Amazon Alexa and Voice Technology: It's time to start a conversation

Digitally delight a family member on their special day by setting up a birthday routine for Amazon Alexa-enabled devices. Here's how to do it:
Open the Alexa app and click on the menu (3 lines on the upper left).
Select "Routines" > Plus sign on top right > "When this happens" > "Schedule"
Choose whether you'd like to schedule your message for a specific date/time or would rather trigger it with a phrase.
Next, select "Add Action" > "Alexa says" > "Phrases" > "Birthday"
Select from numerous birthday messages.
Once you've chosen an action, press "Add" at the bottom. You can then either add another action or if finished, select "Create."

Cream City Digital, beta testers for Amazon’s new voice service, Polly, launched the Alexa skill,“Trivia Night.” The new Alexa skill showcases Polly’s ability to translate text into lifelike speech.

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Amazon has recently released the Fire TV Cube, a device which allows users to control TVs, A/V receivers and sound bars that are compatible.  Cube owners can check out live TV with cable or satellite boxes from Comcast, DIRECTV/AT&t U-VERSE, DISH and more.  The Fire TV allows you to play, pause and resume content within many apps including Netflix, Hulu, CBS All Access, SHOWTIME and others -- the list keeps growing.  

Planning for an upcoming road trip? You can ask Amazon's Alexa how long the drive will take. "Alexa, how long will it take to drive to Los Angeles, California?" She'll respond with the drive time from your location to the desired destination.  If you're the type who likes to get a little exercise in before the day starts, you can ask "Alexa, when is sunrise in Santa Monica, Ca ...

Personalize your Alexa routines by adding custom language to existing or new routines. Open the Alexa app, select “Routines” click on an existing routine, such as “Start my morning,” select > Action > Alexa Says > Custom and type in a sentence you would like Alexa to say when the routine is engaged. “Good morning, you will do great things today.”

Amazon's Alexa can provide quick access to many of your favorite local radio stations. To see what's available, open your Alexa app, use the menu in the upper left corner > Music, Video, & Books > TuneIn > Local Radio.  Or, click on this link to browse local stations in your area. 

Use your Amazon Echo device as a Bluetooth speaker to play music from your mobile device. To get started, say, "Alexa, pair Bluetooth." Go to the Bluetooth settings on your mobile device and pair your phone with the desired Echo device. Once paired, any music you play on your mobile device will now play through your Echo. 

Start your day off on the right foot by enabling the My Morning Alexa skill. This seven-minute guide begins with silent meditation, moves to affirmation and visualization, pauses for a moment of gratitude, devotes 60 seconds to top priorities and finishes with optional stretching and jumping jacks. Say "Alexa, start my morning" to begin.