Alexa-enabled smartwatches allow you to search the internet with just your voice.
With the Fossil Gen 5 smartwatch, you can ask Alexa to search the web for information on any topic, from news and weather to entertainment and more.
Alexa can even help you find answers to complex questions, like "What's the capital of France?" or "What's the latest stock market news?"
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Alexa Watch Search Internet
If you're looking for a smartwatch with Alexa, you have a few options. Fitbit's range of trackers and watches come with Alexa, but it's not a feature that I've personally used much.
The third-party watches, such as Amazfit, are another option. These value-forward watches aim to give you a basic smartwatch experience at a bargain price, and they're likely the sweet spot for Alexa use.
However, if you're looking to access the internet on your Alexa-enabled watch, you might be out of luck. The Echo Show, which is an Alexa-powered device, has a hidden web browser that can be accessed through a convoluted process.
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Alexa Smartwatches
Fitbit's range of trackers and watches rely on Alexa for voice-activated commands.
I've never spent much time calling for Alexa on my Fitbit, but it's there to maintain a competitive edge.
The "third party" watches, like Amazfit, offer a value-forward experience at a bargain price, giving you wrist notifications and basic workout functionality.
These watches aim to give you about 70% of a smartwatch experience, which is likely the sweet spot for Alexa use.
Fitbit had to include Alexa to stay competitive, but now that Google owns Fitbit, that may change.
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Accessing the Amazon Echo Show's Hidden Web Browser
The Amazon Echo Show's web browser is a bit of a hidden gem, but it's not exactly user-friendly. To access it, you need to tap "Amazon.com Privacy Policy" and then click on the "wish lists" link.
You'll be taken to Amazon.com, but don't expect a traditional browser experience. The Echo Show's browser is so lightweight that it doesn't have a URL bar, so you'll need to navigate through Amazon's website to get to where you want to go.
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The browser is surprisingly limited, and video streaming services like Netflix and Crunchyroll don't work well. Netflix's homepage loads, but actual video is a no-go, and Crunchyroll's Flash issues prevent it from working.
On the other hand, the Echo Show does store login information, even after powering down and unplugging the unit. This could be both a good and bad thing, depending on how you look at it.
If you're looking to sideload new apps onto the Echo Show, accessing the web browser might be the first step. However, even this proved to be a challenge, as the Echo Show acted like it was downloading a file but gave no option to open it.
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Accessing the Internet
The Amazon Echo Show's internet access is a bit of a wild card. You can't simply ask Alexa to take you to a website like Google.com.
Accessing the internet on the Echo Show requires a convoluted workaround involving the Amazon.com Privacy Policy. Tap on that, then under the subhead "What Choices Do I Have?" tap the "wish lists" link.
You'll find yourself on Amazon.com, but don't get too excited – the browser is extremely lightweight and lacks a URL bar. This means you can't easily type in a website's address.
The Echo Show's browser is so basic that it can't even handle video streaming from services like Netflix or Crunchyroll. Silverlight and Flash issues make it difficult to access content from these sites.
If you try to sideload apps like Chrome, the Echo Show will act like it's downloading the file but won't give you an option to open it.
Ranking and Lists
When it comes to ranking and lists, there's a lot to consider. Alexa's website ranking list was once a popular tool, but it had its flaws - it was easy to manipulate and didn't have much protection against it.
The Tranco List is a more reliable alternative, built specifically to counteract Alexa's list. Its founders wrote a detailed white paper on the flaws in Alexa's methodology and how they solved them.
You can compare multiple websites simultaneously on the Tranco List to see how their rankings compare, making it a valuable tool for getting an accurate picture of website rankings.
Tranco List
The Tranco List is a more reliable alternative to Alexa's website ranking list. It was built specifically to counteract Alexa's list and provides a more accurate ranking system.
The founders of Tranco List wrote a detailed white paper explaining the flaws in Alexa's methodology and how they solved them. This shows their commitment to creating a trustworthy ranking system.
Tranco List's graphs look very similar to Alexa's, but with a more accurate representation of website rankings. This makes it easier to compare multiple websites simultaneously.
You can compare multiple websites on Tranco List to see how their rankings compare, making it a valuable tool for website owners and marketers.
Sereanking
SERanking is a great alternative to Alexa, offering comparable data and accurate top keyword estimates.
I've found SERanking to be pretty precise, especially when it comes to estimating top keywords.
The best part? It's free for up to 10 searches per day, making it a great option for those on a budget.
They also have an API, which is a bonus for developers and marketers who need to integrate the data into their workflows.
James Parsons, the founder of Content Powered, recommends SERanking as a reliable alternative to Alexa.
Everyday Use
Using Alexa in my everyday life was a unique experience. I found that it worked a little better than Siri when asking her to search the internet for me.
Alexa seemed to be more comfortable taking a stab at answering my question, at least in most cases. This was a pleasant surprise, as Siri often sent back the wrong info or told me to head over to my phone more often.
In general, I think Amazon has built a bolder voice assistant in large part because it doesn’t play it safe quite as much.
Alternatives
If you're looking for alternatives to Alexa, there are dozens of analytics platforms out there. Many of these platforms provide API access for an extra charge.
You have nearly a full year to make the shift, thanks to Amazon's extended notice period. This is a big help, especially compared to the five months of notice normal business users get.
Finding an alternative that provides everything you need can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. You just need to do some hunting to find the right one.
Some analytics platforms make it very easy to use their API, while others hide it behind a contact form. If you're looking for API access, be sure to check the platform's API page.
If you're an agency or tool provider, you may need to find an alternative API to use or shutter your tool. Unfortunately, relatively few of the analytics platforms I've listed have APIs you can use.
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For Every Day
Alexa is an interesting voice assistant to have in your pocket, especially if you're used to having her in your smart home. My typical voice assistant on the go is Siri, but Alexa worked a little better for me when asking her to search the internet for me.
Alexa's ability to take a stab at answering questions without sending me to my phone was a nice bonus. This might be due to her tens of thousands of skills, which outflank what the Google Assistant brings to the table.
Having Alexa in your pocket can make scheduling in your Google ecosystem more seamless, like triggering meetings and to-do lists. This is especially true when you consider the other app functionality built into the Alexa app.
In my experience, Alexa was more comfortable taking a stab at answering my question compared to Siri, which often sent back the wrong info or told me to head over to my phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Alexa search the internet?
Yes, Alexa has access to all internet information, allowing you to ask her anything you'd like to know. Simply ask her a question and she'll do her best to provide the answer.
Sources
- https://www.contentpowered.com/blog/alexa-com-dead-alternatives/
- https://www.asurion.com/connect/tech-tips/fix-alexa-not-connecting-to-internet/
- https://www.zdnet.com/article/alexa-turning-its-internet-index-inside-out/
- https://gizmodo.com/how-to-access-the-amazon-echo-shows-hidden-web-browser-1797100229
- https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/alexa-the-best-smartwatch-voice-assistant/
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