First introduced in 2019, Alexa Guard brings a second layer of safety to your good dwelling by listening for sure sounds that point out there’s an emergency. The service has a number of limitations, however Amazon has addressed these drawbacks with Alexa Guard Plus — a premium subscription that gives tons of enhanced options. However what precisely is the distinction between Alexa Guard and Alexa Guard Plus? We break it down on this information.
What’s Alexa Guard?
Alexa Guard listens out for the sounds of breaking glass, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Throughout setup, you may point out which sounds you need Alexa to pay attention for, so when you solely need Alexa to pay attention for breaking glass and never hearth alarms, you may point out that desire.
When you arrange Alexa Guard, simply say, “Alexa, I’m leaving,” to change to away mode. This places Alexa on alert and able to guard your own home.
If Alexa hears a hazard sound, the assistant will ship a 10-second audio clip to your cellphone. You may then resolve what to do with that clip. You should use the drop-in function to pay attention to your own home to verify what’s occurring, or you may name emergency providers for assist.
Alexa Guard integrates with some alarm programs (Ring Alarm, ADT Pulse, ADT Management, and Scout Alarm), and Alexa could possibly ahead good alerts to your supplier. Nonetheless, the Alexa Guard service just isn’t an alternative choice to a safety system, because it doesn’t combine in addition to a extra superior system.
What’s Alexa Guard Plus?
Alexa Guard Plus is a extra superior model of the Alexa Guard function. It gives all the pieces Alexa Guard gives, plus it may pay attention out for extra sounds, like exercise noises.
Alexa Guard Plus can even play sounds (like a siren or barking canine) to discourage undesirable guests. The largest good thing about Guard Plus is maybe the out there emergency helpline. You may say, “Alexa, name for assist,” and also you’ll attain a educated emergency response agent who may help you request emergency responders (like an ambulance or the fireplace division).
What’s the distinction between Alexa Guard and Alexa Guard Plus?
For starters, Alexa Guard Plus has a payment of $5 per thirty days (or $50 per yr), whereas Alexa Guard is a free service. Alexa Guard Plus supplies hands-free calling to an emergency helpline, whereas Alexa Guard doesn’t present the helpline service. Alexa Guard solely listens out for breaking glass and hearth and CO alarms, whereas Alexa Guard Plus listens out for extra noises and in addition performs noises to discourage potential intruders.
The free Alexa Guard service and Alexa Guard Plus are each out there to make use of proper now. Should you’re a Ring Shield subscriber, “the Alexa Guard Plus subscription is free for U.S. Ring Shield Plus plan subscribers after your Ring and Amazon accounts have been linked collectively. Ring Shield Plus plans can be found through Amazon.com and Ring.com for $10 a month or $100 a yr.”
If you wish to use the Alexa Guard service, it really works on Echo good audio system and good shows just like the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Flex, Echo Present 5, Echo Present 8, and Echo Present 10.
How to enroll in Alexa Guard Plus
Prepared to enroll in Alexa Guard Plus? Merely open the Alexa app, navigate to the Extra menu, then choose Settings. From right here, click on on Guard. This may take you thru the steps wanted to enroll in Alexa Guard Plus.
You’ll ultimately be requested to enter an emergency tackle — and remember you’ll want a tool that helps Guard Plus (similar to one of many Echo merchandise listed above). As soon as all these steps are full, your Guard Plus protection will routinely start.
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