Thanks to the remarkable development of technology and, therefore, also of the services offered by the Internet, there are currently several virtual assistants designed to facilitate the processes for users, especially.
One of them is Amazon Alexa, which is basically a virtual assistant that is controlled by voice and is integrated into Amazon’s own devices. Which, emerged since 2014 through Amazon Echo devices; these being a series of smart speakers added in the purchase services of the renowned company.
In this sense, it should be noted that Amazon Alexa or simply Alexa, contains many features that are known as «Skills or skills» and from this post, we indicate the benefits they guarantee, such as can be installed and also which are the best .
Index:
What is Alexa and what is this voice assistant for?
As we indicated, Alexa is a virtual assistant that is voice controlled and is integrated into all Amazon Echo devices. This assistant, initially, was designed simply to help users in order to simplify the processes to request the search for a specific product , carry out the payment process within Amazon and until you compare prices and choose the best option.
However, today, Amazon Alexa serves for much more than that. Well, it is considered that this assistant has grown inordinately and because of that, he can now even answer questions outside the products sold in the company . Since, it has the ability to respond as is the state of the traffic from where you are and what the weather is like, for example.
In addition to this, Alexa also provides options such as setting timers, setting alarms, controlling surveillance systems and managing other smart devices. It even works perfectly to play audiobooks and manage music playlists , whether from Amazon Music or other companies such as Spotify or Apple Music. This, thanks to the partnership it has with other famous companies in the world.
What are Alexa’s “skills” and why is it good to install them? ? Benefits
By default, Alexa contains a series of default features that it offers to simplify certain actions for people who make use of this voice assistant. However, currently, there is the possibility of adding new capabilities . Which, are the famous “Alexa Skills” .
In this sense, we highlight that the Skills refer extra functionalities added by third parties to be installed in the assistant. Which means that, thanks to these Skills you can get more skills from him and thus, expand everything you manage with Alexa. Taking into account that, fortunately, the Skills market for Alexa is extensive .
For their part, the Skills have been notably promoted among the developer community, with the sole purpose of spreading their creation. Since, this ensures greater Alexa growth and the ability to provide more services . Therefore, many companies and businesses are responsible for creating and promoting these tools.
Thus, each Skill is usually suited to a specific business model . As, for example, if a clothing store designs a Skill for Alexa, of course it will focus on facilitating the purchase process through voice and also on highlighting offers. This being a great springboard to optimize Alexa voice assistant enrichment .
Main benefits
- The Skills can be used to install news sources, games and many more features ranging from kitchen applications, to weather, educational, home, environmental sounds, etc.
- If you install any Skill you want through your mobile, all the assistants of the devices assigned to your Amazon account, will be able to use these extra functions .
- You can create a connected home . That is, with certain voice commands, it will be possible to control the lighting, for example. You also have advantages when connecting the speaker to the TV, since, without using the remote control, it will allow you to increase or decrease the volume.
- If you have a business of any category, you can design a Skill that will simplify the purchase process to your customers and even more, help them select the best option, compare prices and offers, etc. With that, you will get more loyalty and more income.
- They allow you to improve the experience of consumers and attract them in a very different way. Whether creating voice-based experiences and also complementing them with visual and tactile.
Steps to install a skill on your Alexa device from zero easy and fast
Luckily, installing additional functionality on your Alexa device through the extensive Skills store it offers, is very simple and fast. But, before detailing the step by step to follow for this, it is important to highlight that you must download and install the «Amazon Alexa» application on your Android or iOS device, through Google Play Store and App Store .
Now, open the application and go to “Skills and games ”
After the above, you must access the Amazon Alexa App. If you do not have an Amazon account, you will have to create it from there and for this, you only need a name, email and password. In addition to complete the verification process .
Later, you can attach an Alexa device or just link your mobile, for which they will send you an SMS with a verification code. Then, proceed to open the side menu. In this menu, you have to click on the “Skills and games” selection that will direct you directly to the section from which you can install these extra tools and also manage the ones you already have (if so).
Search for the Skills you want to install.
Once you enter the indicated option, you will see three sections in which you can locate the functionalities you want or need. These sections are: «Discover» to see the most popular ones, «Categories» to access all the types of Skill that are handled and «My Skills» from where you can see which ones you have installed.
But well, in case you want to find an extra Alexa function directly in this store, you can use the search engine in the upper right and write there your specific name.
Activate the localized Skill
After browsing the app and finding the Skill you want to have, it’s time to proceed to install and activate it. Of course, once you’ve seen what it says in its description and the examples of voice commands you can use.
Then, to do this, you must click on the “Activate and Use” button located at the top of the profile. Depending on the tool, you are likely to be asked for certain permissions to access specific data and when you decide whether to enable or disable them, you just have to select the “Save Permissions” button to confirm.
Finally, look for new activated features
If you want to locate all the Skills and / or games that you have activated in the mobile application, you will simply have to enter the «My Skills» section at the top. As you will see, they tell you which ones are activated, there is also a section of «Blueprint» and even a button to continue discovering more and improving your experience with the voice assistant.
List of the best skills you can install in your Amazon voice assistant
Now, we have reached the most anticipated section by all our readers, surely. Since, it is very important to know what are the most optimal skills that can be installed in this voice assistant to have a better experience and undoubtedly simplify different activities that are carried out day after day .
So, we present 15 of the best extra Alexa features you can activate, below:
Oxford English
It was launched by the publisher of the renowned Oxford University. Thus, a Skill with which you can enrich your vocabulary and grammar, as well as improve your pronunciation, fluency and listening comprehension through narrative dialogues and everything, in just five minutes . Which is very practical to learn English because it is based on listening to conversations between native characters doing common activities.
Uber
It is another of the most valuable utilities, thanks to the fact that they allow you to request an Uber and your preferred type of trip with this company , very easily. Thus, it offers you the ease of sending the driver to your default pick-up location, you can request a trip from different Uber accounts, cancel it if you wish, etc.
Useful telephone numbers
In emergencies, this Skill is extremely useful. Since, it allows you to quickly check the phone numbers you need at a critical time . Whether Medical Emergency, Police, Civil Guard, Fire, Red Cross, General Directorate of Traffic and many others.
Burger King
You can also activate the Skill of this famous fast food sale, to order whatever you want when you want. In order to do so, you only have to link your Amazon account and keep your Burger King account updated. With that, just say “Alexa, open Burger King” or “I feel like a Whopper” to place your order. You can even track home .
Trivial Pursuit Family
This is one of the best in the store, which consists of the traditional Trivial and is fully adapted to your voice assistant. That is why, you can compete with the number of friends you want and if you are lucky, be the first to answer questions from one of the six categories that exist there . If you get lost at some point, just say “Alexa, help” or “Alexa, repeat”.
Direct to the Palate
With a completely free activation, you can make use of this Skill with which you will get recipes guided by your Alexa assistant and thus, you will cook delicious. Taking into account that you will find from starter dishes, to first and second courses, also passing through many desserts. Best of all, you can control the recipe by giving orders like “Alexa, repeat”, “Alexa, next step”, etc.
Akinator
If you are one of the users who like to get into their thoughts and try to guess what they think, this Skill is perfect for you. Well, it’s about an individual named Akinator who will be in charge of reading your mind and guessing what real or fictional character you are thinking , just by asking yourself a few questions.
7-minute training
Lovers of the exercise, can opt for this tool from Amazon with which will get the specific instructions of each exercise and you can activate and deactivate the music while doing them. Thus, it consists of 13 types of exercises that are 30 seconds long, to complete a total of 7 minutes of hard training and improve muscle fitness.
SensaCine News
If you want to get daily summaries regarding the world of cinema, this tool is ideal for this. Since, it offers you a direct access to the essential data of each day regarding the latest news of the movies of the moment , fashion series, upcoming releases, specialized film reviews, interviews with famous actors , coverage of important events like the Oscars, etc.
Deezer
Here you can find a variety of music and listen to your favorite songs or even enjoy streaming more than 53 million tracks of all genres . This, just by saying “Alexa, place music with Deezer”; that is, you will sound the bugles of your device without just moving a finger and it is best that it supports free activation.
Hue
Now, if you want to start building a smart home, with this Skill and Philips Hue devices you can do it easily. In this way, they will allow you to create scenes automatically in each room and even rename the one you want. Either to set different bulbs or to control them by saying “Alexa, turn on the bedroom”, “Alexa, turn on revitalize in the kitchen”, etc.
Cookpad
