If you’re reading this, chances are you’ll have at least one conversation with a digital assistant today. Whether it’s the Google Assistant, Siri, or Alexa, many of us have come to trust these voice-activated AIs to the point where they almost feel like part of the family. In Alexa’s case, that kinship is helped by the way Amazon chat and customization have created the voices behind its Echo smart speakers and displays.
Not only can you use your Echo to answer questions, control smart devices in your home, and master your media playback, but you can also combine all of these tasks and more. into Process. These programmable, multi-step actions can be created using a large number of variables in Amazon’s Alexa app. Today, we’ll focus on the final step of running a process: how Alexa responds to you.
Sure, you could let her give the standard “Ok” answer, but that’s boring. Why not create a response like the one I use for my Solar Spark Process instead? This hyperbolic-sounding command turns all the lights around my desk to full brightness when I need to do detailed work. But the best part is when Alexa says “Shade thin eyes!” every time i run it. Want to know how to perform some equally nerdy tricks? Continue reading.
How to change Alexa’s response to processes
- Materials needed: A smartphone with the Alexa app installed, any Echo smart speaker, or a smart display
Step 1: Open the Alexa app and create a new process or edit an existing one
Create a new process (by clicking + at the top right of the Processes page) or open one of your existing processes. In either case, you’ll need to tap the last of the three main options: More action. This section allows you to add smart home functions, briefings, communication actions, vehicle controls and more. Most importantly, it’s also the part where you can control how Alexa responds when you run the Process you’re editing.
Whether you’re creating a new process from scratch (top – left) or editing an existing one (top – right), you’ll need to tap the “Add action” button to get started Michael Garirffo
Step 2: Open Alexa said menu
In this section you will need to find the option named Alexa said. This controls what Amazon’s digital assistant will say each time you run this procedure, usually from whatever smart speaker or smart display you’re talking to.
“Alexa Says” is where digital assistant responses are displayed Michael Gariffo
Step 3: Choose your answer phrase
In this menu, you’ll be able to choose from a wide selection of pre-made responses that Alexa can give any time you activate the Process. These options range from simple options like “Good morning” or “Good night” to having Alexa tell you a joke or a fun fact to welcome you home at the end. a long day. There is also a section called “Phrases” (seen above) where you can find more specific event options for each of the aforementioned situations as well as for occasions like birthdays. Any of these are available to any Process you want to create or edit.
The menu includes a wide range of pre-programmed options and phrases Michael Gariffo
Step 3a (optional): Create your own answer
If none of the ready-made answers suit your needs, or if you just want to get creative or prank your family and friends, you may want to customize your own answer. To do this, just tap Custom on the Alexa Says screen and type what you want Alexa to say in response. Your answer can be any phrase up to 250 characters. If you’re wondering (let’s be honest, you’re wondering), you can’t make Alexa curses. Any profanity you use will be deleted. Aside from character limits and self-censorship, the only limit is your creativity.
This is where you can get really creative Michael Gariffo
Step 4: Confirm your chosen answer and save your Procedure
Once you have entered your selected answer and tap Next , you will see the Confirmation screen shown above. This will give you a final look at exactly what Alexa will say before adding the response to your Flow. If you want to change something about it, you can go back using the < sign at the top left of the screen. If you are satisfied with it, press Next (circled in red) to return to the main page of the Process you are editing. Once you’re there, just remember to press Save (at the top right of the screen) if you are creating a new process or tap < (if you are editing an existing process) before exiting the application. Doing this will save your new response to the Process.
Note: it sometimes takes up to a minute before any new Streams or Edited Routines will play correctly from your Echo smart display and speakers.
At the end of the process, you’ll see this “Confirm” screen telling you exactly what Alexa will say Michael Gariffo
Than: How to change Alexa’s voice
Frequently asked questions
Can I create a Process with no other action and still get a response?
Right. All you need to create a Process is the name, the triggering event (time of day, you ask a specific question, etc.), and at least one action, even if that action is just a response. verbally from Alexa. This is especially useful when you’re primarily concerned with Alexa saying something important, like in the situations covered in our next FAQ.
What are some good ways to use custom replies?
Many custom responses to Processes are just things to make Alexa feel a little more human. But there are plenty of more practical applications where custom feedback can be really useful or at least entertaining. Here are just a few:
Ask Alexa to re-read your Wi-Fi password – This can be useful if you have frequent visitors for a few days and they constantly follow you to remind them of the password. Just set up a process with your password as a custom response. Alexa can easily read back individual letters and numbers, but you’ll have to enter the names of special characters (e.g. exclamation points and ampersands). Of course, be careful with this one. Do not use it outside your home or when someone you do not trust has access to your network.
Surprise your kids or anyone else with personalized feedback – Children often love to chat with Alexa. We’ve all watched viral videos of young people marveling at the little cylinder that lights up and talks again. Imagine how shocked they would be if Alexa provided them with a truly personalized response. Simply ask them to ask your Echo device any questions you’ve set up to trigger the process, and have Alexa respond with a custom answer tailored just for them. You can even include their name. This works similarly if you want to prank your friend or loved one by setting it up for one of their existing, commonly used requests.
Provide a little basic technical support to an elderly loved one – Many of you reading this may be your parents or grandparents’ first call when the TV is showing static, or their smartphone suddenly stops ringing when a call comes in. If there is a particular question, you get asked over and over, making it a habit. Just let them know that they can ask Alexa next time and set up her answer with something like “Press the Input button on the remote and select HDMI 1” or “Check if the switch does the little box on the top left of your phone show an orange dot. If so, flip it the other way “Alexa won’t complain, no matter how many times they ask.
Can I ask Alexa to answer from another device?
In general, no. Any Alexa-enabled device to which you issue an activation query will be the one she responds to. However, here’s one way for her to broadcast her feedback through another device: use the Alexa app and manually trigger the process.
If you open the Your Processes section of the Alexa app, you’ll notice that each process has a blue, circular icon to the right of it. Tapping that on any Process that has feedback included will bring up a window asking what device you want to play the feedback from. You can tap any available device and Alexa’s pre-programmed response will play through it.
