Now, trigger smart home routines with Alexa's Echo buttons
Alexa 'Routines', the feature that triggers a pre-defined set of smart-home actions, can now be activated by the tap of a button. Amazon has enabled support for Routines via its colorful $20 Echo buttons, which means even your friends and guests will be able to activate your smart-home functions, without using the actual trigger phrase. Here's more.
Echo buttons: Much more than a party trick
Ever since hitting the market, the Echo buttons have been serving tools to buzz-in while playing Alexa's trivia games. But now, Amazon is adding the element of utility by making these buttons a trigger for select, pre-set routines. Note that in order to use them, you'll have to update the Alexa app from your phone's app store.
What these buttons could do?
By tapping Echo buttons, you can trigger all smart home actions that are activated on saying a trigger phrase. For instance, instead of saying 'Alexa, Good Morning' to brighten-up lights or to hear news forecast, you can simply tap one of the pre-set Echo buttons. It can even be tapped to deliver weather updates or play a pre-set playlist.
How to use Echo buttons for routines?
To use Echo buttons for such actions, update the Alexa app and head over to the 'Routines' section. There, select 'Echo button' as your trigger and tap on the button you want to use for performing smart home actions. After this, select the actions you want to automate with the tap of that button and finish the set-up process. It is fairly simple.
Echo buttons are not available in India
Echo buttons are not available in India, but they'll work with all Echo smart home devices. If you've got a new pair, just say, "Alexa, set up my Echo Buttons" and they will be prepped and paired for use.
