Alexa Skills: What are they and what are the best ones that I can install in my Amazon voice assistant?

Thanks to the notable development of technology and, therefore, also of the services offered by the Internet, there are currently multiple 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 to 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 “Abilities or skills” and from this post, we indicate the benefits they guarantee, how they can be installed and also which are the best.

What is Alexa and what is this voice assistant for?

As we indicated, Alexa is a virtual assistant that is controlled by voice and is integrated into all Amazon Echo devices. This wizard, initially, was designed simply to help users in order to simplify the processes for request the search for a specific productcarry out the payment process within Amazon and even compare prices and choose the best option.

However, today, Amazon Alexa is used for much more than that. Well, it is considered that this assistant has grown excessively and because of that, at present he can even answer questions unrelated to the products sold in the company. Since, it has the ability to respond as is the state of the traffic where you are and what the weather is like, for example.

In addition to this, Alexa also provides options like setting timers, setting alarms, controlling surveillance systems, and managing other smart devices. It even works perfectly for play audiobooks and manage music playlists, either from Amazon Music or from other companies like Spotify or Apple Music. This, thanks to the partnership it has with other famous companies in the world.

What are Alexa “skills” and why is it good to install them? Benefits

By default, Alexa contains a series of default functions that it offers to simplify certain actions for people who use this voice assistant. However, there is currently the possibility of add new capabilities. Which, are about the famous “Alexa Skills”.

In this sense, we highlight that the Skills refer to extra functionalities added by third parties to be installed in the assistant. Which means that, thanks to these Skills, you will be able to obtain 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 promoted notably among the developer community, with the sole objective of spreading their creation. Since, this ensures further growth of Alexa and the ability to provide more services. Therefore, many companies and businesses are the ones that have been responsible for creating and promoting these tools.

Thus, each skill is usually appropriate to a specific business model. Like, 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 for optimize the enrichment of the Alexa voice assistant.

Main benefits

• Skills can be used to install news feeds, games and many more features ranging from kitchen applications, to weather, educational, for the home, environmental sounds, etc.
• If you install any skill you want through your mobile, all attendees on devices assigned to your Amazon account, will be able to use these extra functions.
• You may create a connected home. That is to say that, 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, it will allow you to increase or decrease the volume.
• If you have a business of any category, you can design a Skill that Simplify the buying process for your customers and even more, help them select the best option, compare prices and offers, etc. With what, you will obtain greater loyalty and more income.
• You are allowed improve the consumer experience and attract them in a very different way. Whether creating experiences based on voice and also complementing them with visual and tactile ones.

Steps to install a skill on your Alexa device from scratch easily and quickly

Luckily, installing additional functionality on your Alexa device through the extensive store of Skills it offers is very simple and quick. But, before detailing the step by step to follow for this, it is important to highlight that you must download and install the application “Amazon Alexa” on your Android or iOS device, via Google Play Store and the App Store.

Now, open the app 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 require 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 selection “Skills and games” which 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).

Find the Skills you want to install

Once you enter the indicated option, you will see three sections in which you can locate the functionalities that you want or need. These sections are: “Discover” to see the most popular “Categories” to access all 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 directly find an extra Alexa function in this store, you can use the search engine located at the top right and write your specific name there.

Activate the localized skill

After browsing the app and finding the Skill you want to have, it is 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.

So, for this, you must click on the button “Activate and Use” located at the top of the profile. Depending on the tool it is, it is likely that you will be asked for certain permissions to access specific data and when you decide whether to enable or disable them, you only have to select the button “Save Permissions” to confirm.

Finally, look for the new features activated

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 section “My skills” which is at the top. As you will see, they indicate which ones are activated, there is also a section of “blue print” and even a button to continue discovering more and improve your experience with the voice assistant.

List of the best skills that you can install in your Amazon voice assistant

Now, we have reached the most anticipated section for all our readers, surely. Since it is very important to know what are the best skills that can be installed in this voice assistant to have a better experience and, without a doubt, simplify different activities that are carried out day after day.

Thus, we present 15 of the best extra features of Alexa that you can activate, below:

English with Oxford

It was launched by the publishing house of the renowned University of Oxford. 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 for learning 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 facility to send the driver to your predetermined pick-up location, you can request a trip from different Uber accounts, cancel it if you wish, etc.

telephone numbers of interest

In emergencies, this Skill is extremely useful. Since, it allows you to quickly consult the phone numbers you need at a critical moment. Be it the Medical Emergencies, the Police, the Civil Guard, the Fire Department, the Red Cross, the General Directorate of Traffic and many others.

Burger King

You can also activate the Skill of this famous fast food sale, to order what you want whenever you want. In order to do so, you just have to link your Amazon account and keep your Burger King account up to date. With that, just say “Alexa, open Burger King” either “I fancy a Whopper” to place your order. You can even track the 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 as many friends as 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 any 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 obtain recipes guided by your assistant Alexa and thus, you will cook delicious. Taking into account that you will find from entrees, to first and second courses, also going through a large number of desserts. Best of all, is that you can control the recipe giving orders like “Alexa, repeat”, “Alexa, next step”, etc.

akinator

If you are one of the users who like to enter their thoughts and try to guess what they think, this Skill is perfect for you. Well, it’s about a guy named Akinator who will take care of read your mind and guess what real or fictional character you are thinking ofJust by asking you a few questions.

7 minute workout

Lovers of exercise can opt for this Amazon tool with which you will get the specific instructions for each exercise and you can activate and deactivate the music while they do 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 muscular fitness.

News SensaCinema

If you want to get daily summaries regarding the world of cinema, this tool is ideal for it. Since, it offers you direct access to the essential data of each day As for the latest news of the movies of the momentfashion series, upcoming releases, specialized film reviews, interviews with famous actors, coverage of important events such as the Oscars, etc.

Deezer

Here you can find a wide 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, play music with Deezer”; that is to say, you will make the horns of your device sound without just moving a finger and the best thing is 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 easily do it. In this way, they will allow you automatically create scenes in each room and even rename the one you want. Whether it’s to set different light bulbs or to control them by saying “Alexa, turn on the bedroom”, “Alexa, turn on revitalize in the kitchen”, etc.

Cookpad

Another option to find countless home cooking recipes and the best thing is that it adds a search engine with which you can locate each dish by name or even, by ingredient. In this way, the voice assistant tells you the recipe step by step and through its ability to delay or advance the recipe, you can prepare everything you want your way and quickly.

Chill Out Radio

If what you need is to listen to calm music to set the mood in any space, this Alexa Skill is excellent for it. Since, it has a fairly extensive library to enjoy this style of music and relax where you want. Its activation is totally free.

Drinks or cocktails

This application is based on guiding you in the preparation of all your favorite cocktails. Which means that if you are attracted to the world of cocktails or want to be a professional bartender, this Skill will help you fully learn about it step by step; from extremely classic drinks, to the most modern and amazing.

Smile and Learn

For the little ones in the house there are also several alternatives and one of the best is this application that is an educational entertainment platform where you can locate a wide variety of children’s stories, made especially by educators. Also includes more than 15 videos and podcast with which children will live fantastic and fun adventures.

Alexa vs Chromecast, which one is better and how are they different?

Although, today, there are several smart speakers in the world; The truth is that Chromecast or Google Assistant and Alexa or Amazon Echo are two of the most famous and used.

However, at the time of obtaining one of them, users do not know which is the best on the market and for this reason, the need arises. make a brief comparison between the twoso that each person, depending on their requirements and preferences, chooses the most optimal for themselves.

Here are the most relevant differences in this regard:

Compatibility

In the case of the Amazon voice assistant, it has compatibility with more than 28,000 devices from around 4,500 different manufacturers. Including thus, all kinds of gadgets (plugs, switches, light bulbs, speakers, etc.).

On the other hand, the Google Assistant, despite being one of the main voice virtual assistants on the market, only has about 10,000 compatible devices or, that can be controlled using it.

This means that the latter has a smaller number of compatible devices, compared to Alexa. Therefore, it takes the lead in this regard.

The shares they offer

Thanks to the considerable number of Alexa Skills that are in the store today and the different types that they host, it can be said that the actions to be carried out with Alexa they are multiple, default. Instead, regarding Google’s actions, we state that they are much more limited for users.

Cross-platform condition

If we look at this aspect of Alexa, we basically limit that it only contains a control panel with which other devices can be managed. Nevertheless, Google Assistant is the most cross-platform assistant of allespecially because it has a native application that includes all its features for both Android and iOS.

Ability to respond to complex questions

Despite the fact that Alexa exhibits a lot of competence when it comes to answering certain questions and even to perform basic tasks in the home, the truth is that it is not considered the most intelligent voice assistant of all. Well, the Chromecast is much more advanced in it and even when you ask him complex questions, he will be able to understand them and thus, he guarantees you extensive assistance.