SALTZMAN: Six seriously awesome smart speaker tips and tricks

According to The Infinite Dial 2021 Canada report published by Edison Research and Triton Digital, 27% of Canadian adults now own a smart speaker. Many households have multiple devices, with an average of 1.8 smart speakers per household among those who own one. Smart speakers are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability and ease of use.

While most people are familiar with the basic functions of smart speakers, such as asking for the weather, setting timers, and controlling smart home devices, there are several lesser-known features that can make your smart speaker even more useful.

One cool feature is the ability to make free phone calls using your smart speaker. Both Alexa and Google devices allow you to make outgoing calls using the Internet, whether it’s to a specific number, a contact in your smartphone, or a business name.

If you have a smart speaker on your night table, you can use “Whisper Mode” to avoid waking up a sleeping partner. By whispering your assistant’s name, it will respond in a whisper as well. This feature is perfect for setting alarms or listening to music quietly.

Another handy feature is the ability to have your smart speaker remember where you’ve placed important items. Simply tell your smart speaker where you’ve stored something, and it will remind you when you ask. You can also use your smart speaker to find your smartphone at home by asking it to ring loudly.

For better sound quality, you can pair your smart speaker with a Bluetooth speaker or soundbar. This allows you to enjoy room-filling sound for music playback without having to invest in a more expensive smart speaker.

If you need to communicate in different languages, you can use the interpreter mode on your Google Assistant-powered smart speaker. This feature is great for multilingual conversations with family members or friends.

Finally, for a fun activity, you can play games on your smart speaker, such as the Hey Robot board game. With hundreds of games available, you can enjoy hours of entertainment with friends and family.

In conclusion, smart speakers have a wide range of features beyond the basics. By exploring these lesser-known functions, you can make the most out of your smart speaker and enhance your daily life.