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Amazon's Alexa can now speak slower or faster

The voice assistant can talk in seven speeds.

Abrar Al-Heeti Technology Reporter
Abrar Al-Heeti is a technology reporter for CNET, with an interest in phones, streaming, internet trends, entertainment, pop culture and digital accessibility. She's also worked for CNET's video, culture and news teams. She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though Illinois is home, she now loves San Francisco -- steep inclines and all.
Expertise Abrar has spent her career at CNET analyzing tech trends while also writing news, reviews and commentaries across mobile, streaming and online culture. Credentials
  • Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
Abrar Al-Heeti
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"Alexa, speak slower."

Chris Monroe/CNET

You can now tell Alexa to slow down or speed things up when asking for information. US customers can choose from seven talking speeds when using Alexa, according to a Wednesday blog post from Amazon . In addition to Alexa's standard speaking rate, the virtual assistant can converse in four faster rates and two slower rates. 

To adjust the talking speeds on any Alexa-enabled device, say "Alexa, speak slower," or "Alexa, speak faster." To reset, say "Alexa, speak at your default rate."

Some customers who are older or hard of hearing wanted Alexa to speak more slowly so they could better understand her, Amazon says. Other customers, like those who are blind or have low vision and are more familiar with listening to audio content, wanted to hear information more quickly. 

"We're thrilled to introduce this feature to help customers further personalize their interactions with Alexa, and adapt the experience to best fit their individual needs," Sarah Caplener, head of Alexa for Everyone, said in the blog post. 

The update rolled out Wednesday.