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Whether you’re new to Alexa or have used it for years, you’ll want to know about these three new ways you can use Alexa to make your life easier and more fun.
Using Alexa, you can now get live translations to and from other languages, watch Netflix, and participate in Zoom meetings. Your Echo devices with Alexa just got a whole lot smarter and more useful.
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Alexa Live Translations
Amazon has updated Alexa to offer live real-time translation between languages. With this update, Alexa can translate between Brazilian Portugese, Italian, Hindi, French, German, Spanish, and English languages.
You can ask Alexa to translate to a different language, then start speaking. Alexa will identify which language is being spoken then translate to the requested language.
It’s like having an instant translator available any time to help you interpret a different language. Alexa Live Translation can help people overcome language barriers and help people learn new languages.
How to Use Alexa Live Translations
To use Alexa Live Translations, say, “Alexa, translate to French” (for example), then start speaking. Alexa will detect what language is being spoken and translate the phrase to French. You can continue speaking and Alexa will continue to translate to keep the conversation going.
If you’re using an Echo Show, Alexa will display the conversation in both languages on the screen, as well as speak the translation. If your Alexa device doesn’t have a screen, Alexa will speak the translations.
Alexa Live Translation is rolling out to Alexa devices. This feature will initially be available to Alexa devices set to English U.S.
For more on the science behind Alexa Live Translations, check out Amazon Science How Alexa’s new Live Translation for conversations works.
You Can Now Watch Netflix on Your Echo Show
If you’ve been wanting to watch Netflix on the screen of your Echo Show, your wish has been granted by Amazon. Now you can watch Netflix on your Echo Show, in addition to watching Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.
You can use your voice to ask Alexa to open Netflix on your Echo Show, then watch a show, series, movie, documentary, or any other Netflix content. Your binge-watching potential just increased!
Netflix is currently available on Echo Show in the U.S., U.K., EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, India, Mexico, and Brazil. In the U.S., Netflix on the Echo Show is available in English and Spanish languages.
How to Watch Netflix on Your Echo Show
To watch Netflix on your Echo Show, you must first connect your Netflix account. Connect your Netflix account by saying “Alexa, open Netflix.” Select Member Sign In, then type your email address and password for your Netflix account using the on-screen keyboard. Tap Continue.
Begin watching your favorite Netflix shows!
[Note that you aren’t able to watch Netflix on an Echo Spot, probably because the screen is a wee bit too small.]
Zoom on Echo Show
If you have more Zoom meetings than devices in your home or want the convenience of Zooming from an Echo Show, you may soon have the ability to use Alexa to Zoom.
Amazon has added the ability to join Zoom meetings using the Echo Show, though for now that ability is limited to the Echo Show 8 using video. If you have an Echo Show 8, you can use it to participate in Zoom meetings.
With other Echo devices, you can join Zoom meetings, but you can only use audio.
Zoom video calls on the Echo Show are available in North America on Echo Show 8 devices set to English U.S.
How to Use Zoom with your Echo Show 8
You can use Zoom on your Echo Show 8 with or without signing into your Zoom account. To use Zoom on your Echo Show 8 with your Zoom account, ask, “Alexa, open the Zoom app.” You can sign in by entering your email address and password for your Zoom account.
You can connect your calendar to join Zoom meetings easily without having to enter the meeting ID or password. Zoom can retrieve that information from your calendar.
Alternatively, you can join a Zoom meeting on your Echo Show 8 without logging into your Zoom account. Say, “Alexa, join my Zoom meeting” and Alexa will ask you for the meeting ID and passcode.
Learn more about using Zoom on your Echo Show 8 and other Alexa devices at Getting Started with Zoom on Echo Show.
Your Thoughts
Have you tried any of these useful and fun new ways to use Alexa? Which of these new features is the most useful to you?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
I love these tips and could see using all 3, the translation maybe best on the Alexa app so it can travel with you!
Hi Robert, Yes, all three of these new features are very useful. The real-time translation can be especially helpful to help understand the world around you.
I have never used alexa before but will try it now for translation and with zoom.
Thanks for sharing fun info about cool and smart alexa.
Hi Fariha, I’m glad you discovered these new tools from Alexa. I hope you find them helpful!