One of the keys for a robot assistant to be truly optimal is that it knows when it is convenient to assist, and when not to disturb. What machines have is a lack of interpretation of moments in life that humans can interpret as “now, it is better not to disturb.” To really make your Echo Show the useful and undetectable assistant you want, follow these settings and make it less annoying.
Even if you already have your Echo Show well integrated at home, it may sometimes tend to interrupt at the least opportune moments. Although Alexa tries to be helpful, sometimes it goes overboard and can become a little intrusive. Here I show you five adjustments you can make to keep him helpful without distracting you.
Make Alexa talk less with short mode
So that Alexa is not commenting on every action you perform, you can activate brief mode. This option allows Alexa to simply make a short sound instead of responding with long phrases. This way you will avoid those detailed answers that are sometimes unnecessary. To turn it on, go to More > Settings > Voice Responses and turn on Short Mode. It’s a simple change that makes a big difference in the number of interruptions.
Turn off notifications for deliveries and subscriptions
If you have package delivery alerts or Amazon subscriptions turned on, you’re probably familiar with Alexa’s orange light ring that won’t stop flashing. Although it can be useful, if you receive many packages, it becomes annoying. To turn off these notifications, open the Alexa app and select More > Settings > Notifications > Amazon Shopping. There you can adjust the options so that it only alerts you when you really need it.
Turn off Alexa’s hunches
Alexa sometimes has “hunches” and starts making automatic suggestions, such as turning off lights when she “thinks” no one is home. While a good idea in theory, these suggestions can become tedious if triggered at inopportune times. To turn off this feature, go to More > Settings > Statistics and turn off Guess Suggestions. With this, Alexa will stop guessing what you need and will only act when you ask her to.
Activate whisper mode
Sometimes you need to talk to Alexa quietly, either at night or because you don’t want to wake anyone up. Whisper mode is ideal for these moments. When you speak quietly, Alexa will also respond in whispers, keeping the peace at home. To turn it on, go to More > Settings > Voice Responses and turn on whisper mode. From that moment on, you can speak softly and receive an equally discreet response.
Set up adaptive listening mode
If Alexa has ever interrupted you when you were thinking about the command to give, adaptive listening mode will help you. With this setting, Alexa will wait a few more seconds before responding, which is perfect if you prefer not to feel rushed. To activate it on each device, go to the Alexa app, select Devices > Echo & Alexa. Then, choose the desired device, go to Settings and activate adaptive listening mode.
With these simple changes, Alexa will adapt better to your routine, becoming less intrusive while still being useful. Try them and see how your experience with the Echo Show improves. Your home will be more comfortable and less interrupted!
