Worst Amazon Alexa features you should avoid

Have you heard? Amazon’s Alexa now has 10,000 skills, or voice-activated apps, that are designed to make your life a lot easier. (Click here for a full list of commands you should be using.)

The best part is they speed up everyday tasks. Instead of opening up a computer, then logging in, typing in a website address to pay your bills, do research for work, order pizza for your kids or get a ride, you just talk.

“Alexa, how long are the lines at the airport?” “Alexa, close the garage door.” “Alexa, start 7-Minute Workout.” Then, Alexa’s chatbots answer back on Alexa-enabled devices like Echo or Fire TV.

That’s the point of smart home technology. It makes your life easier, whether it’s with trivial tasks or something more serious, like ordering groceries if you’re unable to leave the house.

Yet, while many of Alexa’s 10,000 skills are helpful or just fun, many are duds. This is probably why many people use only 3 percent of Alexa’s skills more than once or twice.

So, what are Alexa’s worst skills? Here are 10 duds. (Plus, keep reading for a bonus Alexa skill you definitely don’t need!)

1. Random Password Generator

Although it’s extremely important for you to keep your devices secure with a complex, not-easy-to-hack password, this Alexa skill just rattles off password suggestions, up to 100 characters in length. That’s it.

This is an example of a fart app. These are skills on Alexa and other voice-activated virtual assistants, like Google Home, that have one, silly function. You might get a giggle out them, but their usefulness ends there.

Next page: Cats, superheroes and ghosts

How to clean your smartphone, tablet, TV and computer

Previous Tips

How to clean your smartphone, tablet, TV and computer

Random Tips

5 games to sharpen your stock-trading skills

Scroll to Top