Even though Alexa+ isn’t technically brand new, that didn’t stop many of us in the UK from getting a little excited when it finally arrived here a couple of weeks ago. Watching other countries get access months earlier definitely builds the anticipation, so once it arrived, it was time to see what all the fuss was about.

Luckily, I already own one of the newer Amazon Echo Show models, which meant the update arrived almost immediately. It’s pretty clear that Amazon is prioritising newer devices first, so some of you may still be waiting for the update to roll out.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share three things I’ve learned after using Alexa+ for the past two weeks, so you know what to expect.

1. You'll never hear "Hmm, I'm not quite sure how to answer that” again

Alexa+ has always been positioned as a big upgrade from the original Alexa experience, but you don’t really realise how much until you start using it. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve asked my speaker just about everything I could think of.

Instead of simple queries, I’ve been throwing much more complicated questions at it. This includes things like“Alexa, if I’ve planted my sweet peas too early, will they grow leggy when they finally germinate?” or even “Alexa, my partner supports Tottenham – what could I say to cheer him up before they get relegated?”

Questions that previously would have triggered the classic “Hmm, I’m not quite sure how to answer that” are now met with surprisingly detailed responses. Alexa+ feels much more conversational and knowledgeable, and so far I’ve struggled to completely stump it.

2. It can actually do things for you

This is another feature that might sound a bit gimmicky at first, but once you try it, it’s incredibly impressive. Alexa+ can now turn requests into real actions, rather than simply giving you information. You can ask it to book restaurant tables, send emails, create plans or organise tasks that would normally take several steps on your phone or laptop.

I’ve actually been using my sister’s upcoming hen do as a test case whilst planning things. For example, I asked Alexa to find highly rated caterers in the Suffolk area, check their availability for a specific date and even help generate an invitation that I could send to the group. If you’re using an Echo Show with a display, it works even better, since you can see visuals and suggestions on-screen.

3. It's slightly annoying, but you can change that

That said, Alexa+ isn’t perfect, and one thing I noticed quite quickly is that it can be very annoying. Sometimes it gives very long answers when you really only wanted a quick response, and the enthusiastic tone can feel a lot first thing in the morning. I've also found the British nuances slightly strange at first, although that might just be because I’ve been used to the original Alexa for so long.

The good news is that you can actually train Alexa+ to behave more how you want it to. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve asked it to give shorter responses to certain questions and tone down the enthusiasm during early mornings – although that probably says more about me than anything. Like any AI system, the more you use it and adjust things, the better it seems to work for you.

There are still plenty of features I haven’t explored yet, and I’m only a couple of weeks into using Alexa+. However, if this is just the beginning, it’s clear there’s a lot more to discover in the weeks ahead.

Just about everyone knows by now that Alexa+ has arrived in the UK, bringing with it a new and improved version of Alexa that’s designed to become one of the best AI assistants yet. It’s left many people eagerly waiting, especially after Amazon stated that the rollout would begin last week. However, for those who still haven’t seen it arrive on their device, things have felt a little unclear.

Over the past few days, it’s become pretty clear that Amazon is prioritising its newer models, particularly the range of Echo devices that launched last September. Owners of devices like the Echo Dot Max and Echo Show 8 (4th gen) received the update email almost immediately after the announcement, prompting them to start the update through the Alexa app. In some cases, Alexa has even initiated the process itself by asking users whether they’re ready to update.

However, for those who haven’t heard anything yet – or who received the email saying Alexa+ was coming but still don’t have access to the update – you’re probably wondering what’s going on.

As mentioned, it appears Amazon is rolling the update out to newer devices first, which is likely why many other models haven’t received it yet. Amazon has already confirmed that only a small number of devices won’t be compatible, but the unsupported models are mostly older devices released between 2014 and 2018, so the majority of users should still be eligible.

What this means is that if your device is newer than those early models but older than the latest Echo lineup, you may just need to wait a little longer. The rollout is happening in stages, and Amazon appears to be expanding access gradually. The good news is that the company is actively working on it, so if your device isn’t too old, you likely won’t have to wait much longer.

Amazon could be about to have a second crack at the Fire Phone, with the company said to be looking at a new device – known internally as Transformer.

The Fire Phone first launched in 2014, but was discontinued a year later and widely regarded as a complete flop. One of big reasons it failed was because of apps, or a lack thereof, with Apple and Android having established dominance.

The latest report from Reuters suggests that Amazon is revisiting the idea with reports from people within Amazon's devices and services unit. The aim, it seems, is to provide a level of synchronicity through the day with Alexa's experience in the home.

The new phone is likely being planned to address Alexa+'s biggest weakness: it doesn't have a home on mobile devices. While the Alexa app will give access to Alexa+, iPhone users are more likely to use Siri and Android users Gemini rather than Alexa+, leaving a big hole in Amazon's AI experience.

It's thought that the new Amazon phone will prioritise Amazon shopping, Prime Video, Prime Music and other services, much like Amazon's Fire tablets, with AI at the core. It's thought that AI could eliminate the need for an app store, by offering services directly through Alexa.

It might be the case that this isn't a full smartphone, but an AI companion device, with inspiration said to have come from the Light Phone, which is a minimalist device, the antithesis of the modern smartphone.

That might see Amazon's new phone acting as a device that can complete a range of AI tasks, with many of Amazon's services behind the experience. It's not yet known what form the device will take or what platform it will run on.

Will Fire Phone be a Fire Brooch instead?

The issue is, previous AI devices have had something of a rocky ride, with the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI pin struggling to gain interest with customers. While these AI devices promise to simplify things using AI, they're secondary to smartphones and just become another half-baked device to carry.

The same fate might befall Amazon's second attempt at a phone, if it's not a single device that does everything.

With the cost of mobile devices set to rise, there's a prediction that we're about to go into a smartphone slump. Amazon's best bet might be to create a device that can competitively undercut existing rivals on price, while offering a complete Android experience so users don't have to compromise.

One of the biggest pieces of news this week is that Alexa+ has finally reached the UK, despite being announced more than six months ago. Designed to make Amazon’s range of Echo devices far more personalised and responsive, Alexa+ is expected to completely transform the Alexa experience.

That said, Alexa+ isn’t compatible with every single Echo or Amazon device out there, so it’s worth checking whether yours will actually support it. The good news is that Alexa+ will work on the overwhelming majority of Echo devices. The only exceptions are some much older generations, where you’ll simply continue using the original Alexa instead.

Below you’ll find the full list of devices that don’t support Alexa+, as well as the ones that do – just so you know where you stand before getting too excited.

Which models will have access to Alexa+?

This includes the new generation of Echo devices, such as the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) that we recently reviewed, along with a number of models released before it. Alexa+ will also be available on compatible Fire TV devices, including the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen), Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) and Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2nd Gen).

There’s another bit of good news too – you don’t even need to own an Echo device to try Alexa+. Later this year, users will be able to access Alexa+ directly through a web browser. Amazon hasn’t confirmed exactly when that will happen yet, but it’s another sign of how widely the company plans to roll out its new AI assistant.

 Which devices aren't compatible?

As for the devices that miss out, Alexa+ isn’t available on the Echo Dot (1st Gen), Echo (1st Gen), Echo Plus (1st Gen), Echo Show (1st Gen), Echo Show (2nd Gen) and Echo Spot (1st Gen). These models launched between 2014 and 2018, so if you’ve bought an Echo device in more recent years, you should be fine.

The experience also isn’t currently supported on Echo Buds, Echo Auto or Alexa Built-in devices. However, Amazon says it “looks forward to expanding Alexa+ to additional devices in the future,” so we'll see how it all plays out.

Alexa+ has finally made its way to the UK, despite being announced over six months ago. At the time, Amazon confirmed the rollout would begin in the US first, with a wider release expected later. Now it’s the UK’s turn, and the good news is that access is available from today.

Designed to make Amazon’s range of Echo devices far more personalised and responsive, Alexa+ marks a major step forward in the evolution of AI assistants. It's said to completely transform the Alexa experience, turning it from a simple voice assistant into something much more conversational and capable.

Before getting into the details, there are a few things to note. Alexa+ will begin rolling out in the UK from today, but it will only be supported on the most recent generation of Echo devices, as well as a select few from previous generations. If you buy a new compatible Echo model, Alexa+ should already be available. However, if you already own one, you’ll need to register online to receive the update, as it won’t automatically appear for everyone straight away.

It’s actually quite difficult to summarise everything Alexa+ brings, as it’s one of those upgrades that needs to be experienced to understand its full potential. That said, there are a few key areas the update focuses on, including deeper personalisation, more natural conversations and the ability to turn requests into actions.

For UK users, this also means Alexa becoming better at understanding British nuances, from local phrases and humour to the way we naturally speak. Another major improvement is the number of things Alexa can now help with, ranging from booking a table at a restaurant to suggesting recipes based on who’s coming over for dinner.

In terms of pricing, Alexa+ costs £19.99 per month, matching the $19.99 price in the US. However, there’s a big advantage for existing Amazon customers, as Prime members can access Alexa+ for free. Whether that changes in the future remains to be seen, but for now it’s a compelling bonus for anyone already in the Prime ecosystem.

The first-ever Amazon Echo Show came out back in 2017, but many users – myself included – are still finding underrated features that the smart speaker and display has been ‘hiding’.

Compared to the Echo Dot, a voice-controlled smart speaker without a screen, the Echo Show has a tablet-like display, meaning alongside Alexa voice commands, you can use it via its touchscreen. Due to its screen controls, the Echo Show has more features than the Echo Dot, most of which take advantage of its screen and built-in camera.

The latest underrated feature I’ve found is exclusive to Amazon’s Echo Show line-up and takes full advantage of its camera. The Alexa feature, Show and Tell, has been around since 2019 but it’s even more prevalent today with Amazon’s plans for Alexa+, its generative AI-powered voice assistant which is designed to make Alexa and Echo devices more conversational and accessible.

The Show and Tell feature is one of the best functions the Echo Show offers, as it makes the display more accessible to users who are blind or visually impaired. Using the Echo Show’s camera, Show and Tell allows you to ask Alexa to identify objects that you’re holding in your hand.

How it works is by standing in front of your Echo Show and holding up the item so the camera can see it clearly. This works best about a foot away from the camera. From there, simply say “Alexa, what’s in my hand” or “Alexa, what am I holding?” and your Echo Show will identify the object.

When using the Show and Tell feature, you may be asked to move the item you’re holding so the camera can fully see the different sides of the object, and its packaging. Alexa will ask you to do this by lifting, rotating or lowering the item, and may use a combination of audio and visual cues.

Once Alexa has identified what you’re holding, it’ll give you a brief description of what it is. What’s better is that Show and Tell is a feature that’s automatically enabled on your Echo Show device so you don’t have to worry about setting it up in the app or on the screen.

If you do want extra assistance, though, you can say “Help With Show and Tell” and Alexa will give you advice on how to use the feature. The Show and Tell feature is available on all Echo Show devices from the Echo Show 5 up to the Echo Show 21.

Amazon’s Echo line-up is always expanding its accessibility features, but its Show and Tell feature – which is seven years old – is one of the best smart display features I’ve come across. It’s not just helpful for people with blindness or low vision, either, but is also handy for the elderly, children and people who are learning different languages and need to translate things.

Voice controls are one of my favourite smart home features, especially when I’m using my smart speaker. But for those who don’t want to shout ‘Alexa’ constantly at their Echo Show devices, or if you’re trying not to disturb other people in your home, there’s a quick and easy way to access Alexa without having to shout at her.

For those who own an Echo Show smart display, Tap to Alexa is a handy yet underrated feature that saves your voice and makes common requests and actions more seamless. Rather than shout ‘Alexa’, you can enable Tap to Alexa so you can type commands and see your frequently used requests by tapping on the screen.

The Tap to Alexa feature is great for a number of reasons. Maybe you’ve got guests or children sleeping in your home so you don’t want to wake them by shouting for Alexa. Tap to Alexa also gives you more accessible control for people with speech, hearing or mobility issues.

To activate Tap to Alexa on your Echo Show, all you have to do is go to Settings on your Echo Show’s screen. From there, select Accessibility and there should be an option for Tap to Alexa. Once it’s been activated, you should be able to see a finger icon on your Echo Show’s screen.

When you touch the finger icon, your Tap to Alexa dashboard will come up and give you multiple options, like checking the weather, setting timers and playing music. Essentially, anything you ask Alexa to do regularly should come up when you use Tap to Alexa.

But my favourite part of the Tap to Alexa feature is its customisable tiles. On the dashboard, you can create your own customised buttons for your frequent commands which is especially useful for controlling your smart home gadgets.

For example, if you regularly ask Alexa to turn on the lights, you can create a new tile via the dashboard. To do this, tap Add New and you can input your request, choose an icon for the tile and tweak which lights you want to turn on and in which room.

It’s worth noting though that while tapping or typing to Alexa is silent on your end, it won’t automatically be silent the other way around, as Alexa will speak back to you once you’ve inputted your request. But you can change this via Brief Mode which is an option when you set up Tap to Alexa.

Instead of Alexa speaking, Brief Mode allows you to change its voice to a short chime. It’s still a noise of course, but it’s much quieter than a loud spoken response. You can also turn down the volume on your Echo Show so it’s less loud and disruptive.

Another thing worth noting is availability. Tap to Alexa is available on most Echo Show devices and Fire Tablets. For the former, you can use Tap to Alexa on all generations of the Echo Show 5, the Echo Show 8, the Echo Show 15, the Echo Show 21 and the Echo Spot.

The only device which differs is the Echo Show 10. For those with a third generation or later model of the Echo Show 10, Tap to Alexa is available, but earlier versions don’t have access to this feature.

It turns out many smart speakers have this ‘hidden’ feature and not just Echo. If you’re a Google Nest user, you can enable Ultrasound Sensing on Google Nest devices so instead of saying ‘Hey Google’ multiple times a day, you can simply approach your Nest speaker and it’ll show you important details without prompting.

It took a lot of people by surprise when Amazon unveiled just how big its product showcase was last September, bringing with it a stack of new devices. Tucked in amongst those announcements were two new Echo Shows, and I soon managed to get my hands on one for testing.

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) is a premium 8.7-inch smart display featuring a major redesign, with the main difference from the new Echo Show 11 simply being its size. I couldn’t wait to try it, and you'll find my full thoughts below.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) review: price and availability

The Echo Show 8 has an RRP of £179 and is available to buy from Amazon – of course. It's available in Glacier White or Graphite, and I've been reviewing the latter.

It's also available in multiple buying options, giving users the choice to get it for slightly less if purchased alongside a Ring video doorbell or something else.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) review: unboxing and set up

The Echo Show 8 is really simple to setup, especially if you're already invested in the Amazon Alexa ecosystem. This means most of your settings are already within the setup process, and is usually just a case of logging on and making sure the Echo Show is added as a device.

I recorded a quick TikTok which you can see below to see just how quick it us.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) review: design and features

You can tell the Echo Show 8 is a new upgraded version as it looks completely different to all other Echo models, now featuring a round, pill-shaped speaker base with a floating 8-inch thin screen.

There’s a slot for the optional magnetic stand, as well as a single power port located on the back. I actually decided to purchase an speaker stand which attaches to my plug outlet, raising the speaker above and keeping everything nice and tidy!

On the right-hand side you get the physical controls including volume, and a mute button that turns off the camera and microphone. There's unfortunately no slider that puts a privacy shutter across the 13 MP camera, which is a shame as that was one of my favourite features of its predecessor.

The Echo Show 8 is powered by Amazon’s AZ3 Pro chip with an AI accelerator, which helps make interactions feel snappy and responsive. The audio is also vastly improved with front-facing drivers and a dedicated woofer for richer, fuller sound that’s surprisingly good for a device of this size.

For smart home fans, it doubles as a hub supporting Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, letting you connect a wide range of lights, locks, sensors and more. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth ensure faster, more reliable connections, whilst Alexa integration makes voice-controlled automation seamless. On top of that, OmniSense smart sensors help the device detect presence and improve routine automation.

Visual ID is also built in, so the Echo Show 8 can recognise faces and show personalised information and appointments. This also works across multiple devices, so once your register yourself, your profile can follow you from one Echo Show to another.

One new feature announced during the big September launch was Alexa+, but it’s currently only available in the US. Whilst I haven’t been able to test it yet, it’s said to handle follow-up prompts and natural commands much better than the standard Alexa, so I can’t wait to see it in action when it finally arrives.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) review: performance

I've had a really positive experience testing the new Amazon Echo Show 8, and there was a lot riding on it since my entire smart home is built around Alexa. The first thing to mention is that it reacts to voice commands faster than any predecessor. I wasn't too sure what to expect here without Alexa+, but it's obvious the OmniSense smart sensors do a fantastic job.

Everything you know and love about Alexa also remains, and the device handles all the usual tasks like controlling smart home devices, managing lists, checking calendars, and giving news updates without any issues. Watching Netflix and other streaming apps worked surprisingly well – in fact, this is the first time I’ve enjoyed using an Echo Show for streaming, largely thanks to the upgraded screen.

Speaking of, it's important to say that the 1340 x 800 resolution isn’t the sharpest in the world, but it’s fine for an 8-inch screen, with bright, evenly lit colours. There’s no HDR support, but overall picture quality is strong.

I was also impressed with the sound quality. It feels nicely balanced overall, with clear vocals and enough depth from the dedicated woofer to avoid a tinny effect. At higher volumes, it easily filled the kitchen, and is more than capable of handling a small gathering or dinner party.

The user interface is clean and easy to navigate. When idle, it can rotate through personal photos, recipes or themed image collections. The recipe suggestions have been a particular favourite of mine, even if they do leave me feeling hungry at random points throughout the day.

Widgets are clear, easy to read and highly customisable, which I’ve especially appreciated whilst reviewing different smart home devices, allowing me to tailor the layout to prioritise the ones I was using most. A quick swipe down opens the control centre for fast access to settings and connected hubs, whilst swiping left cycles through your personalised widgets.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) review: verdict

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) feels like a confident step forward for the Echo lineup. The refreshed design looks more modern and premium, performance is noticeably improved, and the upgraded audio makes it far better suited to music and casual streaming than previous generations. Whilst the absence of a physical privacy shutter and Alexa+ is disappointing, neither drawback detracts from what is otherwise one of the strongest Echo Shows Amazon has released so far.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) review: alternatives to consider

If you’d rather go bigger, the Echo Show 15 is worth considering – it doubles as a small TV and household hub with Fire TV integration, though it has fewer sensors.

For a smaller alternative, the Echo Dot Max delivers many of the core Alexa features without the screen, which might actually suit you better if you prefer a more minimal setup. It’s also noticeably cheaper, making it a smart way to save money whilst still getting an Alexa experience.

IKEA smart home gadgets are everywhere at the moment, meaning they’re often sold out on IKEA’s website. Still, if you’ve managed to get your hands on one or two, you’re probably ready to start adding them to your wider smart home setup.

If you’ve been here before, you’ll know my smart home is built around Amazon Alexa, so a lot of my guides focus on getting new devices working smoothly with Amazon's best smart speakers. Next up is IKEA – specifically the TIMMERFLOTTE temperature and humidity sensor.

Below is a simple guide on how to connect the TIMMERFLOTTE (or any other IKEA smart home device) to your Amazon Alexa account and Echo smart speaker.

1. Open up the Amazon Alex app

This first step can vary depending on the brand – sometimes you need to use the manufacturer’s app, other times the Alexa app itself. For IKEA devices, the set up process takes place in the Amazon Alexa app.

Tap the + icon in the top right corner. Your device may already appear here automatically. In my case, Alexa picked up a few gadgets I’d set up previously, even though they weren’t powered on at the time.

If your device doesn’t show up, you can search for IKEA manually and select the device you want to connect.

2. Connect your device

Once you’ve selected the device, just follow the on-screen prompts. This usually involves scanning the QR code on the back of the device and putting it into pairing mode. For most IKEA devices, that means removing the batteries and popping them back in again, unless there’s a physical on/off button you can press instead.

You’ll also be asked which Echo speaker you want to connect it to. I’ve got a few around the house, so I chose my Echo Show 8 in the kitchen. From here, Alexa should confirm that the device is connecting to your smart home setup.

This bit is important – if you’re prompted to enter a Thread Network Key, restart your Amazon Alexa speaker and try the process again. Sometimes the connection can drop and trigger this message, but it isn’t necessary as IKEA devices are Matter-compatible, so everything should reconnect automatically once the speaker restarts.

3. Enjoy!

You should now be fully connected, and you can use the device however suits you best. For the TIMMERFLOTTE sensor, I’ve added it to my Echo's smart home widget so I can see the temperature at all times. That said, a lot of people will probably prefer to just ask Alexa what the temperature or humidity is in the room where the sensor lives – it's completely up to you!

If you’re interested, check out my guide on how to connect Dyson products to Amazon Alexa next.

Alexa Plus is now available to everyone in the US, following an early access period that's been running since the new AI-powered assistant was announced in February 2025.

Alexa Plus is an evolution of the familiar voice assistant that's been in Amazon's Echo devices since they launched in 2014. Since that time, it has evolved into one of the dominant voice assistants, especially in the home, where it's also common in TVs and other devices.

The move to Alexa Plus is designed to give the service greater powers, shifting to natural language understanding with the aim of being more useful. Amazon envisions users having long conversations with the AI, mining for information, making decisions and ultimately, using Alexa Plus to get things done.

That's going to include the likes of arranging a party, pulling together the menu and inviting participants, with Alexa assuming an agentic role – ie., where the AI can take actions on your behalf.

But it's taken a while to be fully available.

Thankfully, Amazon has now confirmed that Alexa Plus is open to everyone in the US, meaning it's stepping out of that limited access and moving into the mainstream. It's free for Prime members, which will help adoption, while early reviews have been generally positive.

Amazon launched the Echo Dot Max, new Echo Studio and recent Echo Show models specifically with Alexa Plus in mind, with more power available to make the AI assistant more seamless. However, the service is accessible through exisiting Echo devices too.

The Echo Show comes with the advantage of providing a visual element to proceedings, which is likely to make Alexa Plus more useful and easier to engage with. It will also be available through a browser and in the Alexa app.

While Alexa has enabled many smart homes over the past decade thanks to wide support for third-party devices, Alexa Plus promises to enhance the experience, allowing users to say what they want to happen, rather than having to stick to rigid language – including setting up Routines (home automation) on the fly.

The move to Alexa Plus reflects the changing nature of such assistants, with Google pushing Gemini across a full range of its devices, while it's now been confirmed that Siri on Apple devices will be enhanced using Google's Gemini tech too.

Alexa Plus is also still absent in much of the world, having only launched in the US and Canada so far. It has been promised for a launch in the UK in 2026, but things are taking a little longer than perhaps expected.

The challenges to Alexa Plus don't stop there, with the likes of ChatGPT having a stranglehold on smartphones while Gemini is also widely accessible. The question is whether Alexa Plus can make itself impressive enough on Echo devices for users to choose to use it on a phone and keep all their AI interactions in one place.

For now, if you're in the US and a Prime subscriber, then you should have access to Alexa Plus. For everyone else, the wait goes on.

It's fair to say that the rollout of Alexa+ hasn't gone as smoothly as Amazon would initially have hoped. However, there's some great news for device owners that are patiently waiting – it will more than likely work on your existing products.

Speaking to TechCrunch during CES, Amazon's vice president of Alexa and Echo explained that the new, AI-powered assistant will work on the vast majority of devices already in homes.

"97% of devices we ever shipped can support Alexa+," said Daniel Rausch – which is a mammoth amount of products it could potentially end up on. Amazon is claimed to have shipped more than 600 million Echo and Fire TV products since it started making its own hardware more than a decade ago.

This hopefully reduces some of the confusion surrounding Alexa+. Amazon has recently started to tag certain devices as being ready for the service, but has rarely discussed legacy products. It has lead some into thinking only new Echo and Fire TV models will be compatible.

That's not the case though, it seems. And once Alexa+ starts to roll out wider and to additional regions (it's limited to the US at present), it could serve a much bigger user base than originally thought.

Where are we at with Alexa Plus right now?

Of course, that all depends on the assistant being made available outside the States.

Although Amazon claims that "10s of millions" now have access, that's only through an opt-in program that's restricted to American users. It has also been beset with issues over the last year, with some critics saying it gets basic requests wrong.

However, this slow rollout should be of benefit to future users. Amazon will be learning from issues that have arisen and the wider community should get a better version when it eventually does arrive.

And considering it'll be free for all Amazon Prime members ($19.99 / around £14.99 per month for everyone else), it will be easy and cheap enough to try out.

Whilst Amazon Alexa will always be my favourite smart home ecosystem, I know I’m not the only one who’s found that connecting certain devices can be trickier than others. Sometimes it’s the Alexa app itself playing up, and other times it’s brands claiming to work with Alexa… but not really. Either way, it’s something to keep in mind.

Fridays are usually my work from home days, which means it’s the perfect time to tackle my review pile. My latest victim is the new Dyson Hot+Cool HF1, and as someone who loves secretly sleeping with a fan on, I knew I wanted it right next to my bed. That also meant connecting it to my Amazon Echo Spot so I could control it with my eyes half-shut, late at night or first thing in the morning.

That got me thinking, and whilst I was connecting it, I figured I’d share my own experience with you in case it comes in handy.

Why are Dyson devices different?

Unlike many devices that you can add directly in the Alexa app by searching for them, Dyson devices require logging into your Dyson account through the app. That means you need a Dyson account to control any of your devices remotely.

Some people might not love this – especially if you don’t plan on using an app with your Dyson products – but for me, it wasn’t an issue. My Dyson lineup isn’t huge, but I have the V16 Piston Animal, the Wash G1 and the Airwrap i.d. – all of which I enjoy using alongside the app. The app offers maintenance tips and cleaning advice for the vacuums, and provides personalised styling guidance based on my hair profile for the Airwrap.

How do I connect my devices up?

Since I already use the Dyson app regularly, connecting my account to Alexa was straightforward. In the Alexa app, all you do is press the + button to add a new device, search for your Dyson device, and you’ll be prompted to log in with your Dyson credentials. After that, everything happens automatically, and you’ll quickly be able to control your Dyson devices via Alexa voice commands or the Alexa app.

The Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 can also be controlled through the Dyson app, so you may have options depending on which product you're looking to connect.

Hopefully this helps if you’ve been struggling to get your Dyson connected, and stay tuned for my full Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 review coming soon.

Starting your smart home from scratch can feel overwhelming – especially if you’re not sure where to begin. With so many platforms and gadgets out there, it’s easy to get stuck before you even start.

In my guide to choosing your first smart home gadget, it's clear that the best place to start is with a smart speaker. This is because they serve as the central command hub, allowing you to seamlessly sync and manage additional products through the speaker itself.

Today, I’m going to walk you through the best smart speaker for you. There are plenty of options, but I’m narrowing it down to my top three favourites. Hopefully, by the end, your smart home will be up and running in no time.

Choosing a smart speaker depends on your ecosystem and what you want from your smart home, so that's something you need to establish first. If you've already chosen your platform, here’s a quick guide based on the major smart speakers.

1. Amazon Echo (Alexa)

In my opinion, the Amazon Echo is the best smart speaker for home automation. It’s compatible with the widest range of smart home devices and is particularly great if you love setting up routines and automations.

For a compact and budget-friendly option, the Echo Dot is a solid choice. However, I personally prefer the Echo Spot since it doubles as a stylish alarm clock. If you want a smart display, the Echo Show adds a screen for extra functionality.

2. Google Nest

If you’re already deep into Google’s ecosystem, the Google Nest lineup is a great fit. It offers excellent voice recognition and is particularly strong when it comes to answering questions.

Whilst it does support smart home control, Google Nest isn’t as widely compatible with third-party smart home devices as Alexa. If you’re after a smaller, budget-friendly option, the Nest Mini is a great pick, whilst the Nest Audio provides better sound quality.

3. Apple Homepod (Siri)

For Apple users who prioritise privacy and premium sound quality, the Apple HomePod is the best option. It seamlessly integrates with iPhones, HomeKit and Apple Music, making it ideal for those already invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Whilst Apple’s smart speakers offer strong privacy protections and high-end audio, they also come with limited third-party smart home compatibility. If you’re looking for an entry-level option, the HomePod Mini is a more affordable way to get started, whilst the full-sized HomePod delivers exceptional sound quality.

So...which is best?

If you're unsure which smart speaker to choose, I’d strongly recommend going with Alexa for the best smart home compatibility. Google Nest is perfect if you rely heavily on Google services, whilst Apple HomePod is the ideal choice for Apple users who prioritise premium sound quality.

I'll let you in a small secret – I’m an Alexa fan myself. However, setting up a smart home is incredibly personal, so what works for me might not be the best fit for you. That means you should go with the option that feels right for you and your needs.

Building your first smart home can feel overwhelming, especially with the sheer number of platforms and devices available. Whether you’re after a super simple setup, tons of flexibility, or the best mix of privacy and features, picking the right platform is key. I’ve already covered the best smart home gadget to start with, so now let’s talk about the platform you’ll actually be using.

With Matter compatibility becoming more widespread, the decision has become a bit trickier. Choosing a Matter-compatible platform is now a must, and lucky for you, all the options I’ll talk about here check that box. This means you’ll have the freedom to switch things up later if you want, knowing that your devices will easily work with whatever platform you choose down the line.

In this guide, I’ve broken down the top smart home platforms of 2025, who they’re best for, and how they fit into the ever-evolving smart home world.

1. Apple Home (HomeKit)

For those already invested in the Apple ecosystem, Apple Home is an obvious choice. Its seamless integration with HomePods, iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches makes smart home control incredibly intuitive, and now that Apple is preparing to launch a dedicated smart home hub, now is an ideal time to get started.

Apple’s commitment to privacy is another key advantage, with most smart home data processed locally for added security. Whilst Apple’s smart home accessories can be pricey, they deliver premium build quality, reliability and enhanced functionality within the ecosystem – making the investment worthwhile for dedicated Apple users.

Take a look at our guide on how to start a smart home with Apple Home for more information.

2. Amazon Alexa

For sheer compatibility and affordability, starting your smart home with Amazon Alexa is a great choice. Alexa supports a vast range of devices, including budget-friendly options from brands like TP-Link, Wyze, and countless others. This makes building a smart home on a budget both accessible and practical.

Alexa’s Routines offer powerful automation capabilities, and with the introduction of Alexa+, the platform is now smarter, more conversational, and packed with enhanced features – all included with Prime at no extra cost.

3. Samsung SmartThings

Using a Samsung SmartThings ecosystem continues to be a solid option, particularly for Samsung users. Its support for Zigbee, Z-Wave, and recently became Matter-compatible, making it a versatile choice with extensive device compatibility.

Although SmartThings still relies heavily on cloud processing, it offers a straightforward entry into home automation with enough flexibility to satisfy most users. Samsung’s Bespoke range has also reinforced its reputation for delivering sleek, high-quality smart home devices.

4. Google Home

Google Home offers a well-rounded smart home experience, especially for those already using Android devices, Google Nest products, or services like Google Assistant.

The platform has made significant strides in improving its automation tools and enhancing Matter support. However, some advanced users may still find Google’s automation features slightly limited when compared to competitors. Nevertheless, for Android users seeking simplicity and reliable performance, starting a smart home with Google Home is an excellent option.

5. Philips Hue

If your priority is smart lighting, Philips Hue remains the gold standard. Whilst you’ll need a compatible smart speaker for voice control, Hue’s app and platform offer one of the most intuitive and comprehensive lighting experiences available.

In recent years, Philips Hue has expanded its ecosystem to include smart security solutions, such as cameras, motion sensors, and other home monitoring devices – all designed to integrate seamlessly with Hue’s lighting system. Most Hue products are Matter-compatible, but if you prefer a simpler setup, many devices can also be controlled directly via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for additional hubs or platforms.

So...which one is the best?

Choosing the right smart home platform ultimately comes down to your existing devices, preferred ecosystem and desired features. For Apple enthusiasts, Apple Home offers a premium and secure experience. For affordability and versatility, Alexa leads the way. Meanwhile, SmartThings and Google Home strike a great balance between flexibility and simplicity. However, for those seeking unbeatable lighting solutions with expanding smart home capabilities, Philips Hue is an excellent investment.

If you're still unsure which platform best suits your needs, make sure you start with Matter-compatible devices. This will ensure your setup remains adaptable and future-proof, meaning you can make the decision at a later date if needs be.

Amazon Prime is an excellent service if you order plenty of items from the retailer and want them delivered quickly. It also has a wealth of other benefits, including access to the Prime Video streaming service, a stack of free games through Prime Gaming, free eBooks for Kindle devices, and a whole lot more. All for one monthly fee.

However, there's one new perk coming that will really put the icing on the cake.

Officially unveiled during the Amazon devices and services event in New York earlier this week, Alexa+ takes the smart assistant concept to a whole new level. Powered by AI, it is more conversational, features greater personalisation, and can be transformative when it comes to interacting with Amazon products and smart home devices in the future.

What's perhaps most surprising though is that, even though there were rumours it'll cost a monthly fee at launch, the new Alexa+ will be completely free to all Amazon Prime members.

In all honesty, there is a monthly fee of $19.99 per month to access the new assistant, but only to non-Prime subscribers. That makes the $14.99 monthly fee for Prime alone look positively cheap.

We're not yet sure how much it'll cost those without Prime membership in the UK or Australia as yet, but it's unlikely to be less than the £8.99 / A$9.99 per month for the full Prime. We'll likely know more later this year when it's available for use in those countries too.

When will Alexa+ be available?

Alexa+ will be available in the States first, with roll out said to be starting in the next few weeks. It'll be available to use on the latest versions of the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21. You will also be able to use the new Alexa through a mobile browser and updated app for iPhone and Android.

Amazon has announced that all-new devices will be coming later this year too, which are expected to support Alexa+ from the get-go.

And even if you don't have Amazon Prime when it does become available, you can always sign up for a 30-day free trial to try it out before spending a single penny.

Amazon unveiled an AI-enhanced version of Alexa this week, succinctly called Alexa+, but one thing that was surprisingly absent from the "devices" event was the mention of any new hardware.

New information suggests you’re going to have to wait a little longer for that.

Alexa+ will appear on recent Echo Show devices initially, before becoming more widely available, but one thing I noticed at the launch event was that it was exclusively shown on the Echo Show 21 – the company’s latest model. If you’re waiting for new hardware, then you’ll have to wait a little longer.

Talking to Bloomberg (via The Verge), Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said: “Brand new devices are coming in the fall that are beautiful.”

That sounds like Amazon is going to use its traditional September slot to launch new models in its tech lineup, something it has done for a number of years.

The oldest Echo devices in the current range include the regular Echo – launched in 2020 – as well as the Echo Show 10. The emphasis seems to be on screened devices however, with Alexa+ offering new animations and the more enhanced interaction throwing up touch points on the screen as you talk.

Amazon’s most recent devices are the Echo Show 21 and new Echo Spot, but the company has already confirmed that Alexa+ will work across a wide range of hardware – it’s only the very oldest devices that aren’t supported.

So far there’s been no hint at what new hardware will come, but we’re sure that we’ll start to see some leaks as we get closer to any launch event.

What can Alexa+ do?

Amazon’s AI-enhanced version of Alexa offers much more conversational interaction, allowing for more free-flowing conversation. Alexa+ can understand what you’re asking and interpret that, so when talking to Alexa you don’t need to use robotic language as you did before.

For example, on the current Alexa if you want to control a smart home device, you’ll have to use the correct name for that device, but Alexa+ will be able to figure out what you want to do from wider terms. This will help people in your house who might not know exactly what you called something when you set it up.

Alexa+ has been designed to get things done and will be able to act as an agent for you with many online services, able to carry out complicated tasks like finding and making reservations for you, booking an Uber and sending messages to friends, all from one conversation that you have.

Beyond that, you’ll be able to share documents with Alexa+ so it can digest the information and return it on request, adding dates to calendars and more. Alexa+ will initially be available in the US, but we’re expecting to see it in other regions before the end of the year.

I suspect that Amazon will have a September event and that we’ll see confirmation of the wider roll-out at that time.

Alexa+ has been years in the making but this week, the ubiquitous voice assistant received its biggest upgrade since its launch nearly 10 years ago. Through the use of generative AI, it has been completely redesigned to provide not just a more natural way to communicate, but a fully connected service.

Think of it as ChatGPT meets personal assistant. You can chat with Alexa+ as you would a friend, without having to carefully word commands in a robotic fashion, and follow up with having to repeatedly say Alexa.

The really clever part for me though is how it interacts with other apps, allowing you to make bookings for restaurants, sports games, taxis or services, set calendar reminders based on information from emails and messages, order shopping and even compose songs.

In one demo, I watched as the presenter filled his shopping basket, not by naming products, but through suggestions and recipes: all the items I need to make muffins, three types of vegetables that a four-year-old might eat. Then the shopping is fulfilled by Amazon Fresh or one of the other shopping partners.

There's some really interesting integration when you involve music and movies too. In another demo, the presenter asked Alexa for the song that appeared at the end of a movie, which then offered up the ability to play that track. Then, switching to the Fire TV, was able to skip right to that moment in the film.

How much will it cost?

Alexa+ is a premium service that will run alongside the existing Alexa voice assistant. The initial price in the US will be $19.99 a month when it launches in March, however, Amazon Prime customers will get this for free. That makes this another big benefit of having Prime, which already includes music, TV, delivery fees and more for $14.99 per month or $139 per year in the US.

There's been no information on how much the service will cost when it comes to the UK, or whether it will also be bundled as part of Prime. However, I expect we will see very similar prices, pounds to dollars, as well as an equally tempting Prime offering.

What devices is Alexa+ compatible with?

Some of the biggest features offered by Alexa+ take advantage of the displays on Echo Show devices. So it comes as little surprise that the initial rollout of the service will require an Echo Show 8 or larger. At a later date though, Alexa+ will be offered through most devices, with the exception of some first-generation Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Plus models.

Third-party devices with Alexa built in, such as Sonos speakers, will also not be compatible with Alexa+, at least for the time being. It's certainly a good reason to stick with Echo devices, especially those with screens.

Amazon has lifted the lid on its next-gen assistant, which it calls "Alexa+".

Announced during its latest devices and services event being held in New York today, the new version of Alexa is more conversational, smarter and allows for much greater personalisation.

It better understands each user, including understanding of personal movie tastes, dietary requirements, allergies and even weekly traditions. Basically, it can remember anything you want it to for a customised experience.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the new, AI-powered Alexa+ and the currently available assistant is that it can have more flowing, contextual conversations. For example, after the first time you don't need to say "Alexa" or another wake word again, you can just carry on speaking naturally to your supported device.

Alexa+ can also help with tasks and requirements, such as keeping entries in your diary or planner and reminding you ahead of time, or helping you arrange a holiday or travel.

You can also create routines just by telling Alexa+ what you want to do – you currently have to go to the Alexa app on your mobile device and set everything manually.

The new Alexa can also help control your multiroom entertainment, such as stream music to certain supported speakers around the home. Just say something like, "play music everywhere, but don't wake the baby", and tracks will be restricted to rooms far away from the nursery, say.

And you can ask it questions about movies on Prime Video and the assistant will jump to a specific scene on an Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick.

There are plenty of other interactions available too, which will become apparent once we've had a play with the new version ourselves.

Amazon will release Alexa+ in the US first, with roll out expected in the next "few weeks". And surprisingly, it'll be completely free to Amazon Prime members, otherwise you'll pay $19.99 per month.

Amazon Prime currently costs $14.99 per month or $149.99 for a whole year. It's £8.99 per month in the UK, £95 for a year's subscription.

The new Alexa+ will be available on Echo Show devices initially – including the current Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21.

Amazon hosted a major press conference on Wednesday 26 February, where it unveiled its long-awaited, AI-powered Alexa upgrade. Called Alexa+, it is smarter, more conversational and can do much more than turn the lights on or play music.

The event took place in New York, but was weirdly behind closed doors – only invited press got to see it in person. However, T3 was one of those and reported back as things happened, so you can check out everything that was announced below.

New Amazon Alexa: the story so far

You can catch up on some of the important milestones in the new Alexa launch via the stories below:

• Amazon Alexa+ official – is the all-new, smarter version of Alexa you'll be using soon
• Amazon’s new AI Alexa could finally make its debut this month, along with new devices
• Here are 5 good reasons to pay for Alexa AI
• A smarter Alexa will reportedly cost you up to $10 per month
• Amazon Alexa payment plan coming soon, but is it worth it?
• Amazon's generative AI is about to transform your home and I'm sold

Is it ready?

While we know that the main focus of today's event will be the new, AI-powered version of Alexa, it's been rumoured that it won't actually be ready for public consumption quite yet.

It has been claimed that the more conversational, smarter assistant is actually getting some basic answers wrong. That could lead to an update, but we might have to wait a little longer for a full launch.

To be honest, if it does launch with a few teething troubles, it won't be the first AI service to do so – Apple Intelligence, for example, was found to incorrectly summarise some news stories, leading to Apple pulling the feature in a recent update until it can be fixed.

Will you have to pay for the new Alexa?

Ever since Amazon first debuted its next-gen Alexa, there have been questions about its cost. Indeed, the company itself admitted that, once launched, consumers will have a choice between Alexa versions – the current free assistant and the new AI Alexa.

This latter one will require a subscription, it is believed, of up to $10 / £10 per month.

The exact amount is unconfirmed at present, so it could be less, but it's nigh-on certain that you'll have to pay. It's also possible the new version of Alexa will only work on certain devices – possibly even brand-new releases. We should find out more later today, though.

New Amazon devices

There is the suggestion that we could see some new devices launch during the event, maybe those that support the new version of Alexa. However, it's not certain and considering there's no public live stream, it's unlikely there'll be a song and dance about them.

Amazon has instead announced a few devices in the build up already. There are new Eero 7 and Eero Pro 7 mesh network systems, which started to ship from Amazon retail sites around the globe today. We also have a new Ring Outdoor Camera Plus, which sports an attractive price.

If we do see any additional devices launch, they'll likely be in the Echo range to capitalise on Alexa 2 (or whatever it ends up being called).

What to expect during the event

While the event won't be streamed anywhere, we'll be in attendance in person so can bring you the news right here as it happens.

Considering it's being held in New York City, it's likely that it will mainly centre on US announcements initially – Amazon often launches new products and services in the States first, then offers them in other countries as and when they are ready.

It's also possible we'll get to play with whatever is announced – maybe test the new version of Alexa for ourselves, so we'll give you our thoughts as soon as possible.

At the event

It's Mat Gallagher here, and I'm in New York for the event. We're now in the building and about to take our seats. There was a lot of press here queuing around the block this morning to get in, so looking forward to what Amazon is about to announce.

TVs and displays

We've got a TV and a range of large displays on the stage for the demo. If this is a new version of Alexa it's likely to span across all of Amazon's products.

It begins

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy is on stage to kick off and the talk is around AI. Amazon wants to find practical uses for AI and that has become easier with generative AI.

Amazon's chatbot has been rebuilt with generative AI, giving better responses to uses. It is also being used for third-party sellers to list their products on Amazon, and to summarise reviews of products. Generative AI is being used in inventory, forecasting and more to increase productivity.

Alexa

Panos Panay, Senior VP of devices and services is on stage. Now we're expecting to hear about Alexa. Over the last year, engagement with Alexa has increased 20%.

We're now seeing a video about what Alexa has done for customers over the years.

Panay acknowledges, that Alexa is not always perfect. Until now, it has been limited by the technology available. AI can be intimidating on its own, so any solution needs to bring everything together.

Alexa+

The next generation of Alexa, powered by AI is here. Smarter, conversational, personalised, gets things done. Can fully interact, remember and help with all aspects in your life – with personality.

The blue bar now has 'Alexicons' at the bottom of the screen to give a visual character to Alexa.

Smart home has transformed with Alexa+, it can create a routine with just a few words. We're seeing a demo with a very natural conversation, combining Echo Studio devices and handing over to a Fire TV. Checking smart home cameras, just by asking questions about what it has seen.

Sharing docs with Alexa+ now allows it to reference them for your questions. You can then take action on those documents, such as adding dates to your calendar and set reminders based on that info.

Explore and Stories with Alexa

These new stories and explore functions are part of Alexa+ that are designed for interactions with kids and seems to work on the Kids version of Echo.

Booking and scheduling

The last demo saw Alex+ booking Ubers, sending messages, finding seats to a baseball game and more. It brings in a wide range of tasks without having to leave the main screen, or press any buttons.

Suno

The demo shows Alexa+ interacting with Suno to create a song from an idea. A wide range of apps can interact with Alexa+ to enhance the experience. Another example is with Amazon Fresh, picking items needed for the order with natural language, calling from recipes and adjusting based on needs.

When can I get it?

Alex+ costs $19.99 a month but free is for Prime Members and begins to roll out in March in the US. It's expected to roll out in other markets later this year.

There's also an Alexa.com, that allows you to interact on browser, plus a new phone app too.

I have a confession to make – I hadn't actually used a Copilot+ PC until this week. It's one of those big changes in the PC world that can be hard to get to grips with – until you're actually testing a device that includes Microsoft's new button right there on the keyboard, heralding a new age of AI (that's artificial intelligence, for the uninitiated) help on your machine.

Now, though, I've got my hands on a device I can't talk about yet, one that has Copilot built right into it. It's prompted me to do some thinking about the degree to which big tech device-makers are buying into AI chatbots and interfaces as The Next Big Thing. It's not just Copilot, either – the age of AI chatbots has long since started, and they're starting to seep into every category of device.

Last night my LG C2 OLED TV applied a software update – something I wasn't going to stand in the way of, in the hopes that it would make what's already one of the best OLED TVs out there a little better. It's part of the five-year upgrade promise from LG. It added a few new features in webOS, and didn't change much visually, so I've got no complaints, but I noticed that the TV now has a chatbot feature – if I want it.

Since then, I've been trying to think of a situation when I'd actually need to use that chatbot (which itself is somewhat questionable in terms of actually being AI at all). I've come up with basically nothing, with the major caveat that I'm tech-literate and already know my way around the TV's settings menus. I can see why some people might find it handy, though, as you can, for example, just say "make the picture brighter," or "take me to my favourite cooking shows," to get results.

However, my personal take applies to most implementations of chatbots – I just can't quite work out what they're for. Even moving away from hardware, online chatbots are routinely more likely to frustrate me than they are to solve my problem, and I've long wondered why Amazon, for example, now has its Rufus chatbot placed so prominently while you're shopping.

Rufus is particularly confusing given Amazon already has the extremely well-known Alexa brand and identity to exploit – which is expected to be updated at a launch event this month. I can only assume that in almost all of these cases that internal data and metrics must be showing that people engage with the bots, and have positive outcomes in terms of dwell time and spending.

Indeed, I can believe that there's a category of users out there who leap into chatbots as a way to get around trawling through settings and menus, and that the bots can be helpful in that context. Still, I'd probably rather those menus were legible and easily navigated in the first place, as a simpler solution (and one that would stand the test of an internet outage, for instance).

That brings us to an interesting recent example of how chatbots might actually not be quite what they're cooked up to be. Bowers & Wilkins has long boasted a design icon in the form of its Zeppelin speaker, but for the very recent hardware refresh after years without changes, it made one noticeable tweak.

The new Zeppelin Pro Edition, which T3's Tech Editor gave a glowing five-star review, actually removed its Alexa voice control capabilities compared to its predecessor. The company said it was because users simply didn't use it. In addition, one can assume it made a judgement call that it just wasn't worth the cost to include.

From a user point of view, speakers and soundbars that include voice control can be a minefield, since your TV's audio will occasionally include words and snippets of dialogue that risk an accidental trigger of an always-listening AI assistant. That's not to mention the queasy thought of that always-listening setting in the first place, depending on your perspective.

This gets to the heart of the matter for me. I have an Echo Dot with Clock speaker in my kitchen that I use literally every day to control cooking timers with my voice – a circumstance in which the device's voice control and AI responsiveness are demonstrably useful. I just don't quite buy that my TV needs a similar feature, or my soundbar, or my home speaker, with the associated data requirements and terms of use licenses to agree to.

While the boom in interest for the likes of ChatGPT and other chatbots doesn't seem to have crossed over into any form of decline yet, I can't help but suspect that it'll come in time. Much like the way we were all promised the Metaverse would change our lives from top to bottom, before that concept faded away in the face of its realistic current limitations, AI helpers are in a similar struggle to prove their value when integrated into devices.

After all, if the only people pleased that AI's been included are a board of investors, it might not be the most enduring of additions in the first place.

Amazon is due to hold an event in New York before the end of the month, and Alexa is very much on the agenda. The invites for the event, which will take place on 26 February, were sent out to select media a couple of weeks ago and it's clear Amazon's voice assistant is set to be the focus.

It's possible new hardware will also be announced at the event, though at the moment, it's the new AI-powered Alexa that's the main talking point for rumours. Not least because it may be suffering from teething troubles.

Amazon has been working on making Alexa smarter for a couple of years now – it teased the next generation of Alexa back in 2023 when it announced the Echo Show 8 and other devices.

It's meant to be smarter, more conversational and use more enhanced language models, but is still yet to arrive. Now the latest report suggests that while it might be officially announced at the event next week, its launch delay may continue.

When is the new Alexa coming?

According to a piece posted by The Washington Post (via Android Authority), internal messages suggest the public release of the new Alexa is being pushed back by an extra month.

The publication was told by an unnamed Amazon employee that the new Alexa may not arrive until the end of March, even later, as it is apparently struggling to give accurate answers to test questions.

The new Alexa is expected to offer advanced capabilities when it does eventually land however, like being able to adopt a personality. It is also said to be able to "recall conversations, order takeout or call a taxi".

The danger here is that many AI-powered services, like Google's Gemini, OpenAI's ChatGPT and Apple's Siri, all promise plenty but none of them quite live up to it yet.

When the new Alexa does arrive, it is expected to be part of a subscription, with the current Alexa remaining free. All should be revealed on 26 February, so at least there isn't too long to wait to find out exactly what the new AI Alexa will offer, how much it might cost, and when it will arrive on devices.

Amazon has sent out invites for an event that it’s hosting on 26 February. The cryptic invites don’t give away much at first glance, but it’s clear that Alexa is on the agenda for the event, which is to be held in New York City.

There are a couple of details that point to Alexa – the most notable being the colours used for the invitation. Alexa classically uses blue to indicate when it is listening and that’s what we see in the invitation.

And a little detective work from The Verge has taken this further. By piecing together five different versions of the invite, they can be seen to spell out “Alexa”. That puts that line of speculation to bed, at least.

The event will be hosted by Panos Panay, who stepped into the role as head of the Amazon devices and services team a couple of years back, replacing Dave Limp. So far we’ve not heard too much from Panay – formerly of Microsoft and one of the drivers behind the Surface line of devices.

The only thing we’ve really heard from Panay so far is when he relaunched the Kindle devices in October 2024, so this is shaping up to be a big launch for Amazon.

What will Amazon announce at its February event?

In 2023, Amazon teased its next generation of Alexa. While the company was launching the Echo Show 8 and other devices, it also showed off an Alexa that was smarter, more conversational and using more enhanced language models.

But since it showcased the next generation of Alexa, a lot has happened in the AI space – ChatGPT has really exploded in the consumer space, Google has given us Gemini and rolled it into a number of devices, and Siri has been boosted with Apple Intelligence. If anything, Alexa is now a little behind the times with its conversational AI offering.

However, Amazon is also in a more precarious position than most rivals. Alexa is widely used, powering all those Echo devices, imbued into a full selection of Fire TV streamers and sets, and a whole lot more. Get Alexa wrong and you upset a lot of people. That might explain why we’ve been waiting for two years since a new Alexa was first teased.

There’s a chance that we’ll need new hardware to run the improved assistant, so it could be that there are new Echo devices to power more of the language model locally, but one thing we’re pretty sure of is that there’s going to be a price attached to this new Alexa experience.

There’s long been talk about Amazon charging for this smart AI experience. The price that has been floating around is that AI Alexa could cost as much as $10 a month, while the old Alexa remains as a free service.

Whatever the outcome, it looks like the day of reckoning for Alexa is coming in February – and there’s a lot at stake for Amazon.

As it does at the end of every year, Amazon has revealed Alexa’s most asked questions for 2024. Amongst the results, that included plenty of questions about actors, musicians and sports teams, were many queries about artificial intelligence (AI) after the technology had quite a starring role this year.

Following in Spotify’s footsteps, Amazon has released its own version of ‘Alexa Wrapped’ which has rounded up all the most commonly asked questions from UK users who have Alexa on their best smart speakers, displays and other smart devices.

As expected, the majority of questions that Alexa received were about celebrities, including musicians, actors, influencers, royals and more. According to Amazon, height, age, net worth and spouses were the cause of interest, with celebrities like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Tom Cruise and Kevin Hart having their height queried the most.

Other fun celebrity questions included “how much is MrBeast worth?”, “who was married to Zeus?” and “how old is Joe Biden?” to name a few. Playing music is also something that Alexa is requested to do a lot, and unsurprisingly, Taylor Swift still holds the top spot as the most played artist via Alexa and Amazon Music.

More surprisingly, however, Beyonce’s TEXAS HOLD’EM was Alexa’s most played song of the year. Carrying on from last year’s movie success, Sophie Ellis Bextor’s Murder on the Dancefloor and Aqua’s Barbie Girl were also in the top 10 songs played by Alexa in 2024.

It’s been a big year for sports, as 2024 experienced the Euros and the Olympic Games. In the UK, “what was the football score?” and “when does the England match start” were the top two sports-related questions, followed by a list of teams with Liverpool beating out the likes of Arsenal and Man United.

As always, Alexa was asked plenty of general knowledge questions as well as hands-free recipe guidance. But a question that was new to the 2024 list and was nowhere to be seen in last year’s report was “what does AI mean?”, unsurprising as AI has taken over many industries this year.

Finally, not all Alexa questions are that serious as Amazon also revealed what questions UK customers asked to keep themselves entertained. Alexa was told to fart, roast me, marry me, as well as asked to sing happy birthday and various other silly songs. Clearly, I’m not using my Alexa to its full potential so excuse me while I ask her to roast me!

Amazon has reportedly delayed the launch of its upgraded, AI-powered Alexa.

The chattier assistant was originally expected to be available to the public before the end of 2024, but it is now believed that it'll arrive in 2025 instead.

But while that might disappoint some, others may be pleased that the Alexa service continues to be completely free for now. It has been widely claimed that the new, AI Alexa will cost up to $10 (around £7.72) per month as a subscription fee when it finally launches.

That'll likely lead to many sticking with the original, free Alexa anyway – after all, it allows you to switch the lights on using just your voice, works well as the hub for a plethora of smart home products, and basically acts as an excellent hands-free kitchen timer. Things that are alleged to be its most-used functions.

And they are also said to be barriers to getting the new Alexa to work.

Bloomberg reports that the new, smarter AI-powered version is great to chat with and find out extra, more natural details when asked a question, but it's also more likely to fail to perform the everyday tasks we want it to do – such as correctly start a timer. Its sources revealed that the new Alexa "could handle infinitely more complex questions on its own" but at the cost of reliability on basic tasks. It also apparently struggles to find a succinct, direct answer to a single question.

The issues are seemingly insurmountable at present, leading to Amazon postponing its rollout. Indeed, even the beta version of the AI assistant has been pulled. According to The Verge, it is no longer possible to try out the upgraded software for yourself.

Where you could previously say "Alexa, let's chat" to interact with the more talkative version, Alexa's new response is to tell you the functionality is no longer available.

As for a new launch date, it's now far more vague: "Alexa AI teams were recently told that their target deadline had been moved into 2025," a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

Still, at least you can accurately boil an egg using your Amazon Echo Show as a timer – and without a monthly fee for the privilege.

After years and years of everyone having access to the same version of its initially competition-conquering Alexa smart assistant, Amazon is apparently ripping up the rulebook and planning a major overhaul of its systems.

We've previously reported on plans to add a subscription service for a smarter, AI-driven version and now, according to The Washington Post (notably owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos), the service is said to be ready for launch.

It'll allegedly include the arrival of a premium tier for those willing to pay extra for a more experimental and advanced version of Alexa. This would seemingly include some new AI features that aren't available to everyone.

The most prominent example supplied is an AI-generated "Smart Briefing" each day that summarises a few news articles based on the user's indicated preferences. This would apparently fill a gap in current affairs knowledge that Alexa has suffered from in recent years compared to the likes of Google Assistant. 

However, with other assistants now trained to decline questions about current politics, to mitigate the risk of misinformation spreading just before a pivotal US presidential election, the new Alexa features could end up becoming controversial. 

Other examples posited about AI features include one where Echo and other Alexa-powered devices could help you come up with recipes to cook based on the ingredients you tell it you have to hand; another option would see the assistant able to have conversations about items you might like to buy, ostensibly to help you learn more about a device or item before you decide to purchase it. 

According to internal documents viewed by the Washington Post, the premium version of Alexa could cost up to $10 a month to access, but the "classic Alexa" will remain free. It would seem that none of this is yet final internally, however. 

This overhaul isn't a total secret, though – Amazon actually talked publicly about how it was going to evolve and renew Alexa's relevance back in late 2023. It probably didn't bank on its plans spilling in this way though, and it'll be interesting to see how long it takes for us to hear from Amazon about any of this through official channels. 

If you're a fan of Amazon's voice assistant Alexa, then there's news coming down the line – some good, some bad.

For starters, the company is said to be greatly enhancing the skills that Alexa offers. However, more negatively, there might be a price tag attached to it – and it could be a higher monthly fee than originally expected.

Whatever your perspective is, reports coming out of Amazon says it's a "must win" year for Alexa.

In September 2023, Amazon demoed a new version of Alexa at its devices launch at its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. It was the same event that saw the launch of the latest Echo Show 8 and a collection of other devices.

That demo previewed a more conversational Alexa, with more personality and greater intelligence. There was talk of large language models and at the time it was clear that Amazon wanted Alexa to keep up with other AI services, like ChatGPT.

Ever since, there have been rumours that Amazon has been considering a subscription for the new Alexa experience. The then head of devices at Amazon – Dave Limp – said just after the event that a subscription was likely. Then we saw this referred to as Alexa Plus in January 2024 (along with a date of 30 June 2024) and more recently, reports that next-gen Alexa could cost you $10 a month.

The latest details from Reuters continue this line of thinking that a more enhanced version of Alexa will become a subscription product, while some of Alexa will continue as the free version it currently is. Reportedly, there's an internal deadline of August for the "new Alexa" – said to be codenamed  "Banyan".

How much will the new Alexa cost?

According to Reuters, the price for the smarter AI-powered Alexa will be "at least $5" a month, but the company is said to be considering a $10 a month price. That will allow more enhanced interactions, such as being able to order food by starting a conversation and controlling smart home devices without needing to setup Alexa Routines.

On one hand, Amazon is in a strong position. In May 2023 Amazon announced that it had sold over half a billion Alexa devices, providing a massive platform for any enhanced Alexa experience. But on the flip side, the value of an enhanced Alexa experience might be questioned – and getting people to pay extra could be a challenge.

Amazon has struggled to get Alexa to do what it was originally designed for – and that was to sell more products through Amazon's online store. Instead, Alexa has been described as a "colossal failure" according to a Business Insider report, losing money and seeing huge lay-offs on the team.

Amazon Echo, instead of selling more product, has been adopted as the centre of smart homes, it's used for timers, music and other information. Many people are happy with the experience and it still ranks as one of the best choices if you want a smart home.

To convince people to pay for an AI-powered version of Alexa, Amazon will need to demonstrate that it's substantially better. Because while ChatGPT is selling subscriptions to its AI solution, there's no indication that Google is going to charge for Gemini or that Apple is going to put a price tag on Apple Intelligence.

In the face of increased costs, customers might just stick with free Alexa, or switch to Google or Apple's solution instead.

Apple isn't the only tech giant investing in AI: Amazon's been spending big bucks on it too, and a new report says that it's coming to Alexa. Amazon has reportedly urged developers to make a product that's up there with ChatGPT and similar systems, and like Apple it wants to add AI smarts to its personal digital assistant – Alexa, its Siri rival.

That's the good news. The bad is that it'll probably cost you.

What's Amazon up to with AI?

You've probably seen some of Amazon's AI investments already, such as its AI-generated summaries of user reviews on product listing pages. And there's much more where that came from. Amazon has its own system called Titan, a large language model that it currently sells to businesses who want it to generate tex and images, summarise documents and populate product listings. And according to CNBC, it wants to bring Titan into Alexa by turning its digital assistant into an AI-powered chatbot with a more conversational voice interface. 

CNBC's sources don't know exactly how that's going to work, but they do know that Amazon has been doing some extensive re-organising of its Alexa team and getting them to focus squarely on AI. And they know how Amazon plans to profit from it: the firm intends to charge for it as a kind of Prime for AI. According to the report a monthly charge of $20 "was floated" but that's since dropped to just under $10. That would make Alexa about half the price of rivals such as OpenAI.

As yet there's no indication of a rollout strategy or release date, but an AI-powered Alexa would be significant: Amazon's smart speakers have sold by the truckload and continue to do so, but Amazon's own developers reportedly admit that for many of us an Echo soon becomes little more than a volume control and an "expensive alarm clock". 

Like Apple's Siri, present-day Alexa isn't exactly delivering the exciting assistant-powered lifestyle we hoped for – and while in my experience Alexa is more flexible and reliable than Apple's offering, it still feels like its potential is a long way from being realised. A smarter Alexa could be a seriously impressive upgrade.

If you're a plant lover, you'll likely already know how temperamental they can be. Each variety has different needs, and keeping on top of that can prove to be a mammoth task.

Fortunately, there's now a solution thanks to your Amazon Alexa enabled smart speaker. After teaming up with leading botanist, James Wong, the brand has unveiled a new suite of features to help users keep their green friends alive.

For starters, there's a massive range of questions which users can now ask their Alexa-enabled device. That covers a range of the most popular plants owned by individuals, with a few of the most commonly asked questions per plant.

That's not all, though. Users can also take part in a new routine to help them with their plant maintenance. The routine makes use of existing smart home products – like smart thermostats and smart lighting – to automate some of your care schedule.

That includes a reminder to check in on or water your plants, turn on your lights, turn on your heating to achieve the optimal conditions for your indoor jungle and more. I'm not sure whispering a positive plant affirmation or playing plant-friendly music will have quite the same effect. But hey, who am I to question?

All in all, it's a nifty free upgrade for plant lovers. The integration is simple, but effective, and should make it easier than ever for novice plant parents to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

The routine function is also pretty nifty. While I'm not convinced that every step is entirely necessary, being able to remind users about key things like watering plants on schedule and using a smart device to create the right temperature for your floral decorations is a really great use of your Amazon Echo or other compatible device.

Users should have access to the new features from today.

You've more than likely heard of the Amazon Echo smart speaker range. Ranging from the Amazon Echo Dot to the Amazon Echo Studio, they are able to make anyone's smart home easy and pleasurable to manage. It therefore wouldn't be a total shock if I told you that they occupy four out of ten spots on our best smart speaker guide. One of the latest Amazon models, the all-new Amazon Echo Pop, even saw the range take on a stylish new look. 

Earlier today, Amazon brought down the price of the Amazon Echo Pop to a ridiculously cheap price. Currently reduced from £44.99 to an incredible £19.99, the offer is only available for a few more days. Amazon have also applied the discount to each of the colours, which hopefully means there's lots of stock ready to go. The colours available are Lavender Bloom, Midnight Teal, Charcoal and Glacier White. 

There are also a range of Echo Pop sleeves which can add an extra pop of colour or allow you to switch things up whenever you'd like. These are available on Amazon and come in red, orange, pink, purple, navy, black and a glow-in-the-dark option.

Why should you buy an Amazon Echo Pop? 

There are a whole host of reasons why any smart speaker in the Amazon Echo range is worth buying, especially the Amazon Echo Pop. Like the rest of the range, you're able to control the Amazon Echo Pop via voice control. You can ask Alexa to play music, audiobooks and podcasts from your favourite providers like Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify, or use it easily control your other smart home devices like plugs or lights.

Alexa also has a huge amount of skills, including list-making, testing your music knowledge and providing you with jokes when needed. Check out these 8 Amazon Alexa commands you probably didn’t know about to find out more!

The Amazon Echo Pop is also specifically designed to protect and safeguard your privacy. It's built with multiple layers of privacy protection and control, including a Microphone Off button that electronically disconnects the microphones. 

If you're big on sustainability, then the Echo Pop would also be a great choice for you. Its made from 100% post-consumer recycled yarn and 80% recycled aluminium. 99% of its packaging is made of wood fibre-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources. 

There's also a Low Power Mode on the device. This conserves energy during periods of inactivity, making it easier on your energy bill. It definitely wouldn't have a space on our list of the vampire devices in your home, that's for sure!

Have we managed to convince you? If so, have a look at our guide on how to start a smart home with Amazon Alexa so you'll know where to start!

However you may feel about it, there's no doubt that TikTok is home to a wealth of useful information and hacks. We've already taken a deeper look at the viral pineapple sleep hack and the controversial Girl Dinner, but now it's time for something a little different...

Smart home devices have seamlessly integrated into many homes over the past few years, especially smart speakers and smart plugs. A lot of these devices have many clever features and hacks that help with day-to-day tasks, making their user's lives easier and more peaceful. This can also be seen through social media, with many smart home hashtags rising into the top 50 tech hashtags on TikTok, such as #AlexaHack and #SiriHack. 

In light of the topic, Joe Davies, expert at FatJoe, has stated that "Creators on TikTok are educating users on many of these hidden hacks that have existed on our devices for a while, and it’s worth a search to make sure you’re getting the most use out of your smart home assistants.”

1. Siri can tell you where you parked your car

We’ve all done it, parked up and had trouble remembering where we left our car. However, did you know Siri can help you remember when that time comes?

You can then pick between double tap or triple tap to activate a shortcut. TikTok user Faisal (BD i-tech) received over 90.1k likes on the tutorial where he asked Siri to remember where the car is parked, and then later when it asked for directions to the car again. Siri provides walking directions to your car’s location through the Apple maps feature.

2. Remove ad and notification pop-ups from your Echo show

The display on the Amazon Echo show often is filled with news, ads and notifications, often making using it extremely annoying. However, TikTok creator Braylea Smith recently shared a handy tip to make this a more aesthetically pleasing feature in your home. 

All you need to do is go to settings, go to home content and turn off all options aside from photo highlights. This allows your device to show photos, and you can curate the images shown to fit the look and feel of your room.

3. Using Siri to search your camera album

If storage isn’t an issue, many of us have photos on our iPhone photo gallery stretching back years. To help manage this huge back log, TikTok creator Kathleen in Mississippi showed her 26k followers a hack that allows Siri to search for specific locations or timeframes for your photos. 

Asking Siri to show photos from a specific location or time will allow it to jump directly to your camera roll, making it unnecessary to scroll through hundreds or thousands of photos whenever you want to find a specific one. 

4. Turn your Google Nest into a translation device

Believe it or not, but Google Nest can use Google Translate software to listen to two people speaking and translate their conversation in real time. Instructing your Nest to “act like a German interpreter” will begin interpreting spoken language and translating it on the device. 

TikTok user southwestrdrc posted about this hack, and whilst this feature isn’t expansive of all languages, it’s a handy trick that some viewers will definitely be missing.

5. Make your Alexa whisper back

Amazon Alexa devices have some secret features that some users may not know about, something that TikToker Luke Medeiros showed his 121k followers. 

If you ask Alexa to enable Adaptive Volume and ‘Whisper Mode’, it allows you to whisper instructions to your voice assistant, and the response will match your tone in which you’ve done so. This is super useful for using your device when you don’t want to make too much noise!

If you're interested in more, check out these 7 privacy tips to protect your smart speakers and virtual assistants!

Amazon is reportedly looking to start offering its voice assistant, Alexa, as a paid subscription. Rumours regarding Amazon charging a monthly subscription fee for Alexa started last year, and now it looks like there’s a planned release date in the works… but there’s a catch.

Since its inception, Alexa has been available on the best smart speakers, displays and other smart devices for free. As Amazon has been working on making Alexa more intelligent and chatty with the use of generative AI, the company has found that these developments are expensive to develop and maintain, which has brought on plans to turn Alexa into a paid service.

The new subscription-based Alexa is currently being called ‘Alexa Plus’ and could be set to debut on 30th June 2024. Alexa Plus is being adapted with more AI capabilities than the free version of Alexa, and it’s currently being tested on thousands of customers with the base technology, ‘Remarkable Alexa’.

While we don’t know a huge amount about the new Alexa service, other than it’ll have added AI technology, one thing we do know is that the testing process isn’t going swimmingly so far. The Alexa Plus voice technology is being tested by around 15,000 external customers and the results haven’t been favourable, with many users and Alexa employees saying that Alexa’s answers aren’t living up to expectations.

As Amazon is putting its main focus into making Alexa more intelligent and conversational than before, it’s not great news to hear that it’s not performing in the way developers expected. According to 9to5Google, Alexa Plus takes an extremely long time to answer questions, and oftentimes, the responses are inaccurate or incorrect.

In addition to these AI ‘hallucinations’ as they’re being dubbed, the Alexa Plus service seems to have difficulties with operating multiple services at once. For example, Alexa Plus has been finding requests that interact with multiple backend services, like playing music while turning on your smart lights, a bit of a struggle, something that the standard Alexa service hasn’t had much trouble with in the past.

As Amazon has plans to launch the Alexa Plus paid service in June 2024, employees have reportedly been asking for the date to be pushed back because of these problems. This may be due to the worry that the voice assistant and AI technological difficulties won’t be sorted in time and whether customers will want to pay for an Alexa service after finding out about the issues.

After hearing about the expense of adapting Alexa with AI, it’s understandable that Amazon is looking to charge a fee to improve the quality of its popular smart home  and voice assistant. But with the current landscape, it could be worth postponing the launch date to solve the issues with the paid-for platform and to get customers interested in paying for the service once it launches.

Amazon recently entered into a partnership with Hyundai that will result in some interesting developments.

First, future Hyundai cars will come with Alexa built-in. But perhaps more interesting is that the manufacturer will start to sell its vehicles – including EVs, presumably – on Amazon's US retail site.

That's right, you will be able to pop a loaf of bread, new book, a packet of batteries, and a Hyundai SUV into your checkout basket from 2024.

Even more exciting is that Amazon hints the Korean car maker is only the first to sign up, we could see more auto dealers put their wares up for purchase on Amazon in the near future.

According to the retailer, customers will be able to use the normal Amazon functionality and search for vehicles available in their area. Different preferences will be available to browse through, including model, trim, colour and features.

Financing options will be available too, "all within the Amazon experience they already know and trust".

Built-in Alexa will take a little longer to become available, as Hyundai revealed that it will start to appear in its vehicles from 2025.

When it does though, it will give drivers access to full voice control without the need for a smartphone app. They will be able to simply command Alexa to play music, podcasts or audiobooks, set reminders, check calendars, or just get a quick weather report.

And, as the voice assistant will work as it does on Echo speakers at home, Hyundai car owners will be able to control their smart home devices remotely – such as set the ideal temperature before returning.

Amazon even claims that some in-car Alexa features will work without an internet connection.

"We're excited to be working with Hyundai," said Amazon exec, Marty Mallick.

"Together, we will provide customers with more of the buying experiences they want – and support dealers with an efficient and effective selling platform."

The RayBan Smart Glasses are back. Mark Zuckerberg revealed the next generation of smart glasses during the Meta Connect keynote which also saw the full details of the Meta Quest 3 and a new library of AI avatars played by famous faces. 

These second-generation glasses come in more styles. In addition to the classic Wayfarer design, they will also come in a new Headliner style. Both styles will be available in a choice of frame colours and finishes, with lots of lens choices, giving you over 150 combinations. 

The main features of the smart glasses have been upgraded. There’s a new 12MP ultra-wide camera for stills and 1080P video for clips of up to 60 seconds. The audio has also been improved with up to 50% more volume, with more bass and reduced audio leakage. 

One addition to the video abilities here is that you can now live stream from the glasses straight to Instagram or Facebook, allowing you to share your first-person view in real-time. I’m sure somewhere there’s a bunch of copyright and IP lawyers having a stiff drink ahead of what this could lead to. 

But live streaming isn’t even the biggest addition to these glasses. Meta is building it’s new AI system into the glasses to provide answers on the go, to just about anything. The voice-controlled version of Meta AI will only be available in the US and in Beta form at launch, but there are already plans to expand what it can do. 

An update in 2024 is expected to incorporate the camera in the glasses, allowing you to ask the Meta AI questions about things that you are seeing. The potential here is huge. 

With this AI integration, these RayBan Meta smart glasses are some of the most advanced we’ve seen to date. While the Google Glass offered a form of projection into the lens, these are far more interactive in terms of content. And while Amazon’s Echo Frames are likely to harness the power of the next-generation Alexa in time, they don’t offer the camera functionality. 

While I’m still not sure everyone will be comfortable putting cameras and AI powered by Meta on their face, they are impressive. Not only do they look great but they can now offer more useful features, and having the AI integration opens up a world of possibilities for them – especially once the camera is integrated as well.

The RayBan Meta Smart Glasses go on sale on 17th October, priced from £246 / $299 / AUD$449. Pre-order now at Meta. 

Amazon could charge you a monthly subscription fee to use Alexa in future.

As the voice assistant becomes more intelligent thanks to generative AI, the company claims that it also becomes more costly to maintain and develop, and so a paid service is inevitable.

"Yes, we absolutely think that," said departing senior vice president of devices and services, Dave Limp, to Bloomberg.

"When you start using these a lot, the cost to train the model, and the cost for inference of the model in the cloud, is substantial."

However, you shouldn't expect to have to fork out too soon. Limp explained that there is a lot of work to do before Alexa becomes "superhuman" enough to be worth a monthly fee.

"Before we would start charging customers for this — and I believe we will — it has to be remarkable. It has to prove the utility that you're coming to expect from the 'superhuman' assistant."

There's also good news for those who won't want to pay, the existing Alexa experience won't be ditched entirely. It will remain free to use, with only the enhanced version being moved behind a paywall.

"We’ll talk to customers and learn from them, what they believe the value is. The Alexa that you know and love today is going to remain free," he added.

Limp – who is leaving Amazon soon to become CEO of Amazon founder's space company, Blue Origin – was host of the recent Amazon Devices event in Virginia and debuted Alexa's forthcoming generative AI skills for the first time.

He showed (after a couple of initial hiccups) that the new Alexa will be conversational and learn from each user. Eventually, you will be able to ask the assistant to do things just as you would a human.

You can watch the demo and the entire Amazon Devices launch event below.

Alexa isn't the only Amazon service set for additional subscription charges. It was also revealed recently that it plans to introduce advertising to its current Prime Video streaming service and charge an extra $2.99 per month (on top of Prime membership) for an ad-free tier.

In addition, Amazon has added an additional cost for same-day deliveries under £20. This was previously free for Amazon Prime members.

This is the "first time generative AI has been applied at this scale. It’s about to get much easier to interact with your home assistant." Strong words from Amazon at it's annual product showcase which saw not only updates to its Echo, Fire TV, Ring, Blink, and Eero devices but also a major change in the way Alexa works. 

While the new products were impressive – especially the new Echo Home Hub and second-generation Echo Frames – it's the way you can interact with its voice assistant that offers the biggest change. 

First of all, there's the way it speaks. Amazon compared the same sentence as Alexa would have delivered it in 2014 with the upcoming 2024 language model. It wasn't just that the pronunciation was better, but there was a wider change in expression in the voice that made it sound much more real. 

It's when there is interaction between you and Alexa though that will get the biggest makeover. In these speech-to-speech occasions, as Amazon calls it, the new large language model (LLM) can react faster and without additional prompts. This feels more like a conversation than a call and answer.

The conversation mode enters the device into a continuous chat that you can leave and come back to without having to go back over the same points. The responses shown (though part of a demo) showed a lot more character than I'm used to seeing and allowed you to delve into subjects much easier.

The potential for this in the home is one thing, but Amazon is also working with partners such as BMW to bring this into cars too. Here there is huge scope to bring a Knight Rider car experience to life, with a car that not only 'gets you' but can respond like a human.

What was clear from the 2023 showcase was that Amazon is offering a full eco-system with its devices and this generative AI is at the heart of it. From editing images on the Fire TV Stick to the Eye Gaze function on the Fire Max 11 tablet that allows hands and voice-free operation.

Alexa remains at the heart of the eco-system though, and will be even more useful in its upcoming 2024 form. If people can speak to Alexa like a person they will get more out of those conversations than just turning on lights and setting a timer.

Anyone who thought Alexa's days were numbered would definitely change their mind if they saw this level of interaction. I've used Alexa devices throughout my home for years but I'm genuinely excited about the potential of the new updates to the large language model.

Amazon has announced a new member of the Echo assistant family, one that could make managing your smart home easier. It also looks pretty smart in its own right.

The Amazon Echo Hub is an 8-inch control panel that sits on your wall and gives you easy access to your multiple connected devices.

It is Alexa and touch-enabled, and you can customise the homescreen dashboard to include your most used features and functions. You can also group smart devices, such as those in the living room or home office, and also arm security cameras either by voice or the display.

Routines can be programmed too, to perform multiple actions at the touch of just one button.

Like the also newly-announced Echo Show 8 (3rd generation), the Echo Hub supports a new Amazon feature, Adaptive Content. This uses an IR sensor to determine how far you are from the screen. The further away, the less complicated the information it'll display. However, come nearer and it will change automatically to display more details and options.

For example, when no-one is that close, it could display a clock face, but when someone approaches, the dashboard can instantly appear.

As the name suggests, the Home Hub also contains a built-in smart hub with support for Matter, Zigbee, Sidewalk, Thread and Bluetooth. This should make it easy to connect with your smart home devices, no matter the manufacturer.

Amazon claims that it is compatible with more than 140,000 products in total, including security cameras, lights, locks, plugs and speakers. And, with Alexa support, you only need to give it a vocal command and those products can be turned on/off or interacted with, without the need for any separate hub.

The Amazon Echo Hub will be available later this year, priced at $179.99 in the US, £169.99 in the UK, and AUD$329 in Australia. There will be different decorative frames for it too, which can change the exterior to white, wood effect, and metallic.

We'll give you the heads up when pre-orders become available.

Amazon has just announced its new and improved Echo Frames during its product announcement event.

The concept of smart glasses are still relatively new, despite the likes of Apple, BMW and Facebook x Rayban having their own pairs on the market. Never one to be left behind or outdone, Amazon launched its own Echo Frames in 2020, and now it’s releasing its all-new Echo Frames and Carrera Smart Glasses collection, a combination of fashion with Alexa artificial intelligence.

The all-new Echo Frames give hands-free access to Alexa, directly to your ears. With thinner temples than before, the glasses fit comfortably to the face, and the arms deliver more sound to the ears, with the speaker located on the inside. In terms of comfort, the glasses have adjustable temple tips that are made of soft-touch silicone that's lightweight and comfortable behind the ear. The new glasses deliver balanced sound and less distortion that’s far superior than its predecessor.

These new smart glasses are packed with smart features, including a custom-built speaker driver, and multipoint pairing, where you can pair and switch between two audio sources connected to the glasses without messing with the settings. You can also start a playlist with a double click of a button, filter notifications and locate the Echo Frames if you misplace them!

For the new Echo Frames, Amazon has improved its custom built speech technology, making it easier to speak to Alexa while on the go. If you need to ask Alexa a question while on a busy street, the new smart glasses have 10 times better voice recognition so it can hear you even in loud, rainy or windy conditions. 

The main upgrade that will excite many Echo Frames wearers is the improved battery life. Now, the smart glasses have increased talk time and media playback so you can wear them all day long without worrying too much about rushing over to a charger. Each pair has up to six hours of continuous media playback on a full charge with up to 80% more continuous talk time than before.

The new Amazon Echo Frames are in collaboration with Carrera eyewear, providing both style and UV protection. The new glasses are available in seven new styles, including sunglasses, prescription lenses and blue light glasses. Other designs include the Modern Rectangle, Rectangle, Round, Square, Cat Eye, Carrera Cruiser, and Carrera Sprinter. All come with UV400 protection and are IPX4 water resistant and scratch resistant.

These new updates on the Echo Frames will appeal to many glasses wearers, especially for taking and making calls on the go, and listening to music without having to fiddle around with headphones (or if you’ve lost your earbuds again!).

As previously rumoured, Amazon has announced a couple of new Fire TV Stick streamers during its devices launch event in the US.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is being updated with Wi-Fi 6 for more stable, faster connectivity. It also gets a bump in processing, so is claimed to be 30% faster than the previous generation.

Perhaps the biggest refresh is with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which replaces the 2021 model with double the storage space (16GB), a new 2.0 GHz processor, and Wi-Fi 6E for the range's fastest wireless internet connection yet.

This should enable smoother 4K HDR video streaming with Dolby Atmos audio without needing an Ethernet hook up.

You will need a compatible router, of course, but if you do, you'll likely see videos start almost instantly with no pre-buffering. And, the lack of latency should allow Amazon to serve other streamed content more effectively, such as Amazon Luna cloud gaming.

Also available on the new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the new Fire TV Ambient Experience.

This allows the streaming device to show artwork in a similar way to Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED Series sets. It can either show art or information on a TV through just an Alexa command or two.

By the end of the year, customers in the US will also be able to use generative AI to create their own customised art to display. It will be a free update when it arrives.

The new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is available to pre-order today for $49.99 in the States, £59.99 in the UK and AUD$79. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max can also be pre-ordered, priced at $59.99 / £69.99 / AUD$119. Both feature a slightly rounder design and we're still waiting for UK details.

Amazon has also announced an all-new Fire TV product, the Fire TV Soundbar which is a 24-inch speaker system that can be wallmounted. Strangely, regardless of its name, it doesn't include Fire TV functionality.

Instead, it is designed to enhance the audio of a Fire TV 2-Series, 4-Series or Omni QLED television.

That's available now for $119.99 in the US, but is yet to be announced for the UK market.

Amazon has announced a new version of its popular Echo Show smart assistant.

The Echo Show 8 3rd generation has redesigned audio technology inside, with support for spatial audio for the first time. This allows it to provide a much wider audio experience – not quite Dolby Atmos, but with a bigger soundfield.

In addition, it has tuning capabilities that will assess its surroundings and then adjust the sound depending on your room. That means you will get a slightly different audio signature in a kitchen. say, to a larger living room.

The new speaker array leads to a tweaked design, too. The rear of the device now has a rounder bump which sits behind the screen. That feature won't really be seen (depending on where you place it) but does give it a more modern feel.

The touchscreen device also gains a new feature that enables the screen to change the closer you are. You may get basic information when stood further away, but more will appear contextually when you approach.

It also gains a smart home hub this time. You can use it to drive all of the supported, connected devices around the home without multiple hubs needing to be hooked up to your home network.

Later, in 2024, owners of the new Echo Show 8 will be able to interact with a new generative AI-driven version of Alexa, which not only reduces the need to use the wake word over and again, it will be more conversational and personal in chats. This new Alexa AI will be available in the States first, and will then hopefully roll out to other countries after.

The new Amazon Echo Show 8 is available to pre-order from today, Wednesday 20 September 2023, for $149.99 in the US, £149.99 in the UK. It'll start to ship next month, from 25 October.

When it comes to building a smart home, the different ways to control it seem endless. If you're into Philips Hue lighting, then you've probably heard of a Hue Bridge. If you prefer your smart home assistants, then you'll be familiar with Matter...the list can go on and on. Well, we're excited to tell you that there's a new kid on the block. 

Flic launched the Flic Twist smart home button on kickstarter back in 2021, but it's now been announced that the product is finally available for preorder. Whilst it has a similar design to the Philips Hue Tap Dial Switch, the Flic Twist has even wider compatibility. It's able to control many smart home devices, including Philips Hue, Spotify, Sonos, Ikea, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings and Amazon Alexa. 

When creating the Flic Twist, Flic wanted to make the smart home button as accessible as possible. Controlling smart home products such as smart lights and multi-room speakers often require the use of voice commands and apps, and it's common for users struggle with teaching and remembering voice commands or different apps controlling different devices. It's also tricky when a smart home app needs to be installed on each family member's phone for them to be able to work it, sometimes creating problems when one family member is more tech-savvy than others. 

"98% of our users say that they set up their Smart Home while over 50% of them say that they experience problems instructing their families and guests how to control it. That's why they're using Flic Buttons and why we're excited to launch Flic Twist." said Daniel Abdiu, CEO of Shortcut Labs.

How does the Flic Twist work?

The Flic Twist is a button that you can push, double-push, twist, and push and twist to control any connected device. 

The Push is able to trigger events, from toggling the lights to activating Alexa Routines. The new Rotation interaction helps to adjust and perfectly tune the atmosphere, from the brightness and colour of the living room to the volume of the Sonos speaker. Whilst rotate can dim the lights in a specific room, Push-Rotate can dim the entire house. Push-Rotate allows for many possibilities with features that can blend between scenes or setting up to 12 custom triggers for advanced users.

It is important to know that the Flic Twist does still need a hub to make it work outside of a Bluetooth connection to your phone. However, Flic have also announced that it's launching a cheaper hub, the Flic Hub Mini, to stay on trend with its accessibility priorities. 

Flic Twist is wireless, has replaceable batteries, and can be placed anywhere. It can be placed on a table or mounted with a magnetic wall mount plate.

Flic Twist: price and availability 

You can now preorder the Flic Twist on Flic's website for £66 ($80), reduced from an RRP of £73.33 ($88.88). The Twist is available in white, black or a white/black blend. 

The smart home button is also available as a double pack (£123.00) or as a 4-pack (£229.00). 

Interested in more? Read about why you need a smart home sensor for better security and automation!

Whether you have multiple smart home devices dotted around your home or just one hub that takes care of everything, you need to choose a virtual assistant to start creating your own smart home. From asking what time it is to locking your front doors, a virtual assistant makes your day-to-day life significantly easier and stress-free. But which one should you choose?

Alexa vs Google Assistant is a fairly common debate. Alongside Apple Home, the two make up the top three most popular voice assistants available today. Built into some of the best smart speakers and compatible with multiple devices, both virtual assistants excel in different areas. 

As an Android user, I’ve tried out both Alexa and Google Assistant, and I have to say Alexa is my winner… here’s why.

Google Assistant vs Alexa: what’s the difference?

For starters, Google Assistant and Alexa are owned and operated by two completely different companies. Alexa is owned by Amazon and Google Assistant is owned by Google (no surprises there).

Both are virtual and voice assistants that are available on multiple devices that are owned and made by its company. For example, Alexa is built into the Echo Dot and the Echo Show 15, whereas Google Assistant comes with the Google Nest Hub Max and Google smartphones. Both Alexa and Google Assistant are also compatible with devices from other manufacturers like Philips Hue, Arlo and much more.

Both virtual assistants do much of the same thing but they have different areas that they excel at. With Alexa, the Amazon virtual assistant is brilliant for controlling and customising your smart home and linking up multiple devices. It’s also better with general requests and tends to be quicker and more responsive. In comparison, Google has a better search and knowledge (what with being connected to Google Search) and is more equipped to handle complex requests and questions.

Choosing between the two will completely depend on what you want to get out of them. For more details on both virtual assistants, check out how to start a smart home with Google Assistant and how to start a smart home with Alexa.

Why I’m choosing Alexa over Google Assistant

There are many things to consider when adopting a voice assistant but these are the key factors that make Alexa a winner in my eyes. For more details on entertainment, privacy and communication, make sure to check out our full comparison guides on Alexa vs Google Assistant and Chromecast vs Fire TV Stick.

Devices

Verdict: Alexa

Before we get into compatibility, I’m going to talk specifically about Amazon products with Alexa and Google products with Google Assistant.

On the Amazon website, there’s a dedicated page called Echo & Alexa devices where you can find a full range of smart speakers, displays, streaming sticks, and smart home devices. The types of Amazon Alexa devices you can buy include Echo Dots, Echo Pop, Echo Studio, Echo Shows, Fire TV sticks, Fire TV Cube, Amazon smart plugs, wireless routers, subwoofers and amps. Amazon also owns Ring and Blink who sell video doorbells, indoor and outdoor security cameras and other smart security products.

Google has many of its own smart home products which are under the Google Nest name. At the Google Store, you can find Google Nest smart displays, speakers, security cameras, video doorbells and smart thermostats. Google also offers Wi-Fi systems, smoke and CO alarms and Chromecast with Google TV.

Both Alexa and Google Assistant cover the main smart home categories but in terms of usability, features and functionality, Alexa takes the crown. Its products tend to be more straightforward and easy to use, and the sheer amount of them cover anything you could possibly want. Having said that, Google Assistant isn’t too far behind.

Compatibility

Verdict: Alexa

Alongside its own line of products, Alexa and Google Assistant are both compatible with other devices. To find out if your product is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant, look for ‘Works with Amazon Alexa’ and ‘Works with Google Assistant’ branding.

Alexa is compatible with Philips Hue smart lighting, Ecobee and Tado smart thermostats, Arlo cameras, TP-Link smart plugs, Yale and Ultion Nuki smart locks, Sonos speakers, and many more. Google Assistant is also compatible with Philips Hue, Arlo and Tado, and works with Dyson vacuum cleaners, Roku streaming sticks, Nanoleaf smart bulbs, and JBL, LG and Harman speakers.

For compatibility, it’s completely up to you what kind of products you want to use in your home. If you’re looking for smart home devices, Alexa is the clear choice as it has access to more smart products, but Google Assistant has merits for connecting to vacuums and speakers. As you tend to invest in a smart device with a virtual assistant for more control over your home, this is why Alexa wins here.

Voice commands and recognition

Verdict: Tie

‘Hey Alexa!’ and ‘OK Google!’ are all you need to start using voice commands with Alexa and Google Assistant. From there, you can ask them to do almost anything from starting timers and reading the news to locking your doors and deleting your browsing history. As mentioned above, Alexa is better with general requests whereas Google can take care of more complex requests, although you’ll need to speak clearly and be specific.

Both Alexa and Google Assistant have strong voice commands and recognition, and both could improve in some areas which is why I’m calling it a tie. If you want to find more commands to ask your virtual assistants, check out the Google Assistant commands you didn’t know about and the Alexa commands you need to know.

Smart home

Verdict: Alexa

For me, Alexa wins for smart home hands down. The amount of smart devices that Amazon creates and are compatible with is far greater than Google Assistant and the automation and schedules are more streamlined and speedy (although Google Assistant is still admirable when it comes to smart home).

Why Alexa wins in smart home is its routines and schedules. Once you’ve connected your devices, you can set up routines where you turn on lights, play a podcast, set a timer and turn down your heating, all by putting together a schedule in the app. For non-smart devices, you can give them smart features and capabilities with the Amazon smart plug, something that Google hasn’t developed yet (although it’s compatible with smart plugs from other manufacturers).

Price

Verdict: Alexa

Amazo’s wide range of Alexa-enabled devices are incredibly cost-effective. While most of Google Assistant products are budget-friendly, Amazon starts its prices from as little as £34.99 and during big sales seasons, its popular products are hit with huge price cuts.

And that’s why I’m switching from Google Assistant to Alexa! Google Assistant only narrowly falls short and it’s still an incredibly impressive virtual assistant that has great value and is exceptional for building a smart home around. But for ease, better smart home control and price, Alexa wins for me.

Take a look at our deals widget below to save money on your next Amazon Alexa and Google Nest device.

If you’re new to the world of smart home, starting your own can seem pretty overwhelming. Years ago, there were only a few select products to choose from but in 2023, there are countless of hubs, displays, lighting, and entire ecosystems which makes choosing your first device almost impossible.

Regardless of what you want to introduce to your home, picking a virtual assistant is the key to setting up a smart home. Compared to Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Home – the top three virtual assistants on the market today – one contender that’s often overlooked is Samsung SmartThings.

As part of T3’s ‘how to start a smart home’ series, this guide will guide you through how to start your smart home with Samsung SmartThings.

What is Samsung SmartThings?

Samsung SmartThings is a Samsung application that allows users to manage their electronic devices, home appliances and compatible smart home products directly from their smartphone or tablet.

Founded in 2012, Samsung SmartThings initially started off as SmartThings, a home automation company that produced custom hardware and software services for home monitoring. SmartThings was originally built around a hub before Samsung bought the company in 2014. In 2020, SmartThings engineers announced that they’d be moving away from hardware and focusing on software instead.

Today, Samsung SmartThings is built around an app that’s available on Android and iOS devices, and is pre-installed on most Samsung Galaxy phones. The app is a central place where users can connect smart devices, monitor their status, personalise routines and manage the home entirely. It also makes it easier to control all your devices in one place and customise how they work together.

While the Samsung SmartThings is predominantly run on an app, you can buy a SmartThings hub. This is how Samsung SmartThings originally worked before the shift to app-only and cloud connections. It’s important to note that Samsung SmartThings doesn’t require a hub but you can still buy a SmartThings Station or the Aeotec Smart Home Hub if you want one.

What devices are compatible with Samsung SmartThings?

As Samsung SmartThings is an open ecosystem, its technology is compatible with a wide range of devices. Initially, its hub supported the main smart home protocols, Zigbee and Z-Wave, but since its expansion to cloud integrations, it can connect to multiple devices from multiple manufacturers.

Samsung still offers its own SmartThings products, including the SmartThings cam, SmartThings plug, motion and water leak sensors. Samsung SmartThings can also be used with the best Samsung TVs and home appliances, like the Samsung smart fridge freezer.

Compatible devices that aren’t made or owned by Samsung include Arlo security cameras, Ring video doorbells, Nest thermostats, Yale smart locks, Philips Hue smart lighting, Sonos and Bose speakers, and more. To tell if your gadget is compatible, just check for the ‘Works with SmartThings’ branding. Samsung SmartThings also works with Matter.

How to set up a smart home with Samsung SmartThings

Decided that Samsung SmartThings is for you? Here’s how to create your own smart home using Samsung SmartThings.

Download the SmartThings app

The Samsung SmartThings app is the first thing you’ll need to start your Samsung-powered smart home. It’s your first point of contact for pretty much everything, so you’ll want to have it downloaded on your phone or tablet. The Samsung SmartThings app is pre-installed on most Samsung Galaxy devices but the app is also available to download on other Android and iOS devices.

To get started with the app, all you have to do is enter your Samsung account details and enable permissions. Remember to turn on geo locations to see your compatible devices nearby which you can add, customise and manage (more on this below).

Buy a SmartThings hub

As mentioned previously, you don’t need a Samsung SmartThings hub. But I always think that if you’re going to create a smart home – regardless of which virtual assistant or infrastructure you’re using – it’s helpful to have a centralised hub. Of course, the app is going to do most (if not all) of the work but if you want a ‘backup’ in case your phone dies or the app is playing up, the SmartThings hub or station could come in handy.

Connect compatible devices

Now you have your app set up, it’s time to connect your devices. Lucky for you, Samsung SmartThings works with many manufacturers so you can take your pick with which lighting, thermostat or camera you want to use. Personally, I’d recommend introducing the best Philips Hue lights to the inside and outside your home, the Arlo Pro 4 for tighter security and protection, and a Ring Video Doorbell to speak to people at your door.

What’s important to remember is that your device must be connected to the Wi-Fi, compatible with Samsung SmartThings and you need to have a Samsung account, too. When adding your devices to the app, your device should be automatically detected but if it doesn’t, enter your device’s name or scan its QR code. From there, simply follow the instructions to complete set-up.

Customise your devices for a seamless smart home experience

Now comes the fun part. Once your devices are connected in the Samsung SmartThings app, you can start customising what you want them to do. Start by selecting the device, like your living room’s smart bulb. The screen works like a remote control which makes it easier to use, so you can decide the brightness levels, colour and time that the light will turn off or on by simply tapping or sliding in the app.

In the app, you can create Scenes to make your life easier, seamless and more connected. For example, say you’ve just got home from work. By selecting the ‘Home From Work’ routine that you’ve previously set up, you can get Samsung SmartThings to turn on the TV, lock your front door and close the blinds.

Don’t forget Bixby!

Bixby is Samsung’s virtual assistant that’s available on Samsung phones and other home appliances like your Samsung TV, vacuum cleaner or fridge. Using Bixby voice commands, you can ask it to turn on your TV or start your vacuum, plus it has many other smart features and controls for you to explore, to keep your home running smoothly.

According to the latest statistics, there are an estimated 300 million smart homes around the world! Whether it’s full blown ecosystems that automate your entire day or the occasional device you use to play music and set timers, smart home devices have completely changed the way we live.

The most common smart home devices that you see on the market and in people’s homes are security cameras, smart displays and video doorbells. But one thing that’s very overlooked but can make a huge difference to the safety and security of your home is a smart sensor.

With the latest news of Philips Hue expanding into security and introducing the new Hue Secure contact sensor, I predict that more and more people will be looking for smart sensors to tighten their current set-up or to add the first layer of security to their home. Here’s everything you need to know about smart home sensors, including what they are, different types and why you should have one in your home.

What is a smart home sensor?

There are many different types of smart home sensors (which I'll get into below) but in general, smart sensors detect movement in an area of your home. When it detects movement, sounds or activities, the sensor will send you an alert or tell your other smart devices how to react, for example, if it hears an intruder trying to get in through the front door, it can tell your outdoor lights to switch on.

Most smart sensors available today are wireless or battery powered, so you can place them anywhere around your home. Choosing the right position is important, as you want it to be close to any potential action so it can properly hear and detect anything unusual. If you’re unsure, you can hire a professional to install your smart sensor or you can put it in commonly used areas or spots where intruders might try to break in, like doors and windows.

Once you’ve decided where you want to put your smart sensor, you need to set it up using a smartphone app. The app you use will depend on the compatibility of your smart sensor, but most models on the market can connect to platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings. Setting your sensor up like this will ensure you’re properly connected to your home and alerted when things come up, plus you get access to your other smart devices.

Different types of smart sensors

As mentioned, there are different types of smart sensors you can choose from. The main type are sensors that detect motion which are aptly named motion detectors. Good examples of these are the Ring Alarm Motion Detector and the Eve Motion Sensor. A newer version of these are sound recognition devices, like the Earzz Smart Home Monitor, which listens in to important sounds around your house.

Other smart sensors you can find are water leak detectors and temperature sensors. The former monitors the flow of water through a pipeline or the water’s point of entry into your home. If it recognises any leaks or disruptions, the detector will cut off the water flow to the house and inform you of any issues to help prevent water damage or flooding. The latter monitors and records the temperature in your house. It can be used alongside the best smart thermostats to keep your home at the perfect temperature, and can be used to detect changes as a result of damaged systems or burst water tanks.

Why you need a smart sensor in your home

In my opinion, smart sensors are wildly underrated. There are so many different smart home devices which come with a plethora of features and can ‘double up’ as other things, for example, your video doorbell can act as a security camera so you can see who’s at your door at all times. I think this is the main reason smart sensors are often forgotten about as their functionality is often built-in to other devices.

But having a dedicated smart home sensor can improve your security, automation and make your entire home run more smoothly. In terms of security, smart sensors pick up unusual movements and installing them next to doors and windows can alert you to any break-ins. You can also use your smart sensor to keep up-to-date with what’s going on in your home while you’re not there. For example, if you’re at work and your child has just got home from school, your smart sensor can give you that peace of mind. Similarly, if you place a smart sensor in your baby’s room, it can alert you if they start crying or trying to get out of their crib.

Automation is another key reason to invest in a smart sensor. Once you have your smart sensor set up with an app, you can customise how you want your other devices to react. Say someone tries to get in through your back door, your smart sensor can trigger your lighting and music to come on to give the impression that someone’s home and switch on your outdoor siren (like the Yale Floodlight Camera) to scare them away.

Overall, smart home sensors have impressive credentials and I’d highly recommend them for better security and improving the power of your other smart home devices.

If you're a little disappointed with Siri's features and performance, there's good news: Siri is about to get a whole lot smarter. Unfortunately it seems that you'll have to wait another year for the improvements to appear on your device. Apple is reportedly spending "millions of dollars a day" on artificial intelligence, and making Siri on iPhone and on HomePods much better is a big priority. But we're unlikely to get that smarter Siri until at least next year with the release of iOS 18.

I test a lot of smart home kit and it's becoming increasingly obvious that Siri is way behind the pack. Siri is much slower than, say, Amazon's Alexa; I've found in my home at least Siri is also much less likely to hear me and much more likely to mishear me. Even simple tasks such as adding items to my shopping lists are frustrating and often have me redoing them manually; getting Siri to turn the right lights on is often a frustrating experience.

So I'm very pleased to hear that the next generation of Siri is going to be a superhero by comparison.

Siri's still frustrating, but its future seems a bit brighter

According to The Information [paywall], one of the goals is to make Siri much more powerful when it comes to smart home automation and streamlining multi-app tasks: Apple wants you to be able to use a simple voice command to trigger multi-step actions, such as telling Siri to make a GIF from the last five photos in your Photos app and send it via iMessage to a friend. 

It sounds very much like Apple is making Siri and Shortcuts work even more closely than they do already, although it'll be interesting to see how Apple is going to make the actual process of creating automations simpler: at the moment using Shortcuts is a little intimidating if you're not sure what you're doing. With conversational AI – think ChatGPT – it should be possible to talk to Siri and get them to create the necessary shortcut for you.

By comparison, this month's launch of iOS 17 is going to be relatively disappointing in the Siri department – although one good new feature is the ability to get Siri to perform task after task without having to do the "Hey, Siri" bit each time or even having to say "hey" at all. So instead of "Hey Siri, turn the dining room on. Hey Siri, turn the living room off. Hey Siri, turn the temperature to 20" you'd say "Siri, turn the dining room on. Turn the living room off. Turn the temperature to 20". That doesn't seem like a big difference, but it's a lot less clunky when you're saying it out loud. 

I'm one of many people who got excited about Siri's potential and then frustrated with Apple's lack of innovation here: I think both Google and Amazon are way ahead. So it's good to see Apple prioritising Siri again, because it needs to: if our Mac future is more talking to the Vision Pro than typing on a MacBook Pro, Siri really needs to smarten up. 

If you know your stuff when it comes to smart home tech, Matter is a name that will be familiar to you. As a universal device communication system, it allows smart home products to talk to one another, syncing up their controls and ultimately making your smart home experience easier. It's pretty impressive if you haven't gathered that already. 

With IFA 2023 taking place in Berlin this week, we were expecting some Matter news to appear somewhere, especially as it's the perfect time for smart home companies to discuss new updates or software. Well, Philips Hue have done exactly that and on the first day - wow! 

After months of uncertainty, Signify has today announced that the Philips Hue Bridge is finally being updated to support Matter. We've been told that a software update will be released in September, allowing users to connect their Philips Hue products to other Matter-supported devices and apps. This now means that every existing Philips Hue product, from their smart bulbs to their entertainment system, will now work with Matter. 

What do I need to know?

So the main thing to know is that the Matter update will come to the Philips Hue Bridge, not to the individual lights themselves. However, this isn't a significant discrepancy as the Bridge is the hub that controls all of the lighting products and accessories anyways. Although, if you control your Philips Hue lights via bluetooth instead of the Bridge itself, you won't be able to access the update. Read our guide on the Philips Hue Bridge for more information on this!

Whilst Philips Hue lights already work with smart home products such as an Amazon Alexa or Google Home, this Matter software update will allow users to connect their lights to any devices on Matter's compatibility list. 

We've been told that the update will roll out in September, but Signify haven't released an exact date at the time of writing this article. 

What do I need to do?

The good news is that you won't need to do anything on your part! The Philips Hue Bridge comes with its automatic updates setting turned on, so unless you've manually switched it off, you don't need to do a thing. 

What are the other new releases from Philips Hue?

After weeks of rumours, Philips Hue finally confirmed that they are entering the world of smart home security. Known as Philips Hue Secure, the new system allows you to monitor your home in real time, offering instant motion alerts and unique light and sound alarms to help deter intruders. The system is on the pricey side which is to be expected when it comes to Philips Hue, but they look great. We're excited about this one!

There are 4 products included in the range: a wired indoor/outdoor camera (£174.99/€199.99), a battery-powered indoor/outdoor camera (£219.99/€249.99), floodlight camera (£299.99/€349.99) and contact sensors (£34.99/€39.99). Each of the cameras have a clear 1080p HD video feed with night vision, featuring end-to-end encryption by default which ensures any video clips, snapshots, and live view remain private. The contact sensor sends real-time notifications when it's opened or closed, and can automate user's lights to turn on anywhere else in the home. 

They've also announced a new generation of the popular Philips Hue Festavia string lights, available in 3 different lengths. The launch also sees the introduction of the new Philips Hue MR16 smart bulb, allowing users to bring Philips Hue smart lighting to conventional spotlights anywhere in the home. The bulb works on the same 12 V low voltage as standard MR16 bulbs, making them compatible with most transformers 

Check out the full release for more information! 

With around 300 million smart homes around the world, it’s pretty common to have a scattering of devices in your house, including the best smart speakers and the best security cameras. But with a wide range of smart home ecosystems to choose from, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your home.

Choosing a virtual assistant is the key to starting a smart home, and Google Assistant is one of the top three contenders (accompanied by Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit). Part of T3’s ‘how to start a smart home’ series, this guide will look at how to set-up your smart home using Google Assistant. Before we get started, check out the mistakes everyone makes with Google Assistant so you don’t do the same thing.

What is Google Assistant?

Google Assistant is a virtual assistant software application. Developed by Google, Google Assistant was launched in 2016 as part of a short-lived messaging app called Allo before being added to Google Home speakers in 2017. Since its release, Google Assistant has expanded to multiple devices and is mainly available on mobiles and home automation devices.

Similar to Alexa (see how to start a smart home with Amazon Alexa for more details), Google Assistant can be built into a device or compatible with other gadgets. The majority of devices that have Google Assistant built-in are Google-made, like the Google Nest Doorbell and the Google Nest Mini. Google Pixel phones, watches, laptops and tablets also have Google Assistant built in, as do Android phones running Android 5.0 and up. It’s also worth keeping in mind that you can use Google Assistant on an iPhone (even though it’s not an Android) by installing the Google Home app.

Google Assistant can do a variety of tasks, including making phone calls, setting timers, reading out instructions, playing music, turning on your lights, adjusting your heating and much more. You can use your Google devices by setting up the Google Home app or by saying “Hey Google” or “Ok Google.”

What devices are Google Assistant-compatible?

There are two types of Google Assistant devices. The first has Google Assistant built into them and the second is where the device can be commanded by Google Assistant but is manufactured by a different company. Devices that have Google Assistant built in are Google’s own smart home products, like smart displays, speakers, cameras, thermostats and doorbells.

Non Google-made devices that are compatible with Google Assistant are extensive. To find out if the product you have is compatible, you just need to look for the “Works with Google Assistant” branding. Examples of Google Assistant compatible devices include JBL, LG and Harman speakers, Philips Hue lighting, Arlo cameras, Dyson vacuums, Roku streaming sticks, Tado thermostats and Nanoleaf smart bulbs.

How to set-up a smart home with Google Assistant

If Google Assistant is your smart home ecosystem of choice, here’s how to make your own smart home using Google Assistant.

Buy a Google device

Start by buying a Google device. While you don’t have to own a Google device to use Google Assistant, it’s best to choose a Google device with Google Assistant built in first. This gives you more ease, control and immediate access to the Google Home app.

Choosing a Google device can mean anything, as you can treat yourself to a Google Pixel Fold phone or a Google Nest Audio speaker, depending on what you want. If you’re prioritising smart home, I’d recommend choosing a smart display like the Google Nest Hub Max so it can act as your hub. After you’ve chosen your device, you can set it up by plugging it in, opening the Google Home app and following the instructions to customise your gadget.

Download the Google Home app

If you don’t want a Google device but you want to use Google Assistant, all you need to do is have the Google Home app downloaded to your phone, tablet or laptop. It’s really that simple and once it’s installed, you can start using Google Assistant voice commands and connect all your devices together.

Expand your smart home with compatible devices

Now that you have a Google device or the Google Home app installed, you can start expanding your smart home with other Google Assistant-enabled devices. Personally, I’d start with cameras and doorbells to improve your home security or smart thermostats to keep your energy bills down, and Google has its own products for you to choose from, like the Nest Cam Indoor or the Nest Learning Thermostat. As of writing, Google doesn’t have its own smart lighting, so I’d recommend looking into Philips Hue lights as they’re the best on the market.

To add all your smart home devices into the Google Home app, simply plug in your device and open the app. Tap ‘Add’, ‘Set up device’, ‘New device’ and follow the steps given by the app. Once all your gadgets are connected, you can set up schedules and routines to make your home run smoother.

Connect your entertainment with Google Chromecast

Streaming is the new go-to way to watch your favourite TVs and movies. To make your streaming experience easier, connect your entertainment with the Chromecast with Google TV. Once it’s plugged into your TV, Chromecast responds to voice commands accurately and rapidly, plus you can take your entertainment with you from room to room. All you have to do is ask the stream to move to a different device, for example, if you’re leaving your living room where your TV is, you can ask Chromecast to swap to the kitchen where your Nest Hub Max is.

Link Google Assistant to your car

Everyone uses Google Maps for navigation but rather than fiddling around on your phone for directions, you can link Google Assistant to your car. Google Assistant is integrated into Android Auto, so you can use it with the Android Auto app or a compatible car that has Google Assistant built in. This feature is extremely useful and means you remain hands-free while you drive but still have access to your navigation and entertainment.

That’s everything you need to know about setting up your smart home using Google Assistant! Check out the best Google Home deals in the widget below to get started.

If you're not sold on Google Assistant, check out our guide on how to start a smart home with Apple Home, and if can't choose between Google Assistant or Alexa, take a look at our Alexa vs Google Assistant comparison.

Cord-cutting has been a trend among TV audiences for years now. And now with inflation driving prices up right across our monthly budgets, this could be the perfect time to reconsider your traditional satellite TV subscription, and instead move exclusively to streaming.

Google, Amazon and Apple offer three of the most popular streaming devices, and while others also exist, it's this trio that offers the most content, the best features and the slickest user experience.

They also all offer a range of devices, which all look and work in a similar way, but vary in terms of features, performance and of course price. Picking the right one depends on your needs and also what type of television they’ll be connected to.

Chromecast vs Fire TV Stick vs Apple TV 4K: Hardware and design

All three work in a very similar way. The Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast with Google TV are dongles that plug into an HDMI port on the back of your TV, and just hang there. Out of sight, they don’t need to sit on a shelf or take up any space in front of the television.

Apple’s TV 4K takes a different approach and looks more like a traditional set-top box, with its HDMI cable and needing to sit somewhere. That said, you could just hide it behind the TV or inside your media cabinet, as it doesn’t need line-of-sight with the included remote.

Speaking of which, all three streamers come with a simple remote for browsing through streaming services and controlling content. In many cases they can control the power and volume of your TV or sound system too, so can act as your one-and-only remote.

Amazon sells a broad range of Fire TV products, all with a remote that can summon the Alexa voice assistant at the press of a button. The cheapest is called Stick Lite, costs £35 and streams content at Full HD resolution, also known as 1080p. The regular Fire TV Stick comes next, costing £45 and having a remote with TV volume controls.

Above this sits the Fire TV Stick 4K, which streams content in 4K resolution with support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and HDR. Lastly, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max has improved Wi-Fi, more RAM, a more powerful processor and live view picture-in-picture.

The Chromecast with Google TV range is simpler. There’s a Full HD version that comes in white (with matching remote) for £34.99 and a 4K version with three colour options for £59.99.

Lastly, the Apple TV 4K is the most expensive of the three streamers. It starts at £149 for a model with 64GB of storage (plus support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and HDR10+), then extends to £169 for a version with 128GB of storage and an Ethernet port. The latter is handy if you want a wired connection to your router, as perhaps you live in a home with thick walls and flakey Wi-Fi.

Chromecast vs Fire TV Stick vs Apple TV 4K: Software and content

All three streamers work in a very similar way. They all have access to the most popular catchup services, like BBC iPlayer ITV X and Channel 4, plus YouTube and subscriptions like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV and Apple TV+.

Although it hasn’t always been the case, it’s not easy to watch a rival service – for example, you can watch Amazon’s Prime Video on an Apple TV 4K, and you can watch Apple TV+ on a Fire TV Stick, or a Chromecast with Google TV. You can also access music streaming services, like Spotify or Apple Music, and view your image libraries on the TV, and the Apple TV 4K has access to Apple’s Fitness+ subscription service, streaming pre-recorded exercise classes to your television.

All three streamers include access to their manufacturers’ respective voice assistants, in the form of Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri. which can be used to find and control content.

Chromecast vs Fire TV Stick vs Apple TV 4K: Connectivity and smart home features

There’s much more to streaming devices than bingeing your latest Netflix addiction. They can all connect to smart speakers for improved audio, for a start. Google’s Chromecast hooks up to the company’s Nest Audio, while Amazon Fire Sticks can use a range of different Echo speakers to create a stereo or full surround sound system. The Apple TV 4K can also do this with the company’s HomePod and HomePod mini smart speakers.

Streaming devices can connect to smart home products too. They can each display live video feeds from smart security cameras and compatible video doorbells, and you can ask their integrated voice assistants to adjust smart lighting, change the temperature of a smart thermostat, turn on smart plugs and so much more.

Other tricks include the Apple TV 4K’s ability to calibrate its picture output using the camera of your iPhone, and how games are available on all three streaming devices. 

Chromecast vs Fire TV Stick vs Apple TV 4K: Which is best for you?

Since all three can access all of the most popular streaming services, deciding which to buy comes down to personal preference and which ecosystem you’re already a part of. Own a couple of Nest speakers? Then the Chromecast will be best for you. Already pay for Amazon Prime and have a Ring Video Doorbell? You should check out the Fire Stick TV range. Card-carrying member of Club Apple? The Apple TV 4K is the priciest of the bunch, but it’ll slot neatly into your current tech ecosystem.

If you're coming into this fresh, with no smart home devices or an open mind as to which is best, then it comes down to budget. For us, we think the 4K version of the Chromecast with Google TV represents great value for money, as we reckon Google Assistant has a slight edge over Alexa when it comes to intelligence.

That said, if you’re shopping for a streaming device for a smaller TV, perhaps in the kitchen or bedroom, it’s hard to say no to the regular HD version of Chromecast, or the equally priced £35 Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite.

We are huge fans of the Philips Hue range at T3 and we're not afraid to shout about it. Known for their outstanding smart lighting, Philips Hue have been illuminating homes and gardens since 2012. They provide the perfect way to bring light, colour and ambiance into your space, setting the mood in the best way possible. You can also customise your smart lighting using apps, voice commands and timers. 

When it comes to controlling your Philips Hue smart lighting, there are two ways to do it:  Bluetooth and with the Hue Bridge. As there is the option of using Bluetooth, many buyers assume that they don't need to purchase the Bridge. Whilst this is technically true, adding a Hue Bridge to your set-up unlocks the full suite of smart lighting features, some of which aren’t available with a Bluetooth-controlled system. 

We're going to walk you through all of the things you need to know about the Hue Bridge, so you can decide whether it’s the right choice for your smart lighting system.

Before we begin, check out some of our recent guides on how you can put your smart lighting to use: 

How to introduce smart lighting to your garden

How to make the perfect outdoor dining space using smart lighting

How to create your own Barbie Dreamhouse using smart lighting

Do you need a Hue Bridge?

Considered the heart of the Hue smart lighting system, the Hue Bridge uses ZigBee technology to connect to your Wi-Fi. This lets you control your Philips Hue smart lights using the Philips Hue app both at home and from anywhere else in the world where you have an Internet connection.

However, the Hue Bridge is not required to use Philips Hue smart lighting. Most Philips Hue smart lights are also Bluetooth-enabled (look for the symbol on the packaging) and can be controlled with the Philips Hue Bluetooth app without a Hue Bridge – but a Bluetooth set-up does come with some limitations.

What does the Hue Bridge do? 

The Bridge unlocks the full suite of features. Find out what these are below: 

It gives you the ultimate smart control

The Hue Bridge makes it possible to control your lights any way you want – from anywhere with an internet connection. Using the app, you can schedule your lights to turn on and off. If you set up an automation once, the Hue Bridge will also remember what you want your lights to do.

You can get full voice control

Get the full range of voice control features with a Hue Bridge. Use voice commands to turn your lights on and off with the leading smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Home and Google Assistant.

It provides instant light response 

The Hue Bridge uses Zigbee to communicate with your lights and accessories. Your lights react instantly, and you’ll be able to control them even when your Wi-Fi is down. 

It enables Matter

The Bridge enables Matter, the new foundation for connected things. That means that your Philips Hue lights and accessories automatically support Matter – and you can easily integrate other smart home brands through Matter too.

Can you use the Hue Bridge with all of the Philips Hue smart lighting range? 

Yes. All Philips Hue products can connect to the Hue Bridge to create a comprehensive smart lighting system. 

Hue Bridge: availability and price 

You can purchase the Hue Bridge on the Philips Hue website for only £49.99 - there are also many purchasing packages available with the Philips Hue range so make sure you check these out if you're buying the Bridge with a lighting accessory. 

Final verdict: Hue Bluetooth vs Hue Bridge

A key difference between controlling your lights with Bluetooth versus a Hue Bridge is the number of lights that you can control. If you have a Hue Bridge, you can connect up to 50 lights throughout your entire home, but if you control your smart lights via Bluetooth, you can only connect up to 10 lights in one room.

The Hue Bridge allows you to control your lights from anywhere in the house – and, in fact, anywhere in the world. Whether you’re at work, running errands or away on holiday, you can turn lights on and off, dim or brighten, or even set up automations just like you would at home.

With Bluetooth control, you’re limited to only being able to operate your smart lights within Bluetooth range – about 10 metres. If you have a larger home or Philips Hue outdoor lights (which require a Hue Bridge to function), the full power of the Hue Bridge is your best option.

Interested in more? Check out these 5 mistakes everyone makes with their Philips Hue smart lighting and 5 things you should know before purchasing any of the Philips Hue range!

According to smart home statistics, there’s an estimated 300 million smart homes around the world. Having a few smart devices dotted around your rooms can make a huge difference to your productivity, communication and life in general. But with many smart home ecosystems to choose from, picking the right one for your household can be difficult.

One of the most popular digital assistants and smart home ecosystems is Amazon’s Alexa, which has around 71.6 million global users. Compatible with multiple devices and brands, including the majority of the best smart speakers, Alexa has quickly become the go-to hub for most smart homes… but how do you get started?

In T3’s new ‘how to start a smart home’ series, this guide will look at how to set-up your smart home using Alexa. Before we get started, check out the mistakes everyone makes with Alexa to stop you from doing the same thing.

What is Alexa?

Alexa is a virtual assistant technology owned by Amazon. Released in 2013, Alexa was first introduced to the Amazon Echo and the Echo Dot before expanding to other Echo products and smart home devices from different manufacturers.

Whether it’s built into your device or is compatible with it (more on that later), Alexa can do a wide variety of tasks which make your day-to-day life easier. Alexa can play music, set timers and alarms, make phone calls, read out recipes and organise your calendar. From a smart home perspective, Alexa can act as the ecosystem or hub for your smart home, and can identify and control compatible devices, like turning on lights, customising your heating and checking your security camera footage.

Alexa can be controlled, connected and customised with the Alexa app that’s free to download and use. The app is a great way to create schedules and routines for your smart home devices, as well as access them while you’re out and about. Once everything is sorted in the app, you can use Alexa voice commands to request things from your devices by saying “Hey Alexa”.

What devices are Alexa-compatible?

There are two types of Alexa devices. The first is where Alexa is built into the system and the other is where the device works with Alexa but isn’t an Amazon-made product. Examples of the former are mainly Amazon devices like Echo speakers and displays, Blink and Ring security products and Fire TVs. These products are the best way to use Alexa as they’re specifically designed with and for Alexa. 

The latter are devices which are manufactured by a different company but can be used with Alexa. These include Philips Hue smart lighting, Ecobee and Tado smart thermostats, Sonos speakers, Arlo cameras, TP-Link smart plugs, Yale and Ultion Nuki smart locks, and many more. To find out if your product is compatible with Alexa, look out for “Works with Amazon Alexa” branding.

How to set-up a smart home with Alexa

If you’ve decided that Amazon’s Alexa is the ecosystem for you, here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up your smart home with Alexa.

Invest an Amazon device

First, you need to invest in an Amazon smart home product. As Amazon owns Alexa, it makes sense to start with an Amazon device that has Alexa built-in. This makes starting your smart home easier and more streamlined, and you’ll have immediate access to the Alexa app. I’d recommend choosing a smart display, like the Echo Show 15, as you can use it as your smart home hub which makes connecting devices simpler.

To set up your Amazon Echo devices, simply plug in your device, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and download the Alexa app. Setting up Amazon gadgets mainly involves selecting language and timezone, connecting to Wi-Fi, and naming your device. Once you’ve done that, you can connect your Echo to the Alexa app and you’re ready to go!

Add to your smart home with Alexa-enabled gadgets

Once you’ve got your first Alexa device installed, you can start expanding with more smart home gadgets. After your smart display, I’d first look into smart cameras from Ring or Blink as these have Alexa built-in. As of writing, Amazon doesn’t make its own smart lights and its Smart Thermostat is only available in the US. So, if you want smart lighting and heating, you’ll need to look into products that are compatible with Alexa.

Popular smart lighting and heating brands include Philips Hue and Tado. Both are easy to install, come with their own app and are compatible with Alexa. With this compatibility, you can connect your Philips Hue or Tado products to the Alexa app, so your ecosystem encompasses all your devices, making it easier to control your home.

To do this, plug in and turn on your smart home devices before adding them into the Alexa app. Open the app, select Devices, click + and Add Device. Choose your device type and brand, and follow the instructions. From there, your gadget should be added and you can create routines or turn things on and off using the app. Alternatively, you can say “Alexa, discover devices” to your hub.

Create personalised routines

Once you’ve installed and connected all your smart devices, you can set up routines and schedules. For example, let’s say when you wake up in the morning, you want to turn on your lights, play a podcast, set a timer for your workout and turn down your heating. Rather than shout “Hey Alexa’ multiple times to run through the changes you want made, put together a morning schedule in the app, so everything turns on and off how and when you want it to.

Look into ‘secret’ Alexa skills and commands

Other than “Hey Alexa, turn on the lights”, there are many different skills and commands that you can use with Alexa, from getting her to quote movies to telling you a fact of the day. Have a look into the different skills that Alexa can do and make sure to enable them in the app if you want to try them. Check out these Alexa commands for optimising your home security for more.

Buy the Amazon smart plug

Now that everything around your home is smart, it makes the things that aren’t smart a little boring! But not to worry, you can make your appliances smart with an Amazon smart plug. How smart plugs work is by adding voice control and commands to your electrical socket. Just plug in the Amazon smart plug, add it to the Alexa app and you can start using it – it’s that simple! The great thing about this is you can schedule your non-smart appliances like your coffee machine to turn on and off automatically and remotely.

And that’s how to set up your smart home using Alexa! Take a look at the best Amazon Echo deals in the widget below to get started.

If you're not sold on Amazon Alexa, check out our guides on how to set up a smart home with Google Assistant and Apple Home.

If you have an Alexa-enabled device, you probably already know how to ask her for the weather, to start a timer and to adjust your smart lighting. But, there are many clever Alexa voice commands that you can use to optimise your home security and make the organisation of your smart home more seamless.

Amazon’s Alexa is arguably the most popular voice assistant that comes installed in the majority of the best smart speakers, as well as Amazon smart home devices like the Echo Studio speaker, the Echo Show 15 smart display and the Amazon Echo Dot. With an Alexa-compatible gadget, all you have to do is say “Hey Alexa!” and she’s ready to answer your questions, play music, make phone calls and even do your food shopping.

Aside from the obvious, Alexa actually has a ton of ‘secret’ commands that can make your smart home more streamlined and safe. Of course, it’s fun to ask your Alexa to tell a joke or get her to quote movies with you, but to optimise your home security and make your smart home experience run more smoothly, these are 8 hidden Alexa commands that you need to try.

1. “Alexa, Delete Everything I Said Today”

What puts many people off from using voice assistants is that they think they’re constantly listening in and recording everything you’re saying. While Alexa does store recordings so she can improve voice recognition and understand your personal preferences better, you can easily erase your search history every day if you don’t want your conversations saved. To do this, simply say “Alexa, Delete Everything I Said Today’ and your entire day’s search will be deleted.

2. “Alexa, I’m Leaving.”

Amazon designed Alexa and Echo devices with multiple layers of privacy and protection built-in, and with the app, you can personalise your privacy settings. But for more protection, Amazon came up with Alexa Guard, a free built-in tool that uses your device’s microphone to listen for any break-ins and unusual activity while you’re not at home. To use this setting, you’ll need to set up Alexa Guard which you can do through the Alexa app. When you leave the house, say “Alexa, I’m leaving” to activate Alexa Guard and if she detects anything, you’ll receive notifications and alerts. To switch off Alexa Guard, say “Alexa, I’m home” when you get home so you’re not being alerted by your own movements!

3. “Alexa, Start My Day”

Creating routines is a great way to keep all your smart devices connected and working as one. As Alexa is compatible with so many smart gadgets, like Philips Hue lights and Arlo cameras, you can create Alexa routines and group all your commands together. For example, let’s say when you wake up in the morning, you want to turn the lights on, play the radio, turn on your coffee machine and set a timer for your morning workout. Simply set up this Alexa routine in the app and say “Alexa, start my day”. Not only does this save you time but it means your days are more organised and stress-free.

4. “Alexa, Show The Front Door”

If you have an Echo Show smart display and a Ring camera or Ring video doorbell, you can activate the Live View function by asking Alexa. To see what’s happening outside your house, say “Alexa, show the front door” and this will pull up your camera or doorbell’s live feed on your smart display. It’s worth noting that if you want to speak to whoever’s at the door, you’ll need to use a different voice command. Instead, use “Alexa, answer the front door” or if it’s the back door, say “Alexa, talk to the backyard.”

5. “Alexa, Go Home"

Similarly, if you want to remove the live feed from your Echo smart display, say “Alexa, go home” and she’ll get rid of this for you. Another way to use the ‘go home’ function is when you want to return to your home screen. This command can be used on both Echo Show devices or Fire TVs.

6. “Alexa, Change Your Wake Up Word”

If you no longer want your smart home device to answer to Alexa, you can change it. There are a few reasons why you might want to do this with the main one being that it’s a little annoying! But from a security point of view, changing your devices’ wake up word means less people can access it. For example, if someone is trying to use your Alexa-enabled device to break into your home, they won’t be able to if you’ve changed it from Alexa. When you say “Alexa, change your wake up word”, you can choose from ‘Alexa’, ‘Amazon’, ‘Computer’ and ‘Echo’.

7. “Alexa, Why Did You Do That?”

Sometimes, we’re not always sure why Alexa does the things she does! Whether it’s randomly turning down your music or not properly interpreting what you’re saying, this command makes it easier for you to understand Alexa’s behaviour and makes communicating with Alexa more effective. When you say “Alexa, why did you do that?” Alexa will explain why she responded that way to your last request.

8. “Alexa, Stop"

To get Alexa to stop doing what she’s doing, just say “Alexa, stop.” This command immediately stops everything that Alexa is doing, with no explanation required. Not only is this helpful if you’re in a rush but it can keep your home safe and secure. For example, let’s say you’re asking Alexa for help with making payments or checking your bank balance and a guest has entered your home. If you don’t want them to know that information, you can use this command and Alexa will keep schtum.