If you would prefer to put Alexa to work while using your iPhone instead of Siri, it is now an easy thing to do. Often Siri doesn’t understand a request, or tells you to try again later, or offers many other excuses for not carrying out your request. Now you can add the Alexa iOS widget to your iPhone. There are some functions only Siri can perform: changing your iPhone’s screen brightness, turning on do not disturb, etc. Basically, anything that changes the settings on your iPhone or iPad itself is off-limits for a third-party assistant. If you have the Alexa app, adding the Alexa widget to your home screen will make it easy to use with a short tap.
This is basically a two-part process. First, create the widget, then move it to where you want it on your home screen. If you’re perfectly happy leaving it off to the side with all the other widgets, you don’t have to do the second part. You can either leave the Alexa widget off to the side with the others or move it directly onto your iPhone home screen.
1. On your iPhone or iPad swipe left past the first page of your home screen, then press and hold one of the widgets until a menu pops up. Tap Edit Home Screen. Depending on your operating system, you may need to just press on your home screen in an empty space. The icons will wiggle.
2. Tap the + in the upper left corner and either scroll until you see Amazon Alexa or type Alexa in the search box, then tap Amazon Alexa.
3. Tap Add Widget at the bottom of the screen (there’s only one option for size).
Tip of the month
Security checklists – Everyone should be aware that cyber crimes can be very costly, frustrating and labor intensive if your computer is hacked. There are so many different types of crimes and no one piece of software will combat all of them. Here is a list for PC owners that will help keep your computer secure:
Click VERY cautiously
Don’t ignore automatic updates – ESPECIALLY those from Windows, Norton or whoever you are using for anti virus protection or Adobe
