Amazon’s Alexa gets the ability to listen for multiple commands
I’m always happy when Amazon introduces new features for Alexa.
If you own an Amazon Echo, you were given the opportunity to opt into pretty regular emails that tout “What’s new with Alexa?”
Usually those weekly messages have one or two items I had not heard of yet, but recently Amazon introduced a feature that will change how I interact with Alexa every day.
Owning an Echo means interacting with Alexa by saying her name and then asking a question or issuing a command.
“Alexa, what’s the temperature?”
“Alexa, what’s the score of the Dallas Stars game?
“Alexa, play Twenty Questions.”
You have to say the wake word before every interaction with the Echo.
By default, the wake word is Alexa. If, by chance, you have a person named Alexa in your household, you’ll want to change the wake word to one of the other choices (Echo, Amazon or Computer).
The change involves a feature called Follow-Up Mode.
When you wake Alexa and ask a question or give a command, she will say, “OK,” and then keep listening for a few seconds for follow-up commands, which do not require the wake word.
“Alexa, add toothpaste to my shopping list ...” “OK.”
“... add peanut butter ... ““OK.”
“... add paper towels ... ““OK.”
All three items will instantly pop up on your shopping list. In fact, you can keep adding as many commands as you like, as long as you don’t hesitate for more than a few seconds between commands.
When you are finished, simply say, “Thank you,” and Alexa will say, “You’re welcome” or “No worries.”
You’ll need to enable Follow-Up Mode on each Echo device in your house. Go to the Alexa app on your phone and choose Settings from the menu in the upper left corner of the home screen.
Choose your Echo and then scroll down to Follow-Up Mode and touch the switch to enable it. You’ll need to enable each Echo in your house.
There is one other way to issue multiple commands on the Echo. A feature called Routines was introduced recently. There is a difference between a Routine and issuing multiple commands.
Routines are groupings of commands that can be triggered at a specific time or with a specific word or phrase.
For instance, I have a routine that turns off all the lights in our bedroom when I say, “Alexa, good night.”
Routines are limited to smart home commands and reading news, weather and traffic reports.
You’ll find Routines in the settings of the Alexa app.