How to Try Alexa’s New Whisper Mode

Amazon Alexa can now whisper sweet nothings into your ear. But only if you whisper sweet nothings to her first. This is as a result of Amazon’s new Whisper Mode, which is designed to help you keep noise to a minimum when circumstances call for it.

As accomplished as Alexa is, Amazon’s voice-activated digital assistant is only as good as its programming. Part of that programming is Amazon endeavoring to make Alexa sound more human. Which is why Alexa now has a Whisper Mode for quiet times.

How to Enable Alexa’s Whisper Mode

There are two ways of enabling Alexa’s new Whisper Mode. The first is:

• Open the Alexa app on your phone.
• Open Settings.
• Click on Alexa Account.
• Click on Alexa Voice Responses.
• Enable Whispered Responses.

Or you can just say, “Alexa, turn on Whisper Mode” in earshot of your Amazon Echo.

So… Alexa has a new whisper mode…. pic.twitter.com/KWTxVmMsn2

— kaolin fire (@kaolinfire) October 20, 2018

With Whisper Mode enabled, Alexa will detect when you’re whispering, and whisper back to you. Having Whisper Mode enabled doesn’t mean you have to talk in hushed tones at all times, but when you do, Alexa will respond in kind.

Why would you want to enable Whisper Mode in Alexa? Perhaps you want to ask Alexa a question after your significant other has gone to bed. Or perhaps you want Alexa to read a lullaby to your baby but not in the booming voice she usually uses.

Making Alexa Sound More Human

Alexa’s new Whisper Mode is the first step on the long road to making Amazon’s voice-activated digital assistant more human. Or at least sound more human to our ears. Expect different speaking speeds, inflections, and pauses to follow in due course.

Amazon is continually adding to Alexa’s skillset. So, Alexa can recognize your family’s voices, create endless lists for everything, and order takeout for you. However, her ability to whisper sweet nothings into your ear makes those skills look tame by comparison.

Image Credit: Jason Hargrove/Flickr

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