Getting Started With Amazon Alexa

Updated
 

BluOS Controller app 4.x.x

Install The Alexa Skills

Bluesound Players will require a set of Alexa Skills to be added.

  1. Launch the Amazon Alexa app on your tablet or smartphone.
    Note: For Windows or macOS Users, please visit Amazon Alexa.
  2. Select Skills or Skills & Games from the settings menu, depending on your device.
  3. Search for BluOS.
  4. Select the BluOS Voice Control page.
  5. Select Enable.

Now, transition to the BluOS Controller app. Note: Amazon Alexa credentials are not automatically duplicated. To enable control of each Bluesound Player with Alexa, you must add them individually. These steps must be repeated for each Bluesound Player where voice control is required.

BluOS Alexa setup

Android/iOS - BluOS Alexa setup

  1. Launch the BluOS Controller app, navigate to the Players tab 001_Playerstab_button.png, and select the required Bluesound Player.
  2. Navigate to the Music tab Musictab_icon.png.
  3. Under the Music Services section, select Manage > Amazon Alexa.
  4. (Optional) Select the required name from the drop-down list of suggested namesa).
    Note: Selecting a different Room name from the list will change the Player name in the BluOS Controller app.
  5. Tap Login.
  6. Enter your Amazon credentials that you use for Alexa, check Keep me signed in, and select Sign in.
  7. When prompted, tap Allow to enable BluOS on Alexa.
  8. Tap Done.
  9. To commence the configuration of your Alexa device with the Bluesound Player, issue the following command to Alexa: "Alexa, talk to Blue Voice".

Replicate the same process for each individual player for which you want to activate Alexa voice control.

Windows/macOS - BluOS Alexa setup

  1. In the BluOS Controller App, select the Player Drawer and select the required Player.
  2. In the Navigation drawer, select Manage > Amazon Alexa.
  3. (Optional) Select the required name from the drop-down list of suggested namesa).
    Note: Selecting a different Room name from the list will change the Player name in the BluOS Controller app.
  4. Select Login.
  5. Enter your Amazon credentials that you use for Alexa, check Keep me signed in, and select Sign in.
  6. When prompted, select Allow to enable BluOS on Alexa.
  7. Select Done.
  8. To commence the configuration of your Alexa device with the Bluesound Player, issue the following command to Alexa: "Alexa, talk to Blue Voice".

Replicate the same process for each individual player for which you want to activate Alexa voice control.

a)It is recommended to rename all Players from their default names to names that are easier to recognize and pronounce. Using a proper name for your Player/room may make it difficult for Alexa to identify the Player/Room. Alexa utilizes Amazon's extensive and continually expanding Player/room names collection.

Room Names

Basement

Dining Room

Guest Room

Living Room

Pool

Bathroom

Ensuite

Home Theater

Office

Studio

Bedroom

Foyer

Kids Room

Pantry

Study

Deck

Game Room

Kitchen

Party Room

Sunroom

Den

Garage

Library

Patio

 TV Room

Alexa, ask BluVoice to...do what where.

Alexa, ask BluVoice to...

The BluOS Voice Skill requires an activation word to ensure the highest degree of adaptability with Amazon Alexa. This enables you to retain access to specific BluOS features and extends compatibility to older legacy Bluesound Players when used in conjunction with Alexa.

All commands using the BluOS Voice Control skill should start 'Alexa, ask Blue Voice to...' or 'Alexa, Tell Blue Voice to...'. 

...do what where.

Provide Alexa with specific instructions for using BluVoice. A comprehensive list of commands and their variations can be obtained by downloading the file located at the end of this article. Here are some brief pointers and useful tips to help you begin.

Action

Provide Alexa with an action to perform. You can tell Blue Voice to:

    • Play...
    • Pause...
    • Skip...
    • Stop...
    • Repeat...
    • Turn up the volume...
    • Turn down the volume...

What do you want to hear?

You can specify from saved options, genres, and even combine a music service.

    • ...play preset 3...
    • ...the playlist 'Dinner Party'...
    • ...retro music on Tidal...

Where do you want to hear?

Finish off the phrase by specifying the location or room.

String it all together to hear what you want:

Alexa, ask Blue Voice to play preset 1 in the Kitchen
Alexa, tell Blue Voice to pause in the Den
Alexa, tell Blue Voice to play new music from Tidal in the Living Room
Alexa, ask Blue Voice to turn up the volume in the Living Room
Alexa, ask Blue Voice to shuffle the Dining Room

What's Playing? or Group It!

Not sure what you are listening to? Query Alexa:

Alexa, ask Blue Voice what is playing in the Bedroom?
Alexa, ask Blue Voice what station am I on in the Kitchen.
Alexa, tell Blue Voice to clear the queue in the Den

You can even group Bluesound Players:

Alexa ask Blue Voice to group the Living Room and Dining Room
Alexa ask Blue Voice to add Kitchen to the group Living Room
Alexa ask Blue Voice to remove Kitchen from the group
Alexa Ask Blue Voice to Group All Rooms

Tips and Tricks

  • To avoid using the Player Name repeatedly, set a default Player:
    Alexa Ask Blue Voice to set Living Room as the Default Player.
  • Spotify Connect cannot be used with Alexa.
  • TuneIn Stations cannot be selected but can be programmed as presets.
  • Input Sources such as Optical Input or Bluetooth cannot be selected but can be programmed as a preset.

The Magic of Presets

Make the most of BluOS's capability to save up to 40 presets, allowing you to create convenient and quick-access settings for various moods or situations. Refer to our Help Center article to know more about Presets.

Full List of Voice Control Commands

Notes

  • BluOS Voice Control Skills is currently available in the following languages;
    • English (AU)
    • English (CA)
    • English (IN)
    • English (UK)
    • English (US)
    • German
  • Amazon Alexa requires Autofill to be enabled.
  • You can use distinct Amazon Accounts on separate Alexa devices, each of which can be linked to separate Players on the same network.

BluOS Controller app 3.x.x

BLS-KB19-101

Note: The BluOS Interface swap feature (BluOS 3.x.x to/from BluOS 4.x.x) will be discontinued with the release of the latest BluOS firmware in mid-Spring 2024.

Install The Alexa Skills

Bluesound Players will require a set of Alexa Skills to be added. This process should be familiar to most Amazon Alexa users.

  1. Open the Amazon Alexa App on your tablet or smartphone. Windows or macOS Users, please visit https://alexa.amazon.com/
  2. From the settings menu, select Skills or Skills & Games depending on your device
  3. Search for BluOS
  4. Select BluOS Voice Control page
  5. Select Enable

Now switch to the BluOS Controller App. Please keep in mind Amazon Alexa credentials do not replicate. Each Bluesound Player that you want to control with Alexa, needs to be individually added. These steps will have to be followed for each Bluesound Player that voice is desired.

  1. Open the BluOS Controller App
  2. Select the desired Player in the Player Selection drawer
  3. In the Navigation drawer, select Music Services, Amazon Alexa, Login
  4. You can change the room name here if necessary (as described above) - This will change the room name in your Player selection drawer as well.
  5. Enter your Amazon credentials that you use for Alexa and check Keep me signed in
  6. When prompted select Allow to enable BluOS on Alexa
  7. Once returned to the BluOS Controller App, repeat the above 4 steps for each and every player you wish to enable voice control on
  8. To initiate the setup of your Alexa device with your Bluesound Player, give Alexa the following command: "Alexa, talk to Blue Voice"

If not already done, now may be a good time to rename all Players from the default names to more user-friendly identifiable and pronounceable room names. Alexa will draw from Amazon's extensive and ever-growing list of room names. If you are using a proper name in your room name, Alexa may have problems identifying the room. Please stick to generic room names such as those listed below.

 

Room Names

  • Basement
  • Bathroom
  • Bedroom
  • Deck
  • Den
  • Dining Room
  • Ensuite
  • Foyer
  • Game Room
  • Garage
  • Guest Room
  • Home Theater
  • Hot Tub
  • Kids Room
  • Kitchen
  • Library
  • Living Room
  • Master Bedroom
  • Office
  • Pantry
  • Party Room
  • Patio
  • Pool
  • Studio
  • Study
  • Sunroom
  • TV Room

 

Alexa, ask BluVoice to...

The BluOS Voice Skill requires an invocation word to allow for maximum flexibility with Amazon Alexa allowing you to continue to use some of the unique features of BluOS and also to allow even older legacy Bluesound players such as the original Bluesound Vault to be used with Alexa. 

All commands using the BluOS Voice Control skill should start 'Alexa, ask Blue Voice to...' or 'Alexa, Tell Blue Voice to...'. 

...do what where.

Give Alexa details on what you want to do with BluVoice. A detailed list of commands and variations is available to download at the bottom of this article. Here however are some quick pointers and tips to get you started.

Provide Alexa with an action to perform. You can tell Blue Voice to;

  • Play...
  • Pause...
  • Skip...
  • Stop...
  • Repeat...
  • Turn up the volume...
  • Turn down the volume...

What do you want to hear? You can specify from saved options, genres and even combine a music service.

  • ...play preset 3...
  • ...the playlist 'Dinner Party'...
  • ...retro music on Tidal...

Finish off the phrase by specifying the location or room.

String it all together to hear what you want;

  • Alexa, ask Blue Voice to play preset 1 in the Kitchen
  • Alexa, tell Blue Voice to pause in the Den
  • Alexa, tell Blue Voice to play new music from Tidal in the Living Room
  • Alexa, ask Blue Voice to turn up the volume in the Living Room
  • Alexa, ask Blue Voice to shuffle the Dining Room

 

What's Playing? Group It!

Not sure what you are listening to? Query Alexa;

  • Alexa, ask Blue Voice what is playing in the Bedroom?
  • Alexa, ask Blue Voice what station am I on in the Kitchen.
  • Alexa, tell Blue Voice to clear the queue in the Den

You can even group Bluesound;

  • Alexa ask Blue Voice to group the Living Room and Dining Room
  • Alexa ask Blue Voice to add Kitchen to the group Living Room
  • Alexa ask Blue Voice to remove Kitchen from the group
  • Alexa Ask Blue Voice to Group All Rooms

Tips and Tricks

  • To avoid using the Player Name repeatedly, set a default Player; Alexa ask Blue Voice to set Living Room as the Default Player
  • Spotify Connect cannot be used with Alexa
  • TuneIn Stations cannot be selected but can be programmed as presets
  • Input Sources such as Optical Input or Bluetooth cannot be selected but can be programmed as a preset

The Magic of Presets

Take full advantage of BluOS's ability to store 40 presets to create easy-to-access moods or scenes for any occasion. Just a reminder, here is How To Create a Preset.

Full Listing of Commands

Here is a full listing of phrases used by The BluOS Voice Control; BluOS Alexa Skill Guide v2

Notes

  • BluOS Voice Control Skills is available in the following languages;
    • English (AU)
    • English (CA)
    • English (IN)
    • English (UK)
    • English (US)
    • German
  • Amazon Alexa requires Playback, Autofill turned ON
  • Separate Amazon Accounts on separate Alexa's may be used on separate Players on the same network

 

 

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