Sometimes, I stumble on a random review that evokes a certain sadness. I love the idea that Alexa can help people feel less lonely. At the same time, I find it profoundly sad that someone would need to tell Alexa good night because otherwise they go to bed alone.There’s also something sad to me about a review for a skill for cats that leads with “I unfortunately have short stays in our local hospital“. And don’t get me started with the bible skill review that states “having Alexia read (the bible) to me made me feel as if I had a friend here with me, I live alone and am disabled so to hear another voice reading Bible scripture was so very comforting”. ????
We also have 4 sound skills in the top 10 for this category because sound skills are easily the most popular type of skill. Worth noting however that Healing Sounds is a combination of many sounds, instead of the usual specific sound. Its review describes why this is not a great fit for a good voice-first user experience. It’s also interesting that Comfort My Dog is apparently “offering additional content to anyone willing to give a 5 star review”, something that is illegal according to Amazon policies.
Healing Sounds by Healing.fm – 4.9 out of 5, 3093 ratings, 3092 reviews
This skill includes over 20 sounds designed to help you sleep, study, and meditate.
Random review: Previously you only had to say”Alexa play healing sounds” or “… Thunderstorms” etc now when you ask it to it says “welcome back what would you like to hear?” then makes you say what you want to head again or if you take too long it reads off a whole list of options. It’s really annoying. I don’t want that much interaction.The sounds are good, the interface needs to revert to previous version. (1 out of 5)
Comfort My Dog by Voice Games – 4.9 out of 5, 2461 ratings, 2457 reviews
Listening to this music will help your dog feel more relaxed and calm, less anxious, sleep more and be generally happier. Playing this music is a great way to ensure that your best furry friend is feeling relaxed.
Random review: Weak sauce offering additional content to anyone willing to give a 5 star review. Looking at said reviews with so many 5 stars with 2 words or less written it’s clearly worked for the devs but completely obfuscates any real review system. The app? It simply loops some elevator music. How does anyone know if this music actually relaxes your dog? I’ve seen studies on some very specific types of music working to an extent but nothing about this. I’ll be honest I’ve had the skill playing while writing this and the loop is getting old. (1 out of 5)
Relaxing Sounds: Morning Music by Voice Games – 4.9 out of 5, 1631 reviews
Morning Music for positive thinking and vitality, relaxation songs to start the day. This is the perfect musical accompaniment for meditation, yoga, healing and complete relaxation.
Random review: Morning music is a lovely sequence of acoustic songs (wordless) that variously include banjo, woodwinds, guitar & other strings, piano & other soft percussion, and unintrusive synthesized sounds. Playing in the background, it makes our busy morning routine a little more pleasant and helps me start the day feeling more positive. (5 out of 5)
Calm My Cat by Voice Games – 4.9 out of 5, 1137 ratings, 1133 reviews
Listening to this music will help your cat feel more relaxed and calm, less anxious, sleep more and be generally happier. Playing this music is a great way to ensure that your best furry friend is feeling relaxed.
Random review: Because i unfortunately have short stays in our local hospital; i got a security cam with 2-way audio that is right next to my echo. i can activate this app and others through the audio and still talk to Leela!i have photos of her curled up right underneath the echo after she happily dozed off listening to kitty kitty (which she replies to…if only we knew what they were trying to say), or listening to one of the music skills, me talking to her over the audio. ????❤️????. The nurses have gotten used to it and have even facetimed with us after i got home-so she could see them.next?find a way to facetime with her when i’m in the hospital.i just bought an extra android tablet we say is Leela’s..right now she just watches April the giraffe or other critter livestreams-you can see it on her twitter, kitty_Leela (5 out of 5)
YouVersion Bible by Life.Church – 4.4 out of 5, 3449 ratings, 669 reviews
Listen to the Bible, daily Reading Plans and the Verse of the Day. YouVersion Bible is completely free and lets you listen to books, chapters and verses of the Bible. Now you can listen to daily Reading Plans that you subscribe to in the Bible App. YouVersion Bible includes 5 professionally narrated Bible versions (NIV, KJV, ESV, NLT, MSG).
Random review: I just found out about this Bible app this morning.It seems to be a great app to have enabled, because even though I have been reading the plans and they daily verse and found it comforting, having Alexia read it to me made Mr feel as if I had a friend here with me, I live alone and am disabled so to hear another voice reading Bible scripture was so very comforting.I would recommend it to all. Just hearing the Word outloud helps me to understand more. (5 out of 5)
Good Night by Stoked Skills LLC – 4.4 out of 5, 3702 ratings, 563 reviews
Sleeping alone tonight?You are never alone when Alexa is beside you. Wish Alexa a good night and she will respond right back!
Random review: This skill is simple and nice. Basically just what you want. Except… as you’re trying to lull to sleep and say goodnight, you get the little response followed by a 15 second equivalent of yelling “leave a review and smash that like button!!!1!”. Obviously this ruins the good night mood. Removing the review begging would make this a 4-5 star skill. (2 out of 5)
Rain Storm for Healing by Healing.fm – 4.9 out of 5, 482 reviews
Rain Storm features heavy rain with a distant thunderstorm. This skill is perfect for meditation and self-healing.
Random review: A surprisingly smooth, crisp and accurate sound. It’s rare I find natural sounds so clear via audio but this one feels as though you just opened the window on a late summers afternoon, as distant thunder can be heard in the background. Additionally, the sound does not loop every 30 seconds like many audio natural sounds, as it is generally frustrating listening to the same recorded sounds over and over in a short period of time. With “Rain Storm,” I have been unable to hear any looping what-so-ever. So, if you’re looking for that perfect sound to either help you fall asleep or take a refreshing nap, this is the one. You won’t be disappointed! (5 out of 5)
Everyday Positivity Flash Briefing by Volley Inc. – 4.8 out of 5, 324 reviews
A positive flash briefing Alexa skill to help lift your day and put you in the right state of mind to thrive. You got this 🙂 Get your flash briefing motivation today!
Random review: I love Kate Cocker’s daily positivity on my Alexa Flash Briefing. Her voice, her positivity, her insight — all wonderful. My young son looks forward to our mornings when I start the Briefing and I’ve heard him sharing the day’s wisdom/insights with others.That’s proof positive Kate is having a wonderful impact! (5 out of 5)
Box of Cats by Sean Simpson – 4.2 out of 5, 16225 ratings, 308 reviews
Ask Alexa to open up a box of cats! You can’t see the box (duh), but you’ll hear whatever cute, cuddly animal comes out of it. Most of the time the box contains cats, who will announce their presence by meowing.
Random review: As others have said, you only get one meow or purr per invocation.There’s nothing keeping them from enabling unlimited meows/purrs.Get on it! (1 out of 5)
Storm Sounds for Sleep, Relaxation, and Focus by Stoked Skills LLC – 4.8 out of 5, 286 reviews
Ambient sounds from nature are proven to help boost your focus at work, sleep better at night, or just help improve your mindfulness altogether.
Random review: This is my new favorite- for the pleasure of the sound ad well as how peaceful and soothing it is. Highly recommend! (5 out of 5)
