Getting Started With Amazon Alexa

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 , and select the required Bluesound Player.
2. Navigate to the Music tab .
3. Under the Music Services section, select Manage > Amazon Alexa.
4. (Optional) Select the required name from the drop-down list of suggested names^a).
   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 names^a).
   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

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

• BluOS Alexa Skill Guide v2

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.