Microsoft Xbox One will soon reportedly support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

It seems there will be more assistant options coming to the Microsoft Xbox One soon, if rumours are to be believed. Windows Central reports that upcoming versions of Xbox One dashboard will add support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This’ll be available through a skill on both platforms. At the moment, Cortana is the only supported digital assistant on the Xbox One through the Kinect accessory or a headset. This rumoured addition could mean that you might be able to control your console through them. But it isn’t clear what features will be supported or if you’ll still need the aforementioned accessories for it to work. We’re banking on the idea that you wouldn’t need it.

Amazon recently brought on board Microsoft Xbox veteran Albert Penello to “help figure out how to grow Alexa/Echo presence in gaming.” If this integration is true, then that means the platform is a step closer to making that happen. Microsoft and Amazon are already working to integrate Alexa and Cortana on all Windows 10 PCs.

Source: The Verge

Amazon Alexa can now be your default voice assistant on Android

Google has always been okay with its users turning to other AI-powered smart assistants from its competitors. Android already supports Microsoft Cortana and now it adds Amazon’s Alexa into the mix. A Reddit user found that you can access Alexa by holding down the home button. Depending on what phone you use, setting up Alexa is going to look a bit different. But you just need to update your Alexa app, afterwards head over to your phone’s settings and head over to the “Assist app” section to make the change.

There are some caveats, though. It can’t pull up maps or make native calls and you can’t activate it by voice or by squeezing the phone but you can do a quick Google search with it. Some of the phones that seem to have access to the feature include Google Pixel 2, One Plus 5, One Plus One, Xperia, Moto G5 Plus, Essential Phone 1, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S9 devices.

Source: The Verge

Amazon Alexa can recap NBA and NHL game stats for you

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It’s not an entirely novel idea that voice assistants can give you details about your favorite sports. But Amazon promises it can go a little deeper to help you get to the stats that matter to you. The latest update coming to Alexa will let you recap NBA and NHL games and even get individual stats for different players. You can find out how many points a player scored or summarize a match for you. It can let you know when the next NBA or NHL playoff games begin and which teams made the cut. You can get playoff-specific stats, too. So, if you’re a big fan of these two leagues, you might appreciate this new Alexa feature a whole lot.

Source: Engadget

Amazon LaunchPad offers One-Day deals on Essential Phones for Innovation Day

For one-day only, customers can shop exciting deals on products from select brands on Amazon Launchpad. Since its inception, Amazon Launchpad has provided countless entrepreneurs and startups the resources and expertise to help sell their products. think of it as a curated Indiegogo or Kickstarter.

With Innovation Day, you’ll not only get the chance to support a new business, but you’ll also get a great deal on some ultra-trendy products. Available during the one-day sale is the Essential Phone PH-1 whch sells at 29 per cent off or $540.99, a great deal for a flagship device. Hit jump for some of the other deals.

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