THERE seems to be an endless array of voice commands folks can use with their Amazon Alexa.
But here’s three favourites to help with communication, security and concierge.
Two-way talking: ‘Hey Alexa, speak to Ring’
If you own an Amazon Echo Spot or an Amazon Echo Show you can now initiate two-way communication through your Echo to any Ring Video Doorbell or Security Camera.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Alexa app and tap the menu (☰) at the bottom right corner
- Tap Skills & Games
- Tap the Search icon (magnifying glass) at the top right corner
- Type Ring into the search field
- Tap Ring (first result)
- Tap Enable to Use
- On the next screen, sign in with your Ring login credentials to link your Ring account with your Amazon account
- Tap Enable Skill and Link Accounts, or Enable Skill if your Ring and Amazon accounts are already linked
- Once the Skill is enabled, tap Discover Devices
- Alexa will be enabled on all of your Ring devices. To disable Alexa from a particular device, tap the Devices, tap All Devices, tap the device you wish to disable and then scroll down to toggle Enabled to Disabled
To end any two-way conversations, simply say: ‘Alexa, stop.’
Security: ‘Hey Alexa, disarm Ring’
You can arm and disarm your Ring Alarm system using your voice with your Alexa-enabled device.
This can help keep your house secure – and stop the sirens blaring when you can see on your Ring camera that it’s friend or family member swinging by.
Alexa will ask for your four-digit voice code. Once correctly said, your Ring Alarm will disarm.
To set this up, follow these steps:
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- Open the Alexa app.
- Enable the Ring Alexa skill:
- Tap Skills & Games on the main menu.
- On the next screen, search for Ring in the search box. After you’ve found Ring, tap the Enable button.
- Next, Alexa will ask you to sign into your Ring account. Doing so will link your Ring account to your Alexa account.
- After signing in, Alexa will look for devices to connect. All of your Ring devices should appear and be connected to Alexa automatically. If you don’t want Alexa to integrate with a particular Ring device, simply tap “Forget.”
- If none of your Ring devices appear automatically, you can:
- Check if your device is already set up.
- Tap Try Discovery Again.
- Ask, “Alexa, discover my devices.”
- Choose the option to get help connecting or contact customer service.
- After discovery, your device should appear as “<location> Ring” in the Alexa app. Next, you’ll need to set a passcode to disarm your device:
- In the Alexa app, tap Devices then All Devices to view the list of your devices.
- Select the device that you want to arm and disarm using your voice.
- Under Settings toggle on “Disarm by Voice.”
- You will be prompted to setup a 4-digit passcode.
Concierge: ‘Hey Alexa, unlock Ring Intercom’
You get your Alexa device to talk to a Ring Intercom gadget if you set up a voice code.
To do so, follow these steps:
- Open the Alexa app and tap the Devices icon in the footer
- Tap All Devices at the top
- Tap Ring Intercom
- Tap Settings in the top right corner
- Tap Unlock by voice
- Create your voice code
- The Alexa app will ask for your Amazon account password that you use for your Alexa-enabled device
To unlock the building door using Alexa, say ‘Alexa, unlock [Ring Intercom Name].’
Alexa will then ask you for your voice code to complete the action.
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