Amazon Alexa赋予您的声音一些超能力。它是市场上第一个数字助理，直到智能助理之战随着Google Home的到来而开始。现在，它可以在数百种小型设备中找到，从播放音乐的微型扬声器到自动化智能家居(automated smart homes)。
让我们学习如何使用支持 Alexa 的设备设置Amazon Alexa应用程序。(Amazon Alexa)
在您的手机上安装 Alexa 应用程序
Amazon Alexa是一项云服务，但如果您想将其与任何设备配对，则必须下载免费的Alexa应用程序。(Alexa)
您可以在任何运行Android或 iOS 的智能手机上下载该应用程序。当然，您也可以在Fire OS上使用(Fire OS)Alexa应用程序。
安装很简单：
- 在您的移动设备上打开Google Play 商店(Google Play store)或Apple App Store 。
- 搜索亚马逊 Alexa 应用程序。
- 点击安装(Install)。
您还可以在任何兼容的网络浏览器上访问 Alexa 。(access Alexa)使用您的亚马逊(Amazon)帐户登录。(Sign)
即使 Windows 有Cortana，您也可以使用Alexa通过语音在亚马逊(Amazon)上购物。Alexa可从Microsoft Store免费下载。虽然(Though)，使用Alexa可能没有那么有用，因为Cortana是(Cortana)Windows设备 的首选助手。
Amazon Echo和Echo Dot等智能扬声器是您将看到的最常见的支持 Alexa 的设备之一。(Alexa-enabled devices)实际上，有八种类型的Echo设备。Alexa设置对所有人来说都是相似的。让我们看看如何使用Echo Dot设置(Echo Dot)Amazon Alexa ，以展示它是多么容易。
将 Echo 连接到电源插座
- Echo使用交流电源供电。使用随附的电源适配器 将Echo Dot连接到最近的电源插座。
扬声器周围的光环(light ring around the speaker)将亮起蓝色和绿松石色。瞬间，灯光会变成橙色，并且会响起悦耳柔和的声音：
“您好，您的设备已准备好进行设置。只需下载 Alexa 应用程序并按照说明进行操作。” (“Hello, your device is ready for set up. Just download the Alexa app and follow the instructions.” )
回声(Echo)点将保持橙色阴影以表示设置模式。它将保持此颜色，直到配置完成。
将Echo连接到Wi-Fi 网络(Wi-Fi Network)
- (Sign)使用您的Amazon凭据(Amazon)登录您的Alexa应用程序，并为该应用程序提供所需的所有权限。
注意：(Note:)设置屏幕可能与您拥有的设备版本略有不同。例如，Echo 第二代(Echo Second Generation)和第三代(Third Generation)。但差异很小。
- 转到右下角的更多菜单图标。(More)单击(Click)添加(Add a Device)设备。
- 从设置(Setup)屏幕中选择设备类型。在此示例中，它是一个Amazon Echo Dot。亚马逊(Amazon)拥有一系列Echo设备，因此请务必点击您拥有的设备。
- Alexa检查您的设备是否已打开并显示橙色灯。点击是(Yes)继续下一步，包括选择您的首选语言和打开手机的蓝牙(Bluetooth)。
- 该应用程序通过蓝牙(Bluetooth)连接到智能设备。这可能需要一些时间，因此请将它们彼此保持在 10 英尺以内。
- 完成蓝牙(Bluetooth)配对后，Alexa应用程序将提示您转到手机的设置(Settings)并连接到地址格式为“ Amazon-XXX ”的临时Amazon Wi-Fi网络。
选择此 Wi-Fi 网络会将您的手机从主 Wi-Fi 网络切换，并将其直接连接到Amazon Echo。
- 连接后，Alexa将再次提示您将Echo切换到您的主要Wi-Fi网络。从Wi-Fi网络列表中选择您的网络。输入您的Wi-Fi密码，Echo现在已链接到您自己的Wi-Fi。
注意：(Note:)这个特殊的网络是临时的。亚马逊(Amazon)创建它以使设备成为接入点并与Alexa应用程序交换设置信息。设置完成后接入点消失，然后橙色灯熄灭。
改变唤醒词
(Alexa)当您使用默认唤醒词“ Alexa ”时， (Alexa)Alexa会亮起准备听到您的命令。
您可以将唤醒词更改为其他内容。如果房子里有其他同名的人，这可能是必要的。只需(Just)问Echo，“Alexa，更改唤醒词。”
它告诉您转到设备(Devices)并选择您的特定设备。转到设备设置(Device Settings)并向下滚动到唤醒词(Wake Word)。点击它并从以下有限选项中选择一个唤醒词：Alexa、Amazon、Echo和Computer。你仍然不能给它任何你选择的名字。
启用 Alexa 技能
Alexa Skills就像微型自动机器人，当您对着设备说话时，它会按照您的意愿行事。您可以选择数千种 Alexa 技能(thousands of Alexa Skills you can choose from)。
在亚马逊的Alexa Skills 页面上(Alexa Skills page on Amazon)探索它们，并在Alexa应用程序上发现它们。您可以从任一来源启用它们。
以下是如何从应用程序启用技能。
在Amazon Alexa应用程序上，您会看到三个最受欢迎的推荐技能(Recommended Skills)的简短列表。该屏幕还建议您可以尝试一些其他技能。
- 如果您想按类别深入了解它们，请单击“浏览技能(Browse Skills)”按钮，例如商业(Business)和金融(Finance)、教育(Education)和参考(Reference)、食品(Food)和饮料(Drink)以及游戏(Games)和琐事(Trivia)等。或者，使用搜索图标查找技能。
- 发现(Discover)选项卡就是它所说的，对于查找编辑器精选和隐藏的宝石很有用。
- 一旦你启用了一些Alexa 技能，你可以在(Alexa Skills)你的技能(Your Skills)下找到它们。
找到要使用的技能后，点击启动(Launch)按钮。您还可以点击该技能的专用详细信息页面，并阅读有关使用技能的不同方式的更多信息。单击(Click)此页面中的启用以使用(Enable to Use)。
您也可以只说“ Alexa，打开 [技能名称]”。如果您想了解更多有关技能的信息，可以说“[技能名称] 帮助”。
您可以连接默认的Amazon技能，例如“ Pay With Alexa”或“ Amazon Prime Music”。请注意，某些技能可能需要订阅和登录技能(Skill)提供者。例如，Spotify。
一旦您对单一用途的Alexa技能感到满意，请考虑创建更强大的 Alexa 例程(more powerful Alexa routines)。Alexa Routines允许您使用单个命令控制多个设备。
锻炼你的 Alexa 技能
Alexa懂会话英语(English)（以及其他语言）。智能扬声器可以做的不仅仅是播放流媒体音乐(play streaming music)。选择正确的命令，您就可以自动执行一些日常任务。
如果您有Echo扬声器，请练习这些Amazon Echo 技能(Amazon Echo Skills)，看看它们是否有助于节省几分钟。
哪(Which)一项是你不能没有的Alexa技能？(Alexa)在评论中告诉我们。(Tell)
How To Set Up Amazon Alexa
Amazon Alexa gives yоur voice a few superpowеrs. It was the first digital assistant in the market until the battle of the smart assistants stаrted with the arrival of Google Home. Now it can be found in hundreds of small devices from tiny speakers that play music to automated smart homes.
Let’s learn how to set up the Amazon Alexa app with Alexa-enabled equipment.
Install The Alexa App On Your Phone
Amazon Alexa is a cloud service, but you must download the free Alexa app if you want to pair it with any device.
You can download the app on any smartphone that runs Android or iOS. You can also use the Alexa app on the Fire OS, of course.
The installation is straightforward:
- Open Google Play store or the Apple App Store on your mobile device.
- Search for the Amazon Alexa app.
- Click on Install.
You can also access Alexa on any compatible web browser. Sign in with your Amazon account.
Even though Windows has Cortana, you can use Alexa to shop on Amazon with your voice. Alexa is available as a free download from the Microsoft Store. Though, using Alexa might not be that useful as Cortana is the assistant of choice for Windows devices.
Smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot are one of the most common Alexa-enabled devices you will see around. In fact, there are eight types of Echo devices. The Alexa setup is similar for all. Let’s look at how to set up Amazon Alexa with an Echo Dot to show how easy it is.
Connect The Echo To a Power Outlet
- The Echo uses AC mains for power. Connect the Echo Dot to the nearest power outlet with the supplied power adapter.
The light ring around the speaker will light up with blue and a shade of turquoise. In an instant, the light will turn orange and a nice soft voice will greet you with:
“Hello, your device is ready for set up. Just download the Alexa app and follow the instructions.”
The Echo dot will stay a shade of orange to signal the setup mode. It will stay in this color till the configuration is complete.
Connect The Echo To The Wi-Fi Network
- Sign into your Alexa app with your Amazon credentials and give the app all the permissions it needs.
Note: The setup screens can differ slightly from the versions of the device you own. For instance, the Echo Second Generation and the Third Generation. But the differences are minor.
- Go to the More menu icon on the bottom right. Click on Add a Device.
- Select the type of device from the Setup Screen. In this example, it is an Amazon Echo Dot. Amazon has a range of Echo devices, so make sure to tap on the one you own.
- Alexa checks if your device is on and displaying the orange light. Hit Yes to continue with the next steps that involve choosing your preferred language and turning on your phone’s Bluetooth.
- The app connects to the smart device via Bluetooth. It can take a bit of time so keep them within 10 feet of each other.
- Once, the Bluetooth pairing is achieved, the Alexa app will prompt you to go to the phone’s Settings and connect to an ad-hoc Amazon Wi-Fi network with an address format that reads “Amazon-XXX”.
Selecting this Wi-Fi network switches your phone from your main Wi-Fi network and connects it directly to the Amazon Echo.
- Once connected, Alexa will prompt you again to switch over the Echo to your main Wi-Fi network. Select your network from the Wi-Fi networks list. Enter your Wi-Fi password and Echo is now linked to your own Wi-Fi.
Note: This special network is temporary. Amazon creates it to make the device the access point and exchange setup info with the Alexa app. The access point disappears as soon as setup is complete, and then the orange light turns off.
Change The Wake Word
Alexa lights up ready to hear your commands when you use the default wake-up word, “Alexa.”
You can change the wake word to something else. This might be necessary if there’s someone else in the house with the same name. Just ask the Echo, “Alexa, change the wake word.”
It tells you to go to Devices and select your specific device. Go to Device Settings and scroll down to Wake Word. Tap on it and choose a wake word from these limited options: Alexa, Amazon, Echo, and Computer. You still cannot give it any name of your choosing.
Enable Alexa Skills
Alexa Skills are like tiny automated bots that do your bidding when you speak to the device. There are thousands of Alexa Skills you can choose from.
Explore them on the Alexa Skills page on Amazon and also discover them on the Alexa app. You can enable them from either source.
Here’s how you can enable the skills from the app.
On the Amazon Alexa app, you see a short list of three most popular Recommended Skills. The screen also suggests a few more skills you can try.
- Click on the Browse Skills button if you want to drill into them by categories, such as Business & Finance, Education & Reference, Food & Drink and Games & Trivia etc. Alternatively, use the search icon to find a skill.
- The Discover tab is just what it says and is useful to find Editor picks and hidden gems.
- Once you have enabled a few Alexa Skills, you can find them all listed under Your Skills.
Once you’ve found a skill you want to use, hit the Launch buttons. You can also tap on the skill for its dedicated detail page and read more about the different ways to use a skill. Click on Enable to Use from this page.
You can also just say “Alexa, open [skill name]”. If you want to know more about a skill, you can say, “[skill name] help”.
You can connect the default Amazon skills like “Pay With Alexa” or “Amazon Prime Music”. Do note that some skills may need a subscription and a log-in with the Skill provider. For instance, Spotify.
Once you get comfortable with single purpose Alexa skills, look into creating more powerful Alexa routines. Alexa Routines allow you to control multiple devices with a single command.
Work On Your Alexa Skills
Alexa understands conversational English (and other languages too). A smart speaker can do a lot more than play streaming music. Pick the right commands and you can automate some of your everyday tasks.
If you have an Echo speaker, practice these Amazon Echo Skills and see if they help to save a few minutes.
Which is an Alexa skill that you cannot do without? Tell us in the comments.
