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Alexa settings and wake word

Change Alexa's wake word, settings and more

Table of content

  1. Change Alexa wake word
  2. Consumer vs. managed (community) Alexa
  3. Alexa skills
  4. Smart home 
  5. Update Alexa location
  6. Update Alexa wifi
  7. Alexa FAQs
  8. Troubleshooting Alexa

There are limited settings you can modify on your Alexa, such as the connection status, location, timezone, wake word, speech speed, language, volume, temperature, and Do Not Disturb. 

Change Alexa's wake word (name)

If someone has an Alexa device or would prefer a different name, you can update the name of the device in their Resident Record. 

  1. Search for the Resident
  2. Click their Resident Record
  3. Click the "Alexa" tab
  4. Select your new wake word. Select from Alexa, Computer, Amazon or Echo.
  5. Click "Save" 

 

Consumer vs. Managed Alexa

Some residents may have an existing Alexa in their apartment, and if they need their current Alexa and their new community Alexa. There are distinct differences between a personal Alexa and a managed Alexa from your community. W

If a resident wants to keep their personal consumer Alexa, simply change the wake word for one of their devices to Echo. 


Consumer  Managed

No connectivity to community content.

Community content available (menus, calendars, news, and announcements)

Invocation word needed to "open" a skill. E.g., "Alexa, ask my community for..."

No invocation word: "Alexa, what's on the menu?"
Credit Card & Amazon Account are required. No personal information, credit card or Amazon account. Completely anonymous device.

Drop in (intercom feature) is enabled, this allows for unannounced video and audio monitoring of the room the Alexa is in. 

Drop In Disabled. Only audio/video calls if contacts have been added by the community or family. 

Music & paid personal accounts

 Radio stations (iHeart, TuneIn, Amazon radio)

Alexa App setup with Amazon account

 Setup by Speak2 with the Alexa for Senior Living platform. There is no individual Amazon account.

 


Alexa Skills

alexa-newsAlexa Skills are apps on Alexa. Speak2 curates a dozen or so appropriate skills such as poems, meditation, jokes and nature sounds. All skills must be added by Speak2 for security and privacy. If there is a specific skill you'd like, email support@speak2family.com, and we will add it.

Alexa skills are created and developed by other companies. If a skill stops working, Speak2 unfortunately can't fix it. Typically, the skill will come back working if you try asking again!

Alexa FAQs

  1. My Alexa is showing the wrong location. How do I update this?
    If you need to update an Alexa to your correct city or timezone, use the Assert Address feature. Click here for steps. 

  2. Can I change the wake word or add contacts on the actual Alexa? 
    No. You can change the wake word on the web in the Alexa tab in the Resident Record. You can add contacts on the web or through the Community (family) app. 

  3. How do I connect Alexa to the network? 
    All Alexa and echo devices are setup on a preconfigured network. If the device loses connection, try the following: 
    1. Check to ensure the network is still available on your computer or phone. If you do not see the network the devices are connected to, reach out to your internal IT team.  
    2. Unplug and replug the device
    3. Move the device to a location with strong connection and keep the device plugged in for 15 minutes to try to connect
    4. Email support@speak2family.com with the device ID and what is occurring

  4. What happens if the WiFi or electricity goes out? 
    If the WiFi or electricity goes out, the devices will not work. When either is turned back on, the device will automatically go back on. 

  5. What is a power cycle?
    Power cycling means unplugging and replugging the device. Sometimes, the device looses connection or a setting does completely load, the first step to troubleshoot Alexa is to unplug and replug the device. 

  6. Can Alexa make audio/video calls? 
    Yes only to US landline or cell phone numbers added as a contact. Click here for more information.

  7. How do I get more Alexas? 
    Speak2 can order and setup more devices. Click here for more information.
  8. I asked Alexa a question, and she responded with, "Sorry, I can't do that," or "Only owners can add this skill. 
    The skills or phrases being asked of Alexa may not be available or must be added by Speak2. For example, if a residents says, "Alexa, open Uber", they will be told the skill is not available and to try something else.