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  • Top 10 Countdown: 🥶 It's Freaking Cold Outside

Top 10 Countdown: 🥶 It's Freaking Cold Outside

Plus, an Alexa joke from ChatGPT...

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Happy Tuesday! The top 10 posts of 2023 countdown is on. Coming in at number 6 from January 20th’s post: 🥶 It's Freaking Cold Outside

Lorex has been a leading innovator in the security industry for over 30 years. Today, Lorex is proud to introduce the industry's first 4K video doorbell. This is NOT like other doorbells; it is full of unique features that separate it from the competition:

- Expansive head-to-toe 9:16 aspect ratio
- Color Night Vision
- Smart Motion Detection (Person, Vehicle, Animal, Package)
- Two-Way Talk and the ability to pre-program quick responses
- Motion-activated night light

Additionally, footage is saved locally, keeping it private and in the user’s control without monthly fees.  For a more robust security ecosystem, this Doorbell can be recorded around-the-clock by connecting it to a Lorex Fusion Recorder along with other wired or wireless Lorex security cameras.

It's Freaking Cold Outside

But how cold is it really?

Okay, it's freaking freezing in certain parts of the country. Do you see that big blue patch swooping down from Canada? That's no bueno. Unless you live in South Florida, chances are you're going to need to put a jacket on when you go outside today and tomorrow. If you're like us, you ask Alexa what the weather is before you bundle up.

Alexa’s default source for weather is great, but many Alexa users swear by the Big Sky weather skill because it provides far more weather detail (such as the “feels like” temperature, which is very helpful!).

And the great news is that you can get the weather from Big Sky as the default when you say “Alexa, what’s the weather.”

Here's How it Works

All you have to say is “Alexa, I prefer Big Sky for weather!”

Pro Tip: You can customize Big Sky even further by linking your account. And cooler yet, you can add up to 4 locations, which is great if you want to know what’s up at Mom’s house, at your kids’ college, your rental property—whatever.

Open the Alexa app and tap More in the bottom > tap Skills & Games > tap the magnifying glass and search for “Big Sky” > tap into it and tap “Launch” > approve permissions including address and location services so it knows where you are.

When prompted tap Link Account. Then enter your full street address, including town and country.

Select whether you’d like basic or a more detailed forecast. You can make wind speed miles per hour (mph), kph, m/s or even knots.

Label your Location, with whatever fits, such as “Home” or “Pop-pop’s House.” You can add up to 4 separate locations. Then tap Done when you’ve entered them all, and you’re good to go!

From the Archives

Remember, Alexa can help you prep for a storm ahead of time. 

If you know that a big snowstorm is forming, just ask Alexa to raise your home temperature by a few degrees to ensure everyone stays warm indoors. In 2019, cold temperatures killed nearly four times as many people as warm temperatures, according to a new study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. This could be really important if you’re using Alexa to help take care of older members of the family.  

Along the same lines, Alexa (working in tandem with the Flo Smart Water Monitor) can help prevent the pipes in your home from freezing and bursting.

These are small ways you can prevent some pretty serious disasters. For now, bundle up, stay warm and maybe use your voice assistant to help you look for a quick getaway to Miami!

Lorex has been a leading innovator in the security industry for over 30 years. Today, Lorex is proud to introduce the industry's first 4K video doorbell. This is NOT like other doorbells; it is full of unique features that separate it from the competition:

- Expansive head-to-toe 9:16 aspect ratio
- Color Night Vision
- Smart Motion Detection (Person, Vehicle, Animal, Package)
- Two-Way Talk and the ability to pre-program quick responses
- Motion-activated night light

Additionally, footage is saved locally, keeping it private and in the user’s control without monthly fees.  For a more robust security ecosystem, this Doorbell can be recorded around-the-clock by connecting it to a Lorex Fusion Recorder along with other wired or wireless Lorex security cameras.