.png)
Amazon has various Alexa devices, including smart speakers, smart displays, smart
glasses, wireless earbuds, and security systems. Muoio (2020) reported that Amazon has new
features to its Alexa personal assistant. The new feature is known as “Care Hub.” This free
feature in the Alexa app allows the Alexa device to be linked to a family member’s account. The
family member can view the individual’s daily activity to determine if they are active throughout the day and receive alerts if they ask Alexa for help, which will contact and inform the emergency contact linked with the account. The Care Hub is designed with multiple layers of privacy protection, which allows the family member to see how the individual is doing but not what they are doing (Amazon, 2021). Alexa has many features that can be beneficial for older individuals planning to age in place. Some features to ask Alexa include the following:
“Alexa, play the news.”
“Alexa, what is the weather today.”
“Alexa, call Bob.”
“Alexa, play ‘70s music.”
“Alexa, speak slower.”
“Alexa, turn on the lights.”
“Alexa, add milk to my shopping list.”
The Alexa Echo smart glasses include features such as touch-free calls, set reminders,
add to your to-do lists, receive news updates, listen to podcasts, and the ability to control your
smart home technology anywhere. The glasses are compatible with most prescription lenses.
However, you must contact your eyewear professional to get prescription lenses for the frames of the glasses. The battery life includes over two hours of talk time and Alexa interactions or up to four hours of nonstop listening. The device supports access to Google Assistant and Siri (Amazon, 2021). Amazon (2021) has a variety of security features. The Ring Video Doorbell can be installed in place of your standard doorbell. The Ring Video Doorbell allows you to see, hear, and speak to people from your phone, tablet, or Echo device. You can also set up features to receive notifications when motion is detected near your door. Another feature is the live view. The live view allows you to check in on your home any time through the Ring app. The doorbell needs to be connected to Wi-Fi to enable features to be accessible to your phone. The Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote is a device that allows you to use the remote
manually or by voice command to search and launch shows across a variety of different apps,
including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO, and more. The device
also allows you to access over 20,000 free movies and TV shows from apps such as IMDb TV,
Tubi, Pluto TV, and more. The Fire TV Stick can also be connected to other Amazon devices
such as live camera feeds and Bluetooth headphones (Amazon, 2021).
References
Amazon. (2021). Amazon Echo and Alexa devices. Retrieved from
https://www.amazon.com/b/?ie=UTF8&node=9818047011&tag=googhydr-
20&hvadid=453973924210&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10721288558032483838&hvp
one=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9020933&hvta
rgid=kwd-295921608370&ref=pd_sl_ijuevad4z_e
Muoio, D. (2020). Amazon releases new Alexa features allowing families to monitor seniors
living along. Retrieved from https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/amazon-releasesnew- alexa-features-allowing-families-mo