What Are Alexa Skills?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Alexa skills are like apps. You

can enable and disable skills

, using the Alexa app or a web browser, in the same way that you install and uninstall apps on your smart phone or tablet. Skills are voice-driven Alexa capabilities. You can add Alexa skills to your Echo to bring products and services to life.

Are skills free on Alexa?


All Alexa Skills are free

, though some require a subscription service to unlock their full functionality. … In order to gain access to a particular Skill, like CNET News, you have to ask Alexa to enable the particular skill, or click Enable on Amazon.com or in the Alexa mobile app.

How do you use Alexa skills?

  1. Open the Alexa app on your iPhone or Android and tap the menu icon at the top-left. Open the top menu. …
  2. Tap “Skills & Games” in the menu. Select “Skills & Games.” …
  3. Tap the magnifying glass icon to search for the skill you want. …
  4. Select the skill, then tap “ENABLE TO USE.”

Does Alexa skills cost money?

What Do Alexa Skills Cost?

Alexa Skills are completely FREE

, however, some Skills may have a subscription fee associated with them. Enabling the skill itself will be free, and using its most basic features may be free, but it might cost money to use a particular skill to its full potential.

What's an Alexa skill?

Alexa skills are like apps. You

can enable and disable skills

, using the Alexa app or a web browser, in the same way that you install and uninstall apps on your smart phone or tablet. Skills are voice-driven Alexa capabilities. You can add Alexa skills to your Echo to bring products and services to life.

What cool things can Alexa do?

  • Use as a Bluetooth Speaker.
  • Set A Reminder.
  • Find your Phone.
  • Control your Smart Home.
  • Make Skype Calls.
  • Ordering Stuffs Online.
  • Alexa Guard.
  • Read Emails.

Does Alexa have a camera?

The Echo Show 10 lets you pan and zoom when you view it as a

security camera

from the Alexa app.

What is free on Alexa?

There are several free services with built-in Alexa integration, including

iHeartRadio, Pandora, and TuneIn

. You can also link to the free tiers of Spotify and Apple Music as well. Open the Alexa app on your phone or computer. Select “Settings,” then “Music & Podcasts” under the “ALEXA PREFERENCES” section.

Is Alexa always listening?

While

Alexa is always listening

, it isn't constantly recording, and it doesn't record conversations. However, it definitely can record conversations accidentally if it thinks it hears its wake word. By default, these snippets are uploaded to Amazon's servers right alongside actual commands and questions.

What commands can Alexa do?

Basic commands


Ask for help

: “Alexa, help.” Mute or unmute: “Alexa, mute” or, “Alexa, unmute.” Stop or pause: “Alexa, stop” or, “Alexa, shut up.” Change volume: “Alexa, set the volume to 5,” “Alexa, louder” or “Alexa, turn up/down the volume.”

Can Alexa teach words?

Amazon added a new language-learning skill called

Cleo to the Echo

. If you speak a language besides English, you can use the Cleo skill to teach it to Alexa. Over time, Alexa will learn from you, eventually helping to expand its foreign language vocabulary.

What is needed for Alexa?

You need a smartphone or tablet that meets one of these qualifications: An

iPhone or iPad running iOS 9 or later

. An Android phone or tablet running Android 5 or later. An Amazon Fire tablet running Fire OS 3 or later.

How do I add custom skills to Alexa?

  1. Go to developer.amazon.com/alexa.
  2. Click Your Alexa Consoles, and then click Skills. …
  3. Click Create Skill.
  4. Enter the skill name and default language. …
  5. Click the Custom model.
  6. Click Create skill.
  7. Click the template you want to use and then click Choose.

Is there a Netflix skill for Alexa?

Available instantly on your connected Alexa device.

Net Flicks Browser

by Amogh Consultants, a fan of Netflix, is an unofficial skill that enables Alexa to search movies featuring favorite actors and actresses.

Do you need Amazon account for Alexa?


You need an Amazon account to use Alexa

, but you don't need Amazon Prime. Sign in on the app. … Here you can add any number of Alexa-supported devices to your account, from smart lights to smart plugs. But we're focused on Echo devices, so tap Amazon Echo; at the next screen, tap the Echo device you want to set up.

How can I get Alexa for free?

All you need is an Amazon account to use Alexa, but having an Amazon Prime subscription is not necessary. Furthermore, you can get Alexa free of cost

on iOS, Android, or Fire OS on Amazon's own tablets

.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.