As smart home technology becomes more popular and common place, showrooms and interior designers can expect to hear more about Amazon’s Alexa from clients. This voice service has the ability to control Bluetooth LED light bulbs, but it can do more than that.
As you get more questions about Alexa from clients, you’ll want to be prepared. Here are the top eight little-known skills you can teach Alexa. Learn them so you can better educate your clients about their new software.
Send Easy Text Messages
You know your clients lead busy lives, and sometimes, it’s easier to dictate a message rather than type it out. By signing up with SMS with Molly, Alexa will send text messages for the user. Upload contacts and set their names to make it easier to fire off a short text without lifting your phone. This feature is best used for short messages, such as “I’ll be late.”
Check Airport Security Lines
Not every airport has long security lines like Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, but even at smaller airports, long lines do build up, creating problems for regular travelers who are used to short, quick lines. Don’t wonder about the wait time. Just say, “Alexa, ask airport security for the wait time at ORD.” She’ll check the TSA’s public API to get the most recent reported wait time.
Pair Wines with Foods
With MySomm, Alexa becomes a personal sommelier. Not sure what wine goes best with catfish or grilled cheese sandwiches? Just say, “Alexa, ask Wine Gal to recommend a wine for spaghetti,” and make your shopping list easier. This is a great feature to have when your hands are busy in the kitchen.
Check Nutritional Information
When clients are trying to watch what they’re eating, having the ability to look up nutritional information in an instant can be insanely helpful. By asking “Alexa, ask Nurti Lookup about how many calories are in bananas,” clients can make healthier decisions when it comes to their food.
Look Up Board Game Rules
No game of Monopoly has been played without someone questioning a rule. Rather than arguing, players can now settle any debates by simply asking Alexa. Just say, “Alexa, ask Board Games who goes first in Scrabble.” Even if the instruction manual is long gone, Alexa will always settle the score.
Convert Units
For any chef, having someone who will instantly convert milliliters to quarts saves time and energy. Alexa will rattle off easy conversions for you, no matter what you’re trying to convert.
Call a Lyft or Uber
Alexa really is more like the Alfred to your Batman. By simply saying, “Alexa, ask Uber to request a ride,” you can call a car and continue packing your bag or fixing your hair. It’s one last thing you’ll have to worry about as you prepare to walk out the door.
Easter Egg Skills
Alexa is full of surprises. Here are a few funny phrases you can say to or ask Alexa:
- “Alexa, tell me a joke.”
- “Alexa, beam me up.”
- “Alexa, what’s the first (second) rule of Fight Club?”
- “Alexa, surely you can’t be serious.”
- “Akexa, tell me a fact.”
- “Alexa, this is a dead parrot.”
- “Alexa, what is your cunning plan?”
As smart home technology increases and improves, Alexa will certainly take on more of a role in your clients’ homes. What questions about Alexa do you get most often? Share with us in the comments?
