How to configure Alexa to start working

After purchasing a Amazon Echo or similar, the question is forced: how to configure alexa? There aren't too many secrets to getting this popular smart speaker up and running, though a little help never hurts. That is what we are going to see in this post.

The first thing to know is that Alexa is the virtual assistant developed by Amazon. Be available in the following languages: English, German, Japanese, French, Italian and Spanish. The most interesting thing is that through it you can control various smart devices, as long as they are compatible with the system, of course. These devices allow users to wake up the system with a simple wake word.

Beyond its basic functions, users can extend Alexa's abilities. This is achieved by installing skills or additional functions. Bridging the gap, skills they are to Alexa what apps are to a mobile operating system.

What is Alexa for?

This virtual assistant has a really long list of features. This is only a brief summary of everything it offers us:

• Make purchases and orders, sometimes with a simple voice command, thanks to Alexa's integration with Amazon. When the green light on Echo lights up, the package we expect will arrive today. Very practical and comfortable.
• Listen to music, perhaps the best known and used function. Alexa supports many free streaming services. Also, if the device is properly linked to the Amazon account, you can also stream media and music directly.
• Personal Agenda function. Alexa can help us organize our day to day, synchronizing our calendars, announcing what the weather is going to be like, sending us reminders of meetings, appointments, birthdays, etc.
• perform translationsWell, Alexa speaks many languages.
• entertainment. There are a lot of things that Alexa can do to entertain us: tell anecdotes and jokes, propose games, riddles...
• Control other compatible devices, such as small appliances, more and more numerous.

See also: The funniest secret Alexa commands

Let's see how to configure Alexa in the most common and typical case: to work through an Amazon Echo speaker: or we take it out of the box, plug it into the power and... what's next?

Set up the Amazon Alexa App

To continue with the Alexa configuration process we have to use our mobile phone. An application must be downloaded (it is available on both Android and iOS). This is how we should proceed:

1. To start, we go to the app store that corresponds to us and look for the Amazon Alexa app.
2. We download it and install it on our phone.
3. When we first open it, we get an announcement that it requires Bluetooth access, we have to press Accept.
4. Then you have to log in with the name of username and password of our Amazon account*.
5. Then you have to "present yourself" to Alexa and grant permissions to the application to access our contacts and receive notifications. Optionally, we can access a tutorial that teaches us the basic guidelines for interacting with Alexa, although it is really simple.
6. Once this is done, the configuration will be complete.

(*) It is assumed that you already have one when purchasing a home device. That is, at least, the ideal.

Pair Echo with Alexa

The moment of connection arrives. When we plug the Echo speaker into power, it lights up with a blue light and, after a few seconds, with an orange light. Most of the time, the app that we have downloaded to the smartphone detects the device automatically. If not, proceed to manual binding following these steps:

1. First, in the app, in the lower right corner of the screen, press "Plus".
2. Next, we select the option “+ Add a device”.
3. This done, we choose "Amazon echo" and within this option, Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus and more.
4. At this point we will be asked if the speaker is plugged in and in configuration mode (the orange light that we mentioned before). If so, we will answer in the affirmative. The app will do the rest.

Now that we have linked Echo with Alexa, the most comfortable thing is connect the device to our home WiFi network. Alexa will greet us, make some command suggestions and start a little training. It is a good idea to encourage yourself to do so to familiarize yourself with voice commands and discover everything that can be done with this prodigious assistant.

We are sure that when you discover the Alexa virtual assistant, a new world will open up to you. And you can no longer live without it.

Related content: What is Alexa for? What can you do?