Now, however, you can add multiple voice phrases to an Alexa routine, so instead of having to say “Alexa, let’s watch a movie” verbatim, you can also add alternate phrases such as “Alexa, let’s watch ...

Virtual assistants will soon be as commonplace as smartphones -- in many parts of the world, they already are. Most ...

If you have an Alexa-enabled device, you probably already know how to ask her for the weather, to start a timer and to adjust your smart lighting. But, there are many clever Alexa voice commands that ...

Alexa. Alexa. Alexa. It can be tiring calling on Amazon's virtual assistant for every command to turn on a variety of smart home devices in succession. But did you know you can set up Alexa routines ...

If you're old enough to remember cartoons like The Jetsons, you probably remember a vision of the future where our lives are fully automated. All it takes are a few verbal commands, and your whole ...

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. is editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. Previously, at ...

Amazon has expanded the Routines feature of its Alexa voice system to Fire TV, giving users an enhanced level of control in their smart-home entertainment experience. Routines, which were introduced ...

Amazon Alexa has received a crucial update that allows users to add custom phrases for an Alexa routine. It works seamlessly with smart home automation, too, making it a must-have for every ...

If you’re unfamiliar with Alexa routines, they’re a series of tasks that Alexa can do by only saying one phrase. For instance, instead of telling Alexa to turn off lights, turn on music, and turn on ...

On the hardware front, you can use an old smartphone with a working mic and speaker to use the Home Assistant Companion app on it. Alternatively, buy a tiny $15 Atom Echo smart speaker to start small ...