Setting up an Alexa device

Alexa is a voice assistant that can tell you the time, date and weather, set timers and reminders, and control smart devices around your home. This guide walks you through pairing a new Echo speaker with the Alexa app on your phone or tablet, step by step, and introduces the first voice commands you’ll want to try.

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Setting up an Alexa Device using your mobile device

Amazon Alexa

Amazon’s Alexa is a virtual assistant that can help you in a number of different ways who is accessed using an Amazon Alexa device speaker. Alexa can help with simple things with the use of your voice like telling you the time, date or weather. Or something a little more complex like timers, alarms and reminders to complete tasks. It can even help control smart devices in the home, such as lighting or heating if you have compatible devices. This will instruct you on how to set up your Alexa device without the use of a smartphone or tablet.

Set up

1. Open Your Alexa app
2. On the bar at the top of the screen there is a + icon on the far right. Click the + icon.
3. A box will appear with Add at the top and a list of options below. Click Device.
4. A screen asking “ Which device would you like to set up?” will show a list of compatible types of devices. Choose Amazon Echo.
5. On the next screen, under the heading “Echo Smart Speakers” choose the Echo, Echo dot… option.
6. Make sure your new device is plugged in and is displaying an orange light. Alexa will greet you and ask you to go to the app to set up the device.
7. If you have the device plugged in. click the Yes button to proceed.
8. Your phone should find the device, click on the device name on the list.
9. Follow the on screen instructions to complete the set up.

Voice Commands

Once you have set up your device you can now use your voice commands to start using Alexa. You can use commands such as:

• “Alexa, what is the time?”
• “Alexa, what’s the weather today?”
• “Alexa, set a timer for 20 minutes”
• “Alexa, what’s the news today?”

You can also use the app on your mobile device to enable skills such as the RNIB talking books skill. You can do this in the Alexa app skills section on your computer by searching RNIB talking books skill. Then click either enable or launch. This will then take you to a login page for the RNIB reading services, enter your RNIB email and password. Once this is done you will be asked if it can be remembered, please select yes. Alexa will ask which device to play on, select the device and she will begin to talk to you. You will now be able to access RNIB talking books through any linked Alexa device.

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