Amazon has updated its Alexa app for Android with voice control and is bringing the feature to the Alexa app for iOS soon, reports TechCrunch. Until now, the app has primarily been used for managing the settings of Echo devices.
The addition of voice commands means users can speak directly to their handset the way they would an Echo — to play music, trigger Alexa skills and the like. The update is being rolled out over the course of the coming days through Google Play and Amazon’s own Appstore. A similar update is also on the way for the iOS App Store, but its timing is still up in the air, likely due to Apple’s stricter vetting process.
Without a handset of its own, it's difficult for Amazon to compete with Google's Assistant and Apple's Siri. The company has added some voice services to its popular shopping app; however, this update will be a big step forward in helping customers use the assistant on any device. Unfortunately, the Alexa app in its current form doesn't support wake word functionality.
Currently, Amazon's lineup of dedicated Alexa devices include the Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Dot, Echo Spot, Echo Show, and Echo Look. The voice assistant is also being integrated into many popular devices including the ecobee4 thermostat, iDevices Instinct, First Alert Safe & Sound, and more.
You can download Amazon Alexa from the App Store for free. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.
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The addition of voice commands means users can speak directly to their handset the way they would an Echo — to play music, trigger Alexa skills and the like. The update is being rolled out over the course of the coming days through Google Play and Amazon’s own Appstore. A similar update is also on the way for the iOS App Store, but its timing is still up in the air, likely due to Apple’s stricter vetting process.
Without a handset of its own, it's difficult for Amazon to compete with Google's Assistant and Apple's Siri. The company has added some voice services to its popular shopping app; however, this update will be a big step forward in helping customers use the assistant on any device. Unfortunately, the Alexa app in its current form doesn't support wake word functionality.
Currently, Amazon's lineup of dedicated Alexa devices include the Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Dot, Echo Spot, Echo Show, and Echo Look. The voice assistant is also being integrated into many popular devices including the ecobee4 thermostat, iDevices Instinct, First Alert Safe & Sound, and more.
You can download Amazon Alexa from the App Store for free. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.
Read More