CODE BLUE
Scroll to the bottom for a second secret mode
- Sean Keach, Head of Technology and Science
YOUR Amazon Echo has a secret Super Mode that you've probably missed.
It can only be unlocked if you say the correct code out loud.
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You'll need to say: "Alexa, up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, start."
If that sounds familiar, it's because what you're saying is the Konami Code.
This is a cheat code that has been available for use in many Konami video games over the years.
It first appeared in 1986's Gradius on the Nintendo Entertainment System.
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Instead of speaking it allowed, you would tap out the sequence of buttons on a joypad.
It's since become part of gaming culture and unlocks Easter Eggs across a host of games, apps, websites, and more.
If you say the code to an Amazon Alexa speaker, she'll deliver this whimsical reply: "Super Alexa Mode activated. Starting reactors – online. Enabling advanced systems – online. Raising doners. Errors. Dongers missing. Aborting."
It will be delivered to you as an audio message –but it'll also show up on the screen of Alexa devices that have a display.
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The bad news is that the Super Mode is just a funny joke for people who know about the Konami Code.
It doesn't actually unlock anything special other than the audio Easter Egg.
But it's a fun way to impress friends who might not know about it.
WHISPER MODE
The Super Alexa Mode isn't the only secret mode your Alexa is hiding.
There's also a Whisper Mode that you should take advantage of too.
Unlike Super Mode, Whisper Mode actually serves a useful purpose.
Sometimes Alexa is just too loud – even with the volume turned down.
If you're trying to use Alexa late at night or very early in the morning, you might want her to deliver responses a little more peacefully.
That's where Whisper Mode comes in.
Just say: "Alexa, turn on Whisper Mode."
This will toggle Whisper Mode to be available.
Now whenever you whisper to Alexa, she'll reply with a whisper too.
And if you speak normally to her, she'll reply in her usual full-voiced tone.
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Of course, you might find you need to be quite close to the Alexa speaker for Whisper Mode to work.
But once you get used to using it, you'll find Alexa becomes far less disturbing during the quieter hours of your day.
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