Written by: The Voice Command Translator (Your Talking Tech Interpreter)
Talking to your devices feels weird at first. You’re standing in your kitchen saying “Alexa, what’s the weather?” and feeling a little silly.
But once you get used to voice commands, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. No typing, no searching through menus, no squinting at tiny screens. Just ask and get an answer.
We work with people all over Orange County who bought an Alexa or Google Home and it’s sitting on their counter doing nothing. Or they have Siri on their iPhone but never use it because they don’t know what to say.
That ends today. We’re going to show you exactly how to use voice commands and give you the most useful things to actually say.
Don’t want to read all this? We totally understand. Voice assistants can be confusing, and you might not even be sure yours is set up right. That’s what we do at Teach Me Tech OC. We come to your home anywhere in Orange County (or meet online through Google Meet), set up your Alexa, Google Home, or phone voice assistant, teach you the commands you’ll actually use, and make sure everything works perfectly. Just reach out.
Quick Overview: Using Voice Commands
Wake Words:
- Alexa: “Alexa” (for Amazon Echo devices)
- Google: “Hey Google” or “OK Google” (for Google Home and Android phones)
- Siri: “Hey Siri” (for iPhones and iPads)
What You Can Do:
- Get weather, news, time
- Set timers and alarms
- Play music and radio
- Control smart home devices
- Get answers to questions
- Make calls and send messages
- Add to shopping lists
Why Voice Commands Beat Typing:
- Hands-free while cooking or busy
- No tiny keyboards to struggle with
- Faster than searching
- Works even if you can’t see screen well
Starting Simple: Your First Voice Commands
Don’t overthink this. Start with the absolute basics and build from there.
For Alexa users:
- “Alexa, what time is it?”
- “Alexa, what’s the weather today?”
- “Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes”
For Google Home users:
- “Hey Google, what time is it?”
- “Hey Google, what’s the weather?”
- “Hey Google, set a timer for 10 minutes”
For iPhone users with Siri:
- “Hey Siri, what time is it?”
- “Hey Siri, what’s the weather?”
- “Hey Siri, set a timer for 10 minutes”
Notice the pattern? All three assistants understand the same basic requests. You just use different wake words to get their attention.
We helped someone in Irvine who had an Alexa for six months and never used it. Felt too complicated. We showed her these three commands. Within a week she was using Alexa constantly for timers while cooking. Now she uses it for everything.
The Wake Word: Getting Your Device’s Attention
Before any voice command, you need to say the wake word. Think of it like calling someone’s name before asking them a question.
Alexa only responds after hearing “Alexa.” Won’t respond to anything else. You can change it to “Amazon,” “Echo,” or “Computer” in the Alexa app if you want, but most people stick with “Alexa.”
Google Home responds to “Hey Google” or “OK Google.” Either works. We find “Hey Google” feels more natural for most people.
Siri responds to “Hey Siri” if you have that feature turned on (Settings > Siri & Search > Listen for “Hey Siri”). You can also hold the side button on your iPhone and just start talking without saying “Hey Siri.”
After you say the wake word, the device makes a sound or lights up to show it’s listening. Then you say your command. Speak naturally, like you’re talking to a person.
Don’t yell. Don’t talk super slow. Don’t over-enunciate. Just talk normally.
Useful Voice Commands for Daily Life
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, here are commands people actually use every day.
Weather and Time
- “What’s the weather today?”
- “Will it rain tomorrow?”
- “What’s the temperature outside?”
- “What time is it?”
- “What’s today’s date?”
Timers and Alarms
- “Set a timer for 20 minutes”
- “Cancel the timer”
- “How much time is left?”
- “Set an alarm for 7am”
- “Wake me up at 6:30am”
Music and Radio
- “Play music”
- “Play relaxing music”
- “Play the Beatles”
- “Play news radio”
- “Stop”
- “Volume up” or “Volume down”
Information and Answers
- “How many cups in a quart?”
- “How do you spell Massachusetts?”
- “What’s 15 percent of 80?”
- “How far is it to San Diego?”
Shopping and Reminders
- “Add milk to my shopping list”
- “What’s on my shopping list?”
- “Remind me to call the doctor tomorrow at 2pm”
Calls and Messages (if set up)
- “Call Sarah” (uses contacts from your phone)
- “Send a message to John”
Try a few of these each day. Pick ones that would actually help you. Don’t try to memorize everything at once.
Voice Commands That Control Smart Home Devices
If you have smart lights, smart plugs, or other smart home devices, voice commands become even more useful.
Lights:
- “Turn on the living room lights”
- “Turn off the bedroom lights”
- “Dim the kitchen lights”
- “Set living room lights to 50 percent”
Smart plugs:
- “Turn on the coffee maker”
- “Turn off the fan”
Thermostats:
- “Set temperature to 72”
- “What’s the temperature inside?”
You have to set these up first (connect your smart devices to Alexa or Google Home app), but once they’re connected, voice control is amazing.
We helped a couple in Mission Viejo set up smart lights and plugs throughout their house. Now they control everything by voice. Sitting in bed at night? “Alexa, turn off all the lights.” Getting up in the morning? “Alexa, turn on the coffee maker.” They love it.
When Voice Commands Don’t Work (And How to Fix It)
Sometimes you say a command and nothing happens, or the device gives you a weird response.
Common problems:
Device didn’t hear you:
- You’re too far away or there’s too much background noise
- Get closer or turn down TV
You didn’t say the wake word:
- Device only listens after hearing “Alexa” or “Hey Google” or “Hey Siri”
- Say wake word, wait for sound or light, then give command
Command was unclear:
- “Play that song I like” doesn’t work
- Be specific: “Play Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers”
Device isn’t connected to WiFi:
- Voice assistants need internet
- Check WiFi connection
The assistant misheard you:
- It happens
- Just try again, speak a bit slower and clearer
If you say a command and get “Sorry, I don’t know that” or “I can’t do that,” try rephrasing. Instead of “What’s the time?” try “What time is it?”
Using Voice Commands on Your Phone
Your phone has a voice assistant built in. iPhone has Siri, Android has Google Assistant. Works the same way as Alexa and Google Home, but on your phone.
iPhone Users
Make sure “Hey Siri” is turned on:
- Settings > Siri & Search > Listen for “Hey Siri”
- Then say “Hey Siri” followed by your command
- Works even when phone is across the room
You can also hold the side button and start talking without saying “Hey Siri.”
Android Users
Say “Hey Google” or “OK Google” and your command. Should work right out of the box on most Android phones.
If it doesn’t, go to Settings > Google > Search, Assistant & Voice > Google Assistant and make sure it’s turned on.
Why Use Phone Voice Commands?
Hands are full? Ask your phone a question. In the car? Make a call by voice. Eyes not working great today? Have your phone do things without looking at screen.
- “Hey Siri, call my daughter”
- “Hey Google, send a text to Bob saying I’m running late”
- “Hey Siri, remind me to take out the trash when I get home”
We worked with someone in Dana Point who struggled with tiny phone keyboards. Showed her how to use Siri for texts and calls. Changed her life. Now she communicates more with family because typing isn’t a barrier anymore.
Alexa vs Google Home vs Siri: Which Is Best?
Honestly? They’re all pretty similar for basic stuff.
Alexa (Amazon Echo) is great if you shop on Amazon a lot. “Alexa, order more paper towels” and it uses your Amazon account. Also works well with lots of smart home devices.
Google Home is better at answering questions because it uses Google search. “Hey Google, who was the 18th president?” Gets you better answers than Alexa.
Siri is built into iPhones and works great for phone-specific stuff. Sending texts, making calls, setting iPhone reminders.
If you already have one, just use what you have. They all do the same basic things. The differences only matter if you’re really getting into advanced features.
We have clients who use all three. Alexa in the kitchen, Google Home in the living room, Siri on their phone. It’s fine. You don’t have to pick just one.
Making Voice Commands Part of Your Routine
The key is using voice commands for things you already do every day.
Already check the weather each morning? Start saying “Alexa, what’s the weather?” instead of looking at your phone.
Already set kitchen timers while cooking? Say “Hey Google, set a timer for 15 minutes” instead of using your phone or a physical timer.
Already turn lights on and off? “Alexa, turn on the living room lights” beats getting up to flip the switch.
Start small. Pick one or two commands you’ll actually use. Do those every day until they’re habit. Then add more.
Don’t try to learn 50 commands at once. Pick the ones that fit your life.
Privacy Concerns About Voice Assistants
People worry about devices always listening. Valid concern.
Here’s how it actually works: these devices listen for the wake word only. They’re not recording everything you say. When they hear “Alexa” or “Hey Google,” then they start listening and recording that specific command.
You can delete your voice history anytime in the Alexa app or Google Home app. You can also turn off the microphone with a physical button when you want complete privacy.
That said, if you’re uncomfortable having a voice assistant, you don’t have to use one. Nobody’s forcing you.
But for most people, the convenience outweighs the privacy concerns. Especially when you understand they’re not actually listening to everything, just waiting for the wake word.
Setting Up Alexa or Google Home for the First Time
Got a new Echo or Google Home sitting in the box? Here’s the quick setup.
Alexa (Echo) Setup
Steps:
- Plug it in
- Download Alexa app on phone
- Open app, tap “Add Device”
- Follow instructions to connect to WiFi
That’s it. Once connected, start talking to it.
Google Home Setup
Steps:
- Plug it in
- Download Google Home app on phone
- Open app (should find device automatically)
- Follow instructions to connect to WiFi
Done. Start using it.
Both setups take about 5 minutes if everything goes smoothly.
If you get stuck, the devices literally talk you through it. They’ll say things like “Download the Alexa app to continue setup.” Listen and follow the instructions.
We set these up for people all the time. Usually takes us 10 minutes including connecting to WiFi and linking their music accounts.
Voice Commands You’ll Actually Use (Real Examples)
Here’s what people in Orange County tell us they use most:
- “Alexa, what’s the weather?” (Every morning while making coffee)
- “Hey Google, set a timer for 30 minutes” (While cooking, laundry, anything timed)
- “Alexa, play classical music” (Background music while reading or relaxing)
- “Hey Google, turn off the living room lights” (At night before bed)
- “Alexa, what time is it?” (Multiple times a day, beats looking for phone)
- “Hey Google, add bread to my shopping list” (When you notice you’re running low)
- “Alexa, call my daughter” (If you have Alexa calling set up)
Notice none of these are complicated. Simple, practical, daily stuff.
That’s what voice commands are actually good for. Not fancy tricks, just making daily life a tiny bit easier.
We’ll Set Up Your Voice Assistant and Teach You What Actually Works
If you’ve got an Alexa, Google Home, or phone voice assistant that you’re not using (or not using well), we can help.
What we’ll do:
- Come to your home (or meet online via Google Meet)
- Set up your device if it’s not already set up
- Connect it to WiFi
- Link music service if you want
- Teach you voice commands useful for YOUR specific daily routine
- Not generic commands from manual
- Actual phrases you’ll use based on how you live
- Troubleshoot if commands aren’t working right
- Adjust settings to work better for your voice
- Answer any questions you have
Cities we serve:
- Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Dana Point
- Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita
- Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa
- San Clemente, Tustin, Foothill Ranch
- And everywhere else in Orange County
Voice commands should make your life easier, not more complicated. Reach out to Teach Me Tech OC, and let’s get your voice assistant working for you in ways you’ll actually use every single day.