How to make Amazon Echo less responsive

Smart speakers can be useful in many situations, but you don't want to have a long conversation with Alexa.

Of course, you don't have to get a voice response to every request, and you don't want to be offered a completely different proposal when you just ask to "turn off the lights."

Fortunately, you can limit Alexa's chatter by changing some Amazon Echo settings. However, it seems impossible to erase all unnecessary responses.

In this article, I'll show you how to reduce Alexa's voice response.

Turn on "Simple Response Mode" in the Alexa app

"Simple response mode" mutes the voice that answers "yes" to Alexa's request. Instead of "yes", you will hear a chime.

To enable this mode, open the Alexa app and tap More. Select "Settings"> "Voice Response" and turn on "Simple Response Mode".

On the same screen, there is also an eerie setting called "whisper mode".

If you don't want to wake up a sleeping person, turn this mode on and whisper a question or command, Alexa will whisper in a soft voice (although it feels uncomfortable).

Turn off Alexa shopping suggestions

Alexa is famous for suggesting shopping on Amazon by displaying advertisements even for simple requests such as weather forecasts.

It seems that the function can also be changed by setting.

In the app, tap "Settings"> "Notifications"> "Amazon Shopping" and then "Receive personalized recommendations and deals based on your shopping activity". Please turn off "Receive recommendations".

Turn off "Hunches"

If you're using Alexa to manage smart home devices such as lights and thermostats, Hunches will let you know when something isn't working as expected.

This feature, which is on by default, can be turned off from Settings> Hunches> Settings> Suggestions.

You can also set Alexa to handle it automatically if it's not working as expected.

Set up a profile for "Amazon Kids"

The ultimate way to avoid unwanted notifications is to use Amazon Echo with your child account (see this article).

The disadvantage is that other functions are limited. However, it is possible to respond to basic requests, play music (without improper expression), and operate smart home devices.

To configure Amazon Echo as a device for children, tap "Echo & Alexa" on the "Devices" screen of the Alexa app and select the device for which you want to change the settings.

Tap "Amazon Kids" to turn on the toggle and select "Setup Amazon Kids".

If you already have a child profile, select it. If not set, select Add Child and follow the instructions.

7,980 yen

Source: CNBC, Amazon, Cnet