, authorizing you to remotely control and operate web-connected devices with a smart speaker or brilliant display.
Amazon Echo devices let you fire off voice commands for music streaming, weather-checks, schedule changes, games, timers, reminders, and more.
How to Set up Amazon Echo
One of the most feature-rich innovative hub lineups on the market is Amazon’s Echo lineage. Composed of the definitive Echo speaker, Echo Dot, Echo Studio, and miscellaneous other display iterations, the Echo family is powered by Amazon’s all-knowing voice assistant, Alexa. If you’ve just bought your very first Echo product or would appreciate a reminder on some of the basics, we’ve put together this valuable manual to get your new Echo up and driving. So let’s plunge right in.
Download the Amazon Alexa app
The free Alexa app is a must-have if you’re the proprietor of an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot. Download the app on any smartphone or tablet operating iOS 11.0 or higher, Android 6.0 or higher, or Fire OS 5.3.3 or higher. Were you downloading the app on a computer? First, ensure you’re connected to Wi-Fi, then see the Amazon Alexa website.
Plug in the Echo
It is probably the most straightforward step in the procedure, as the Echo doesn’t need batteries. First, plug the enclosed power adapter directly into the Echo, then attach the plug to a power outlet. When the light ring turns blue, that means the power is connected. Then, please stay for it to turn orange, as this is a sign that Alexa is qualifying to greet you. After that, you’ll attend Alexa’s voice telling you the device is inclined to set up.
Connect the Echo to Wi-Fi via the app
Next, you’ll require to link your Echo device to your home Wi-Fi network. The latest renditions of the Echo should guide you via this process. However, if you get stuck, extend up the Alexa app and search through the available networks until you find yours. If you have numerous Echo devices, head to the Devices tab, then tap the icon for Echo & Alexa in the top carousel and assign your Alexa-enabled device. Under the Wireless heading, you should notice the state of the Wi-Fi network link.
Once you’re hooked, you have the opportunity of saving your Wi-Fi password to your Amazon account, which creates it straightforward to connect to smart home devices. You can also set up a new Alexa device on the same network should you choose to purchase more Echo speakers for other rooms. You also include the choice of connecting your Echo to a public network, although the password won’t be saved on Amazon.
During setup and when you use specific apps and features, Alexa will use your location to provide relevant local data, including weather, news, and time. For example, if you move or want to get information from another region, you can change your Echo device’s location at any time, right in the Alexa app. To do so, launch the app then tap Devices. Next, tap Echo & Alexa; tap the device you want to change. Next, tap Device Location, then tap Save. To test, go ahead and request Alexa what the weather is like. The assistant should answer with a local forecast for the speech you’ve documented.
Start Talking to Alexa
Say the wake term, “Alexa,” by default to get initiated. If there’s already someone called Alexa, Alexis, or similar in the house, you can adjust the wake word to something else. Describe the Echo, “Alexa, change the wake word.”
You can also change the wake word manually by opening up the Alexa app, tapping Help & Feedback, and evolving the Wake Word. Currently, you can change the Echo to respond to “Echo,” “Amazon,” “Computer,” or “Ziggy.” Now, Amazon allows you to choose between female and male-speaking representatives for Alexa.
Start using Echo
You can start using your Echo device for a range of tasks. You can make to-do lists, find out the weather, check on traffic conditions, call your friends, send text messages to your family, or stream podcasts with simple voice commands. You also have the option to expand your digital network by connecting smart home devices. Everything from color-changing lightbulbs to home security cameras can communicate with your Echo. Alexa has thousands of essential and not-so-essential skills you can add, too. Check out some of the most useful things that the Amazon Echo device can help you do.
Connect smart home devices or an external speaker (optional)
Open your Alexa app and navigate to your tablet or phone menu. Pick the Devices choice. We’ve discovered that Alexa generally permits an advertisement to appear at this point, but you can tap on it to close it. Next, select the + sign located at the top right corner of the app, then tap Add Device. After this, you can pick the device you’d like to join from the list. If you’re unable to find the correct one, you’ll want to click Other.
At this point, Alexa can connect with any smart devices that happen to be nearby. You can build more high-level Scenes where multiple devices interact simultaneously and can order accessories into Groups. We encourage you to look at our post on Routines for more details and helpful tricks and tips on how to set up these interactions. Additionally, the setup apps for many smart home products will have jump-to options for setting up your new device through the Alexa app.
Set up Groups for Alexa (optional)
Run into the Alexa app and click Devices to begin a new group. Then, thump the Plus icon and tap Add Group. From here, you can click Create a Room or Device Group. Next, choose the devices that get counted in each group. When you’re finished, tap Save. Finally, to attempt out your new group, give the room’s Echo speaker a simple on/off command for the myriad smart devices you’ve assigned to the room. If everything powers on/off correctly, your grouping was a success.
Set up music streaming with Alexa (optional)
One of the favored features of the Echo speaker is that you can engage the hub to stream for all of your favorite music and audio assistance. Launch the app, then tap More. Next, tap Settings > Music & Podcasts > Link New Service. Would you please choose the service you’d like to count and follow the in-app teachings for obtaining it merged with Alexa? From the Music & Podcasts screen, you’ll also be able to adjust the default music service. So, you can request Alexa to play a song or artist without assigning which music service you want to use to recreate the music.
