Tips for using Alexa List
Five steps to set up your Alexa Device
Have your Wi-Fi password handy
Make sure you also have your log in information for any supported Music Streaming Services or Video Service Providers you want to listen to or watch with Alexa.
Plug in your Alexa Device
Plug in your Echo Show into an outlet. In about a minute, the display will turn on and Alexa will greet you.
Set up on-screen
Follow the on-screen setup instructions. During setup, you’ll connect to the Wi-Fi so you can access Amazon services.
Get started, just ask Alexa
Once setup is complete, say “Alexa” to wake your Alexa Device, then ask to watch a show, cook along to a recipe, make a video call, and more — or ask, “Alexa, what can you do?”
Access settings
Swipe down from the top of your screen to access Settings.
1. Set a reminder for a time and activity
‘Alexa, remind me to take the bins out tomorrow at 8am.’ You can also set recurring reminders: ‘remind me every Tuesday at 8am to take the bins out.’ Reminders can be more useful than alarms, since you can tell Alexa what they’re for: ‘Alexa, remind me in 20 minutes to add the sauce’ is more useful than ‘Alexa, set an alarm for 20 minutes’.
2. Build a shopping list
‘Alexa, add milk to my shopping list’.
You can also create new lists through the Alexa app, for example ‘Poundshop’ – then just ask: ‘Alexa, add clingfilm to my Poundshop list.’
You can even now add multiple items at once, and they will appear separately: ‘Alexa, add milk and cheese to my shopping list.’
3. Listen to the radio
‘Alexa, play BBC Radio 1’. Alexa can play dozens of radio stations by default and you can use Alexa Skills to add more.
4. Set a sleep alarm
If you like listening to music or other audio before bed, tell Alexa to set a sleep alarm. It will stop playing automatically so you don’t disturb yourself telling Alexa to ‘stop’.
Just say: ‘Alexa, set a sleep alarm for 20 minutes.’
5. What's the weather like?
Most people know you can ask this, but you can also check the weather tomorrow, for the following week or even for a different location.
Say ‘Alexa, what’s the weather like in Marseille next week?’.
6. Get help planning trips
‘Alexa, how long will it take to get the train to Bristol?’
If you’re wondering what to do at the weekend, get the lay of the land with some approximations from Alexa, without having to look it up.
7. Listen to audiobooks
With a subscription to an audiobook service, Alexa can be the perfect companion for an evening read.
For example, ask: ‘Alexa, read Treasure Island from Audible.’ Amazon’s service Audible has a 30-day free trial.
8. Turn your Alexa device into an intercom
If you have more than one Alexa at home, you can speak into one and have your voice played out through another in a different room.
Just say ‘Alexa, Drop In on [device name]’ or ‘Alexa, Drop In everywhere.’
You can also Drop In on devices outside your home owned by any Alexa contacts you’ve added in the Alexa app.
9. Link your calendar and email
Visit Settings in the Alexa app and choose Calendar & Email. Link these to Alexa and you can ask for updates on your schedule, and new emails.
10. Have Alexa remember information so you don’t have to
To avoid being forgetful, try Alexa’s Remember This feature to store important events such as birthdays. First, log a Birthday in Alexa’s memory bank by saying ‘Alexa, remember that [name]’s birthday is on [date]’.
Then, you can have that information played back to you when you ask ‘Alexa, when is [name]’s birthday?’ You can use it for all those easy-to-forget facts, like when the bins need taking out.
You can see what information you’ve added to Alexa’s Remember This in the Alexa mobile app.