Amazon’s Alexa can now be used on any Android phone. Whilst you still need to install the Alexa app to start a command, it is now possible to set Alexa as a default assistant, this has come about since Amazon has launched an update to its Alexa app for Android phones which helps users to access Alexa by long pressing the home button. A user from Reddit has pointed out that previously we could swap Cortana for the default voice assistant in Android.
The setup process of Alexa on Android may vary from different devices, however every user has to first update their Alexa app, then go to phone settings and search for the category called Assist Apps. Although the functionality of Alexa is limited in the Android devices like you can’t make native calls, it can however do a quick Google Search. Alexa can’t however be activated by saying her name. Some of the OEM has provided an update to have multiple voice assistants on devices among them are Google Pixel 2, One Plus 5, One Plus One, Sony Xperia, Moto G series, Essential Phone and Samsung Galaxy Series.
Here are some examples of what you might say:
- “Reorder paper towels.”
- “Track my package.”
- “Play my Flash Briefing.”
- “Play Stuff You Should Know.”
- “Read ‘Ready Player One.'”
- “What’s the weather like?”
- “Turn on the office lights.”
- “Tell August to lock the front door.”
- “Open Big Sky.”
When you first fire up Alexa in your mobile you will get a “getting started guide” that will help you get to grips with the new Alexa functionality.
If you would like to add our latest hacking news podcast to your flash briefings you can do the following:
- Open Alexa App on your phone/device
- Go to Settings > Flash Briefing.
- Click Get more Flash Briefing content.
- Search for “Latest Hacking News”
- Click on the link for the feed and click Enable Skill to add it to your Flash Briefing.
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