Most people think of voice assistants as a quick way to play their favorite songs or check the weather. There are a lot of other things these tools can do that often get missed. This post goes over some simple but helpful ways to use voice assistants that you may not have tried before. You will learn about making grocery lists by voice, starting your laundry, setting up a movie night with one command, getting answers to questions, and having articles read out loud. If you want to get more out of your device, keep reading.
Make a Grocery List with Your Voice
Many people use voice assistants to play music, but they can do other things too. One of our favorites is to make a grocery list with your voice. You can say something like, “Add milk to my grocery list,” and the assistant will remember it for you. If you think of something else later, just say it and it will be added. When you are at the store, you can ask your phone or smart speaker to read your list out loud or show it on your screen. This can save time and help you make sure you do not forget anything. You do not need to stop what you are doing or find a pen and paper.
Start Laundry Cycles Hands Free
You can use a voice assistant to start a specific laundry cycle without pressing any buttons. Many smart washing machines now connect to Wi-Fi and work with voice assistants. If your washer is set up this way, you just need to ask your device to start a load. Even “dumb” washing machines can benefit from this, if you set them up with a smart plug to control power. This would let you add a soaking phase to your dumb machine ( great for extra dirty loads ). This can come in handy if your hands are full or if it’s complex to start the cycle you want. Some voice assistants also let you check how much time is left or remind you when a cycle is finished. This makes it easier to manage laundry during busy days.
Turn On Movie Mode Using Voice
Many people ask their voice assistants to play music, but there are other things they can do. One example is using voice commands to turn on movie mode in your home. Some smart home setups allow you to say a phrase like, “Turn on movie mode,” and your assistant will dim the lights, close the blinds, and turn on the TV. This can save time and make it easier to get everything ready for a movie night without having to walk around the room and do each task by hand. If you have smart bulbs, smart plugs, or a connected TV, setting up this routine is usually done through the assistant’s app, where you tell it what actions to take when you give the command. This is one of the ways voice assistants can help with daily tasks beyond just playing music.
Ask Questions and Get Quick Answers
Voice assistants can answer questions quickly, which makes them useful for getting information without having to use your phone or computer. You can ask about the weather, what time it is, sports scores, or facts like the capital of a state. Even better, if they have access to your calendar your smart assistant can answer questions about appointments and events you have coming up. You can also ask for help with cooking by requesting measurements or recipe steps. This saves time and makes it easy to keep moving with your day.
Listen to Articles Read Aloud
Voice assistants can do more than just play your favorite songs. One thing people might not use often is having articles read aloud. If you find yourself too busy to sit down and read, you can ask your voice assistant to read news stories or blog posts to you while you get other things done. This can help you catch up on the topics you care about while cooking, driving, or doing chores. Some voice assistants can even pull up the latest headlines or read specific web pages from your phone or tablet. This is helpful for anyone who likes to multitask or has trouble reading small screens for long periods.
Get a Status of Smart Home Devices
Did you forget to close the garage door or lock the front door? If these devices are hooked up to your voice assistant, you can just ask if everything is secure. This is perfect if you’ve already headed to bed for the night or are not home and want to double check how your house is doing. Beyond doors and locks, you can also ask about other connected devices. Want to know if the lights are still on in the living room or if your thermostat is set for the night? Your voice assistant can report back on all of it. It’s a simple but powerful way to stay informed about your home without lifting a finger.
Set Timers and Reminders
One of the best things about voice assistants is how helpful they are when your hands are full. Whether you’re cooking dinner, changing a diaper, or working on a project, you can just say, “Set a timer for 10 minutes” or “Remind me to switch the laundry in an hour,” and it’s done. No need to stop what you’re doing or touch your phone. It’s a simple feature that ends up saving time and stress throughout the day. Setting quick timers and reminders with voice assistants is one of our most used interactions with it.
Control the Lights with Ease
Controlling your lights with a voice assistant is one of the most useful features in a smart home. Instead of fumbling for a light switch in the dark or trying to tap your phone with full hands, you can simply say, “Turn on the living room lights” or “Dim the bedroom lights to 50%.” It’s especially handy when you walk into a dark house with groceries or when you’re getting into bed and don’t want to get back up to flip a switch. With voice control, lighting becomes a lot more convenient, no matter what you’re doing.
Get Package and Delivery Updates
Your voice assistant can help you stay on top of incoming packages without opening an app or checking your email. Just ask it for delivery updates, and it can tell you if a package is on the way, out for delivery, or has arrived. Some assistants even work with Amazon or other services to provide tracking details for recent orders. This feature is especially helpful if you’re waiting for something important or just want a quick update while making dinner or getting ready for the day.
Act as a Intercom System
Want to announce that dinner is ready without yelling, or need to get the attention of someone who doesn’t hear their phone? Using your voice assistant as an intercom system is great in both of these scenarios. Many voice assistants can double as an intercom system, making it easy to talk to family members in different rooms. Instead of yelling upstairs or across the house, you can use commands like “drop in on the kitchen” or “broadcast it’s time for dinner” to send your message through connected speakers or smart displays. This feature is especially handy in larger homes or when your hands are full. It’s a simple way to stay connected without leaving the room.
Summary
Voice assistants can do much more than play music or tell you the weather. They can help you make grocery lists, start your laundry, set up a movie night, answer your questions, and read articles out loud. These features can save you time and make daily tasks easier. If you have a voice assistant at home, try using some of these options to see what works best for you. Over time, you might find more ways to fit these tools into your routine.
