I’ve had Amazon smart speakers for years, starting off with one of the little puck–shaped ones back in the 2010s. But I must admit, it took me an awfully long time to use it for much more than asking for the weather, a radio broadcast, or a bad joke.
In more recent years, especially since upgrading to the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen), working from home more, and becoming very familiar with some of the best smart home tech and the best smart lights, in particular, I don’t go a day without saying the magic word.
I’ve grown to really appreciate how helpful my Echo Dot can be in different scenarios and the time it saves me. Utilizing the features available helps me in some unexpected ways, from waking up in the morning to answering queries without disrupting my flow as I work, each thing making my day a little more efficient.
Below, I’ve listed my favorite features and the ways I use them to make my day a little easier. If you’re considering jumping on the bandwagon, I recommend checking out our pick of the best Amazon smart speakers for some inspiration.
1. Rise and shine
I sometimes have trouble waking up to my alarms in the morning, finding that I sleep straight through my usual phone alarms. I found I had the same problem with the alarm on my Echo Dot, too, until I happened upon a particularly helpful feature – turns out, there’s a setting that gradually increases the volume of the alarm over time.
This is a great feature for two reasons: firstly, it can prove a little gentler for light sleepers, as it starts quietly and slowly builds, so it’s less of a shock to the system. Secondly, and most crucially for me, the volume can be adjusted in the settings to get pretty loud, meaning it’s more likely to rouse me.
I’ve found it really helpful that my alarms can be set to trigger wake-up lighting with my smart lights, too, which is particularly nice in the darker winter months. I also have it set to recite the day’s weather after dismissing it, so I know what to expect and can plan my outfit accordingly.
2. Don't forget
I’ve found I get so much more done in a day when I have a timer on the go. I’m a naturally forgetful person, and chores like my washing rarely get done efficiently if I don’t set a timer to remind me.
I put a timer on every time I put a load in, so I get an audible reminder when it’s finished. And I happen to be in the middle of something, I simply ask Alexa to remind me in a set amount of time, to ensure I don’t forget about it.
Reminders are also fantastic for reminding me of birthdays, to make an appointment, or reply to correspondence within a deadline, which are things likely to get lost in the abyss if I don’t get prompted. So, while this is quite a simple tactic, it’s honestly been a game changer for my daily routines.
3. Staying in the groove
This tip may not prove helpful for everyone, but it’s been a big help to me whenever I’m working from home.
I often need to convert currencies and units of measure when writing articles, but opening a new tab and looking these things up can disrupt my flow. Instead, I’ve started asking Alexa for these conversions, so I can carry on typing and simply pop back and fill in the answer.
Utilizing my Echo Dot in this way has also made it quick and easy to check what time it is in different time zones, so I can ensure I’m messaging colleagues or contacts in other countries at the most efficient time.
4. Winding down
My Echo Dot is also an asset when the day is drawing to a close, and I want to settle down and relax. I like that I can ask Alexa to continue my latest audiobook, or to play something from my Spotify account as I get ready for bed, or when I’m settling down.
The routines on the Alexa app mean I don’t need to think about my lighting, as I can automate it to turn my smart lights on at set times, with a brightness level and color of my choosing, and can set them to power off at set times, too.
I don’t make much use of the latter, though, to be honest, as my bedtime is often sporadic. Instead, I tend to ask Alexa to turn off all the lights as I settle down into bed, ready to be awoken reliably in the morning, with gentle lighting and a weather forecast, helping me to get up and face the day.
