One of the first things that struck you about your Amazon Echo was definitely the excellent sound quality that it can return: since you purchased the Amazon smart speaker, in fact, there is no day that you have not used to listen to your favourite music. But now you would like to take one more step: use the Amazon Echo also as a PC case in order to hear all the sounds that are played by the computer through the latter. In this article, you can know about how to connect Alexa to the pc.
If this is actually the case, know that you have come to the right place! In fact, below, I intend to explain how to connect. Alexa to the PC in order to use any speaker of the Echo family as a computer case, both wirelessly and via cable.
Also, if you are interested in it, I will explain how to call Alexa directly from your PC and interact with the famous Amazon voice assistant directly from Windows. I assure you that it is, in any case, a child’s play. So ban the talk and let’s get started: find all the instructions you need right below!
How to connect Alexa
After reading my in-depth analysis dedicated to Amazon Echo devices, you have decided to buy one, and now you are serious about using it to control the smart devices in your home and not being very practical with technology. However, you would need a support guide that will help you succeed in this endeavour. After going to Google to look for it, you happened to be right here, on my website.
Is this the way it is? Then you will be pleased to know that you are in the right place. At the right time! Below, in fact, I will explain, by wire and by the sign. How to connect Alexa to a large number of electronic devices, ranging from televisions to home lights. For completeness of the information. Then, I will also show you how to make the first configuration of the device. In order to prepare it for subsequent connections.
So, without waiting for a second longer. Cut out some free time and allow it to read this guide: I am sure that, in doing so. You will acquire the necessary skills to succeed in the intent you have set yourself. Having said that, I can’t help but wish you a good read and have fun!
How to connect Alexa to the PC as a speaker
Suppose you want to connect Alexa to your PC and use your Amazon Echo as a Bluetooth speaker or wired speaker. Here is how you need to proceed and what requirements you need to achieve your goal.
How to connect Alexa to your PC with Bluetooth
The easiest way to connect Alexa to your PC as a speaker is to take advantage of Bluetooth (wireless) technology, which is supported by all Amazon smart speakers and is now integrated into most laptops. If by chance, your computer does not have integrated Bluetooth support, you can remedy this by purchasing a Bluetooth USB adapter for a few euros.
With the due clarifications above, the time has come to take action. The very first things you need to do, if you have not already done so, are to configure your Echo in the Amazon Alexa app for Android or iOS / iPadOS (if you need a hand in this sense, consult my guide on Amazon Echo ) and check the activation of Bluetooth on your computer.
If you use a PC with Windows 10, you can check the activation of Bluetooth by going to the Windows Settings panel (the gear icon located laterally in the Start menu ) and moving to Devices> Bluetooth and other devices: if necessary, activate the Bluetooth stick and you’re done. If you use a Mac, instead, open System Preferences (the gear icon located on the Dock bar ), go to Bluetooth, and, if necessary, click on the button to activate Bluetooth.
Now you are really ready to connect Alexa to your PC via Bluetooth. Click then on the button. Start the Windows 10 (the Flag icon located in the lower left of the screen), go to the Windows Settings by clicking on ‘ gear icon this side of the menu that is open and, through the window that is proposed to you, move to Devices> Bluetooth and other devices (the latter item is located in the left sidebar).
And
Now say the phrase “Alexa, activate Bluetooth” (or something similar) in order to activate the pairing mode on your Amazon Echo. Then press the Add Bluetooth or other device button on the PC. Select the Bluetooth option from the next screen and press on the name of your Echo. To establish the connection between computer and speaker.
In case you do not see the name of your Echo among the devices that can be associated with the computer, take your smartphone/tablet, start the Amazon Alexa app, go to the Devices> Echo & Alexa section> [name of your Amazon Echo]> Bluetooth devices and tap on your computer name. A message from the Echo itself should alert you of the association with the PC.
You can then adjust the volume and connect. Disconnect the Amazon Echo from the computer via the Windows menus (the speaker icon in the notification area, next to the Windows clock) or by saying the commands “Alexa, connect Bluetooth ” and ” Alexa. Disconnect Bluetooth ” to the speaker (you will not be able to use Alexa via PC unless you implement the procedure illustrated in the next chapter of this tutorial ).
And
If you use a Mac, you can pair with an Amazon Echo speaker in an equally simple way. Open System Preferences. Go to Bluetooth, activate the pairing mode on your Amazon Echo. Saying the command “Alexa, activate Bluetooth” (or something like this), and click on the Connect button that appears on the computer. Next to the name of the Amazon speaker (it should be at the bottom of the list of available devices).
Suppose you don’t see the name of your Amazon Echo in the list of available Bluetooth devices. Proceed from the Amazon Alexa app as I explained a few lines above.
Once paired, you can check the speaker volume from the speaker icon in the menu bar (if you don’t see it, activate it in System Preferences> Sound, by checking the Show volume box in the menu bar ).
You can also connect/disconnect the device using the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar (if you don’t see it, activate it from System Preferences> Bluetooth ) or using the voice commands “Alexa, connect Bluetooth” and “Alexa, disconnect Bluetooth” directly with the speaker.
How to connect Alexa to PC with AUX cable
Do you prefer the AUX connection, then the cable connection, to the Bluetooth connection? Again, you can succeed quite easily with the intent to connect Alexa to the PC as a speaker. But it all depends on the model of Amazon Echo in your possession.
In fact, although all Amazon Echo speakers are equipped with the classic 3.5mm jack socket. In most cases, it is only an AUX audio output (therefore useful to reproduce the audio of the Echo on external speakers, not vice versa) and not an audio input (which instead would be used to use the Echo as a speaker ).
The only Amazon Echo models equipped with audio input are Amazon Echo from the 3rd generation onwards and Amazon Echo Plus. If you have one of these speakers, you can connect it to your computer and any other compatible device via a common 3.5mm cable.
How to use Alexa on the PC
By connecting an Amazon Echo to the PC as a speaker, you will be able to command the multimedia playback of the computer with your voice: you can then say “play,” “pause,” “next track,” etc. but you will not be able to control your computer with Alexa or use Amazon’s voice assistant directly from your PC.
To achieve this latter goal. However, you can install the Amazon Alexa application for Windows 10, which allows you to recall Amazon’s voice assistant directly from your computer and request. All free, of course.
And
At the time of writing. The official Alexa application is not yet available on the Microsoft Store. However, it is already 100% translated into the USA and allows you to use voice commands in that language. The only thing you need to have is to temporarily set the PC region to the United States before installing it: to do this, go to the Windows Settings menu (the gear icon located on the side in the Start menu). Move to Data/hour and language. Select the Geographical item area from the left sidebar and select the United States from the drop-down menu Country or geographic area.
Once this is done, open the Microsoft Store (the shopping bag icon with the Windows flag). Search for Alexa in the search field located at the top right and select the application icon from the results returned ( here the quick link for going directly to the download page). Click, then, on the Get button. Log in to your Microsoft account (if necessary) and wait for the download and installation of Amazon Alexa for Windows 10 to finish.
And
Once the installation is complete, you can reset the PC region to the USA. Returning to the menu I mentioned before, and start the Alexa application. Using the appropriate icon added to the Start menu.
Once the application has started, click on the Amazon Alexa Setup button. Log in to your Amazon account. Press Continue to accept the terms of service. Press Allow authorizing the use of the computer microphone. Choose whether or not to activate the hands-free mode (to call Alexa via voice command, as well as on-screen button and keyboard).
Finally, check or uncheck the boxes. Start the App when you access this computer. Allow the App sounds to play and Add the Alexa App to the taskbar. According to your preferences, and click on the Finish configuration button to access. The Alexa main screen for Windows 10 and choose whether or not to activate the automatic playback of the announcements (i.e. the messages that you can record from the PC and play on all your Amazon Echo speakers).
And
The Alexa application for Windows 10 works in a very simple way. On the main screen, you find the buttons to call Alexa and mute the microphone. Suppose you have activated access to the microphone during the initial setup. You can also call the Amazon assistant by saying “Alexa” while the application is running on the PC. No matter if in the foreground or in the background. By pressing the Ctrl combination + Shift + A (customizable in Settings).
By pressing the button located at the top left, you can access it. The menu with all sections of the Alexa application. Home (the main screen), Now playing (with multimedia content being played). Smart Home (to manage Smart devices associated with your Amazon account). Announce (to send audio recordings to your Amazon Echo). Things to try (with the list of voice commands that you can give Alexa). Information (with information about the application) and Settings (with application preferences).
As said, you can use Alexa on your computer to issue most of the commands. You usually use through Echo speakers, so you just have fun.
And
For completeness of the information. I inform you that by connecting via browser to the alexa.amazon.com site (and logging in with your Amazon account ). You can adjust variously. Alexa preferences and control the Smart devices associated with your profile without going through the Alexa application. But you cannot use the voice assistant. It all works through the graphical interface, from any operating system.