If you’re planning to buy a new smart speaker, then Amazon’s Echo is probably something you’ve come across. But one question I always get asked by those new to the world of smart devices is what’s the difference between Alexa and Echo? Think of it like this: Amazon Echo is the name of the smart … Read more
Alexa is the voice assistant that lives inside Amazon’s Echo speakers, but increasingly is being built in to third party devices. There’s no monthly fee for using Alexa. Once you have purchased an Alexa-enabled device, you’ll have access to general voice commands, routines and automations as well as a number of free services that are … Read more
Alexa has changed the way things are done in the smart home. Not only can you get things done by simply calling her name, you can add a whole new level of automation. Yes, using Alexa you can schedule your lights and music via routines. You can choose a trigger that activates your lights, music … Read more
Your Wi-Fi router sits at the heart of your smart home so it’s understandable that you’re considering upgrading. After all, the free router from your ISP sometimes just won’t cut it. As download speeds seemingly increase every year, it’s important that your router keeps up with our demands and expectations. But, speed isn’t the only … Read more
You don’t always want a huge speaker sitting around in your house, sometimes there just isn’t the space or other times it just doesn’t fit with your décor. That’s where ceiling speakers come in, providing a discreet way to integrate speakers into your home without compromising on aesthetic. Ceiling speakers have been around for decades, … Read more
According to a Which! survey , 60% of Brits turn off their TV at night and many people are asking the question about whether they need to turn off their smart speakers too. As an Alexa owner and smart home geek, this is a topic close to my heart. In this guide, I’ll address all … Read more
Alexa is an AI-based smart virtual assistant that turns words into real actions. Believe it or not, Amazon launched Alexa over half a decade ago, back when virtual assistants were limited to Apple’s Siri. After a slow start, Alexa has grown in to one of the most popular smart assistants across the world and is … Read more
If you like to listen to music via a Bluetooth speaker in the shower, you’ll know that once you’ve chosen your music, you can’t change it without getting your phone wet. Well, that’s all changing because now you can take a shower with Alexa. Using Alexa, you can choose which music to listen to, take … Read more
Smart speakers are quickly heating up to be the new tech battleground with all the big players throwing their foot in to the ring. At the top end of the market, you have the likes of Sonos, Boss and Apple competing for the attention of audiophiles. Down at the more affordable end of the market, … Read more
The BBC has recently shaken up it’s Alexa offering, now integrating directly with Alexa via the BBC Sounds app, as opposed to working through TuneIn as before. Initially there were a few bugs, but it now provides a seamless connection and allows you to choose between previous shows and podcasts as well as listening to … Read more
