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Game-changing Alexa skills to supercharge your daily routine

Amazon's Alexa app can be very convenient, but you may have unlocked skills that aren't being utilized. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson lists six skills to elevate your Echo.

If you've got an Amazon Echo speaker, you already know how much fun having Alexa at your fingertips can be despite the risk to your privacy and security. Whether playing music, answering random questions, or venting your frustrations, Alexa has become a part of your daily routine. 

Did you know, however, that it can do so much more? There are some seriously cool Alexa skills out there that can elevate your Echo speaker to a whole new level of intelligence.

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First, we have the "Ask My Buddy" skill, perfect for those who live alone or need assistance. With this skill, you can easily ask Alexa to notify a designated contact during an emergency, such as a fall or medical issue.

How to enable the "Ask My Buddy" skill?

This could be a real lifesaver for vulnerable people with health concerns. By saying, "Alexa, ask my buddy for help," the device will connect with a pre-selected contact and let them know you need assistance.

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Next up, we have the "Big Sky" skill. This one is perfect for any weather enthusiast or self-proclaimed meteorologist out there. With this skill, you can get up-to-date weather information for any location worldwide. Plus, if you're a fan of stargazing, this skill can even provide you with information about the constellations in the night sky.

How to enable the weather "Big Sky" skill?

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Sometimes we all need a little mental stimulation, and if you're into "Jeopardy!" you'll love the "Question of the Day" skill. Every day, this skill provides you with a new and interesting trivia question to challenge your brain. Topics can range from pop culture to historical events and so much more.

How to enable "Question of the Day" skill?

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The "Mr. Bartender" skill is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, at least not yet, Alexa will not get up from her nightstand, unplug herself, and mix a cocktail for you. Give it another five years. Until then, it can do the next best thing.

With the "Bartender skill," you can ask Alexa what kind of drink you would like, and she will provide a complete list of everything you need and a step-by-step guide on making your favorite drink.

How to enable "Mr. Bartender" skill?

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You have to check out the "Monster Guard" skill if you or your little ones are afraid of monsters lurking in the dark. This skill is designed to scan the room for any signs of monsters and then activate a force field to keep those creepy crawlies away all night.

This skill stands out because of its unique audio from "Monty," the friendly monster, that changes with each session to keep things interesting. Plus, the cool sound effects and music will surely make the experience less scary and more fun. Say goodbye to sleepless nights and hello to a peaceful slumber with the Monster Guard skill.

How to enable "Monster Guard" skill?

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Now, let's talk about the "Find My" skill. We've all been there, frantically searching for our misplaced phone. Well, with this skill, all you have to do is ask Alexa to find your phone, and it will ring loud and clear so you can locate it.

How to enable the "Find My" skill?

To set up the "Find My Phone" skill on your iPhone, you need to make sure that you have the "Find My" app installed and that you've enabled the "Find My iPhone" feature.

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As good as Alexa can be with all of these skills, you should be wary of privacy. While virtual assistants like Alexa offer convenience and assistance, it's important to remember that they constantly listen for their wake word, which raises privacy concerns. There have been instances where voice recordings have been accessed by unauthorized individuals or used for targeted advertising. So, it's important to balance the benefits of using Alexa with protecting your privacy.

To learn how to stop Alexa from listening to you click here.

When using Alexa in your home, you should always keep your privacy in mind and take steps to stop the device from listening to you. However, you can also use these cool Alexa skills to make your life easier, more entertaining, and safer. Alexa can do everything from getting weather updates to helping you find your phone. With these skills, you can unlock the full potential of your Amazon speaker and make it the smartest device in your house while also maintaining your privacy.

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