The Amazon Alexa app isn’t just for configuring Echo speakers and managing service integrations. It’s also a smart home controller akin to Apple’s Home app. Amazon is putting that front and center with the redesigned Alexa app launching today. There’s also a new smart home mapping feature that’s exclusive to iOS devices.
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Amazon has debuted an overhauled version of its Alexa mobile app for iPhone, bringing a new focus on personalization and native Amazon Alexa features. As reported by TechCrunch, the redesigned Alexa app removes the emphasis on third-party skills, instead focusing “on how consumers are actually using Alexa.”
Amazon has announced that it’s launching a preview of a new feature coming to Alexa: the ability to launch and control iOS and Android apps. This functionality comes as Amazon is working on boosting adoption of its voice assistant beyond its popular smart speakers.
Microsoft contractors are still listening to some requests made to its Cortana intelligent assistant, as well as some Skype calls.
The revelation follows decisions by Apple, Google, and Facebook to suspend their human review processes for now, and Amazon giving Alexa users the ability to opt-out…
Amazon is following the precedent set by Apple and is giving users the ability to opt-out of having their Alexa voice recordings reviewed by humans. Bloomberg reports that the new policy took effect yesterday.
Apple Music subscribers can now control music playback on Sonos speakers using voice control through Amazon Alexa. The feature works in the US and UK on the Sonos One and Sonos Beam smart speakers, joining Amazon Echo speakers, based on the Apple Music skill in the Alexa app.
Update: Lutron has added that while HomeKit support won’t be available at launch, it does plan to add support in the future.
As part of CES 2019, Lutron has officially unveiled its new fan speed controller, a smart wall switch that replaces your basic on/off switch and works with existing ceiling fans. Fan speed controller adds smart home control that gives you remote access from Lutron’s iOS app and support for scheduling actions and automation.
At CES 2019, some nice updates have been announced for the smart shower system, U by Moen. The WiFi shower system is gaining improved Alexa functionality including support for Routines. The company has also promised HomeKit functionality to be landing sometime this quarter as well.
Pick up a new Amazon Echo recently or just feel like you haven’t mastered Alexa yet? Alexa has a number of useful features on Amazon Echo smart speakers and displays that you may not have discovered yet. These are 10 of my favorite Alexa features that work with Amazon Echo:
Amazon’s quirky new Echo Wall Clock has arrived. While it’s primarily just a $29 analog wall clock, there’s something charming about its analog and digital balance. Echo Wall Clock doesn’t have Alexa built-in. You need a nearby Echo speaker with Alexa to use it, then it becomes a smart analog clock with a few fun and useful features despite small build quality concerns.
Apple certainly hasn’t gone out of its way to promote the new Apple Music integration with Amazon Echo speakers. Aside from a new support doc, Apple left promotional duties to Amazon including the initial announcement.
The App Store is promoting the Alexa app today, however, marking the closest thing to an announcement since we learned Apple Music was landing on Echo speakers.
Amazon today has rolled out a major update to its Alexa-enabled devices. Starting today, Alexa users can now access new features including location-based routines and reminders, timer enhancements, app notifications, email support, and more. These features were originally announced back in September, but are now making their way to users.
First Alert is launching a new version of its entry-level smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm with both Apple HomeKit and Amazon Echo connected home support. The new Onelink Smart Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm retails for about half the price of the more feature-packed Safe & Sound, and customers still benefit from Siri and Home app support on Apple platforms.
First Alert’s Onelink Safe & Sound smoke alarm was originally unveiled earlier this year, integrating both HomeKit support as well as Alexa. Today, First Alert is rolling out an update to the device that adds some useful Alexa enhancements, but those hoping for AirPlay 2 support will have to continue waiting.
In conjunction with iCloud issues throughout the day, Amazon’s Alexa is also experiencing intermittent outages for users. As noted by numerous users on Twitter, the Alexa outage has been plaguing the voice assistant over the course of the entire day.
Amazon is rolling out a new Alexa feature for Echo speakers that intelligently reduces the voice assistant’s volume when you whisper a command. The new ‘whisper mode’ feature should prevent unexpectedly loud responses in quiet situations and instead use a gentler voice.
As it continues to rapidly advance its voice assistant’s capabilities, Amazon today confirmed the rollout of a new feature for Alexa called “Answer Update.” This feature, according to TechCrunch, will notify users when Alexa learns the answer to a question it didn’t previously know…
If you prefer Alexa to Siri, you’ve been able to use Amazon’s voice assistant on your iPhone for more than a year now.
There’s no official support yet on the Apple Watch, but a third-party app now lets you do it via a watch complication …
One of the more popular smart lock options on the market is getting a bit more versatile today. Schlage has announced that it is bringing expanded Alexa support to its Sense and Connect smart locks. While the two have long supported HomeKit and basic Alexa commands, this update gives further controls to users…
Amazon is adding new personalization options to Alexa, starting first with users in the United States. The new Alexa Skill Blueprints feature makes it easy for anyone to create a range of custom responses for Alexa, ranging from jokes to instructions and much more.
After being teased last summer, ecobee has officially announced pricing and availability for its new Switch+ smart home accessory. Switch+ is available for pre-order starting today and ships on March 26 for $99 in the US and $119 in Canada. Like other smart light switches, Switch+ includes Alexa integration as well as HomeKit support for controlling lights — but Switch+ takes integration with Amazon’s voice assistant a step further by building it in to the light switch.
If you have family or friends with Amazon Echo devices, you can now contact them using Alexa’s free messaging service from your iPad – no Alexa hardware required …
HomePod may leave a lot to be desired in its current state (and the occasional wood-stained ring), but we’ve seen no reports of Siri spontaneously laughing for no apparent reason. The same can no longer be said for Amazon Echo’s Alexa…
