What we talk about in this article
With each passing year, Amazon Alexa keeps getting better and expanding towards a larger customer base. During the last quarter of 2020 Amazon launched new Alexa updates, most of which became available immediately and others during December and the beginning of 2021.
Some of them are features we’ve been expecting for some time, while others are new updates with the intention of adding the abilities of Alexa.
Amazon’s Alexa improved Hunches
Among many other Amazon Alexa updates, the upgraded Hunches for sure will be a lot more helpful.
Alexa, through the Hunches, already is capable of taking certain actions without a voice command or asking. The upgraded version will make it smarter at deciding which actions to take, for which to ask permission, and which not.
Turning off the lights or Smart Kitchen Appliances while you are away from home, or locking your smart door or window locks when you go to bed will become a standard action with these new Alexa updates. However, every user will have the ability to customize their Alexa Hunches based on what they need it to do.
Alexa Guard Plus
Another great feature from the Amazon Alexa updates is the Alexa Guard Plus.
It is a premium version of the Alexa Guard and, besides normal features of this security oriented skill, will add more helpful ones along with a dedicated Emergency Helpline.
These new abilities will include:
- Detecting activity sounds.
- It makes the sounds of a dog barking when detecting activity outside.
- Siren sound when activity is detected inside.
As for the dedicated Emergency Helpline, you can call it with just your voice by saying “Alexa, call for help”. It will enable you to speak with trained agents who can request the dispatch of emergency responders, based on the information you provide them.
Amazon Echo future updates
During December 2020, Amazon notified that it will add more features for its Amazon Echo line of devices.
These Amazon Echo updates will make them more helpful in the future for all of their users.
“Alexa, tell me when…” feature
This new Alexa feature will certainly make your Echo devices more useful in organizing your reminders and keeping track of your busy schedule.
You can ask Alexa to remind you of specific events for which you don’t know the date.
All you need to do is make the request through an Alexa enabled device:
- “Alexa, tell me when the Super Bowl is”
- “Alexa, tell me when it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day”
- “Alexa, tell me when John sends me an email”
Netflix available on Amazon Echo Show
Amazon Echo Show users now can have access to Netflix, and not only, just by using their voice. This new skill allows you to search, browse for new movies and TV shows, or continue streaming your favorite ones by just asking Alexa.
Some of the voice commands you can use are:
- “Alexa, show me action movies on Netflix” to find something to watch, or
- “Alexa, watch ‘ALICE IN BORDERLAND’ on Netflix.”
Deleting voice recordings Alexa has saved
Now, every user can delete all the voice recordings Alexa has saved with a voice command. You will not need to go to the Alexa app or the privacy Settings page anymore to do it.
All you need to say to any of your Echo devices is: “Alexa, delete everything I’ve said”. This action will delete all voice recordings associated with your account.
