You can do a lot of cool things with multiple Echo devices around the house. You can play music in multiple rooms at once, use them as an intercom, even use them as makeshift baby monitor. Now you can also use them to make announcements to your whole house. Personally, I prefer just yelling, but sometimes the situation calls for a lighter, more technologically advanced touch.
What you need
- At least two Echo devices
How to do it
- Simply turn to your nearest Echo device and say “Alexa, announce that…”, “Alexa, broadcast…”, “Alexa, tell everyone…”, or “Alexa, make an announcement.”
- Alexa will record your voice and make every Echo device in the house chirp, followed by your announcement.
Unlike the intercom feature, announcements are a one way function. Everyone within earshot of an Echo will hear your announcement, but won’t be able to respond without either activating the intercom or making an announcement of their own.
There are also some special announcement surprises, as found by My IT Forum:
Using any of the following phrases with the new Announcement feature will product just a bit extra umph for the announcement.
When you say…
“Alexa, tell everyone it’s time for dinner” a dinner bell will sound.
When you say…
“Alexa, tell everyone to wake up” a rooster will sound the familiar cock-a-doodle-doo.
When you say…
“Alexa, tell everyone it’s bedtime” the Brahm’s lullaby will play.
When you say…
“Alexa, broadcast I Love You” will emit a kissing sound.
When you say…
“Alexa, tell everyone it’s time to go” will produce a Looney Tunes type speeding away noise.
When you say…
“Alexa, broadcast Happy Birthday” will begin with a cheering crowd.