Amazon has added a new feature to Alexa called Follow-up Mode that makes it easier to make multiple back-to-back requests. With follow-up mode enabled, Alexa will continue listening for additional commands after completing a request so that you don’t have to repeatedly say the wake word before each request.
Alexa’s new follow-up mode seems to only be available in the US for now. You enable or disable the option on a per-device basis using the Alexa app. The option is disabled by default. To enable it, go into the settings section of the Alexa app and select one of your Alexa devices. Then, scroll down and you’ll find the follow-up mode toggle between the Wake Word setting and the Language setting.
With follow-up mode enabled, Alexa will continue listening for additional requests for 5 seconds after it completes a request. You’ll know it’s still listening because the blue light ring will remain lit during the follow-up period. With each new request, Alexa will continue listening, so you can string together several requests.
You have to wait until a request is completed before making additional requests, so you can’t just make multiple requests all at once. For example, if you say “Alexa, turn on the lights,” once Alexa responds with “Ok” to confirm the action has been completed, you can then give a follow-up request. There doesn’t seem to be a limit to how many follow up requests can be made.
If you don’t say anything during the 5 seconds after a request, Alexa will stop listening as usual. If you prefer, you can say “stop,” “cancel,” “go to sleep,” or “thank you” to manually end the follow-up period. Follow-up requests are not available while audio, like music or an audio book, is playing.
@AFTVnews
AFTVnews
I like that they used ‘Thank you’ as one of the manually end commands.
Me too! That’s much better than “Stop”, and will teach my little guy to say “Thank you”, after asking for something as an added bonus!
The timing takes a little practice, but I always appreciate the streamlining of any process.
Looking forward to using this as it will make conversation more fluid.
I’m having erratic behavior trying to use it in combination with my Logitech hub. I can do Alexa Commercial Skip, Commercial Skip. It’ll skip twice but on the third attempt it stops responding.
I’m liking it so far. All those “Thank You’s” she never heard before now register.
Guess I need to set sleep timer first then request to play a sleep sounds or music. Seems a little backwards. I’m glad they added this function though.
Yeah, playing music should be the last thing asked because it ends the follow-up window. It makes sense though to not allow follow-ups while music is playing. If it were allowed, it means that asking to change the volume, or any other request, while music is playing would result in an annoying 5 seconds of silence in the middle of a song.
I would like to thank whomever for making or changing this skill. It just seemed to me I was barking orders at Alexa instead of a more fluid conversation…thank you..lol
It’s really getting polished!
These little improvements make a huge difference.
I hope it becomes more intuitive. The timing is a little off but once you do it a few times you get used to it.
I have question … Why dont they add the word please to the wake word. Alexa please … So much more pleasant.
There’s nothing stopping you or anyone else form saying “Alexa, please…” for all commands. There’s no need to make it officially part of the wake word. That would surely annoy some people.
i want something like:” Alexa switch on the living room light and off the desk lamp”
Definitely it has come a long way.
Amazon has made a lot of strides with Alexa.