6 of Amazon’s Best New Features for Your Echo and How to Use Them

your Amazon Echo device is getting a lot of new features, which Amazon announced this week at a private virtual media event. Changes range from a redesigned line of Echo speakers (They’re spherical!) To software enhancements that promise to make Alexa on your existing Amazon Echo smarter and more secure.

The tech giant also announced a rotating echo show and a flying security camera drone that can inspect your home, along with new Echo devices for kids. Everyone will be able to take advantage of the new Alexa features.

Here are the top six new Amazon Echo features and how you’ll use them once they’re available.

Echo Guard Plus can make your home safer

Amazon’s Echo Guard was launched as a free home security feature to help detect and alert you to broken glass and noises from smoke alarms. Now Amazon wants to upgrade you to Echo Guard Plus for $ 5 a month to get even more security features.

Your Echo will hear additional sounds, such as doors opening when you are away, and it can play sounds like dogs barking to deter intruders. If you need more attention, Alexa can connect you to a 24/7 emergency helpline, which can then call for medical, fire or police assistance.

Once the Echo Guard Plus is available, you can access it by opening the Alexa app on your phone and selecting Plus > Settings > guard.

Alexa is getting smarter with your routines

You have always had to use wake-up words like “Alexa”, “Echo”, “Computer” or “Amazon” to activate your smart speaker routines. Now you can create routines that are activated by the sounds of snoring, the cry of a baby or the barking of a dog. For example, a routine might turn off your television when the device detects the sound of snoring. Or you can establish a routine that turns on the lights when your baby starts crying.

When the new workouts feature is available, you can access it by tapping Plus > Routines in the Alexa app to configure all the details.

Group calls come to Echo

Soon, you will be able to call up to eight friends or family at the same time with Amazon’s new group calling feature. It will work with audio on the Echo speakers and video calling on Echo Shows. To get started, you can say something like “Alexa, call my family.” You can create and name groups in the Alexa app.

Share music with friends

When you listen to music on your Echo speaker and a song that reminds you of a friend plays, you will soon be able to share the song with that person. All you have to say is, “Alexa, share this song with Jill.” After sharing the song, the person can listen to it on their own Echo device or in the Alexa app.

A real Netflix app for Echo Show

You are no longer limited to watching Amazon Prime movies on your Echo Show. If you have a Netflix account, you will soon be able to watch Netflix videos on your Echo Show as well. To use it, you’ll say something like “Alexa, search for comedy movies on Netflix.”

A new way to support loved ones

The Care Hub feature is designed to help you stay in touch with your elderly loved ones from a distance. Once it’s available, the two households must agree to create a connection between their two Alexa accounts to get started. If your loved ones need help, they can say “Alexa, call for help” to reach you.

You can also view their activity history to see if they are active and on the move, and set an alert if the device does not detect activity before a certain time of day.

We will update this story as these features begin to roll out.

For more Amazon Echo tips, see how to share your Alexa routines with friends and family, Four places to avoid putting an Amazon Echo in your home Y Three Best Uses for an Amazon Echo in Your Bedroom
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