5 new Alexa security tips to secure your smart home

The surprise event of Amazon Thursday brought us a dozen new products from the online retailer. But it was not everything. We also received new Alexa updates that anyone with an Alexa-enabled device can use.

Security was the focus of concern with new features to protect your home. Here is an overview of new ways to secure your home with the help of Alexa.

Alexa Guard

Alexa Guard is one of the most important features for the security of Amazon devices. Using your Echo devices, Alexa listens to noises that indicate danger, such as a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm that goes off or the sound of broken glass.

If Alexa detects a suspicious item, you will receive an alert on your mobile phone with audio snippets of the sound.

Alexa Guard also integrates with Ring and ADT services. You therefore have the option of forwarding the alert to the distribution center of your monitored security provider. You can activate Alexa Guard mode by saying such phrases as "Alexa, I'm leaving".

Alexa Hunches

Alexa and her voice assistant competitors are committed to becoming smarter and more conversational. Amazon announced one more step in this direction on Thursday with the introduction of Alexa Hunches.

It tries to imitate the intuition of a human being by forgetting something or something that does not seem right. For example, if you say "Alexa, good night," but leave a light on or an unlocked door, Alexa will suggest that you lock the door or turn off the light and do it for you.

API doorbell Alexa

Alexa compatible security cameras Ring, Arlo and August, with Amazon's own Cloud Cam Indoor security camera, have the ability to work with the Amazon Cameras Recap API. This API allows you to watch recorded video clips by saying: "Alexa, show the event that happened right in the back."

This new Alexa feature is currently working on the Amazon Echo Show, the Spot Echo, the TV light and fire tablets.

Before the Recap Cameras API, you could say, "Alexa, open the live stream" to see the video in real time, but seeing recorded clips was not an option. You will also see who is at your door and talk to them saying: "Alexa is talking to the camera from the back door".

Exterior lighting

A feature of Alexa Guard, Away Lighting intermittently turns on and off your smart lights to make believe that someone is at home when you are away.

Alexa Guard uses machine learning to turn lights on and off in seemingly natural patterns, designed to deter intruders.

Bell chime announcements

In addition to video extensions at the door, Amazon has also announced a door chime ability. If someone rings at your door, you will hear a chime on all your Echo devices.

These are just a few of the things that Amazon announced on Thursday in Seattle. For a complete summary of all hardware, software and service updates introduced, visit our post. right here.

All that Apple announced at its September 12 event: Our comprehensive summary.

iPhone XR, XS, XS Max: The three new iPhones from Apple start at $ 749.