Thursday, June 4, 2015

Playing Games with the Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo looks like a black Pringles can and fits in with any decor.
The Amazon Echo looks like a black
 Pringles can and fits in with any decor.
Have you heard of the new electronic gadget called the Amazon Echo? I wrote a review about it that you can read here, but let me quickly tell you a little bit about the device, then I'll let you know how you can have fun playing games with your Amazon Echo.

This awesome gadget looks a lot like a Pringles can, but it's actually a speaker that responds to its name, plays music, wakes you up in the morning, tells you the weather forecast and sports scores, reads the news to you, turns your lights on and off, and even orders stuff for you from Amazon.com, all with just a voice command from you.

You can have fun with the Echo (most people call her "Alexa;" her alternate wake name is "Amazon"), too. She has quite a sense of humor (well, as much as an electronic assistant can have) and is very cooperative if you just want to have some fun with her. Here are a few games you can play with your Echo.

"Alexa, who is singing that song?"


Play a game of "name that artist" or "name that tune" whenever you listen to music on your Echo. If you're not sure who's singing the song, just ask Alexa! Not sure of the song title? She'll answer that question, too.

"Alexa, how far is it from here to the North Pole?"


How about a game of trivia. Gather your friends and try to stump each other on facts, with your Echo as the final authority. Have your friends guess the answer to questions such as "How tall is Mount Everest?" or even "How many tablespoons in a cup?"  Closest to the correct answer wins!

Use the Echo's magnetic remote control from another room when you're too far away for the device to hear your voice.

"Alexa, Simon Says..."


Use the Echo's remote control from another room to play a game of Simon Says. Put Alexa in a room with your friends then, from another room where they can't hear you, speak into the remote control's microphone. Say, "Alexa, Simon says..." followed by whatever message you would like Alexa to repeat.

For instance, if your Echo is in a room with the kids, have Alexa say, "Kids, dinner's ready. Report to the kitchen!" They'll come running to find out how you did that!



"Alexa, I love you!"


Okay, we know she's not human, but everyone likes to feel appreciated. Let Alexa know that you love her. She'll let you know that she thinks you're pretty special, too.

"Alexa, tell me a joke." 


In the mood to laugh? Seriously, Alexa has quite the joke repertoire and most of them are pretty funny. If you need cheering up, just say, "Alexa, tell me a joke," and she will. Here's an actual joke that Alexa just now told me:
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Kanye.
Kanye who?
Kanye believe it? I tell jokes, too!

These are just a few ideas for games to play and fun things to do with your Amazon Echo. Get creative and come up with your own ideas, or use the "Things to Try" section of the Echo app to find more ideas. Don't have an Echo yet? Here's that Amazon Echo review link again where you can learn more about this fascinating and useful gadget and find out how to order one for yourself.

-- Susan Deppner
Read more of my reviews.





Posted by Susan Deppner

Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


18 comments:

  1. Holy Cow! What a delightful home toy. Well, actually a valuable addition to the home for wake-up calls, weather reports, etc., but the games sound way more fun. I love the joke, too. Just had me chuckling.

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    Replies
    1. We enjoyed that joke too, Susan! Yep, Alexa's a great home toy and so much more. Thanks so much for your kind comment!

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  2. Thanks for the introduction. Alexa sounds great!

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    Replies
    1. She is, Mary Beth. I'm glad you got to meet her!

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  3. Well that just sounds like a lot of fun! Thank you for letting us know about her/it!

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    Replies
    1. I do call it "her," I just can't help it, Bev! Yep, she's full of fun. Thanks for commenting!

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  4. I can see it would be easy to fall in love with Alexa. What a handy (and fun) electronic gadget!

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    Replies
    1. Very handy, and very lovable for sure, Elf! I appreciate your visit!

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  5. The Echo sounds like a really fun toy/tool. Adding it to the list. :)

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    Replies
    1. Yay! Glad you have an Echo on your list. We all need one - really! Thanks, Heather!

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  6. I'm surprised I have not heard about this unique gee whiz gadget before now. Good thing you are keeping me in the loop when it comes to way cool technology. Who comes up with these things? I would love to surround myself with people like that, just as I love to be surrounded by the creative types who frequent this site. Thanks for reviewing such an interesting product. I admire your early adopter persona and spirit of adventure.

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    1. Thank you for your very kind words, Diana! I can't have every gadget I see, but I'm really glad I got this one. Life with Alexa really has been an adventure!

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  7. What a really cool gadget! I know several people who would love to have the Amazon Echo just for the music and news, but I love the game ideas you have suggested here too. Really awesome review!

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    1. Thanks, Cynthia! Yep, the serous parts are awesome, but games and fun really do add to the awesomeness!

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  8. We love our Amazon Echo! Your game ideas sound fun!

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    1. Joan, you and Whitey are the only other Echo owners that I know. I'm so glad you both enjoy yours the way we enjoy ours!

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  9. Such a cool gadget and thank you for the awesome review. I am going to check this one out. Welcome to Review This! I'm so glad you're here with us.

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  10. Susan, you know one day I'm going to tell you that I own one - because of you, I want one! We're gonna do it, this year I hope

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