
Ask Alexa: our weekly take on the best commands, tips, tricks and Skills
Our experts select the most useful Alexa commands. This week kid-proof your Alexa device, work out why Alexa responded unexpectedly, plus get the Alexa skill that gives great uplifting thoughts to start your day.

Smart kettle explainer: what you need to know
Smart kettles are some of the newest wi-fi-connected kitchen appliances and can be paired with your Alexa or Google Home. But how do they work?

Best Black Friday Alexa and Google Home deals: which voice assistant should you get?
Amazon loves to slash the prices on its Alexa speakers around Black Friday each year – and you can be sure rivals like Google and other smart speaker brands will follow suit. This makes Black Friday an ideal time to clinch a real bargain on a smart speaker – but patience is the key. We'll be keeping a sharp eye out for the best deals.

Amazon issues safety warning: Alexa Echo Buds headphones at risk of overheating
Amazon has issued a warning to customers of its Amazon Echo Buds headphones urging them to update their software to avoid a potential safety risk that may occur in ‘very...

Five easy-to-use Alexa commands to get you started with a voice assistant
Whether you want to see what the fuss is about and try out a voice assistant for the first time, or know someone who might benefit from voice assistant to give them company and help out around the home, we guide you through the first steps of using an Alexa device.

Five unusual ways to stay fit at home
With lockdown measures still in place, a trip to the gym for a workout isn't an option. But there are plenty of fun and engaging ways to burn calories, even if you don't have the 'proper' exercise equipment.

Recovery College Online service provides free soothing music for lockdown anxiety
If you're looking for a musical pick-me-up during lockdown, this free relaxtion music service created in partnership with Northumbria University might be of use

How to make the most of Alexa during lockdown
Alexa can be your helping hand through this difficult time – whether that’s getting the most out of your day, helping you to keep fit, providing entertainment or ‘helping out’...

Are Alexa and Google Assistant spying on us?
At least one in five homes in the UK now contains a smart speaker, according to a government report. But do they have a dark side? We dug deeper to find out.

Is voice control a must-have TV feature?
Voice assistants, whether integrated or via a Google Home or Amazon Echo, are common on 4K TVs, but are they truly useful or a simple gimmick, and is there a big difference between how they work from brand to brand?