If you’re bored of asking your Echo the same old things - such as “Alexa, set a timer” or “Alexa, what’s the weather like today?” - Amazon has some tricks and treats to try this week. The online retailer has just sent out an email to smart speaker owners ahead of Halloween offering some spooky new commands, questions and things to ask Alexa.

”At this time of year I’m the something strange in your neighbourhood... Enjoy my tricks and treats,” Amazon said in message.

If you have an Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo or new Echo Spot smart speaker and want to get in the spooky Halloween spirt then here are 13 things you can ask Alexa right now.

TRICK AND TREATS

“Alexa, how many days until Halloween?”

“Alexa, scare me”

“Alexa, tell me a Halloween joke”

“Alexa, what are you wearing for Halloween?”

FACTS AND SPOOKY FIGURES

“Alexa, when will the zombie apocalypse be?”

“Alexa, give me a Halloween fact”

“Alexa, gross me out”

“Alexa, why do we carve pumpkins?”

“Alexa, how do other countries celebrate Halloween?”

GET YOUR HOME IN THE SPIRIT

“Alexa, show me the front door”

“Alexa, play the Happy Halloween playlist”

“Alexa, search for Halloween costumes”

“Alexa, shop for Halloween decorations”

If your current Echo is looking a long in the tooth then next month could be a good time to go online shopping. Black Friday starts on November 29 and expect plenty of deals including big money off smart speakers and other Amazon gadgets.

Last year there were deals that saw some Echo devices dropped by as much as 50 percent so watch this space.