Keeping Up with Alexa: Goodbye Alexa Guard, Hello PhotosPlus

Hello, smart home enthusiasts! Long time no see! Keeping up with Alexa’s ever-growing list of commands is like trying to catch a speeding train—challenging, to say the least. Each week, Amazon graciously bombards us with a plethora of commands. The problem is, combing through that haystack for the golden needles can feel like a full-time job. Old commands? New Commands? Duplicates? Yawn-worthy suggestions? They’re all in there,

That’s where “Keeping Up With Alexa” comes to your rescue. I dive deep into that labyrinthine list each week and emerge with the most intriguing commands you never knew you needed. Think of this newsletter as your curated guide to all things Alexa and smart home, minus the fluff and filler. Let’s make your smart home not just smart but genius-level smart.

Why You Need Keeping Up With Alexa

Ever feel overwhelmed by the barrage of Alexa commands that Amazon sends your way? You’re not alone. The idea behind this newsletter is to simplify your life. My mission? To arm you with Alexa commands and smart home updates that are useful and interesting. No more wading through an ocean of repetitive or humdrum commands. I do the hard work, so you don’t have to.

In each issue of “Keeping Up With Alexa,” I’ll cover:

Handpicked Alexa Commands: These aren’t just any commands but curated gems that can elevate your daily routines or entertain you in new ways.
Latest Smart Home News: From software updates to new device launches, it’ll be in here if it’s worth knowing.

So, if you want to go from Alexa novice to Alexa ninja or keep your finger on the pulse of the smart home universe, this is the newsletter for you. And here’s the last newsletter.

Alexa Commands to Elevate Your Smart Life

Let’s dive into the crux of the matter: the Alexa commands that will add value to your life or provide some solid entertainment. After sifting through Amazon’s weekly deluge of commands for the last month, I’ve handpicked the following gems:

“Alexa, let’s chat”: Want a smarter conversation with Alexa? Use this command to sign up for a more intuitive version. Easily the most exciting update this round!
“Alexa, play local news”: Why scour the internet when Alexa can bring local news straight to you? Stay informed effortlessly.
“Alexa, move my music here”: Relocating within your home? Your music can follow you, no strings—or wires—attached.
“Alexa, tell me a Star Trek joke”: For those moments when you need your humor to boldly go where no joke has gone before. This is just one of many Star Trek Commands.
“Alexa, snooze”: Because mornings are hard, and sometimes you need five more minutes. Get more out of Alexa as an Alarm Clock.
“Alexa, tell me a tongue-twister”: Unleash your inner linguist. Or get tongue-tied for fun.
“Alexa, drop in on kitchen”: A virtual peek into your kitchen. Is dinner ready yet?
“Alexa, sing a song about cats”: Cat lovers, rejoice! Alexa’s got a tune just for you.
“Alexa, give me a football burn”: Engage in some friendly sports banter. Your fantasy football league won’t know what hit them.
“Alexa, play Thursday Night Football”: Why fumble with remotes when Alexa can kick off the game for you?
“Alexa, follow the Dallas Cowboys”: Keep up with America’s Team. No jersey is required.
“Alexa, play Queen Radio on Amp”: Turn your home into a rock concert. Earplugs are not included.
“Alexa, what are my privacy settings?”: Take a moment to review your privacy controls. A smart home is a safe home.
“Alexa, speak English and Spanish”: ¿Hablas español? Alexa does, too. Navigate your smart home bilingually.

There you have it—commands that are neither redundant nor mundane. Each has unique flair and utility, ready to enrich your smart home experience.

Fresh Off the Press: Alexa & Smart Home News

Alexa Guard and Alexa Emergency Assist

If you used Alexa Guard, I have some bad news for you. Say goodbye to Alexa Guard and hello to Alexa Emergency Assist. Alexa Guard will be phased out in the coming months, creating a new subscription service that enhances your safety features. Forget manually setting Away mode; Alexa Emergency Assist will automatically alert you about smoke and CO alarms 24/7. It even lets you preset emergency contacts and critical information for first responders.

Alexa Gets Smarter

Mentioned above as well. Alexa is evolving with a new AI-powered upgrade, bringing a more conversational and intuitive experience. Just say, “Alexa, let’s chat,” and you’ll notice the difference. Going bigger, this is how Alexa will get better as new AI systems like ChatGPT are becoming commonplace.

Accessibility and Translation Features

Two standout additions include Eye Gaze Mode for customers with speech or mobility disabilities and real-time Call Translation in over ten languages.

Game Start Routines & Email Management

Customize Routines that kick in when your favorite team’s game starts. Plus, manage your family calendar effortlessly by emailing event details to Alexa.

*This feature may not be fully enabled yet! I’m not able to get this one working myself. If you figure it out, let me know in the comments below.

Echo Show 8 as a Digital Photo Frame

Want to turn your Echo Show 8 into a digital photo frame? Now, you can, but let’s talk dollars and cents. The Echo Show 8 Photos Edition comes with a subscription service called PhotosPlus, making your photos the primary content on your screen. Available later this fall, the PhotosPlus subscription renews at $1.99 a month after the first six months. So, turning your Echo Show into a photo frame is entirely possible—just be ready to foot the bill.

Echo Hub: Your Smart Home Control Panel

Introducing Echo Hub, a wall-mountable smart home control panel that supports over 140,000 smart devices. This one is high on my list to check out. Having a Smart Home Hub to bring everything together sounds nice.

Fire TV Stick Upgrades

Meet the Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) and Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen), offering faster speeds and better streaming.

Ring Stick Up Cam Pro

Upgrade your home security with this new Ring camera featuring 3D Motion Detection and Bird’s Eye View.

*I earn a small percentage back by clicking the links throughout this page to purchase from Amazon. Thanks for your support!

Sources for More Information

For a deeper dive into these updates, feel free to check out the following sources:

And that wraps up our latest updates. There’s something for everyone, from enhanced safety features to new gadgets for your little ones. Watch for these new releases and upgrades to make your smart home even smarter.

Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept

Alright, folks, this is the part where you come in. We’ve been through a roller coaster of Alexa commands and smart home news. Now it’s your turn to take these commands and Alexa news updates for a spin.

Try out the new Alexa commands, especially the ones that tickle your fancy. Want to make Alexa your new BFF, or need a Star Trek joke to impress your Trekkie friends? Go for it!

Check out the latest features and devices, and let me know how they’re revolutionizing—or not—your smart home experience. Your feedback is the stuff of smart home legend, and I want to hear it.

Want More Alexa Intel?

For more Alexa tips and to dig through our trove of past wisdom, visit the Alexa Archives.

So, get out there, make your home smarter, and remember to share your thoughts. Until next time!