Thanks to the notable development of technology and, therefore, also of the services offered by the Internet, there are currently various virtual assistants designed to facilitate the processes to the 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 arose 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 is necessary to note that Amazon Alexa or simply Alexa, contains many functionalities that are known as “Abilities or skills” and from this post, we indicate the benefits that 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. Said assistant, at first, was designed simply to help users with the purpose of simplifying the processes for them to request a search for a specific productcarry out the payment process within Amazon and even compare prices and choose the best option.
However, today, Amazon Alexa serves much more than that. Well, it is considered that this assistant has grown excessively and because of that, currently it can even answer questions unrelated to the products sold in the company. Since, it has the ability to respond to 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, currently, there is 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 abilities from it 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 widely promoted among the developer community, with the sole objective of spreading their creation. Since, this ensures a greater growth of Alexa and the ability to provide more services. Therefore, many companies and businesses are the ones that have been in charge of 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 highlighting offers. This being a great springboard for optimize the enrichment of 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, 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, can use these extra functions.
- You may create a connected home. In other words, 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 which, you will obtain greater loyalty and more income.
- You are allowed improve the consumer experience and attract them in a very different way. Whether it’s creating voice-based experiences and also complementing them with visual and tactile ones.
Steps to install a skill on your Alexa device from scratch 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 application Amazon Alexa on your Android or iOS device, through Google Play Store and the App Store.
Now, open the application and enter “Skills and games”
After the above, you will need to access the Amazon Alexa App. In case 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 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 features you want or need. These sections are: “Discover” to see the most popular, “Categories” to access all types of Skills 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 make use of the search engine that is in the upper right and write your specific name there.
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 have seen what it says in its description and the examples of the voice commands that you can use.
So, to do 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 they will ask you for certain permissions to access specific data and when you decide whether to enable or disable them, you just 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 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 for “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 on your Amazon voice assistant
Now, we have arrived at the most awaited section by 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, to simplify different activities that are carried out day after day.
So, we present 15 of the best Alexa extra features that you can activate, below:
English with Oxford
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 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 it allows you to request an Uber and your preferred type of trip with this company, very easily. Thus, it offers you the facility of sending the driver to your predetermined pickup 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. Whether it be 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 outlet, to ask for whatever you want whenever you want. To be able to do so, you only have to link your Amazon account and keep your Burger King account updated. With this, it is enough to say “Alexa, open Burger King” either “I fancy a Whopper” to place your order. you can even do home tracking.
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 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 Alexa assistant and thus, you will cook delicious. Taking into account that you will find everything from starter dishes to first and second courses, as well as a large number of desserts. Best of all, is that you can control the recipe by giving orders such as “Alexa, repeat”, “Alexa, next step”, etc.
Akinator
If you are one of the users who likes to enter their thoughts and try to guess what they think, this Skill is perfect for you. Well, it is about an individual called Akinator who will take care of read your mind and guess which real or fictional character you are thinking ofjust by asking a few questions.
7 minute workout
Exercise lovers can opt for this Amazon tool with which they will obtain the specific instructions of each exercise and you will be able to activate and deactivate the music while they are doing them. Thus, it consists of 13 types of exercises which are 30 seconds long, to complete a total of 7 minutes of strenuous training and improve muscular fitness.
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