Phone

You need a phone to be able to setup an Alexa device and authenticate the skill. The phone has to be able to access the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to download the Amazon Alexa app.

Alexa device

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When choosing an Alexa device, you have many options. The Cubigo skill only has features that make use of the Voice capabilities. Thus, there is no reason to purchase an Alexa device with a screen.

The most common device choice for a resident: 

• Echo
• Echo Dot
• Echo Pop

An Echo Show will also work, but the Cubigo skill will not use its video capabilities.

Usage without an Alexa device

You do not need an Alexa device to use the Cubigo skill, it also works within the Amazon Alexa app. But to take full advantage of the voice assistant, you will need to set it up on an Alexa device.

With the Amazon Alexa app, you can only use the Cubigo skill with the Amazon Alexa app open and when clicking a button so you can say a command. If you enable the ‘Alexa Hands-Free’ setting,  Alexa responds any time you say “Alexa” when the app is open and in use.

As far as commands and functionality go, using the Cubigo skill on your phone is the same as using it on an Alexa device. But you do not get the ease of use you get on the Alexa device because you will always need to have the Amazon Alexa app open.

There are workarounds to use Alexa on your phone without having to open your device/app. You will find an example here.