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Amazon’s Echo devices are the most popular voice computers on the market. All models have the voice assistant called Alexa and can, among other things, execute commands and answer questions.
Meanwhile, there are numerous models of Echo devices. They differ in size, functionality and price. The Echo Show devices are especially popular because they have a built-in display.
This results in very many application areas and functions for the Echo Show devices, such as the Echo Show 5*. Nevertheless, there are additional functions besides the standard ones that are already preinstalled. We are talking about Skills.
Skills for the Echo Show 5 can be compared with normal apps for the smartphone. They can be installed and expand the range of functions to a certain extent. There are many skills and apps for the Echo Show 5.
In this article, you will learn which skills are available for the Echo Show 5 and what they can do. This will give you a good overview and you can decide which skill you want to install.
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Table of Contents
The Best Skills for the Echo Show 5
Numerous skills can be installed so that the Echo Show 5 can tap its full potential and be used as versatilely as possible.
There are now many different skills for the Echo Show 5, which is why the skills are divided into several categories or topics here. Examples for categories are e.g. Smart Home, Cooking, Everyday Life or News.
The skills are especially useful in the field of smart home. This is the only way to control smart devices from different manufacturers via the Echo Show 5. This allows devices from different manufacturers to be connected via automation, for example.
The Echo Show 5 is already very intelligent without skills and can answer many questions. However, special skills are needed to control smart devices such as lamps, shutters or thermostats.
Similar to other categories, the number of available skills for the smart home is huge. However, only the skills that you need for your devices are really relevant for you.
Philips Hue Skill
Probably the most downloaded smart home skill is the Philips Hue skill. This connects to the Hue Bridge. After setup, all Hue-compatible devices appear in the Alexa app and can be controlled from there.
Besides the individual devices, scenes or groups can also be controlled and configured with the Echo Show 5 thanks to the Hue skill. This enables a very extensive voice control.
Homematic IP and Ikea Home Smart
The skills from Homematic IP and Ikea Home Smart are also very popular Alexa skills. Both offer a very good way to control the manufacturer’s own products with the Echo Show 5.
Both the Homematic IP and the Ikea Home Smart Skill are controlled and connected to the Alexa Skill via the respective bridge. This also enables control while on the move.
ioBroker Smart Home Skill
With the ioBroker Skill for the Echo Show 5, there are numerous new functions in the control of the smart home. ioBroker is a platform with which devices from all manufacturers can be connected.
However, since the ioBroker must necessarily run on a separate computer, it cannot be operated so easily. That is why the ioBroker Skill is available. This forms an interface between the Echo Show 5 and the platform.
Alexa Skills for Robotic Mowers and Vacuum Cleaners
The now widely used robotic mowers and vacuum cleaners can also be controlled with the Echo Show 5.
For the well-known robotic mowers from Husqvarna* there is the Automower Skill. Gardena robotic mowers are controlled with the Gardena Skill. Bosch robotic mowers also have their own skill called Bosch Smart Home.
The renowned robot vacuum companies like iRobot* or Neato* also offer their own Alexa Skills. With these, the robotic vacuum cleaners can be controlled by voice.
Alexa Skills for Drivers
Skills from Mercedes, BMW or Skoda, for example, are very practical for all car owners of a modern car. They allow the car to be integrated into the Alexa system and thus also into the smart home.
With the Mercedes Me Skill, you can control your Mercedes very extensively via your Echo Show 5. In addition to starting and stopping the pre-air conditioning, information about the charge or tank status can also be output, for example.
Prerequisite for the skill is an active Mercedes me-account and a corresponding vehicle that supports these functions. After you have embedded your account in the skill, you can also switch between multiple cars.
Similar to the Mercedes Skill, BMW also offers a Skill for controlling and managing the car via the Echo Show 5. Here, too, the air conditioning or the door locks can be controlled, among other things.
There are also other skills from other car manufacturers. However, these do not differ greatly in terms of functionality.
Alexa Skills for News and News
Of course, your Echo Show 5 can also inform you about current news without an extra installed skill. However, with specific skills, you can receive news that you would not have received otherwise.
Traffic and Travel Skills
Then, after you get up and have to drive to work, for example, certain skills can help you find the best way.
Among other things, you can find out how long you need for a route and whether the train is on time. The number of changes and the tracks from which the train departs can also be announced via the skill.
If you prefer to drive instead of taking the train, there is also a very useful skill for you. The skill is called “Fuel prices” and tells you where you can currently get the cheapest fuel.
When setting up the skill, all you have to do is enter your preferred gas stations. The Echo Show 5 then does the rest and provides information about gas prices.
Sixt Car Rental
With the Sixt Car Rental Skill, you can easily reserve a rental car via your Echo Show 5. You also get an overview of your reservations and can delete them if necessary.
Especially in urban areas, renting a car is not only convenient, but also environmentally friendly. The Alexa Skill helps you find the right rental car.
Waste Calendar Skill
The Alexa Garbage Calendar Skill will prevent you from ever forgetting to put the garbage cans by the street again. To set it up, simply load the official trash calendar into the skill in either iCal or PDF format.
After that, Alexa can always remind you in time to put the trash on the street. But even if you are unsure when the garbage will be picked up next time, the Skill will help you. You can also ask your Echo Show 5 when the organic waste will be picked up next time, for example.
Cell Phone Finder
If you often leave your cell phone somewhere in the house and then search for it for a long time, the Cell Phone Finder Skill is perfect for you. With it, you can easily find your phone with the Echo Show 5.
In the Handy Finder Skill, you register your cell phone number. When you activate the skill by voice, Alexa will call your phone. The ringtone allows you to find your phone quickly and easily.
Calendar Calculator
For many, it might seem like a nice gimmick at first glance, but the Calendar Calculator skill can be very helpful in many situations. Data about the moon phases, school vacations or vacation days can be queried super easily with the skill. Even data of a certain calendar week can be queried directly.
Bartender skill
The Bartender skill has the right recipe for every cocktail. You can ask for the ingredients for the cocktail you want. You can also tell Alexa which ingredients you have available and Alexa will suggest a cocktail.
With these skills, you can also make your everyday life in the kitchen smart. Leafing through a cookbook for a long time is now a thing of the past.
Related Questions
How to install Alexa Skills?
All skills that do not require direct personal data can be installed directly via voice command. All other skills can be installed via the Alexa app or the homepage under the “Skills and games” tab. There you can also find reviews and more information about the skill.
Does the Echo Show 5 already have Skills installed?
Some skills are already installed in the delivery state. The to-do list, the shopping list or the weather information are based on a skill. Thus, many skills are preinstalled right from the start.
Do the skills for the Echo Show cost money?
For Echo owners, the vast majority of skills can be unlocked for free in the Alexa app. However, there are also skills for which the user has to or can pay money. Such skills are displayed with the label “In-Skill Purchases” on the skill details page.
How often do in-skill purchases need to be made?
In-skill purchases are paid either as a one-time payment or within a subscription. In some cases, the in-skill purchase is made as a one-time payment, but is consumed based on usage. If needed, this can or must then be paid for again.
In which skills are there in-skill purchases?
Amazon cannot influence in which skills in-skill purchases are offered. The in-skill purchases are managed directly by the developer of the skill. In the Handy Finder skill mentioned above, for example, three cell phones can be registered at the same time with an annual subscription.
Do Skills for the Echo Show 5 pose a security risk?
Security experts assume that Skills on an Echo Show 5 do not pose a real threat. Anyone who buys an Echo Show 5 should know that all Echo devices collect data and that it can be analyzed. However, according to the company’s own information, these are kept safe.
Can you still protect yourself from dangerous skills?
To ensure that the skill to be installed is not a source of danger or intercepts private data, the details of the skill should be checked. There, you can see exactly which data and information the skill accesses.
Can you create skills yourself?
Yes, Alexa Skills can also be created by private people themselves. Thanks to pre-programmed Blueprint designs, no programming skills are required at all. Self-created skills can also be shared with other users.
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Conclusion
The number of skills and apps available for the Echo Show 5* is gigantic. The topics of the individual skills are at least as diverse. There is a suitable skill for your Echo Show 5 for almost every situation in life.
Especially when the Echo Show 5 is used in a smart home, skills are indispensable and enable a smart life. Only when large parts of everyday life are supported by smart technology can we really talk about a smart home.
A very good example of this is the kitchen. With the right Alexa skill, cooking can be made easier with the help of smart technology. The skills for the Echo Show 5 are intended for exactly such applications.
Small and specific extensions to the range of functions can significantly increase the comfort in operation. In addition, the Echo Show 5 gets an almost unlimited compatibility. Many products from well-known manufacturers can thus be connected to the Echo Show 5.
Attention: When installing electronic equipment, please be sure to observe the manufacturer’s safety instructions. You have to take care of your own safety. The information on this site only helps you to learn.
Disclosure: This website is the property of Martin Lütkemeyer and is operated by Martin Lütkemeyer. Martin Lütkemeyer is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to enable Web sites to earn advertising revenue through advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Links marked with * are affiliate links.