How to Get Local Information From Amazon's Alexa

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Your Amazon Echo can provide you with information on topics from all over the world. But its Alexa voice assistant is equally adept at offering info specific to your neighborhood.

Just enter your address or ZIP code in the Alexa app, and your favorite voice assistant is ready to help with: names, locations, and contact information for local businesses; nearby restaurants, specifying a certain cuisine; local traffic conditions; or nearby theaters and showtimes for the latest movies.

Let's dive into Alexa's local skills.

Add Location

First, you'll want to provide Alexa with your locale. Open the Alexa app on your mobile device. Tap on the Hamburger icon () and Settings and select the name of your Echo. Swipe down to the section on Device location. There, you can type your ZIP code to give Alexa a general location, or enter your address to be more specific. Tap Save, and you're good to go.

Local

Next, tap on the Hamburger icon () again. Navigate to Skills > Categories > Local. Skills devoted to local places, events, and other items pop up.

Things to Try

Tap on the Hamburger icon () and tap Things to Try. Swipe down the list. Check out the topics for Local Search, Traffic Information, and Movies and Showtimes to find local information.

Here are a selection of things to try and skills you can access when you want to know what's going on around the block.

Local Search

Say: “Alexa, what are some nearby supermarkets?” or “Alexa, where are the closest gas stations?” or “Alexa, where’s the closest post office?” Alexa will then provide you with appropriate suggestions. You can also ask further questions, such as the location and hours of any business.

Dinner Suggestions

With Dinner Suggestions, you can find recommendations for nearby restaurants. Say: "Alexa, where should I go for dinner?" and Alexa gives you the names of local, top-rated eateries.

Restaurant Review

Restaurant Review offers another way to find local restaurants. Say: "Alexa, ask Restaurant Review to suggest some restaurants." Alexa then asks for a location. Provide that information, and Alexa chooses a specific type of cuisine and gives you the names and details on qualifying businesses.

Restaurant Finder

Say: "Alexa, open Restaurant Finder and find open restaurants around [ZIP code]." Alexa serves up the names and locations of businesses matching the ZIP code you specified.

Place Finder

With Place Finder, you can find all kinds of businesses in any location, including restaurants, flower shops, gas stations, hotels, doctors, hospitals, plumbers, and more.

Say: "Alexa, open Place Finder." Alexa describes the skill. You can then say: "Alexa, ask Place Finder to find a [name of business] in [city, state, or ZIP code]." Alexa then serves up a business by tapping into Yelp results. You hear the name, rating, and number of reviews. You can ask for details or reviews of the business, move onto the next business in that search, or launch a search for a different type of business.

Traffic Information

Need to get to a nearby airport or other location? Alexa can help. Say: "Alexa, how is traffic to the nearest airport?" or "Alexa, how is traffic to the closest hospital?" or "Alexa, how is traffic to the nearest train station?" Alexa gives you basic directions and tells you how long it will take to get there.

Transit or Drive

Transit or Drive can help you determine whether you should drive or use public transportation to reach your destination and how long it will take you. Say: "Alexa, open Transit or Drive," and Alexa asks where you're going. After you give your destination, Alexa suggests the best option and provides an ETA.

I'm Driving

I'm Driving can tell you how long it will take to reach work or other destinations. Set up your starting address and add several destinations, like work, the gym, your favorite restaurant, the airport, or a nearby movie theater. Say: "Alexa, I'm driving," and Alexa will request your destination. After you speak one of your stored destinations, Alexa tells you how long it will take to get there.

Find Movie Show Times

Are you in the mood for a movie? Alexa can tell you what's playing at nearby theaters. Say: "Alexa, what movies are playing nearby?" and Alexa lists them. You can then find more information on a specific film by asking where it's playing. Alexa names the theaters and show times for your chosen film.

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