Want Amazon's Alexa to boost your ego? Store your jokes? Here's how

SEATTLE — You: "Alexa, who's too sexy for their shirt?"

Alexa: "You are, of course, Bob."

Want Alexa to tell you you’re the best mom in the world?  Or that you're the funniest person in your family?  You can do that now.

In addition to creating customized responses, you can also create personalized skills for Alexa, such as one that stores family jokes and trivia, one that provides information for your babysitter or one to help you study.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

• Undercover author: Amazon warehouse workers pee in bottles, culture like 'prison'
• 'U SUCK' appears on I-5 traffic sign
• Random attack leaves Mountlake Terrace mom fighting for her life
• Seattle's socialist city councilwoman calls Barbara Bush RIP note 'terrible'
• Alaska Airlines introduces new rules for emotional support animals

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

Using a set of templates called Alexa Skill Blueprints, users fill in the blanks to create customized experiences.

The point is not only to make Alexa more fun, but also more useful by being able to create skills specifically for the user.  The responses and skills will only appear on the devices registered to your Amazon account.

Getting Started with Alexa Skill Blueprints: (Information provided by Amazon)

Creating your own Alexa skill and responses is simple. Just follow three easy steps:

1. Select your blueprint template by visiting the Alexa Skill Blueprints website: blueprints.amazon.com. There you can browse more than 20 Skill Blueprints across four categories including Fun & Games, At Home, Storyteller, and Learning & Knowledge.

2. Unleash your creativity. Each blueprint comes with pre-filled content that can be used as-is or customized as you like.

3. With just one click your skill will be available on all Alexa-enabled devices associated with your Amazon account.

There is no limit to the number of skills you can create. Need to add even more hilarious jokes to the "Dad's Jokes" skill? No problem, editing is just as simple using the Alexa Skill Blueprints website.

Alexa Skill Blueprints available at launch include:

At Home

• Custom Q&A: Customize responses to your questions
• Houseguest: Make your guests feel at home with quick access to important info
• Babysitter: Help your sitter find things, remember steps and get important info
• Pet Sitter: Help your pet sitter care for your favorite animal

Fun & Games

• Family Jokes: Create a list of your favorite jokes for when you need a laugh
• Trivia: Create your own multiple choice trivia game on any topic
• Inspirations: Curate a list of your favorite inspirational quotes
• Family Trivia: Play together and brush up on family history
• Bachelorette Party: Play to find out how well the bride's friends know her
• Birthday Trivia: Play to see who knows the birthday girl or boy best
• Burns: Roast your friends and family with lighthearted burns
• Compliments: Flatter your favorites with a list of custom compliments
• Double Trouble: Find out which couple knows each other best with this customizable game
• First Letter: Play a game of categories starting with a certain letter

Storyteller

• Adventure: Write an adventure story where your child is the hero
• Fairy Tale: Customize an interactive prince and princess-themed tale
• Sci-Fi: Create an interactive story with a far-out theme
• Fable: Create a short narrative with a moral of the story

Learning & Knowledge

• Flash Cards: Study, test yourself, and master any subject by voice
• Facts: Keep a list of facts on your favorite topic, all in one place
• Quiz: Challenge yourself and others with a customizable quiz

Alexa Skill Blueprints is available now for customers in the US. To get started with Alexa Skill Blueprints visit: blueprints.amazon.com. For frequently asked questions: blueprints.amazon.com/help/frequently-asked-questions

Cox Media Group