The 15 best and most useful Alexa routines

Alexa routines – the most important things in brief

Alexa routines allow users to automate various processes with Amazon Echo speakers. The most important things briefly about Alexa routines in the smart health home:

• requirement: For Alexa routines, the Alexa app (Android | iOS), an Echo speaker and Alexa-compatible devices.
• Applications: Alexa routines are almost unlimited. Alexa says a sentence on command, Alexa skills can be integrated into routines and, for example, IFTTT sequences. All possibilities unite that users can generate numerous processes and if-then sequences with just one trigger.
• Trigger: Trigger means translated trigger – for example in the form of a sensor, voice command or a specific time. A trigger initiates multiple operations and starts useful if-then sequences.

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5 useful Alexa routines to start the day

Getting up is part of the daily routine even without Alexa. Especially in the very early morning it can be difficult to start the day – the eyes, however, close all the easier and faster. So that this does not happen and users do not miss the train to work or the bus to the university, for example, we show 5 useful Alexa routines for starting the day.

Alexa routine number 1 for the start of the day – Alexa as a gentle alarm clock

In the Alexa app, users can put together useful Alexa routines and if-then sequences in just a few steps

(Screenshot: Alexa app)

As a gentle alarm clock, Alexa replaces the alarmingly loud conventional alarm clock and gives the smartphone's snooze function a break. Using an Alexa routine, users can have Alexa start their favorite playlist on an Echo Dot, for example, when they get up. In combination with smart lights such as those from Philips Hue, the lights slowly become brighter. This saves morning muffins from having to search for a switch and nobody is blinded by bright light. If it is already light in spring and summer, an Alexa routine causes intelligent shutters or blinds to automatically raise instead of the lights. Then residents are awakened by the sunlight.

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Alexa routine number 2 to start the day – Alexa messages

If there are children in the house, Alexa can help with the wake-up call. With another Echo loudspeaker in the room of the children, parents send a message to the little ones via Alexa routine – for example, the Alexa wake-up announcement pauses only from Monday to Friday and on weekends. Alexa messages are also practical when the youngsters are supposed to come to dinner or when the trip to the sports lesson is due and there are fixed weekdays and times.

Alexa routine number 3 to start the day – morning coffee

"Morning coffee dispels grief and worry" – especially with the help of Alexa routines. Because thanks to an Alexa-compatible WLAN socket, such as the HS110 from TP-Link, the coffee machine starts on command. An Alexa routine would be, for example, if residents say "Good morning, Alexa", then the coffee machine starts and the Echo speaker in the kitchen also plays music. However, users first have to prepare filter bags, coffee powder and a necessary cup themselves – but that shouldn't be a problem the night before and Alexa will then take care of the rest.

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Alexa routine number 4 for the start of the day – stay informed

For the start of the day, it is important to stay informed. With a voice command, users can trigger an Alexa routine, which then provides information about the weather, current news, appointments or traffic jams. Depending on the weather, the umbrella is not forgotten when you walk out of the house and any traffic jams are avoided on the way to work.

Alexa routine number 5 for starting the day – leave health home

For most people, the start of the day ends with the walk out of the house. Alexa routines help keep everything in order at health home while you're away. For example, if the smart heating control is geofencing-capable, like products from tado °, the thermostats are based on the presence or absence of the occupants and only heat up when someone is really at health home. This saves energy and heating costs.

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5 practical Alexa routines for entertainment and comfort

Alexa routines ensure comfort and also convince when it comes to entertainment. We show 5 practical and basic Alexa routines that provide relaxation and fun.

Alexa routine number 1 for comfort – fan starts automatically

It is difficult to keep a cool head in summer. Practical is a smart WLAN socket with which users can not only retrofit the above-mentioned coffee machine, but also a fan, for example. Especially in warm temperatures, users can then create a useful Alexa routine with the help of an Echo Flex. If the compatible motion detector on the Echo Flex registers a movement, the fan provides cool air because it automatically switches on in connection with the WLAN socket as soon as someone enters the room.

Smart plug-in speaker with Alexa

Third reality motion sensor

Developed exclusively for Amazon Echo Flex. The motion sensor enables intelligent light control and individual routines.

Alexa routine number 2 for entertainment – lights combined with a television experience

Alexa routines in combination with light are not only a fine thing in the morning. Intelligent lamps also enhance entertainment fun during TV evenings or gaming. Using a voice command, users can then cause a certain play of light to begin when, for example, the console is switched on. If you want, you can adjust the lights directly to TV content. You can do this with the Philips Hue Sync Box, for example.

Alexa routine number 3 for entertainment – listen to music with Alexa

There are numerous ways to listen to music with Alexa. As an alarm clock as part of an Alexa routine, there is only one in front of it. If several echoes are distributed in the house, users can also have music played via an echo loudspeaker via motion detectors, voice commands or times. For cooking, while puzzling with the children or as a sleep aid for the little ones. Routines can also be switched off directly in the Alexa app. This is particularly useful when children are already asleep and parents want to switch off the music accordingly.

Alexa routine number 4 for entertainment volume control

Listening to music through Echo speakers has already been mentioned. However, if it is, for example, the radio program from TuneIn, songs are interrupted by advertising. Practical is an Alexa routine that turns off the volume on a voice command and only increases after about 3 minutes. Controlling the volume of the Echo speakers via Alexa routine is also practical in everyday life. For example, users can have the volume of the Echo speaker reduced in the morning and evening and increased at the time of day.

Alexa routine number 5 for comfort – light at night

The aforementioned Echo Flex with additional motion detector can also provide comfort at night. For example, if residents want to go to the kitchen because they are thirsty, the Echo Flex registers the movement and sends the signal to a small Alexa-compatible light or LED light strip, so that users can find the right way without effort or looking for the light switch.

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5 practical Alexa routines when the residents are absent

Smart health home security is important, especially when you are away. Alexa routines can help simulate the presence of residents or keep them informed about activities. We show 5 practical routines in the absence of the residents.

Alexa routine number 1 when absent – simulate presence by lights

At this point, too, the popularity of combining Alexa routines with smart lights is obvious. Residents can set times when the Alexa-compatible lights are turned on and off. The presence simulation does not give potential burglars the impression that nobody is at health home.

Alexa routine number 2 in the absence – integrate video camera in Alexa routines

If the entrance area or the garden is equipped with a surveillance camera, residents are already doing a lot right when it comes to security. Residents can also expand this with Alexa routines. If the camera registers movement, the lights in the house can be switched on, for example. This scenario leads to a presence simulation that can deter the potential burglar.

Alexa routine number 3 in the absence – window and door sensors

With window and door sensors, such as from the SmartThings range from Samsung, residents can increase the security of their smart homes. Integrated into an Alexa routine, users can find out if, for example, burglars are tampering with windows and the sensor registers that the window has been opened.

Alexa routines number 4 when absent – deter burglars with messages

If a burglar gets into the apartment, an Alexa routine can act as a deterrent to the culprit. For example, the voice command "Warning, break-in" prompts the police to be called. This can put the culprit to flight. However, the police cannot actually be alerted via Alexa. Therefore, users should always combine Alexa routines with surveillance cameras and other alarm systems, such as sirens.

Alexa routine number 5 when absent – integrate Alexa Guard into your routine

With Alexa Guard, users can integrate a practical function of Echo speakers into an Alexa routine. In the absence, the intelligent Echo Speaker informs z. B. over broken glass or when a smoke alarm sounds. However, this function is currently only available in the USA. There is no specific start date for the feature in Germany (as of: 05/2023)