Amazon Alexa Plus Turns Your Smart Speaker Into a Real AI Assistant

Amazon Alexa Plus Turns Your Smart Speaker Into a Real AI Assistant

Alexa Plus upgrades Amazon’s familiar voice assistant with generative AI, smarter conversations, and context awareness that finally makes Alexa feel helpful again. If you use Alexa daily, this update changes how much you can ask and how little you need to repeat yourself.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

February 7, 2026

Subscribe  |  Read the Newsletter Version

Have you ever asked Alexa a follow-up question and felt like it forgot the entire conversation? 

Or tried to coordinate reminders, shopping, and routines only to hit a wall of rigid commands? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Try the new Alexa+ AI.

Amazon claims Alexa Plus fixes those long-standing frustrations by rebuilding Alexa around modern AI rather than scripted responses.

May the Fourth Be With You: What Happens When You Tell Siri, Alexa, and Google "I Am Your Father"?

May the Fourth Be With You: What Happens When You Tell Siri, Alexa, and Google "I Am Your Father"?

This May the Fourth, Star Wars fans can inject some geeky fun into their day  by channeling Darth Vader with their smart assistants.  Here's how Siri, Alexa, and Google respond to the iconic line.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

May 4, 2024

May 4th - the unofficial Star Wars holiday – is here! 

For many, this means movie marathons, donning Jedi robes, and of course, quoting the iconic "I am your father" line throughout the day. 

But did you know your favorite smart assistant has some fun in store as well?

Here's a Cool Tip.  Tell your Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, "I am your father." 

You might be surprised by their responses!

How to Channel Your Inner Darth Vader

1. Get your assistant's attention by saying its wake word ("Hey Siri," "Alexa," or "Hey Google").
2. State clearly, "I am your father."
3. Listen for a hopefully humorous response revealing how well your AI assistant knows Star Wars lore.

May the Fourth Be With You!

Each assistant has its own unique personality, and their responses reflect this:

1. Siri: Apple's assistant often leans into the dramatic ("Nooooooooo!") or offers a bit of tech-themed confusion.
2. Alexa: Amazon's assistant may channel some serious Darth Vader vibes or play coy, depending on your device.
3. Google Assistant: Offers a mix of pop culture references, witty comebacks, and sometimes even attempts to turn you to the Light Side.

These playful responses are a great example of Easter eggs - hidden features designed to surprise and delight users.  

They also add personality to a technology that can sometimes feel impersonal.

May the Fourth Fun Continue!

Try other Star Wars-themed prompts with your assistant today and see what they say.  

Basic Star Wars Knowledge:

• "Use the Force"
• "Do or do not, there is no try."
• "These aren't the droids you're looking for."
• "Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."
• Character-Specific:

• "I love you." (Try this with Siri for a classic Leia line)
• "Aren't you a little short for a Stormtrooper?"
• "Beam me up, Scotty." (Test if your assistant is a true Trek fan)
• "I find your lack of faith disturbing."
• Movie References:

• "What is the Kessel Run?"
• "Who shot first?"
• "Tell me about the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise."
• Getting Creative:

• "Play the Cantina Band song."
• "Give me directions to Tatooine."
• "Search for the nearest Death Star." (Your assistant might have safety concerns!)

Be sure to visit the official Star Wars Day site.

And remember, the Force (of Star Wars geekery) is strong with this one.

READ MORE

• May the Force Be with Your Christmas Cheer: How to Watch the Star Wars Holiday Special
• May the Fourth - YouTube
• FridayFunday Cool Tips

Please LIKE and SHARE OneCoolTip.com!

Never miss a Cool Tip: OneCoolTip Newsletter.

Visit the OneCoolTip YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@onecooltip

X: https://twitter.com/OneCoolTip    Threads:   https://www.threads.net/@onecooltip

Do you have a Cool Tip or question? Email us at onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned tech expert, is the mastermind behind OneCoolTip.com, where he serves as both writer and editor. With a keen eye for simplifying complex tech, Rodger delivers practical advice that empowers readers to navigate the digital world with confidence. Dive into OneCoolTip.com for a treasure trove of savvy tips and tricks that keep you one step ahead in tech.

OneCoolTip.com

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#MayTheFourth #StarWars #VoiceAssistants #DarthVader #Jedi #Sith #TechTips #OneCoolTip @OneCoolTip

Copyright © 2024 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved

Simplify Your Life with Alexa's New Timed Commands

Do you know you can turn off or turn on lights using Alexa with a Timer?

You can now ask Alexa to turn your connected smart home devices on or off at a set amount of time.

You can say “Alexa, turn off the bedroom lamp in 15 minutes” or “Alexa, turn on the front porch at 5 p.m.” 

Previously, the device would just turn on or off.

This is a great upgrade to the Alexa digital home assistant.

Check it out!

Please LIKE and SHARE OneCoolTip.com!

READ MORE

• How to Change the Wake Word for Amazon's Voice Assistant - Alexa
• How to Use Alexa on a Windows PC
• Alex Now Features Multiple Named Timers

OneCoolTip.com

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Amazon #Alexa #smarthome #digitalassistant @Amazon 

How to Change the Wake Word for Amazon's Voice Assistant - Alexa

Have you ever wondered if you could change the wake word for your Alexa-enabled device? 

Perhaps you're tired of hearing "Alexa" all the time?

While "Alexa" is a popular wake word, some users may prefer to use a different name or word that's easier to pronounce or remember. 

Additionally, if you have multiple Alexa-enabled devices in your home, using the same wake word for all of them can cause confusion and trigger unintended responses. 

How to change the wake word for your Alexa-enabled device, follow these steps:

• Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
• Tap on the menu icon
• Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
• Scroll down and select Device Settings.
• Choose the device you want to change the wake word for.
• Select the Device settings icon
• Tap on Wake Word.

Alexa Wake Word Setting

• Select the new wake word you want to use from the list of options (Amazon offers "Alexa”, “Amazon”, Computer”, “ Echo," and "Ziggy" as wake word options).
• Confirm the new wake word by saying it out loud when prompted by the app.

And that's it! 

Your device will now respond to the new wake word you've chosen.

Please LIKE and SHARE OneCoolTip.com!

READ MORE

• How to Use Alexa on a Windows PC
• Alex Now Features Multiple Named Timers
• Amazon Alexa Now Lets You Make Calls

OneCoolTip.com

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Alexa #WakeWord #VoiceAssistant #AmazonEcho #Amazon @Amazon 

How to Use Alexa on a Windows PC

Do you need Alexa when you are away from your Alexa device?

You can add the Alexa app to your Windows PC!

Alexa is a virtual assistant developed by Amazon that can be used to control smart devices, play music, and provide information. 

While it is primarily used on Amazon devices such as the Echo Dot and Echo Show, it can also be used on a Windows PC. 

Here's how to set up and use Alexa on a Windows PC:

• Download the Alexa app from the Windows 10 Microsoft Store or launch the pre-installed app on your Alexa Built-in PC.
• Sign in to your Amazon account or create one if you are new to Alexa.
• Ask Alexa a question, Alexa, what's the weather?, Alexa, what time is it?

Some examples of things you can ask Alexa on your PC include:

• Playing music from Amazon Music, Spotify, and other streaming services
• Checking the weather and news
• Setting reminders and timers
• Controlling smart home devices such as lights and appliances
• Making phone calls and sending messages

With the ability to control smart devices, play music, and provide information, Alexa can make your daily routine more convenient and efficient.

Enjoy!

If you like OneCoolTip, please Like and Share!

READ MORE

• Alex Now Features Multiple Named Timers
• Amazon Alexa Now Lets You Make Calls
• Amazon Echo Now Plays Jeopardy!
• Amazon Echo Now Reads Audible Books
• Amazon Echo Now Knows Your Google Schedule

OneCoolTip.com

http://www.onecooltip.com
Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Microsoft #Alexa #Windows

Amazon's Alexa Now Features Named Multiple Timers

Beep! Beep! Beep! What was the timer for?

That's no longer a problem for Amazon's Alexa  on Echo speakers..

Alexa now allows you to name your timers.

For example, you can create a timer named "laundry" and another one named "pizza".

Just use your device's wake word (Alexa, Computer or Echo) and then "Create a 30 minute timer called Laundry".

When the timer goes off, it will also tell you the timer's name.

You can also create named reminders for a specific date and time.

Alexa is our favorite personal assistant.

And with her growing set of skills, Google, Microsoft and Apple need to up their game to match Amazon's lead.

READ MORE

• Amazon Alexa Now Lets You Make Calls
• Amazon Echo Now Plays Jeopardy!
• Amazon Echo Now Reads Audible Books
• Amazon Echo Now Knows Your Google Schedule

OneCoolTip.com

http://www.onecooltip.com
Facebook | Twitter | Google+  

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Amazon #Echo #Alexa #timer #timers #reminder #reminders

Apple News Link: https://apple.news/A2waRtXO5SYSai-VXjCgAwQ

Amazon Alexa Now Lets You Make Calls

Amazon's internet-connected speakers now lets you call other Echo devices hands-free.

Using the Alexa-powered skill is easy.  You just have to ask Alexa to call one of your contact and your contact's device will start ringing.

To work, you'll need to register your Echo device using the Alexa app.

And your contact also needs to have a registered Echo device connected or use the Alexa app for iOS or Android.

You can also send audio messages to your contacts.

Contacts who also have an Echo device and have registered for the calling feature will be listed in your Alexa app.  You can also call them directly from the app.

At this time, Alex can't call regular telephone numbers.

Not surprisingly, Google announced voice calling to regular phone numbers for their Google Home device.  But calling other Home devices is not yet supported.

To learn more about Alexa calling, check out the Alexa Calling Help Site from Amazon.

READ MORE

• Amazon Echo Now Plays Jeopardy!
• Amazon Echo Now Reads Audible Books
• Amazon Echo Now Knows Your Google Schedule

OneCoolTip.com

http://www.onecooltip.com
Facebook | Twitter | Google+  

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Amazon #Echo #Alexa #phone #calls

Amazon Echo Now Plays Jeopardy!

"What is the new game on Amazon Echo?"

Amazon's Echo home internet device now offers daily Jeopardy questions.

The American quiz show, created by legendary Hollywood star Merv Griffin, is now available on the Amazon Echo.

Daily questions, written by the show's writers, come from a wide range of categories including sports, pop culture, travel, and world history.

There are six new clues to play each day.

Don't forget to answer in the form of a question!

If you have an Echo device, open the Alexa app and enable the Jeopardy! skill.

To start playing, just ask "Alexa, start Jeopardy".

Have fun!

READ MORE

• Amazon Echo Now Reads Audible Books
• Amazon Echo Now Knows Your Google Schedule
• Invoke GodMode in Windows 10
• Waze is Your "Must Have" Driving App
• Reopen Closed Tabs in Chrome Browser

OneCoolTip.com

http://www.onecooltip.com
Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | One Cool Tip Show

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

#Amazon #Echo #Alexa #gameshow #trivia #questions #answers

Amazon Echo Now Knows Your Google Schedule

Amazon announced today that their Echo home device now will access your Google Calendar.

You can ask it simple commands regarding your Google calendar.

Just update your Google account in the Amazon Echo app on your smart phone.

READ MORE

• The Sparkly End of Facebook?
• Google Photos is the New "Must Have" App
• Take Back Your Inbox with Google Inbox

One Cool Tip.com

http://www.onecooltip.com

Daily Tips for a Cooler Life!