I really like my Echo Present. I’ve one within the kitchen that helps to maintain my spouse and me engaged whereas getting ready meals, however there are some things the Present does which are downright annoying.
Additionally: One of the best Alexa gadgets of 2024: Knowledgeable examined and beneficial
Have you ever ever discovered your Echo Present’s conduct distracting, triggering, presumptuous, or simply plain pushy? Need to discover ways to flip off these decadent photos of gastronomic delights, or Amazon’s unending procuring suggestions?
Let’s take a look at 5 annoyances and the way they are often fastened.
How one can get to your Echo Present’s Settings
All of the modifications I will present you on this article are initiated from the Echo Present’s Settings display. To get to Settings, swipe down together with your finger from the highest of the display. You will see the menu under. Then, faucet the gear icon.
1. Stop your Echo Present from displaying culinary temptations
Meals is usually a triggering subject. For these on restrictive diets, pictures of tempting meals can vary from merely annoying to deeply disturbing. As a result of I now not eat any sugar or flour, pictures like the next simply piss me off.
To show off these pictures, go to Settings, discover Residence Content material, and faucet it.
Now, scroll right down to Meals Inspiration and flip the toggle to off. That is the way you modify any of the Residence Content material decisions. Toggle on to point out them. Toggle off to show them off.
Additionally: The Echo Present 8 is one of the best sensible show and speaker combo out there
To keep away from all meals pictures, different content material you may wish to swap off embody Discover Native Locations and Standard Recipes. Should you nonetheless see meals pictures, dig by way of the Residence Content material menu and check out switching off different matters till you want what you do not see.
2. Cease your Echo Present from answering once you’re speaking to a different Alexa system
When you have two Alexa gadgets shut to one another, typically the improper system — or each gadgets — may reply to your “Alexa” immediate. To unravel this, change the wake phrase.
Additionally: How Amazon can flip round its failing Alexa enterprise in 4 steps
From Settings, scroll down and faucet Gadget Choices. From there, faucet Wake Phrase.
You’ll be able to select from these 5 wake phrases: Alexa, Amazon, Pc, Echo, or Ziggy. The Echo Present I am demonstrating this on is in our kitchen, and it responds to the wake phrase Echo. As a long-time Quantum Leap aficionado, nevertheless, I gave the Alexa system in my Fab Lab the wake phrase Ziggy. It is a lot enjoyable moving into there and asking Ziggy to do issues for me.
3. Cease your Echo Present from pitching procuring suggestions
Amazon is the world’s greatest e-commerce web site. Is it any surprise that its Echo Present merchandise make common procuring suggestions? You’ll be able to cut back the fixed push to get you to purchase, purchase, purchase, by making a number of adjustments to your Residence Content material settings.
Additionally: 5 methods Amazon could make an AI-powered Alexa subscription price the price
As soon as once more, go to Settings, then Residence Content material. Scroll down and switch off Store and Procuring Suggestions.
I might suggest leaving your Procuring Listing on, as a result of then once you add one thing, you possibly can see your total listing. We discover the flexibility so as to add to our procuring listing whereas within the kitchen extremely helpful.
That mentioned, Amazon lately downgraded a favourite characteristic, the flexibility to hyperlink exterior listing software program on to Alexa’s listing responses. For instance, we used to have the ability to say, “Alexa, add apples to Grocery” or “Alexa, add eggs to Costco.” These requests would truly be funneled into AnyList, our favourite app for procuring lists. As of July 2024, Amazon eliminated that hyperlink.
Additionally: Have an outdated Kindle? No matter you do, don’t do that one factor
You’ll be able to nonetheless use Alexa so as to add to AnyList or different listing merchandise that added new assist. However to take action, it’s a must to say, “Alexa, inform AnyList so as to add oatmeal to Costco.” It really works, however the additional “inform AnyList to” is annoying.
With that, let’s get again to lowering annoyances. You may additionally wish to flip off Alexa Suggests. These aren’t at all times procuring solutions, however they’re pitches from Amazon about the place to show your consideration.
Lastly, you may additionally think about turning off Frequent Orders. That approach, you will not be consistently hassled to rebuy stuff you have already purchased. Positive, you is perhaps planning to purchase once more, however you in all probability do not wish to be reminded each time you make your self a cup of espresso.
4. Cease your Echo Present from autoplaying movies
One of many issues I like most about having our Echo Present within the kitchen is when it surfaces fascinating information or public curiosity tales. It is good to have one thing fascinating to hearken to whereas getting ready meals.
Additionally: One of the best Alexa gadgets: Knowledgeable examined and beneficial
One in every of my least favourite options is when our Echo Present decides to play extra movies after the video I selected is completed. It simply strikes on to some random video, a conduct I discover actually annoying.
Fortuitously, you possibly can flip that off. As soon as once more, go to Settings after which Residence Content material. This time, scroll to the very backside of the Residence Content material menu and swap off Rotate Constantly.
There you go. No extra video autoplay.
5. Cease your Echo Present from dimming in a darkened room
The Echo Present may be very respectful of our want to sleep. When a room goes darkish, it dims the display. For an Echo Present positioned within the bed room, it is a nice characteristic. For an Echo Present positioned in a room the place persons are awake, nevertheless, it is annoying.
We frequently flip off our ceiling gentle fixture in our kitchen space, however maintain a number of small accent lights on. We are able to simply see to make some tea or seize one thing from the fridge.
Additionally: Amazon’s Echo Hub solved my greatest drawback with being a wise residence fanatic
That is the right time for the Present to be alive. In spite of everything, the time it takes to brew a cup of tea could be a good time to look at a information tidbit on the Present, nevertheless it’s determined we’re sleeping and turns itself off.
Fortuitously, there is a repair for that. This time, go to Settings and select Show & Brightness. As soon as on that display, flip off Adaptive Brightness. That one tweak ought to brighten your entire day, err, night time.
There you go! What do you suppose? Are there different annoyances about your Echo Present or different Alexa gadgets that you just’d like me to look into and assist you repair? Let me know within the feedback under.
You’ll be able to comply with my day-to-day mission updates on social media. You’ll want to subscribe to my weekly replace publication, and comply with me on Twitter/X at @DavidGewirtz, on Fb at Fb.com/DavidGewirtz, on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz, and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV.
