Everything you need to know before buying Alexa

Are you thinking of making your home smarter? Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa has become the solution for thousands of consumers who like to have technology in their daily lives.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is used in the creation of the marketplace giant and It was one of the innovations that revolutionized the global market. You may want to play your favorite music, control smart devices, or even shop online with a simple voice command.

So if you’re considering buying an Alexa, it’s important to know all its features and how it can integrate into your daily life. Read on to make the right choice!

Why do you have an Alexa?

Having an Alexa at home offers a number of benefits that can transform the way you interact with your home and perform daily tasks. The most prominent ones are:

Simplicity in use

Voice interaction and intuitive navigation make it easy to access various device features with Alexa. to be virtual assistant accessible to people of all ages – with or without disabilities – regardless of whether or not they are familiar with technological devices.

Compatibility with different routines

Alexa adapts to different routines, allowing you to personalize and automate daily tasks. For example, it’s possible to create routines that are triggered by a specific phrase, such as “Alexa, start my day,” to turn on certain devices in the home and start a music playlist.

The ability to create and share these routines with friends and family further increases the convenience and personalization of having an agile virtual assistant like Alexa; Even more so if this is your first.

Efficient Artificial Intelligence

Alexa’s AI is agile and responsive; adapt to your voice, vocabulary and personal preferencesas well as providing fast and effective responses to user commands.

This agility makes interaction with the virtual assistant one of the best on the market. However, it’s worth noting that Alexa may have some limitations when searching online due to its default search engine using Microsoft Bing, which is a less comprehensive source of information than Google.

Connection to devices

Device integration is another big advantage. Alexa provides effortless, centralized control of a variety of smart home devices.

Home automation can be done via voice command or through the Alexa app on your smartphone. This makes it easy to manage your smart home even when you’re not around!

Constant updates

Amazon continues to improve Alexa with regular security updates until at least four years after the last launch of the device in your online store.

This way, you can access new features and ensure that Alexa continues to improve the user experience over time.

What types of Alexas are available?

Access to the virtual assistant can be done through different devices, and in general, this is where the real question lies.

We are talking about two device categories: “Alexa Compatible” and “Alexa Integrated Devices”. The first refers to products that the user can control using Alexa’s voice service.

The second category includes devices with Alexa on their systems, such as the Echo series made by Amazon. Various models available in both categoriesThis expands the possibilities for those looking for compact devices or those with an integrated display. Check out!

Devices with Built-in Alexa (Amazon Echo)

Amazon’s Echo lineup includes incredible products Smart Speakers, Smart Displays, Headphones, and Fire TV Stick with Built-in Alexa. Devices released under smart speakers (Smart Speakers) by May 2024 are:

• Echo Pop, with its compact design and good sound quality;
• 3rd, 4th and 5th generation Echo Dot offering audio improvements and smart home hub;
• Echo Studio features spatial audio processing and more robust construction.

Echo Buds are Alexa-enabled headphones that allow the user to control audio using voice commands. Fire TV Stick, on the other hand, is a device that turns any television into a smart TV, that is, provides access to streaming services and applications.

We can’t help but mention Echo Show’s smart screens. What stands out here is the screen integrated into the device, which expands the possibilities of using Alexa.These include watching videos, making video calls, and showing recordings from security cameras:

• With stronger bass and clearer sound, Echo Show 5 (3rd generation) starts from R$ 649;
• Echo Show 8 (2nd generation) with 13 MP camera and automatic framing starts at R$ 999;
• Echo Show 10 with 10.1″ HD screen and movement mechanism starts at R$ 2,099.

Alexa Compatible Devices

Smart devices compatible with Amazon’s virtual assistant can expand the experience of users accustomed to the product’s previous model. For example, you can perform the following actions using just your voice:

• Control smart TVs and soundbars;
• Adjust the room temperature using the smart thermostat;
• Turn smart bulbs on and off;
• Open the locks and look at the security cameras;
• Control navigation, audio and phone functions while driving;
• Set reminders on Alexa through wearable accessories like smartwatches.

Is it possible to use Alexa without internet?

Yes it is possible. However, we immediately warn: most features no longer work! This is because Alexa is an AI available in the cloud, so it is the internet that allows a constant connection between the device and Amazon servers to fully function.

The only setting that can be done offline is to connect the device to a Wi-Fi network. You can use the auxiliary input to connect the Echo directly to your phone or via Bluetooth. However, initial pairing of devices via Bluetooth requires an internet connection.

Choose Alexa according to your needs

Of course, choosing an Alexa-enabled device requires considering several criteria to ensure it meets your needs and preferences. The first point to analyze is the intended use.

If you just want a voice assistant for online searches, listening to music, controlling your smart home, and everyday tasks, speakers with enhanced audio are the way to go. Now, if the goal is to watch videos and make video calls, consider devices with screens.

Also look at the space available for installing the device and which design best suits the decor of the room. Generally speaking, Echo’s Smart Speaker series is compact in size and available in multiple color and finish options, apart from the Echo Studio.

Make sure that the selected location has a socket as a power source and the Wi-Fi network is stable. Besides, Check out which features are important to automate your routineLike connecting with smart devices you already own.

How much does Amazon Smart Speaker cost?

According to our price research conducted in May 2024, Amazon’s main Smart Speaker models are sold at the following prices on the manufacturer’s official website:

• Echo Pop: Prices starting from R$ 349;
• Echo Point: Prices starting from R$ 429;
• Echo Studio: Prices starting from R$ 1,799.

Ultimately, is it worth buying the Echo with Alexa?

Buying an Echo with Alexa can be a decision that creates some fears due to the amount spent or the fear of not being able to adapt to new technology. To avoid sitting on the fence, remember that the main appeal of using Alexa as a personal assistant is its practicality.

The more you use Echo with Alexa, The less time you will need to spend on simple tasks that clutter your routine. From managing alarms, reminders and shopping lists to accessing quick information about your favorite team’s weather, news and matches.

Another big advantage in favor of buying a model from the Eco series with Alexa comes when you have other smart devices in your home or are considering investing in such devices in the future.

Lamps, sockets, locks, coffee machines, and even washing machines are examples of smart devices that are compatible with Alexa and can be controlled with voice commands.

When we think about entertainment, Echo devices are great for playing music, podcasts, and audiobooks available from Apple Music and Spotify, and also enable games, video calls, and video streaming, especially on “Alexa with a screen” models like the Echo. To show.

Although Echo devices are priced to suit different budgets and needs, A common concern is user privacy. These devices always listen after the wake word is spoken, such as “Alexa.”

This raises questions about data security. For now, privacy controls are limited to the physical button to mute the microphone and access to Alexa settings to control which sounds are kept by the manufacturer.

Another point to consider is the dependence on a power outlet and a stable internet connection for the virtual assistant to function fully. The experience may be disrupted in areas where the internet is unstable.

On the other hand, the power supply problem can be solved by purchasing a portable battery holder, which Amazon has released to give the user 16 hours of autonomy and the ability to move the device without turning it off.

If all these aspects meet your needs, the answer is at your fingertips: Is it worth buying an Echo with Alexa for your home?. What do you say?

So, did you like the content? Keep browsing TecMundo and get the opportunity to find out how many Smart Speakers with Alexa are recommended for home. To the next one!