Latest news with #BBCSounds
Mint
7 hours ago
- Mint
Waiting for Alexa+? Make your Echo speaker smarter with these 3 hacks
Amazon's new Alexa Plus upgrade is gradually making its way to Echo users, with the rollout expanding since its launch in late March 2025. According to Amazon spokesperson Eric Sveum, more than a million users now have access to Alexa Plus, a significant jump from the 'hundreds of thousands' reported just a month ago. Sveum confirmed to The Verge that Alexa Plus is being deployed to compatible Echo speakers and smart displays 'at an increasing pace,' and will continue to be 'more broadly available over the summer.' Despite this progress, many Echo users are still awaiting the update. While Alexa Plus promises a more conversational, generative AI-based assistant experience, the staggered rollout means not everyone will get it at the same time. In the meantime, there are still several ways to get more from your current Echo setup. Here are three features users can activate today to enhance their Alexa experience while waiting for Alexa Plus. 1. BBC Sounds integration for podcasts and radio Echo speakers work seamlessly with streaming services, but adding the BBC Sounds skill offers a wider variety of live radio and podcast content. To enable it, simply go to the 'Skills & Games' section in the Alexa app and search for 'BBC Sounds.' Once signed into a BBC account, you can access BBC Radio stations or resume podcast episodes by voice commands. You can try voice commands like: 'Alexa, play BBC Radio 1' 'Alexa, launch BBC Sounds' BBC Sounds is especially great for listeners who enjoy music-focused channels, current affairs or entertainment podcasts 2. Control your TV using Alexa, no remote needed If you own a smart TV and an Amazon Echo speaker, you can control your TV completely hands-free using Alexa voice commands. It's a simple setup that can make everyday entertainment more convenient, from turning on the TV to launching apps like Netflix or YouTube, all with just your voice. To get started, open the Alexa app on your smartphone, tap the '+' icon in the top-right corner, and select 'Add Device.' Choose 'TV' from the list and select your TV brand. You'll be guided through a few steps to link your TV with Alexa. Most brands require enabling a specific Alexa Skill to complete the process. If you have a Samsung TV, you can use the Samsung SmartThings, likewise, for an LG TV, you can use LG ThinQ. Once your TV is paired and recognised, it's helpful to rename your device to something easy to remember, like 'Living Room TV' or 'Bedroom Screen.' to make your commands sound more natural. 3. Get daily news in seconds with Custom Flash Briefings Don't have time to scroll through news apps every morning? Alexa's Flash Briefing feature is a simple and effective solution. It delivers short, personalised audio news updates directly through your Echo speaker with a single voice command. To set it up, open the Alexa app, go to Settings, scroll to News under the 'Alexa Preferences' section, and tap My News Channel. Here, you can choose from a range of news sources, including BBC News, NPR, CNBC and more, depending on your region and preference. Once set, you can simply say: 'Alexa, what's my Flash Briefing?' Or, 'Alexa, play the news.' Alexa will then play a short summary of the day's top headlines from your selected source. You can even add multiple sources for a more diverse update and Alexa will play them one after another in a single briefing.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Katy Perry was 'really worried' about Benson Boone dealing with 'hate'
Katy Perry was 'really worried' about Benson Boone dealing with 'hate' The Beautiful Things hitmaker achieved viral overnight success thanks to the 2024 mega-hit but he first auditioned on American Idol when pop superstar Katy was a judge in 2021, before quitting to pursue his own path into the music business Benson Boone (Image: FilmMagic ) Katy Perry was "really worried" about Benson Boone and the "hate" he's experienced on his rise to stardom. The Beautiful Things hitmaker achieved viral overnight success thanks to the 2024 mega-hit but he first auditioned on American Idol when pop superstar Katy was a judge in 2021, before quitting to pursue his own path into the music business. Benson was asked if Katy has ever taken credit for his career after she predicted he would win the talent show. He told The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2: "Do you want to know the actual truth? I actually think that she is really glad that I left the show." Recounting his recent conversation with the I Kissed A Girl singer, he said: "I talked to her the other day. I say the other day... It was like two months ago. It was at an awards show. We just got to chit chat for a little bit and she was like, really happy for me. Also, really worried about me. I think she understands that when you are starting to go through all of this, there's just a lot of hate coming your way. A lot of people who want things from you. She was more just checking in on me but..." He noted: "She actually really is a lovely person." Article continues below Katy was glad Benson decided to leave American Idol. He said: "She told me she was like, 'leaving that show was the best thing you ever did.'" Scott Mills replied: "And that's no shade on her being on the show." Benson agreed: "No, not at all." At the time, the 22-year-old star had no idea if he wanted to work in music. He continued: "She just understands... I didn't even know if I wanted to do music at that time." Article continues below Benson explained: "Yeah, they reached out to me to be on the show because it was during COVID, so you couldn't go in to audition. So, they were reaching out to a bunch of people and I got reached out to because I had posted a couple of videos at that point. I was like I am in college, what do I have to lose? I will just go do this. It might be fun." Listen back to the full interview on BBC Sounds.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Katy Perry was 'really worried' about Benson Boone dealing with 'hate'
Katy Perry was "really worried" about Benson Boone and the "hate" he's experienced on his rise to stardom. The Beautiful Things hitmaker achieved viral overnight success thanks to the 2024 mega-hit but he first auditioned on American Idol when pop superstar Katy was a judge in 2021, before quitting to pursue his own path into the music business. Benson was asked if Katy has ever taken credit for his career after she predicted he would win the talent show. He told The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2: "Do you want to know the actual truth? I actually think that she is really glad that I left the show.' Recounting his recent conversation with the I Kissed A Girl singer, he said: 'I talked to her the other day. I say the other day… It was like two months ago. It was at an awards show. We just got to chit chat for a little bit and she was like, really happy for me. Also, really worried about me. I think she understands that when you are starting to go through all of this, there's just a lot of hate coming your way. A lot of people who want things from you. She was more just checking in on me but…' He noted: "She actually really is a lovely person.' Katy was glad Benson decided to leave American Idol. He said: 'She told me she was like, 'leaving that show was the best thing you ever did.'' Scott Mills replied: 'And that's no shade on her being on the show.' Benson agreed: 'No, not at all.' At the time, the 22-year-old star had no idea if he wanted to work in music. He continued: 'She just understands… I didn't even know if I wanted to do music at that time.' Benson explained: 'Yeah, they reached out to me to be on the show because it was during COVID, so you couldn't go in to audition. So, they were reaching out to a bunch of people and I got reached out to because I had posted a couple of videos at that point. I was like I am in college, what do I have to lose? I will just go do this. It might be fun.' Listen back to the full interview on BBC Sounds.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Motor trike accident leaves two in hospital
Police are trying to trace a group of bikers seen in the area shortly before a crash involving a car and a motor trike in southern Scotland. The accident happened on the A710 Dumfries to Dalbeattie road, near New Abbey, at about 16:25 on Friday. The riders of the trike - a 66-year-old man and 59-year-old woman - were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment. The occupants of the other vehicle involved, a red Fiat 500, were not injured. More stories from South Scotland Listen to news from Dumfries and Galloway on BBC Sounds The road was shut for about 11 hours for accident investigation work. PC Keith Mckinnell said: "Our inquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this crash and I would appeal to any witnesses to please contact police. "We are keen to speak to a large group of motorcyclists who were seen in the area shortly before the collision and may have information." He also asked anyone with dash-cam footage from around the time of the accident to come forward.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Six held over Bedworth violent disorder
Six people including three teenage boys have been arrested in connection with police inquiries into violent disorder.A man who received hospital treatment for a head injury was since recovering at home following an incident on Pine Tree Road and Regent Street in Bedworth at about 19:20 BST on Friday, Warwickshire Police said. Three boys from Bedworth aged 15, 16 and 17, a 25-year-old man from Nuneaton and a 45-year-old Coventry man were all arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.A 42-year-old woman from Bedworth was held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and violent disorder. They have all been bailed pending further inquiries. A number of weapons including a knuckle duster and a knife have been recovered from a white Audi as part of the investigation. Det Con Jon Shand said: "We're aware this event may have caused some community concern on Friday evening, but would like to reassure residents it is currently being treated as an isolated incident." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
