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Amazon Echo is a smart speaker, which means it does more than play music. With Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa, Echo can tell you about the weather, create shopping lists, help you in the kitchen, control other smart products such as lights and televisions, and a lot more.
Is there a monthly fee for Alexa?
There is no monthly fee to operate Alexa on Amazon Alexa-enabled devices. There are subscription services that you can buy which have monthly fees, such as Amazon Prime Services. 8 of 9 found this helpful.
Is Alexa always listening?
The short answer is yes, Alexa is always listening to you. Or rather the microphone on your Alexa smart speaker is always active (by default, at least) and is constantly monitoring voices in your home in order to hear its wake word.
Is music free on Alexa?
With Alexa and Prime Music, it’s all at no extra cost and super easy. Find your music by asking Alexa to play a song using title, artist, lyric, playlist or station.
What is the difference between Alexa and Echo?
Alexa is specifically the name of the virtual assistant – the disembodied voice you talk to, ask questions, and bug with song requests. Amazon’s Echo is simply the name given to the physical products themselves, the speakers which house the AI Alexa. For more information see our list of Alexa compatible devices.
What are the dangers of having Alexa in your home?
Placing your Alexa device in certain areas of your house could risk your privacy or even damage your Echo. For example, did you know intruders can access your smart home device from outside if it’s placed too close to a window?4 days ago.
Can Alexa spy on you?
No, Alexa does not record all your conversations — just some of them. If you’re worried that Amazon Echo or Amazon Echo Dot is spying on you without your permission, it’s easy to tell when the device is listening.
Does Alexa have a camera?
With the inclusion of a built-in camera and a screen on Echo Show and Echo Spot devices, you can make video calls, take photos and videos, and more, while still maintaining your privacy. Let’s go over some of the things you can do with the camera on these Echo devices.
What do you need to use Alexa in your home?
Amazon says putting Alexa to work in your smart home’s easy. Here’s exactly what you need Smart Outlet. This is the simplest of the smart home accessories. Lighting. TV Streaming. Doorbell. Locks. Thermostat. Security cameras.
What do you need for Alexa to work?
Alexa requires an Internet connection, so make sure your Wi-Fi network is up and running.1. Install the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. An iPhone or iPad running iOS 9 or later. An Android phone or tablet running Android 5 or later. An Amazon Fire tablet running Fire OS 3 or later.
Do you need an Amazon account to use Echo?
You need an Amazon account to use Alexa, but you don’t need Amazon Prime. Sign in on the app. Here you can add any number of Alexa-supported devices to your account, from smart lights to smart plugs.
Can Alexa work without Internet connection?
Without WiFi, Alexa can’t connect to features and applications like Google, music streaming services, news feeds and radio stations. So, if you have invested in an Alexa compatible device, you will require a WiFi connection or steady hotspot to get the ultimate Alexa experience.
Which Alexa should I buy in 2020?
Our pick. Amazon Echo (4th Gen) The best basic Alexa speaker. Budget pick. Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) A good Alexa speaker (if sound quality isn’t as important) Upgrade pick. Sonos One. The best Alexa speaker for whole-house music. Also great. Ultimate Ears Megablast. Also great. Marshall Stanmore II Voice.
Which is the best Echo device?
Here are the best Echo devices you can buy: Best Echo overall: Echo (fourth-gen), $99 on Amazon. Best budget Echo speaker: Echo Dot (third-gen), $39.99 on Amazon. Best Echo with a big screen: Echo Show 10 (third-gen), $249.99 on Amazon. Best Echo with a small screen: Echo Show 5 (second-gen), $84.99 on Amazon.
How do I stop Alexa from listening?
Keep Amazon, Google and Apple employees from listening in In the Alexa app, go to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data. From here, select Choose How Long to Save Recordings > Don’t Save Recordings > Confirm. Next, scroll down to Help Improve Alexa, and switch the Use of Voice Recordings to off.
Does Alexa record everything?
Alexa does not actively record and store all your conversations, but it’s always listening for “Alexa,” the wake word. Once you say it, anything you say that follows is recorded and stored in the cloud. One of the reasons Alexa will record conversations is to learn more about you, the user.
Can Alexa be hacked?
Check Your Alexa Skills With the barrier to entry being so low, fake Alexa skills are quickly becoming the easiest way that hackers can access your Echo device. To avoid this, make sure to regularly check if you installed the correct and official applications on your device.
Will Alexa call 911?
To add and use an emergency contact in Alexa, do the following: Open the Alexa app for Android, iPhone, or iPad. Tap on the Communicate tab at the bottom of the screen. Note that you can’t add emergency services like 911, and anyone you select will receive a message informing them of your choice.
How can you tell if someone is listening on Alexa?
You’ll always be able to tell when Alexa is listening to your request because a light indicator will appear on your Echo device or an audible tone will sound. Think of the “On the Air” signs that light up in television studios during a broadcast.
How do you know if someone is dropping in on Alexa?
What does Alexa look like when you drop in? Similar to when you are connected to a call, the Alexa device will flash a green light when you receive a drop-in. The connection happens automatically if the device has been granted permission previously. The green light keeps blinking until the drop-in ends.
