Jill Schmidt
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Jill Schmidt is a voice and smart home technology enthusiast. She created the Facebook group, Amazon Alexa and Smart Home Tips, Deals, News, and How-to's in 2017 and enjoys sharing with and learning from a community of individuals who contribute their technical expertise, insight, and inspiration. Jill is a regular contributor to Alexa-focused questions and answers on Quora.

Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 Owners Can Scan and Add Groceries
Owners of the Show 5 and Show 8 can now add groceries to their shopping list by scanning the barcode on the package. Begin by saying, "Alexa, scan this to my shopping list" and follow Alexa's instructions. Click here to…
Relive the Soundtrack of Your Life with Alexa

Relive the soundtrack of your life when you ask Alexa to play the top hits from each year. Try artist and genre variations of the following commands on Alexa-enabled devices with Amazon Prime music. “Alexa, play David Bowie songs from…

Get the Fastest Weather Report Available for Alexa

If you’re in a rush to get out the door and want to get the weather, pronto, enable the Fast Weather skill. Once you associate the skill with your zip code, saying “Alexa, fast weather” will provide you with a…

This Weather-related Alexa Skill Can Help You Get Dressed

The “Feels Like” Alexa skill takes both the wind chill and heat index into account when it reports the temperature as well as what it “feels like” outside. Enable the skill, enter your zip code, or specify a city of…

IKEA’s Smart Blinds Have Arrived

IKEA’S long-awaited smart blinds are now available for purchase. Consumers can select from two affordable options that come in a variety of fixed widths, with no professional installation needed. Shoppers will need to pick up IKEA’s $30 Tradfri gateway to…

This Slick Alexa Shopping Trick will Surprise You
If you have a first or second generation Echo Show, you can hold the bar code of most branded household items up to the screen and say, "Alexa, buy this." Alexa will pull up related inventory at Amazon.com and you can continue…
Kick-Off Football Sunday with these 8 Alexa Skills

Whether you’re ordering food or checking for top news updates from around the league, check out Amazon’s Alexa skill picks for the Big Game. From stats to Starbucks, the phrase “Alexa, let’s get ready for the big game” will alert…

Alexa Adds Sparkle to the Fourth of July

Get ready to impress the park patrons this firework season when you share the exact moment the sun is expected to set and the fiery shower of light will hit the skies. Check-in with Amazon’s Alexa for the scoop on…

Use Alexa to Locate Family Members

Keep tabs on family members with the free Life360 mobile app and accompanying Alexa skill. After downloading the mobile app and enabling and linking the Alexa skill, you’ll be able to receive notifications when family members leave work, arrive at…

How to Add Custom Phrases to Amazon Alexa Routines

Personalize your Alexa routines (and delight your friends and family members) by adding custom language to existing or new routines. Open the Alexa app on your phone, tap “More” at the bottom right followed by “Routines.” Click on an existing…