Alexa, Amazon’s popular virtual assistant, is one of the most advanced and affordable smart home devices available on the market. If you want an Alexa-enabled device, you may wonder about the cost and what you get for your money.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the price, including which device is the best, what services require a monthly fee, and how to set up and use the device in your home.
What is Alexa?
It is a virtual assistant developed by Amazon that can perform various tasks, from setting reminders and playing music to controlling your smart home devices. It is available on various devices, including the Echo smart speaker, Echo Dot, and Echo Show.
What can Alexa do for free?
One of the best things about this device is that many of its features are available for free.
You can use it to play music, set reminders, and control your smart home devices without paying a monthly fee. You can also use it to check the weather, get news updates, and set timers and alarms.
What do you need for Alexa to work?
You’ll need an Alexa-enabled device, such as an Echo smart speaker or Echo Dot, to use this service.
You’ll also need a Wi-Fi connection and a smartphone or tablet to set up and control your device. Once you’ve set up your device, you can use it to control your smart home devices, play music, and perform various other tasks.
Which Device is the best?
Sound quality
When it comes to choosing an Alexa-enabled device, sound quality is an important consideration. Thanks to its powerful speakers and deep bass, the Echo smart speaker is one of the best options for music lovers.
The Echo Dot is a more affordable option, but its sound quality is not as good as the Echo. The Echo Show is another option, with a built-in screen for video calling and watching videos.
Alexa services that require a monthly fee
While many of Alexa’s features are available for free, some services require a monthly fee. Amazon offers various services, like Amazon Music Unlimited with over 50 million songs, and Amazon Prime, which includes Prime Video and more.
To make voice and video calls with Alexa, sign up for Amazon’s Alexa Calling and Messaging service.
Is there a monthly fee for Alexa?
While some services require a monthly fee, there is no monthly fee for using Alexa itself. Once you’ve purchased an Alexa-enabled device, you can use many of its features for free, including controlling your smart home devices, playing music, and setting reminders.
Alexa Guard and Home Automation
Meet the Alexa Guard.
The Guard is a feature that allows the detective to listen for sounds that could indicate a break-in, such as glass breaking or a smoke detector going off.
If the device detects a potential break-in, it can send you a notification on your phone and play a sound to deter intruders. To use the Guard, you’ll need an Alexa-enabled device, such as an Echo smart speaker, and you’ll need to set up the feature in the Alexa app.
Home automation
One of the best things about this device is its ability to control your smart home devices.
With Alexa, you can turn on your lights, adjust your thermostat, and even lock your doors, all with voice commands.
To set up home automation, you’ll need to have compatible smart home devices, such as a smart thermostat or smart lock, and you’ll need to connect them to your Alexa-enabled device.
Voice and video calling
Downloading the app on your smartphone
You’ll need to download the app to your smartphone or tablet to use voice and video calling. The app is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, you must sign in with your Amazon account and set up your device.
Amazon Prime subscription
If you want to use Alexa to make voice and video calls, you must sign up for Amazon’s Calling and Messaging service.
To use this service, you’ll also need an Amazon Prime subscription, which includes access to Prime Video and other benefits.
Video calling
One of the best things about the device is its ability to make video calls. With the Echo Show, you can make video calls to other Echo Show devices or to the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. You must have an Echo Show device and a Wi-Fi connection to use video calling with Alexa.
Conclusion
Alexa is an affordable and versatile virtual assistant that can make your life easier in various ways. Alexa offers various features for smart home control, music playback, video calls, and staying connected.
Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can start using Alexa in your home today.