this story is part home tipsCNET’s collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.
If you have a living room, you probably spend a lot of time there, which makes it the perfect home for your Amazon Echo gadget.You can also use Alexa to play music or also works as home security camerathere are some other benefits to having an Amazon Alexa device in your living room.
Alexa can turn your living room into a home theater or control all your smart home devices from your couch. Alexa can be used in many ways at home, but here are some of the best uses for Amazon Echo in your living room. (For more tips, click here Best Uses for Amazon Echo in the Bedroom, The best thing you can do with two or more Echo devices and the Best Ways to Use Amazon Echo in the Kitchen.
1. Use Amazon Echo for Surround Sound
Can be done with Amazon Echo Turn your living room into a home theater like when you’re watching a movie. Note that compatible hardware is required.This works best if you have multiple echo speakers In your living room or an Alexa-enabled soundbar.
To get started, open the Alexa app and tap deviceTap. plus Click icon to select Audio system setupFor best results, an Alexa-enabled smart TV or Fire TV is required to prevent latency issues.This also determines whether to choose stereo pair (connect multiple speakers) or home theater Click (Connect Speakers to Fire TV) to continue setting up your device. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish pairing your speaker with your TV.
2. Control your lights with Alexa
Whether the lamp is plugged into the outlet smart pluginstall a smart switch or simply smart light bulb, Alexa can help you turn the lights on and off. This is especially useful when it’s dark and you can’t seem to find the light switch in the middle of the night.
No matter what smart device you have, you’ll need to connect it to your Amazon Echo using the Alexa app.To get started, open the app and tap deviceand select plus icon and tap add device. Select the device you want to set up and follow the on-screen instructions.
Alexa can control your lights with smart switches, plugs, or light bulbs.
Chris Monroe/CNET
3. Manage home security
If you want to keep your door locked even when you are at home, smart lock It is convenient because you can lock and unlock the door with just your voice. Even better, you can connect it to your Amazon Echo speaker, so you can ask Alexa to control your lock when you’re off the couch or anywhere in the house.
For example, say “Alexa, lock the front door.” For security reasons, smart locks typically lock doors in response to voice commands, but only unlock with a PIN code. For more home security tips, see How to: Control your home security system with Alexa voice commands.
7 great security cameras that work with Amazon Alexa
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4. Host Family Game Night
Playing the same board game over and over can get boring. Luckily, Echo devices are chock full of fun games to play, from trivia to investigative games.Some games are already integrated into Echo speakers, but many Alexa skills You can enable it in the Alexa app.
The game is perfect for family nights when you are at home. Especially when the temperature is low. For some initial ideas, Here’s a list of our favorite Alexa games.
