"Alexa, Do Everything!" Exploring the Power of Smart Home Tech

Some weeks back, I called my younger sister from the US to gist her, and while we were onto that, she said out of the blue, "Alexa, please could you change the song to my favourite? I don't like this one. Thanks" Then the voice replied back but I didn't hear it well but it did change the song. I asked her if there was someone in the room with her, perhaps she had a guest and needed not to be distracted too as she was studying then, she smiled and told me it was Alexa.

^{Now, I need you not to feel too surprised about this. Don't look at me with that eyes too because I didn't know Alexa until that day 😑}

I was confused, not like I knew any of her friends by that name. I went further to ask who is Alexa because she hadn't told me about her. She burst into this weird laughter that I, too was confused. She was shocked to find her big sister does not know who or what Alexa is and she calmed down to explain to me.

But before that, she said again, "Alexa the volume is too loud, reduce it, just on a low level because I am studying" Then the next thing was that the volume got reduced without my sister standing up to do that because the mp3 she was using wasn't by her side.

She explained what/who Alexa is and listed the functions it performs in the house or office for people, I exclaimed, and that was the first time I ever wished I had such a device at home that can control a lot of things in the house for me. I don't even need to get up to switch on/off the light as I could just seek the help of Alexa to do that for me.

"Alexa, I need to take my pill twice a day. Remind me at 8 am and 8 pm, and please, do nag me if I need them but feel hesitant to take them." Such an amazing device to do that for you.

I don't need to set an alarm or reminder of an event or meeting or a course I intend to study when Alexa is there to work it for me. My sister also told me how Alexa would scold you if you miss your schedule even after telling you about it, and also how it can encourage and inspire you to do something. If you are typing a word and unsure of its spelling, you could ask Alexa about it.

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Alexa can control all smart home devices that are configured via HUB and supports voice commands. It just needs to be connected to all of them. After searching on the internet, I got to know which devices that can be controlled through Alexa such as:

• Smart Bulb/ LED

• Smart Thermostat

• Smart Light Switches

• Smart Security Cameras

• Door lock

• Smart hubs

• Kitchen Appliances

It's so amazing how Alexa can perform simple tasks like playing your favourite song when you tell it to do so, switching on/off the bulb lights, dimming or changing the colours of compatible smart bulbs, locking the doors, controlling simple appliances like refrigerator, ovens, washing machines, microwave, air conditioning and many more.

I wish I could have this now but I believe it's a gradual process and someday, I will get to experience Alexa doing most of the work for me in the home while reducing the stress for me.

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^{Both images were imagined by Meta AI}