Amazon is today announcing the new batch of startups joining its Alexa Accelerator program, powered by Techstars. Members of last year’s Amazon’s Alexa Accelerator program, which backs companies developing new experiences using voice-based technologies, went on to raise over $10 million in venture capital following their participation in the program, says Amazon. The new group […]
View More Amazon’s newest Alexa Fund recipients are less consumer-focusedCategory: voice computing
Sharecuts is creating a community for sharing Siri Shortcuts
With the upcoming release of iOS 12, Apple is introducing a new app called Shortcuts that will allow users to build custom voice commands for Siri that can be used to kick off a variety of actions in apps. While some apps will directly prompt users to add a Shortcut to Siri, the new Shortcuts […]
View More Sharecuts is creating a community for sharing Siri ShortcutsAmazon now lets you share your custom skills made with Alexa Blueprints
Earlier this year, Amazon introduced “Alexa Blueprints” – a way for anyone to create their own customized Alexa skills for personal use, without needing to know how to code. Today, the company will allow those skills to be shared with others, including through text messages, email, messaging apps like WhatsApp, or social media platforms like […]
View More Amazon now lets you share your custom skills made with Alexa BlueprintsGoogle Home can now handle three queries at once
In November, Google Home gained the ability to multitask with added support for a feature called “multiple queries,” which allows you to combine two requests into one voice command. For example, “OK Google, turn up the volume and play music.” Now, Google Home is getting even smarter about multitasking by enabling support three requests at […]
View More Google Home can now handle three queries at onceAmazon will now directly pay top Alexa ‘kid’ skill developers in the U.K. and Germany
Amazon is expanding its program that pays developers directly for their top-performing Alexa skills, by now offering these “developer rewards,” as they’re called, to those based in the U.K. and Germany who publish “kid” skills. This emerging skill category was one of the last to be included in the developer rewards program, which already offered […]
View More Amazon will now directly pay top Alexa ‘kid’ skill developers in the U.K. and GermanyAlexa developers get 8 free voices to use in skills, courtesy of Amazon Polly
Now Alexa’s voice apps don’t have to sound like Alexa. Amazon today is offering a way for developers to give their voice apps a unique character with the launch of eight free voices to use in skills, courtesy of the Amazon Polly service. The voices are only available in U.S. English, and include a mix […]
View More Alexa developers get 8 free voices to use in skills, courtesy of Amazon PollyGoogle Assistant adds digital subscriptions and more ways to engage with Actions
Google Assistant is catching up with – and in some cases, passing – Alexa on a variety of fronts, with a wealth of new features announced today at Google’s I/O developer conference. The company is launching support for digital subscriptions in Actions (Google Assistant’s voice apps), as well as a variety of tools to help […]
View More Google Assistant adds digital subscriptions and more ways to engage with ActionsAmazon 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 developersYounger consumers adopt voice technology faster, but use voice assistants less, report claims
Here’s an odd juxtaposition for you. According to a new report on voice assistants released today by PwC, younger users are adopting voice technology at a faster rate than their older counterparts, but are somehow using their voice assistants less often. The report found that users 18 through 24 had fewer “heavy” users of voice […]
View More Younger consumers adopt voice technology faster, but use voice assistants less, report claimsAlexa will soon gain a memory, converse more naturally, and automatically launch skills
Alexa will soon be able to recall information you’ve directed her to remember, as well as have more natural conversations that don’t require every command to begin with “Alexa.” She’ll also be able to launch skills in response to questions you ask, without explicit instructions to do so. The features are the first of what […]
View More Alexa will soon gain a memory, converse more naturally, and automatically launch skillsAmazon’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 responsesVolley’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