Amazon expands program that pays developers for top voice apps to France, Italy & Spain

Amazon is expanding its program that directly pays Alexa developers in cash for building valuable, quality voice apps to new markets in Europe: France, Italy, and Spain. Originally launched in the U.S. in 2017 for those developers building game skills, the Alexa Developer Rewards program has since expanded to include a broader selection of Alexa […]

View More Amazon expands program that pays developers for top voice apps to France, Italy & Spain

Noa’s new Alexa skill has human narrators read news from NYT, FT, Economist & others

News junkies who want something more in-depth than Alexa’s Flash Briefing now have a new option for listening to the day’s news – as well as features and other reporting – right from their smart speaker. A company called Noa has just launched an Alexa skill that uses human narrators to read you the news from […]

View More Noa’s new Alexa skill has human narrators read news from NYT, FT, Economist & others

‘SNL’ and ‘It’s Always Sunny’ writers lend their talents to a new, anti-theft Alexa app

TwitterFacebook

You can get smart lights and plugs to simulate you being home when you’re out, but that costs a lot of money.

The fix? If you have an Amazon Echo or Alexa-enabled speaker this new “Away Mode” skill by Hippo might be the saving grace that doesn’t break the bank. 

It goes a step further than a security system sign in the front yard. “Away Mode” plays conversations, recorded with real-life people — no AI-simulated voices here, folks. This is undoubtedly a lighter and more humorous approach to deterrence, as these conversations are awkwardRead more…

More about Security, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Home Security, and Alexa Skills

View More ‘SNL’ and ‘It’s Always Sunny’ writers lend their talents to a new, anti-theft Alexa app

How to play ‘Skyrim’ with Alexa: A quick guide to our favorite new skill

TwitterFacebook

During a keynote presentation at E3 in Los Angeles, Bethesda Softworks showed off Skyrim: Very Special Edition, a new spinoff version of their massively successful game The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. The video game developers have been porting it to various home consoles since 2011, but it was a little surprising in that the new version is audio-based with voice commands for the Amazon Echo. It’s also available for any Alexa-enabled devices for iOS and Android via the Amazon shopping app.

While most people thought the game trailer was a joke or some sort of stunt — namely because it stars the hilarious Keegan-Michael Key — it turns out its very real and we’re kind of obsessed with it. Here’s a step-by-step how to on playing Skyrim: Very Special Edition with Amazon Alexa. Read more…

More about Gaming, Skyrim, Alexa Skills, Mashable Shopping, and Tech

View More How to play ‘Skyrim’ with Alexa: A quick guide to our favorite new skill

16 of the best Alexa skills that we’re obsessed with right now

TwitterFacebook

Amazon Alexa is the retail giant’s “personal assistant” that lives inside of every Amazon Echo and Amazon Fire TV Stick device. The smart digital assistant helps you with virtually any task, such as giving you weather updates or playing music, prompted simply by the sound of your voice. 

Just ask “Hey, Alexa!” and the device will wait for your command. While Alexa is pretty useful around the house, the assistant also has a playful side that can sometimes be downright weird. (Like remember that time Alexa started laughing for no reason? Yeah. Creepy.) 

And while Alexa can be useful — like with setting timers or telling you the headlines — it’s the more weird and wacky Alexa skills that we just can’t get enough of. Read more…

More about Amazon, Amazon Echo, Amazon Alexa, Alexa Skills, and Mashable Shopping

View More 16 of the best Alexa skills that we’re obsessed with right now

Amazon opens up in-skill purchases to all Alexa developers

Amazon today launched in-skill purchasing to all Alexa developers. That means developers have a way to generate revenue from their voice applications on Alexa-powered devices, like Amazon’s Echo speakers. For example, developers could charge for additional packs to go along with their voice-based games, or offer other premium content to expand their free voice app […]

View More Amazon opens up in-skill purchases to all Alexa developers

Amazon’s new ‘Alexa Blueprints’ let anyone create custom Alexa skills and responses

Amazon this morning is introducing “Alexa Blueprints,” a new way for any Alexa owner to create their own customized Alexa skills or responses, without needing to know how to code. The idea is to allow Alexa owners to create their own voice apps, like a trivia game or bedtime stories, or teach Alexa to respond […]

View More Amazon’s new ‘Alexa Blueprints’ let anyone create custom Alexa skills and responses

Volley’s voice games for smart speakers have amassed over half a million monthly users

The rapid consumer adoption of smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home has opened opportunities for developers creating voice apps, too. At least that’s true in the case of Volley, a young company building voice-controlled entertainment experiences for Amazon Alexa and Google Home. In less than a year, Volley has amassed an audience north […]

View More Volley’s voice games for smart speakers have amassed over half a million monthly users