Top 4 Ways to Use a Voice Assistant

Voice assistant is a very powerful hands-free computing tool that keeps gaining new abilities every other day. Then why is it that we don’t use it as much?

The problem might be that we don’t know how to use it and its capabilities. Because let’s face it. Voice assistant is one of the newest techs that has not exactly started to stitch into our everyday life.

Are you one of the many people who have a smart speaker at home, but barely use it? Or maybe you have never used the voice assistant on your phone. Well, this does not have to be the case any longer.

We will be sharing a list of ways that you can use your voice assistant, but first, let’s understand what exactly a voice assistant is.

What is a Voice Assistant?

An AI-based digital/virtual assistant is a voice assistant, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri.

All of them are web-connected software tools that adhere to commands, and that includes voice commands. They further interpret them and then take the appropriate action. Voice assistants can answer your questions, interact with other apps, help order food, turn on lights, and even help find lost phones.

Today, voice assistants are pre-installed onto your smartphones, but smart speakers like Google Home and Amazon Echo are common platforms where people use voice assistants. That said, you must have a reliable internet plan, such as Mediacom Internet 400 so that there’s no delay in response from the smart speaker.

You probably have access to one of the three most popular voice assistants, but if you are not sure how you can use it, here are the top six ways a voice assistant can make your life easier, yet more fun!

Play Music

Voice assistants can be fun if you want them to be. You can make them the DJs that give you access to any type of music. All you need to say are the wake words of the assistant, and this depends on the assistant you’re using.

For instance, if you are using the Amazon Echo, you can say, “Alexa, play…” You can even have your voice assistant add music to your workout playlist.

Moreover, you can also access radio channels through your voice assistant. For example, with a Google Home smart speaker, you can say, “Hey Google, play Maine Public Radio.”

Create a Shopping List

Can we all agree that shopping lists have always been such a pain? Once you begin using voice assistants, you’ll ask yourself why you even bother muddling through with pen and paper. Running low on tissue roll? Say, Alexa, put a tissue roll on the shopping list.”

When you are in the store, all you need to do is open the Alexa app on your smartphone and view the list. You can cross off products on the list by swiping right whenever you put them into your cart. You can always add last-minute items without having to call or text.

Build a Smart Home

Many of us feel like the smart home is only meant for the elite and rich people. When the reality is, however, different.

Today, anyone who has a voice assistant on a smartphone or smart speaker can start building a smart home. You can invest in smart light bulbs and appliances, and connect them to your smart speaker or smartphone.

In other words, you will then be able to manage all your smart home devices via the smart speaker. Perhaps you forgot to switch off your lights before heading to bed? Well, all you need to say is “Hey Google, turn off the lights.” Your smart speaker will turn off all the lights for you without you having to do it by yourself.

A smart speaker is your gateway into building a smart home.

Manage Timers and Reminders

Who doesn’t look for ways to save time at home? One way is to set timers through your voice assistants. For instance, during meal prep, you can set timers for your oven, so that you don’t have to worry about having a burnt meal.

Moreover, timers and reminders also come in handy when you have an important meeting the next day, or have to reply to a work email before a specified deadline.

You can also choose to set timers for your naps if you have the habit of oversleeping. You can also use the voice assistant as your virtual secretary. Worried you will miss your dentist appointment? Well, have your voice assistant set a reminder for you!

On a Final Note

Voice assistants are an amazing addition to any home, especially if you want to build a smart home. You don’t have to buy a smart speaker to use a voice assistant, you can simply use the one on your smartphone itself.