Discovering the Power of Voice Technology – Can Alexa Keep a Calendar?

In today’s fast-paced world, staying organized is a crucial aspect of managing a busy lifestyle. With the increasing use of technology in our daily lives, virtual assistants like Alexa have become increasingly popular.

Amazon’s Alexa is a voice-activated virtual assistant that can perform a range of tasks, including playing music, providing information, and controlling smart home devices. One common question that many users have is, “Can Alexa keep a calendar?” In this article, we’ll explore this question in detail and discuss the capabilities of Alexa when it comes to managing your schedule.

Does Alexa Have a Calendar

Yes, Alexa does have a built-in calendar feature that can help you manage your schedule. The Alexa calendar feature allows you to add and manage events and appointments using simple voice commands.

To use the calendar feature, you don’t need any Alexa calendar skill on your device.

You can easily access your calendar by asking Alexa about your upcoming schedule or adding new events to your calendar. For example, you can say “Alexa, what’s on my calendar today?” and Alexa will provide you with a list of your upcoming events. You can also ask Alexa to add a new event to your calendar by saying something like “Alexa, add a meeting with John at 2 PM on Friday.”

Alexa can also sync with other popular calendars like Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, and Apple Calendar. This means that any events added to these calendars will automatically appear on your Alexa calendar, and vice versa. Additionally, Alexa can send you reminders for upcoming events, either through a voice notification or by sending a notification to your phone or other smart device.

Overall, the Alexa calendar feature provides a convenient and hands-free way to manage your schedule and stay on top of your appointments and events.

Can Alexa Keep a Calendar

Alexa can keep a calendar by linking it with your existing calendar app. By doing so, Alexa can provide information on your upcoming events and appointments and also allow you to create and manage events using voice commands. 

Can I Set up a Calendar on Alexa?

Here’s how you can link Alexa with your calendar:

1. Open the Alexa app: The first step is to open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. If you haven’t already downloaded the app, you can find it in your app store.
2. Go to the settings menu: In the Alexa app, navigate to the settings menu by tapping on the three lines in the top left corner of the screen and then selecting “Settings”.
3. Select “Calendar & Email”: In the settings menu, select “Calendar & Email” from the list of options.
4. Select your calendar app: Under the “Calendar” section, select your calendar app from the list of supported apps. Alexa can link with several popular calendar apps including Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Microsoft Outlook.
5. Follow the prompts to connect your calendar: Once you select your calendar app, follow the prompts to connect it with Alexa. You may be prompted to sign in to your calendar app and grant Alexa permission to access your calendar information.
6. Test the connection: After linking your calendar, test the connection by asking Alexa to provide information on your upcoming events. You can say something like “Alexa, what’s on my calendar for today?” and Alexa will provide a list of your upcoming events.

Once you’ve linked your calendar with Alexa, you can start creating and managing events using voice commands. For example, you can say “Alexa, add a meeting with John at 2 PM on Friday” and Alexa will create the event in your linked calendar app. You can also ask Alexa to provide reminders for upcoming events by saying something like “Alexa, remind me about my meeting with John 30 minutes before.

Can Alexa Set up Google Calendar?

here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to set up Google Calendar with Alexa:

1. Open the Alexa app: Open the Alexa app on your mobile device. If you don’t have the app installed already, you can download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Tap on Settings: Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the screen to access the main menu, then tap on Settings.
3. Scroll down to Calendar: In the Settings screen, scroll down until you see the Calendar option. Tap on it to proceed.
4. Choose your calendar service: Under the Calendar option, you’ll see a list of supported calendar services, including Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Select Google if you want to link your Google Calendar to Alexa.
5. Link your Google account: Once you’ve selected Google, you’ll be prompted to link your account. Tap on the Link your account button to proceed.
6. Sign in to your Google account: You’ll be asked to sign in to your Google account. Enter your Google email address and password, then tap on Sign In.
7. Allow Amazon to manage your calendars: You’ll be asked to allow Amazon to manage your calendars. This is necessary so that Alexa can access your calendar data. Tap on Allow to Proceed.
8. Choose your calendar: If you have multiple calendars set up in your Google account, you’ll be asked to select which one you want to use with Alexa. Choose the calendar you want to use, then tap on Continue.
9. Give Alexa access to your contacts (optional): If you want Alexa to be able to access your contacts for scheduling purposes, you can choose to give it permission at this point.
10. Set your active calendar: If you’ve linked multiple calendar services to Alexa, you’ll need to select which one you want to use as your active calendar. Tap on the Active Calendar option and choose the service you want to use.
11. Start using Alexa with your calendar: Now that you’ve linked your Google Calendar to Alexa, you can start using voice commands to manage your schedule. For example, you can say “Alexa, what’s on my calendar for today?” to get a list of your upcoming events, or “Alexa, add an appointment to see the dentist for tomorrow at 2 pm” to create a new event.
12. Remove a linked calendar (optional): If you want to remove a calendar that you’ve linked to Alexa, go to the Alexa Calendars screen, tap on the calendar you want to remove, and then tap on the Unlink this calendar option.

If you don’t have an external calendar or your online calendar isn’t supported by Amazon, you can still add events to Alexa’s to-do list. Just say “Alexa, add an appointment with my dentist for tomorrow at 2 pm to my to-do list” and Alexa will add it. You can then say “Alexa, what are the items on my to-do list?” to hear your upcoming tasks.

Can Alexa Display My Calendar?

Yes, Alexa can show your calendar on compatible devices with screens such as Echo Show and Fire TV. To display your calendar, your device must be linked to a supported calendar account, such as Google, Microsoft, or Apple, and the calendar must have events scheduled.

Here are the steps to display your calendar on an Echo Show device that has already linked to a calendar account:

1. Wake up your Echo Show device by saying “Alexa” or by tapping the screen.
2. Say “Show my calendar” or “What’s on my calendar today?” or “What are my appointments for tomorrow?” and Alexa will display your calendar on the screen.
3. You can also swipe down from the top of the screen and select “Calendar” from the drop-down menu. The calendar app will open, and you’ll be able to see your upcoming appointments.
4. If you have multiple calendars linked to your device, you can choose which one you want to display by saying “Alexa, show my [calendar name] calendar.”

Note that you can also customize how your calendar events are displayed on your Echo Show device by going to the Settings menu and selecting “Calendar & Email.” From there, you can adjust settings such as the time zone, the default calendar, and how much information is displayed for each event.

In addition, if you have multiple Echo Show devices in your home, you can use the Alexa app to manage which devices are authorized to display your calendar. This can be helpful if you want to keep your personal calendar private from other members of your household.

Overall, displaying your calendar on an Echo Show device can be a convenient way to stay organized and keep track of your appointments and events.

Can Alexa Announce Calendar Events

Yes, Alexa can announce upcoming calendar events to you at specific times or intervals, so you can stay on top of your schedule. This feature is especially useful if you have a busy day ahead and want to be reminded of important events without having to check your calendar manually.

Here are the steps to enable Alexa to announce calendar events:

1. Open the Alexa app on your mobile device and tap on the “More” button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Select “Settings” from the list of options.
3. Scroll down and select “Calendar & Email” under the Alexa Preferences section.
4. Tap on “Announce Calendar Events” to enable the feature.
5. Choose when you want Alexa to announce your calendar events: “All Day,” “Morning,” “Afternoon,” or “Evening.” You can also select custom times for the announcements.
6. Select the calendars you want Alexa to announce events from. You can choose from your linked calendars, such as Google or Microsoft.
7. Tap on “Save” to confirm your settings.

Once you have enabled this feature, Alexa will announce upcoming events from your selected calendar(s) at the designated time(s). For example, if you selected “Morning” as the announcement time, Alexa will announce events scheduled for that day in the morning.

You can also ask Alexa to manually announce your calendar events by saying “Alexa, what’s on my calendar?” or “Alexa, what are my appointments for today/tomorrow?” Alexa will then read out your upcoming calendar events.

If you have multiple Alexa devices in your home, you can choose which devices will announce your calendar events. For example, you may want announcements to be made only on your Echo Show device and not on your Echo Dot.

How to Add Subscribed Calendar to Alexa

Adding a subscribed calendar to Alexa is a great way to stay organized and keep track of events from multiple calendars in one place. A subscribed calendar is an external calendar that you’ve added to your Alexa account, such as a calendar for your favorite sports team or a holiday calendar. Here’s how to add a subscribed calendar to Alexa:

1. Open the Alexa app on your mobile device and tap on the “More” button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Select “Settings” from the list of options.
3. Scroll down and select “Calendar & Email” under the Alexa Preferences section.
4. Tap on “Add Calendar” and select “Other Calendars” from the options.
5. Enter the URL of the calendar you want to subscribe to in the “Calendar URL” field. If you don’t have a URL, you can search for calendars from popular providers such as Google or Yahoo.
6. Give the calendar a name, such as “Sports Calendar” or “Holiday Calendar.“
7. Choose the calendar color and select the time zone.
8. Tap on “Save” to confirm your settings.

Once you have added a subscribed calendar, you can ask Alexa about events on that calendar just like any other calendar. For example, you can say “Alexa, what’s on my Sports Calendar for today?” or “Alexa, what are my upcoming holiday events?”

It’s important to note that not all subscribed calendars may be compatible with Alexa. Some calendars may require additional authentication or may not support automatic updates, so you’ll need to manually refresh the calendar in the Alexa app to see the latest events.

Alexa Family Calendar

Alexa allows you to create and manage a family calendar that can be accessed by all members of your household. Here are the steps to create a family calendar with Google and link it with Alexa:

1. Create a Google account or sign in to your existing Google account.
2. Navigate to Google Calendar and create a new calendar by clicking on the “+” sign next to “Add a friend’s calendar” on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. Name the calendar something that is easily recognizable as your family calendar, such as “Smith Family Calendar.”
4. Set the calendar to be shareable with anyone in your household. To do this, click on the three dots next to the calendar’s name and select “Settings and sharing.” Scroll down to “Access permissions” and select “Make available to public.” Then, under “Share with specific people,” enter the email addresses of all members of your household who should have access to the calendar. Make sure they have “Make changes and manage sharing” permissions.
5. Once you have set up your family calendar, open the Alexa app on your mobile device and tap on the “More” button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
6. Select “Settings” from the list of options.
7. Scroll down and select “Calendar & Email” under the Alexa Preferences section.
8. Tap on “Link New Account” and select “Google.”
9. Follow the prompts to sign in to your Google account and authorize Alexa to access your Google Calendar.
10. Select the calendar you want to link with Alexa. Make sure to select the family calendar that you just created.
11. Once you have linked your family calendar with Alexa, you can ask Alexa to add events, read events, and even send notifications to all members of your household about upcoming events.

The family calendar is a great way for families to stay organized and keep track of each other’s schedules. By using Alexa to manage the family calendar, everyone can stay up-to-date on upcoming events and appointments, which can help prevent scheduling conflicts and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Why Is Alexa Not Reading My Calendar

There can be several reasons why Alexa is not reading your calendar. Here are some of the common causes and solutions:

1. Calendar not linked: If you haven’t linked your calendar to Alexa, it won’t be able to read your calendar events. To link your calendar, go to the Alexa app, select “Settings” and then “Calendar & Email.” Choose your calendar service and follow the instructions to link your account.
2. Incorrect calendar linked: If you have linked your calendar, but Alexa is not reading your events, make sure that you have selected the correct calendar in the Alexa app. Sometimes, users have multiple calendars, and Alexa may be reading events from a different calendar than the one you are expecting. Check that you have selected the correct calendar in the “Calendar & Email” section of the Alexa app.
3. Outdated software: Alexa may not be reading your calendar events if your device’s software is outdated. Make sure that your device is up-to-date by checking for any available updates in the “Settings” section of the Alexa app.
4. Permission settings: Your calendar events may not be visible to Alexa if you have not given the necessary permissions. Check the permission settings for your calendar service in the Alexa app and make sure that Alexa has access to read your events.
5. Syncing issues: Sometimes, there can be syncing issues between your calendar service and Alexa. This can happen if there are changes to your calendar events that have not been synced to Alexa. Try manually syncing your calendar events by saying “Alexa, sync my calendar.”
6. Privacy settings: If you have enabled privacy settings on your calendar service, it may prevent Alexa from accessing your calendar events. Check the privacy settings for your calendar service and make sure that Alexa has permission to access your events.

Alexa Calendar Commands

Here are some Alexa calendar commands that you can use to manage your calendar:

1. “What’s on my calendar for today?” or “What do I have today?” – Alexa will read out the events that you have scheduled for the current day.
2. “Add an event to my calendar” – You can add a new event to your calendar by telling Alexa the event name, date, time, and any other necessary details.
3. “Create a new event” – This command works similarly to “Add an event,” allowing you to create a new event with specific details.
4. “Cancel my appointment with [name]” or “Delete my event on [date]” – You can cancel or delete an event on your calendar using either of these commands.
5. “Reschedule my appointment on [date]” – This command allows you to change the date or time of an existing event on your calendar.
6. “What’s on my calendar for [day/week/month]?” – This command allows you to check your calendar for events on a specific day, week, or month.
7. “Set a reminder for [event]” – You can set a reminder for an upcoming event, which will prompt Alexa to notify you at a specific time or location.
8. “What’s the date today?” – Alexa will provide you with the current date, which can be helpful for scheduling events or checking deadlines.
9. “Add [task] to my to-do list” – While not strictly related to your calendar, this command allows you to add tasks or reminders to a separate to-do list that can be managed through Alexa.

These are just a few examples of the many Alexa calendar commands available. With a little practice, you can use Alexa to manage your calendar with ease and efficiency.

Conclusion

Alexa’s calendar integration can be a powerful tool for managing your schedule and staying organized. By linking your preferred calendar service with your Alexa device, you can access your events and appointments hands-free, and even add new events with simple voice commands.

Whether you’re using an Echo device or an Echo Show, Alexa’s calendar features can help you stay on top of your schedule, set reminders, and keep your family organized. By exploring the various Alexa calendar commands and apps available, you can find the tools that work best for you and make the most of this powerful digital assistant.