I use Siri to send texts, put my phone on Do Not Disturb before I record, set meetings and lots more. One time I don’t use it? In an emergency. Luckily, emergencies are few and far between in my life (knock on wood), but I wouldn’t risk it.

Researchers asked voice assistants questions related to cardiac arrest emergencies. Yep, it was a complete disaster. You might think a quick “Hey, Siri” would pull up the instructions quickly and clearly, but that’s absolutely the worst thing to do. 

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Remember screaming, “Dinner’s ready!” Or maybe you had a fancy built-in intercom system in your house? Those clunky old systems feel outdated today, but man, were they handy.

Good news: You have access to the future world version if you own any smart speakers. It’s super easy to set up. Let me show you how.

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When we have friends and family with kids over, voice assistants can become a favorite attraction. At best, someone will start another “Baby Shark” round and you’ll sing it for a week.

But what if one of those curious kiddos buys toys with your Amazon Echo? Or maybe your niece, Alexis, will have the Echo going haywire.

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Think of everything you do online and in real life that says something about who you are. Your likes, clicks, hobbies and activities all add to the wealth of data points companies already have on you.

What about your conversations with Alexa or Siri? How is that data used? Let’s take a deep look at how they use your conversations to create profiles.

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You’re suddenly thrown into a situation where you must perform CPR to save a life. Oh no. You don’t remember anything from that course 15 years ago.

You might think a quick “Hey Siri” would pull up the instructions quickly and clearly, but that’s absolutely the worst thing to do. In a recent study, researchers asked voice assistants questions related to cardiac arrest emergencies. Yep. It was a complete disaster.

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You’re gonna love this! Forget fumbling with your phone. Start talking to Siri or Google Assistant. (Sorry, Samsung — no one uses Bixby.) Here are a few great voice commands you’re going to love. Just say, “Hey Siri” or “Hey Google” before the command.

“Find my phone.” Siri and Google will have your phone make sounds so you can locate it, even if it’s lost in the couch with the remote.

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Look up next time you’re outside and guess where the airplane above you is headed. Los Angeles? New York? Paris? Ask Siri this phrase, “What flights are overhead?” You’ll see the carrier, flight number and altitude in seconds. I love sharing simple digital life tips that make things easier.

Your phone’s smart assistant is high on the usefulness scale — if you know the correct commands. Here are five I use all the time.

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If you’re on #TeamiPhone, you’re probably a Siri fan. We know we are. With Valentine’s Day coming up, we’re here with five top Siri tips that can help you make this year one to remember.

Read on for some fun ways to incorporate Siri into Valentine’s Day.

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A voice assistant is like your own genie: Your wish is its command. For example, you can use it to open navigation apps while you drive. This way, you’re keeping both hands on the wheel and focusing on the road instead of your screen.

As long as you speak clearly, it will do exactly what you want. Tap or click here for five ways to help your smart assistant understand you better.

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Voice assistants changed the way we interact with technology. Why set an alarm manually when Alexa can do it for you? Siri can type up your emails.

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Digital assistants are helpful gadgets to have around the house and on the go. They can help you with the weather, the traffic on the road, daily reminders, music suggestions, morning routines and more.

More vehicles are equipped with technology to better sync your phone to your cars, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This also makes it easier to use your voice assistant on the road. While this can be useful, what’s the legality of talking to your phone’s smart assistant while driving? Tap or click here to find out.

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Communication can be challenging at the best of times, but it’s especially rough when speaking with a robot. Frequently, Alexa will spout off, “Sorry, I don’t know that one,” or Siri will say, “I’m not sure I understand.” Tap or click here to get Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant to understand you better.

Despite the occasional frustration, having a smart assistant around can do you good. When it’s listening correctly, it can turn on lights, open apps and even play music. You also get a hands-free way to call other people, which is great when you’re gobbling up Cheetos and don’t want orange dust smearing across your screen.

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Smart assistants can be used with smartphones, tablets, computers and smart devices to make life easier. You can turn the lights on, set a reminder to get the groceries, recommend a restaurant, play your favorite music and set the mood to watch a movie. The possibilities are truly endless.

A smart assistant is only as good as the commands you give to it. Sometimes it can get confused and needs further clarification. This can be frustrating, but it’s important not to lose your cool, making things worse. Tap or click here for five ways to get Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant to understand you better.

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Technology’s accessibility and assistance features can come in handy. Sometimes it can even be life-saving, as a hiker in 2019 found out. After falling off a cliff, his Apple Watch detected the incident and promptly dialed 911.

Last year, a new app was launched that allows you to contact fire, police, or EMTs in just two taps. You can use it in an emergency and dispatch help to family and loved ones.  

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The invention of Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant made our lives so easy with voice-activated search features. While it started just answering simple questions, it’s evolved way past that. Tap or click here for Amazon Echo tips and tricks.

You can order groceries, hear the latest news and even tell April Fools jokes with your Alexa if you are feeling funny. Siri and Google Assistant offer similar handy features.

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Smart assistants can be tremendously helpful when you’re driving or if your hands are otherwise occupied. Just ask Siri for directions to the local’s favorite coffee shop when you’re in an unfamiliar town, and voila, you’ll be sipping a latte in no time.

If you have used the virtual assistant before, we are sure that you know how to ask for directions or set the alarm.

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Gone are the days of boring dashboards. With Apple CarPlay, you can take your vehicle’s infotainment console to another level. Access a world of apps without fumbling with your iPhone while driving.

Of course, as with everything Apple, you can expect plenty of options including the ability to make phone calls, listen to music and get GPS directions straight from your dash. Tap or click here to see what Kim has to say about CarPlay.

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We already know that voice assistants like Alexa are listening to us. After all, it’s how they pick up our voices and hold conversations. If they weren’t listening, wake-words wouldn’t be necessary, and the entire point of an always-on virtual companion would be eliminated.

But beyond wake-words and commands, nearly all of the biggest virtual assistants have been caught recording and transcribing user conversations for “self-improvement.” Tap or click here for more details on how this privacy scandal emerged.

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If you use an iPhone, Siri is either your best friend or a huge annoyance. Compared to other voice interfaces like Alexa or Google Assistant, Siri’s limited capabilities can make her feel downright outdated.

But despite Siri’s limitations, there is more to Apple’s virtual assistant than meets the eye. Do you know everything Siri is capable of? Tap or click here to see five terrific Siri tricks you’ll use time and time again.

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Siri can be a bit of a divisive figure on the iPhone. When you summon her accidentally, she’s the most annoying thing in the world — particularly if you’re in a quiet place, or are just trying to sneak a peek at your notifications. In fact, tap or click here to see a few things Siri does that you may not appreciate.

But when you want to use your iPhone with only your voice, Siri is your best friend. Or rather, she had to be until iOS 13. In the latest update, you can set up Voice Control and navigate your phone — without Siri.

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