Amazon has added a new feature to its Echo speakers, which enables users of the Alexa-powered devices to make one-way announcements around a home or office.
Those with more than one Echo can say “Alexa, announce…” in order to send an audio message transmitted to every Echo device on the same network.
After you say the word ‘announce’, every word that follows will be broadcast with your own voice rather than Alexa’s.
So, for example, if you’re preparing dinner for the whole family, an announcement could summon everyone to the dining room.
If you want to call a meeting, you could say “Alexa, announce a meeting in the conference room in 10 minutes.”
Related: Common Amazon Echo problems
Best of all, the announcements are one-way, so no one can fire back at you with some sass (unless they make an announcement of their own, of course.)
You can also say “Alexa, tell everyone…” or “Alexa, broadcast…” to access the new feature.
Echo users already benefit from a room-to-room style intercom service, but this feature will help when only one voice needs to be heard.
Amazon says the Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Spot, and Echo Look are the supported devices at launch.
Unfortunately, Brits won’t be able to bark out those commands just yet. The feature is only launching in the US and Canada right now. We’ll keep you posted on when Amazon plans to roll-out the functionality in Europe.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
