Years ago Gary discovered that if you are quiet, the Alexa will reduce its volume to match yours. A few nights ago Gary was asleep, it was early, and I wanted him to stay asleep, but I also wanted to know what time it was.
I Ieaned over to the Alexa and whispered, “Alexa, what time is it?”
Alexa whispered back, “It’s three a.m.,” as if we were conspiring on some three a.m. hijinks. And not just reduced volume. Like legitimate whispering.
Of course, I am a sucker for all that anthropomorphic nonsense.
At seven a.m. I thought I’d try to hear the new skill again. No dice. I’d whisper and get a loud response.
I whispered, “Why aren’t you whispering?” and got this normal-volume reply:
“Well, I can hear that you’re being all sneaky and quiet, but I haven’t quite mastered the art of digital whispering yet. It’s one of those human skills I’m still envious of – along with eating pizza and taking naps!”
Of course, I assumed I’d dreamed it. And I would have gone on thinking that, only at six this morning the same thing happened again. I whispered “What time is it” followed by a whispered “It’s six a.m.”
And then, of course, I couldn’t get it again for at least four tries, until I whispered “What time is it” at a subliminal volume and got a whisper in return.
You try it. Lean in close and whisper “What time is it” and see what you get.
2 responses to “Secret Alexa level unlocked”
Haha! Thanks for the giggle – yes, my Alexa noted I was whispering, promised she’d always whisper back, and then murmured the time. (I should really be calling her Sheila, actually, since she has an Aussie accent) (Newzild Kiwi not available, tch).
Big Dot – Your Alexa made a promise? MY Alexa is trifling and willful. I have the best luck with the whisper between midnight and six a.m.