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Smart assistants and smart speakers have introduced new ways to make our busy lives less hectic but, until recently, they have been more focused on one-shot commands. Routines, scenes, and other similar features have started to be implemented to really offer some automation, grouping related actions for a specific topic or time. These are definitely useful, but only if you really know how to create them in the first place. Amazon is helping take the guesswork out by making it super easy to share Alexa routines.
Depending on how many smart devices or online services you have, Alexa routines can be a fun and easy way to group tasks under one command. A “wake up” routine, for example, might roll up the blinds, turn on the coffeemaker, tell you your schedule for the day, and then play your favorite morning songs. “Movie Time,” on the other hand, could dim the lights and launch Amazon Prime Video on your Fire TV-connected television.
Routines can be fun for those who like this kind of digital lifestyle, but it remains an esoteric art for others. Giving the ability to share out-of-the-box routines goes a long way toward making Alexa and consequently Amazon’s Echo devices more accessible to those just starting out in this new home automation scene.
Those who want to share routines can simply select one from their Alexa app and generate a URL that can be shared via email, messaging, or even on social media. Recipients can simply click or tap the link to enable the skill, going through a step-by-step setup process that will allow them to customize the routine for their own smart home setup.
It’s a small feature that can go a long way in making Alexa routines more popular. It could even lead the way towards building a community of home automation sharing and grouping routines in a public database that can help Amazon take the lead. At least until Google finally decides to do the same with the Google Assistant.
