“Hey, Alexa? How can I change your voice to something deeper?”
That’s no longer a rhetorical question for Amazon’s virtual assistant.
Whether you use “Alexa,” “Echo,” “Amazon” or “Computer” (for you Star Trek fans) as your wake word, the device always answered in the same voice. But now there is a new name and voice to add to your options.
“Ziggy” is a male voiced digital assistant on Echo smart speakers and allied devices. Ziggy will be introduced through software updates, so be patient if you don’t see him yet.
According to Deccan Herald, to change Alexa to Ziggy, you first need to:
Step 1: Open Alexa mobile app (with the latest version).
Step 2: Go to Devices.
Step 3: Select All Devices and then select the device you want.
Step 4: Select Settings, and under General, scroll down until you see the new option, Alexa’s Voice’, then select the voice you want from the list. Original is the feminine-sounding, classic voice (Alexa). New is the masculine-sounding voice.
To change your wake word from Alexa to Ziggy:
Step 1: Open Alexa mobile app (with the latest version).
Step 2: Go to Devices.
Step 3: Select All Devices and then select the device you want.
Step 4: Select Settings, and under General, select Wake Word.
Step 5: Select the ‘Ziggy’ from the list, and then select OK.
Why Ziggy? Dale Smith of CNET says he thinks it’s an homage to David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona — an alien androgyne from the future, sent to help Earth.
Some tweeters, however, think it could be a reference to the AI assistant from the television series “Quantum Leap.”
You can also switch things up by paying $4.99 have your Amazon Echo sound like Samuel L. Jackson, Melissa McCarthy or Shaquille O’Neal. Just know the celebrity voices are for only a few responses — like weather, timers and personality-specific questions.
About the Author
