you’re able to add tons of features to yourAmazon Echowith little apps Amazon calls Alexa Skills.
Most of them are garbage.
Weve sifted through the mess to find the best ones that are actually useful.
If youve never added a Skill to your Echo, its pretty easy.
Here, you could search for Skill names and enable them with your phone.
Alternatively, you could browse Alexas Skillson Amazons site here.
WeMo:Belkins Wemo product line includessmart gadgets like security cameras, but most of their devices are switches.
Alexas Skill can only control the latter group, but its still pretty handy.
Nest:If you have theNest thermostat, you might adjust the temperature without getting off the couch.
Ask Alexa to turn the temperature up or down, or set a specific temperature.
Logitech Harmony:Logitechssmart universal remotesarewildly popular for good reason.
With the Alexa Skill, you dont even need the remote.
Automatic:TheAutomatic car adapterlets youtrack a ton of useful information about your car.
While they both work pretty well, there are some key differences.
However, it doesnt let you enter a destination.
Lyfts Alexa Skill, on the other hand, is a little more robust.
Find Your Lost Phone With TrackR
Losing your phone is stressful enough to induce a panic attack.
First, you have toinstall the TrackR app on your phone.
The latter command is super useful if youre in your home and forgot where you set your phone down.
It will walk you through workouts like pushups, squats, or jumping jacks.
In between each exercise, Alexa will pause and wait for you to tell her youre ready.
The Skill will then give you a verbal description of the moves.
For beginners, its a handy way to learn some exercises and get motivated to work out every day.
you might ask My Chef questions like Whats expiring?
or What meat do I have?
to get an idea of what you should cook tonight.
It can also read off recipes step-by-step while youre cooking.
Of course, My Chef requires a lot of effort to be useful.
If you dont feel like meticulously keeping track of every item in your pantry, you could useAll Recipesinstead.
With this Skill you could ask things like What can I make with chicken and parmesan cheese?
to get matching recipes.
you might also ask Alexa to read reviews of recipes you find.
If you find something you like, you’re able to add it to your favorites.
Fortunately, IFTTT steps up to fill a lot of those gaps.
If you cant find what youre looking for with official Alexa Skills, IFTTT should be your next stop.
