Set up your smart speaker for emergencies

Smart speakers can tell you the weather, play music, answer trivia questions, and even help you prank your spouse (more on this at the end). And it might just save your life someday.

Memorize these commands to call for help in an emergency.

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Let's start with the most popular

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Amazon's smart speaker “Echo” series Voice assistant Alexa can't call 911 for you. Because they do not reliably report your location and do not provide a callback number, Meet standard requirements. There are two options:

1. Set up emergency contacts to get notified if something goes wrong. In the Alexa app on your phone, tap . more > communicate, Then tap the two people icon (top right). This will take you to the Contacts screen. Now, tap the three-dot icon on the top right, emergency contact to choose one. To use this feature, simply say “Alexa, ask for help” or “Alexa, call my emergency contacts.”
2. Please pay. Alexa emergency assistance plan It costs $5.99 per month or $59 for a year with Prime membership. Add up to 25 emergency contacts to be connected to an agent who can call emergency services. The command is the same: “Alexa, ask for help.”

If you're in the world of Google

Google Nest speakers don't allow you to specify emergency contacts, but you can call anyone in your Google Contacts list.

• Tap the gear icon in the Google Home app on your smartphone, then tap communication > Video and audio apps Make sure everything is set. Then just say, “OK, Google, give me a call.” [name of the person you want to speak to]. ”

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Nest Aware ($8/month or $80/year) gives you direct access to 911, but the feature is actually designed to act as an on-the-go security system.

• With the Google Home app, gear iconafter that Regular purchase > nestware > emergency call.
• This will allow you to contact 911 from any speaker screen within the app. Tap the three lines menu button (Top left) > E911 > call emergency services.

Nest Audio, the latest speaker with Google's virtual assistant, will be showcased on an Android smart home display during Mobile World Congress 2023 on March 2, 2023 in Barcelona, ​​Spain. (Photo by Joan Cros/NurPhoto, Getty Images)

And if you're an Apple guy…

You can say “Hey Siri, call 911” to your Apple HomePod. easy.

Note: The speaker must be connected to your iPhone for this feature to work. If HomePod can't find the iPhone you used to set up, it will try to find other iPhones on the same Wi-Fi network to set up.

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Now that the serious talk is over, it's time for pranks.

When no one is around, say “Alexa, speak slower” and give the same command again. Enjoy watching the whole family wonder what's wrong with Alexa. To return to normal, say “Alexa, speak at default speed.”

You can see people using iPhones. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

my favorite alexa prank We train them to respond to specific questions in specific ways.

• When her husband Barry asked Alexa about the weather outside their house in Santa Barbara, she said, “Look out the window. You live in a glass house.”
• I told my son Ian to ask Alexa, “Who is the best mom in the world?” Alexa now responds with, “I think it's Mother Teresa, but if you look at traditional mothers, you can bet that's Kim Commando. Now empty the dishwasher.” Masu.

Think for a moment about how far we have come. This is an example of how technology can literally save your life if you know how to adjust the settings. Do a favor to the people you care about and pass this on.

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