14 Technology Hacks for Homeowners
Daniel Cobb
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Ask About the Weather
Whether you’re in the shower or in your closet, it may occur to you that you need to know what the weather is going to be like in order to dress appropriately for the day. If you have your Alexa or Google Home nearby, prepare to get all the answers you need! With a simple command, These smart devices built-in weather forecast fills you in on the day ahead, rain or shine.
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Scrap Wood Computer Shelf
Make this simple-yet-useful computer shelf for your desk with a few pieces of scrap wood and a nail gun. We built the one shown with a 1 ft. x 2 ft. piece of plywood and two pieces of a 1×3 board cut to 12 in. lengths. Then we used a brad nailer to attach the plywood to the boards.
You could paint or stain the assembled piece to match your room décor, or leave it as is for a purposefully unfinished look. The shelf will raise your computer screen to an ergonomic height, making it easier to see and more comfortable to work at your desk! Check out these other surprisingly simple woodworking projects.
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Rename Your Alexa
Don’t be stifled by the name “Alexa” if it’s simply not vibing with you. Maybe it’s even your own name, and every time your significant other calls you from the kitchen for help with a recipe, the device turns on. How annoying! Go ahead and rename Alexa to Amazon, Echo or Computer by opening the app. Head to Menu > Settings. Tap on the Echo device you want to change and click on Wake Word. A drop-down menu will appear, showing the other names you can choose from. Pick one, hit save and confirm.
Next, read: Amazon Alexa vs Google Home.