Newest Amazon Echo Show is handy for real life

By Sonya Davidson

We are inundated with devices all year round. Devices that can entertain, keep us organize, keep our homes in check and keep us connected with our friends and family. We keep them in our pockets like umbilical cords. Can’t live without them. I know. I’m down deep in that rabbit hole too. But I am someone who embraces technology when it can make my life easier, better, and smarter. 

As the consumer and end user, I want to know what a device does and how it works. The latest addition to my home is the Amazon Echo Show (second generation). Think of it as your virtual assistant with Alexa at the helm ready and waiting to make your day. We have the device sitting prominently on the kitchen counter - yes, high traffic area. Why? Because when I first saw the device at a preview event I was already loving the design and quality of sound. I knew it would serve its best purpose in a high traffic area in my home. The kitchen, and main floor area, is where I spend 90% of my time when I’m home. It made sense. I usually have music playing in the background while I work, cook or entertain. Echo Show does more than that, so let’s break down what I love most about this device. 

Click to read more ...

Amazon wants Bluetooth accessory makers to use Alexa, opens SDK for all developers

Jabra

Amazon wants its Alexa voice assistant to reach as wide an audience as possible. This time around, it’s targeting makers of Bluetooth headphones, headsets, and wearables. The company just made its Alexa Mobile Accessory Kit tool widely available to developers. Qualcomm even came out with a US$299 smart headset with Alexa reference design to help interested manufacturers and developers get started. Amazon is looking to bring Alexa to hands-free devices, so you can use it while exercising or doing other day-to-day activities when your hands are full. The software development kit first supported wireless Bluetooth headphones from Bose, Jabra, and Sony, but now the company wants it to support other Bluetooth devices like smartwatches and portable speakers, as well as traditional headsets.

What the SDK brings is letting these devices communicate with the Alexa app for iOS and Android without the need to build an app or Alexa skill on their own. “By leveraging the Amazon Alexa App that is readily available for Android and iOS, device makers accelerate product development, software integration, and testing time, while reducing product support costs,” explains Alfred Woo, a principal product manager for Alexa Voice Services. “After launch, their products are automatically updated to include new Alexa features and functionality when they arrive in the Amazon Alexa App.”

Source: The Verge

Skype calling comes to Alexa

Microsoft and Amazon continue to build on its partnership. This time, Microsoft is bringing Skype calling to Amazon Alexa-enabled devices. The Echo range can use Skype’s basic calling feature. And if you have the Echo Show, you’ll even get video calling support. On top of this, you can also use SkypeOut to call mobile phones and landlines. You just need to say things like “Alexa, call Stephen on Skype” to activate the call.

Source: The Verge

Tidal comes to Amazon Echo

If you’re using Tidal and own an Amazon Echo device, you’re going to love this new update. The Jay-Z-owned music streaming service is now available on Amazon Echo devices. You can access it via an Alexa skill, and, of course, you need a Tidal subscription for it to work. Tidal comes to the service using Amazon’s recently introduced Music Skill API, the company was able to build support for Alexa without needing to rely on Amazon’s help (which other streaming services had to do). Now, you can set it as your default Echo streaming service. However, of course, you’ll lose the optional hi-fi audio quality Tidal is known for because of the hardware limitations of the Amazon Echo. But who knows if a hi-fi version of the speaker comes out in the future? For now, Tidal is hoping you’ll love its curated playlists and this integration for you to stick with the service.

Source: The Verge