Amazon regularly releases new features for Echo devices based on customer feedback and is now expanding its capabilities with two new features – wake-up lighting and light dimming and brightening routines.
The new wake-up lighting feature mimics sunrise, gradually increasing the brightness of a smart bulb over a set time frame. Meanwhile, light dimming and brightening routines personalise morning or evening routines by setting lights to a desired brightness over a specific timeframe, separate to any alarms.
With nearly half (48%) of Australian adults reporting at least two sleep-related problems, the new features create a gentle and natural way to wake up, compared to traditional alarm clocks.
To access wake-up lighting, just say “Alexa, set an alarm for 7am with my bedside lamp” and Alexa will gradually brighten the lights ahead of an alarm. A single alarm or recurring alarm can be set by saying “Alexa, set up an alarm for every morning at 7am with my bedside lamp.”Alternatively, “Alexa, wake me up at 6am with lights” if lights are in the same group with your Echo device.
Create custom morning or night routine using the new light dimming and brightening routines action, which brightens or dims lights to a desired brightness over a specific duration. For example, schedule lights to brighten to a desired brightness, independent of Alexa alarms, or have lights gradually dim down and turn off with a voice triggered routine like “Alexa, good night.”
The features come alongside the launch of new routines available within the Alexa app focused on motion detection. Customers can benefit from Alexa automatically turning off the lights when no one is detected in the room for 30 minutes. For visitors at the door, Alexa will turn on lights when someone is detected or when the doorbell is rung.