Amazon Alexa: What is it and How Does it Work?
Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa are now increasingly present in our lives. In fact they help us in many daily activities. From making calls for us, planning our meetings to playing our favorite music, Alexa does it all. In this sector, Amazon’s Alexa is undoubtedly the most widespread and appreciated technology. In addition to the Amazon Echo smart speakers, it is compatible with many other devices. This factor makes it more efficient than Google Assistant for residential home automation and smart home.
What is Alexa?
Alexa is a virtual assistant, a system based on a rather complex artificial intelligence technology, through which it is possible to interact with software as if it were a real person. Its operation involves the use of an electronic device, such as a smart speaker, which through special microphones is able to pick up our voice every time we say the word “Alexa, …”. Then you can use preset commands to ask Alexa to perform some operations, such as turn on the lights or read us the recipe for the food we want to prepare.
All this is possible due to cloud computing. In fact, the voice assistant uses delocalized hardware and software to perform all the necessary IT operations, and then carry out the right activity based on our command. Obviously it is necessary to connect the device with Alexa integrated to the internet connection. In this way, the virtual assistant can intervene on all the devices connected to the home network. Through machine learning, Alexa can become more and more efficient, so the more you use the voice assistant, the better and more precise you become in recognizing commands and carrying out our requests.
What can Alexa do?
The things that Alexa can do are really many. In fact, the voice assistant has a series of preconfigured features through special voice apps called skills. Through these apps, you can increase Alexa’s abilities and allow her to do more and more operations in our place. Of course some skills are only available in English, however today you can find thousands of skills also in other languages.
In addition, you can ask Alexa directly what skills are present. For example by inquiring about the latest news, the most used applications or those designed for a particular function such as smart home management.
Anyway, among the things Alexa can do are: control smart appliances; set the temperature of the Wi-Fi thermostat; turn the lights on and off via smart sockets; program the robot vacuum cleaner; read the news of the day; search on the internet; manage Wi-Fi cameras; play audio and video content and obtain information on various services.
How Alexa works?
The operation of Alexa is quite simple, despite being an advanced technology. To take advantage of the services of Amazon’s voice assistant, just buy a compatible device, equipped with a hub with integrated Alexa, including a smart speaker from the Echo line. Then you just have to use the voice commands to ask Alexa to do some things, for example “Alexa, what will the weather be like in New York tomorrow” or “Alexa, turn on the coffee machine” .
Of course, the device on which Alexa has to intervene must be connected to the internet, and you must also check the compatibility of apps and devices with Amazon’s technology, possibly using special hubs to let the various devices communicate with each other. An interesting Alexa function is that of controlling the TV with your voice. In fact, you just need a compatible Smart TV or install Amazon Fire Stick TV. Then, through specific skills and smart remote controls, it is possible to use the voice assistant to manage the TV, to increase and decrease the volume, start playing content or change channels.
Amazon Alexa comparision with Siri
To understand each other better, we can compare Alexa to Siri, the speaking voice of iOS devices, but remember that both voices were made for different purposes. To be honest, Alexa is very similar to another very famous voice assistant: Google Assistant, but even here there are some differences that we will delve into below.
Fortunately, Alexa was designed to be used with both Android and iOS, which means that the App can be obtained on all mobile devices. The application must be downloaded if you want to make Alexa and the smart speaker work or to use Alexa directly on your smartphone. Once configured via application or via computer, in the absence of a mobile device, then you can start trying some functions. As we said, all you need is your voice, to be “heard” by Alexa just say her name aloud, let’s take an example: “Alexa, put Spotify”. With this very simple phrase, Alexa will open the application, previously downloaded to the device. Always using this formula you can ask to turn down the volume, turn it up and many other functions up to Google searches or to control home appliances.
How to set up Alexa?
To activate Alexa, you need to buy a device with the integrated virtual assistant, then you need to download the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet to configure. The application is available on the Google Play Store, App Store and Amazon AppStore, so it works with Android, iOS and Fire OS devices. At this point all that remains is to create an Amazon account, or use your login if already active, making all the desired settings according to your needs.
Through the Alexa app you can discover and activate the most useful skills, configure your Amazon Echo, create customized lists to facilitate some routine operations, or program connected devices to make your home smart. It is also possible to connect to all Amazon services, to listen to music through Prime Music and Music Unlimited, watch movies and TV series with Prime Video, or listen to books from Audible, while with the Alexa Drop in function you can use the compatible devices such as a microphone.
The best Amazon devices with Alexa
On the market you can find many devices to use Alexa, among which it is possible to distinguish the official Amazon devices and those of compatible third parties. Let’s see which are the best devices to take advantage of Amazon’s virtual assistant, to simplify the routines at home, in the car or at work and make everything easier.
Amazon Echo Flex
The smallest and cheapest device for Alexa is Amazon Echo Flex, a smart plug to be connected directly to the power outlet, to be used to control all connected appliances and smart home devices by voice, from the thermostat to the lights. Echo Flex can be installed anywhere in the home, or moved at will, has an AUX output, a 15 mm mini speaker and the Dual Band Wi-Fi module.
Amazon Echo Dot
The entry level smart speaker for Alexa is Amazon Echo Dot, now in its fourth generation and equipped with an integrated Wi-Fi module. It is offered either alone or bundled with the smart socket for home automation, it boasts a compact design to reduce clutter, clear sound and a privacy button to turn off the microphone. It is also made with recycled materials for environmental sustainability, has an AUX audio output and a 41 mm speaker.
Amazon Echo Auto
To use Alexa’s skills even in the car, just buy Amazon Echo Auto, the portable device to be installed in the car to use voice commands and reduce distractions while driving. Through the Alexa app to be downloaded to your smartphone, you can perform numerous operations, using Bluetooth or a cable connection via the AUX output, for example to start playing music, news or podcasts.
Amazon Echo Show 5
A device with an excellent quality-price ratio is the Amazon Echo Show 5, offered in black and white, a device with a 5.5-inch screen and 960 × 480 pixel resolution, a 43 mm speaker and a 1 MP camera. It is the smallest and cheapest smart speaker with multimedia display in the range, weighs only 410 grams and features the MediaTek MT 8163 processor.
Amazon Echo Show 8
A highly rated Alexa device is the Amazon Echo Show 8, a smart speaker with an integrated 8-inch HD screen, stereo audio, and wireless connectivity. Amazon Echo Show 8 is available in light gray or anthracite version. It allows you to make video calls via the Alexa app, is equipped with two 51 mm speakers and a 1 MP camera, with Dual Band Wi-Fi module and a weight of 1 kilogram.
Amazon Echo Studio
For maximum audio performance you need to purchase the Amazon Echo Studio, a large and powerful smart speaker with three 51mm speakers, a 25mm tweeter and a 133mm woofer. The device integrates Dolby Atmos audio technology, has an AUX output and a mini-optical, is equipped with a Zigbee hub for the smart home, is also compatible with many music apps such as Apple Music, Amazon Prime Music also in version HD, Deezer, Spotify and Tuneln.
What is Amazon Alexa for?
Without too many words, we can say with certainty that Alexa is a contribution to the improvement of our life. Thanks to it, it is possible to connect different devices in the house, such as household appliances and program them to switch on from another room without lifting a finger.
For example, there are many people who today have their own office within the home. Working from home can be an advantage but inevitably the head goes to the unresolved household chores.
Getting up does not require superhuman effort but is still a waste of time that could be avoided simply by ordering Alexa to turn on the dishwasher or radiators. It would be difficult to go into specifics to explain what Alexa is for, what we can say with certainty is that it serves to lighten our days, taking away some thoughts to leave us comfortable on the sofa reading our favorite book.
