If you want to tell your children that dinner is ready without leaving your room, Amazon is now lets you do that. Amazon’s new feature called Alexa Announcements, which is now available to the users in Canada, enables you to turn your Echo device into an intercom system throughout your home.
Just say “Alexa, tell everyone that dinner is ready,” or “Alexa, broadcast…” and the message will broadcast to all the Alexa-compatible devices in your home, on the same account.
If you want everyone to know that you’re going to the store to buy a box of cereal, just say, “Alexa, announce that Karen is going to the store” and it will simultaneously announce “Karen is going to the store” through all the compatible Echo speakers in your home.
According to the Amazon, “millions of customers” have more than one Echo speaker in their home. Using the new Alexa Announcements feature, you can combine those speakers to form a one-way Echo intercom using only your voice without the need of any extra set up.
New Alexa Announcements Sound Effects
This new feature also includes sound effects ranging from roosters to playful kisses, for specific Alexa announcements. When you prompt Alexa with one of these commands, she will play the corresponding sound effect and then make the announcement in your voice. Here’s the complete list of effects and how to prompt them:
Wake Up – Sound Effect: Rooster Crow
Say: “Alexa, announce ‘It’s time to wake up'” or “Alexa, announce ‘rise and shine'”
Late/Let’s Go – Sound Effect: Feet running
Say: “Alexa, announce ‘We’re late'”, or “Alexa, announce ‘Let’s go'”
Quiet Time – Sound Effect: Shhhh
Say: “Alexa, announce ‘Quiet Down'”, or “Alexa, announce ‘Everyone be quiet'”
Bedtime – Sound Effect: Twinkle Twinkle
Say: “Alexa, announce ‘It’s time for bed'”, or “Alexa, announce ‘Time to sleep'”
Meal – Sound Effect: Dinner bell
Say: “Alexa, announce ‘Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner’s ready”, or “Alexa, announce ‘It’s time to eat'”
Goodnight – Sound Effect: Yawn
Say: “Alexa, announce ‘Goodnight everyone'”, or “Alexa, announce ‘Sleep tight'”
Congratulations – Sound Effect: Cheer
Say: “Alexa, announce ‘Congratulations'”, or “Alexa, announce ‘Way to go'”
Media time – Sound Effect: Show tune
Say: “Alexa, announce ‘Let’s watch TV'”, or “Alexa, announce ‘The movie is about to start'”
Love you – Sound Effect: Playful kiss
Say: “Alexa, announce ‘Love you'”
Amazon has stated that currently Alexa Announcements only works with U.S. and Canadian customers. For the complete list of Alexa commands, click here.
I personally love the new sound effects with the Alexa announcements. If your home is equipped with a multi-room set of Echo hardware, let me know what you think of the new Alexa Announcements in the comments below! To purchase additional Echo devices, click here.
