Advanced Alexa
Published on May 25, 2018
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Advanced Alexa
Tips & Tricks
If you have had your Alexa for a while and are ready to learn about some advanced tips and tricks this is the session for you.
Photo by Andres Urena
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Alexa is now going mobile. Demo of battery operated Alexa. However, Ellen Geneses shows us some possible consequences.
Link to Video: https://youtu.be/fmlwnk3kgGo
Link to Video: https://youtu.be/fmlwnk3kgGo
Agenda
- Setting up music, playlists & books
- Customize flash briefs
- Security and Privacy issues
- Developing & using custom Alexa code
- Linking multiple Alexa devices
- Guard, Hunches and Care Hub
- Other tips
Customize Alexa
- Skills
- IFTTT recipes
- Creating you own Skills
- Creating a smart home with Routines and Scenes
Photo by Luigi Mengato
How does Alexa know
- Tracks your requests & purchases
- Web surfing - 30,000,000 sites partners with MS Bing
- Databases like Lexis Nexis, Web MD, Wikipedia, Yelp, Answer.com, & IMDb
- Wolfram Alpha
Photo by torkildr
Security & Privacy
A CBS News "Do smart devices put our privacy at risk? by Nick Thompson, CBS Tech editor
Music
- Pandora
- iHeart Radio
- Spotify (premium only)
- Tune-in not by artist or song
- Amazon Music - Prime & Unlimited
- Sirius XM
- Streaming radio stations
- Bluetooth
Photo by windy_sydney
Music Tricks
- Ask for a music genre
- Output into a stereo system
- Connect to Bluetooth speakers
- Setting bass, mid & treble
- Multi-room (area) music
- Create a stereo pair
Photo by Mikkel Bech
Echo = CD player
Bluetooth speaker(s)
"Alexa Pair"
Tip #3
Two or more is better than one
Multi-room Playback
- From Echo app select
- Device, then Groups & Create Groups
- Enter name of Group ie. Everywhere and add device to assigned group
- "Alexa play (x) music everywhere."
- Repeat for other room devices.
Photo by code of the new
Tip #2
- You can only assign one Alexa device to one Group unless signed up for Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan.
- Can't play through already linked bluetooth speakers.
Photo by Andrei Bocan
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Stereo Pair
- Getting stereo out of 2 Alexas
- Alexa app > Devices > (add) + > Set up audio system > Stereo Pair or
- Home Theater > fire TV
Health & Food
- How many calories?
- How many carbs?
- Nutritionix to track all food you eat
- Zen and Sleep Sounds, & Deep Breathing
- Recipes & Ingredient Substitutions
- Multi kitchen timers
Photo by RelaxingMusic
Flash Briefing
- News
- Weather
- Sports
- Traffic
- In App >More > Settings > Account Settings scan down to Flash Briefing
- Then add content sources
Photo by sampsyo
Detailed weather- Big Sky
Photo by freddyfehmarn
A communication device
- Make a call
- "Ask a buddy" for help
- Business Directory Call
- Security device
- "Where is my phone."
- Notifications
- Reminders
Photo by Quino Al
Smart Home
- Smart plugs & switches
- Lights
- Thermostats
- Security & smoke detectors
- Irrigation control
- Door Bell
- Bridges - Echo Plus, Show & commercial hubs ie. Hue, UPB, Zigbee, Ecobee, etc
- Etc, Etc
Photo by Naomi Hébert
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Connecting smart devices
- 1. Plug in and, if required, turn on the smart-home device. 2. Download & open the smart-home device manufacturer’s app. 3. Initiate the procedure for setting up a new device.
Photo by marcoderksen
Connecting
- 4. Open your mobile device’s Wi-Fi settings and look for the device’s name on your Wi-Fi network. 5. Tap the device name showing on your network to connect to it. 6. When the connection is complete, return to the device app for further instructions.
Look for a command named Add or Add [manufacturer] Device (where manufacturer is the name of the company), or just a big plus sign (+).
The setup routine will tell the device to broadcast its Wi-Fi network.
The setup routine will tell the device to broadcast its Wi-Fi network.
Photo by Marie-Michèle Bouchard
Routines
- A series of actions following a single command
- (App Menu) More> Routines > "+"
- Name - When this happens- Add action
A series of actions following a single command
Photo by Onasill ~ Bill - 80M Views
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Scenes Examples
- Turn on certain lights then set to blue & then 40% brightness
- Turn on TV select input or channel & turn on sound system
Photo by Gage Skidmore
Tip #6 You can only create scences in 3rd party app, but can add them to routines and groups
IFTTT.com
- Add or Create Skills not Alexa supported
- Custom ifttt Recipes
- Use existing ifttt recipes
Photo by Berto Garcia
IFTTT
- Call your phone
- Weather Report @ 7am
- Get notifications
- Post a tweet
- Etc. Etc.
- Go to http://ifttt.com
We will also explore how to use IFTTT commands to make telephone calls and control other apps and devices with your voice. If time permits, we will look at how to program your own Alexa skill.
Photo by markomni
IFTTT Skills
- ifttt.com/Amazon_Alexa
- click Connect
- Add your Alexa ID & PW
- click "Authorize the connection
Photo by Cytonn Photography
blueprints.amazon.com
Create your own skills
nails class demo
Alexa open nails class demo
Where are the restrooms?
How do I wash my dog?
Alexa open nails class demo
Where are the restrooms?
How do I wash my dog?
Photo by Brian. R.
Create your own skills
- Custom voice skills and Alexa responses.
- Without know how to code.
- Create own Alexa "stories"
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Untitled Slide
Trouble Shooting
- Wireless connection down
- Alexa doesn't understand
- Registration error
- Keep waking up
- Not communicating w/ others
Photo by Steve Corey
What is New?
- Hunches -Alexa asking
- Alexa Guard & Guard Plus
- New wake sounds ie. breaking glass, fire alarms, flowing water with mobile alerts.
- Alexa in the car & everywhere
Photo by Michael Dales
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Review
- Setting up music, playlists & books
- Customize flash briefs
- Security and Privacy issues
- Developing & using custom Alexa code
- Linking multiple Alexa devices
- Trouble Shooting
- Customizing
- What Coming
Your Alexa Tips?
Photo by stockcatalog
Questions
Photo by an untrained eye
Contact Info
- bob.leneway@wmich.edu
- Twitter: @rleneway
