How to Use Alexa with an ecobee Switch+

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

Understand what Amazon Skills are.
Use Amazon Skills.
Use Alexa in tandem with ecobee Switch+.

Before We Begin:

Have your Ecobee Switch+ setup.
Have the Amazon Alexa app installed on your smartphone or tablet.

2. Set up Amazon Alexa on Your ecobee Switch+

Show Me How

Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

3. Using Alexa Skills with Your ecobee Switch+

Show Me How

Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

4. Announcements

Amazon Alexa creates a network of all your Alexa-enabled devices that are connected to the same account. For example, your smartphone, any smart speakers or screens, and any smart TVs with Alexa built-in are all considered to be a part of the same network when they are all connected to the same account.

Using this network connection, you can broadcast an announcement to all your devices. This can be used like an intercom to speak to everyone in your home, or even to family members with Alexa installed on their smartphones when they're out of the house.

Make An Announcement

To make an announcement, say:

"Alexa, tell everyone..."
"Alexa, announce..."
"Alexa, broadcast..."
"Alexa, make an announcement."
Alexa will ask what the announcement is, then record what you say next.

Announcements must be ten seconds or less.

Receiving An Announcement

By default, your other Alexa devices will automatically receive the announcements. A short chime will sound, then the announcement will play.

If you miss the announcement, say:

"Alexa, repeat."
"Alexa, what was that?"

5. General Commands

Amazon Alexa is a smart platform designed to answer your questions and respond to your voice commands. You can ask Alexa to perform a huge number of tasks, and answer a vast array of questions.

Alexa's abilities can be extended and expanded with additional features, called Skills. These skills can range from simple speakers, to music or video playing programs, to smart home devices, and even other services.

At each point, Alexa's main interface remains: you interact with Alexa primarily by speaking to it naturally.

Common Commands

The following commands can always be given to Alexa, and you can expect a response.

News and Weather

Read the latest news headlines.
How did Manchester United (or any other sports team) do last night?
What's the weather like?

Business Listings

In most areas, you can get information about local businesses.

Where is the nearest steakhouse?
What time does the supermarket close?
What's Dr. House's office phone number?

Set Timers

Alexa will keep time for you, hands free, so you can focus on your task at hand.

Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Remind me at 4 PM to let the dog out.
Set an alarm for 7 AM.

General Knowledge

Alexa knows a great deal of information, and can answer with a short summary.

How tall is One World Trade Center?
How far is it to Paris?
How many ounces in a quart?

Extended Features

The following commands need to have a Skill added from the Amazon App store. You can do this using the Alexa app on your phone.

Play Games

Alexa has some basic capabilities to play games, and there's a bunch more available for free and to purchase as Skills from the Amazon App store.

Play twenty questions.
Play Jeopardy.
Play Harry Potter quiz.

Music

While Alexa will attempt to find your favorite radio station or streaming music service, in most cases, you will need to add a Skill for the exact services you use for music.