Tag: Alexa
BBC launches interactive voice news for Alexa
The BBC is launching an interactive voice news service for Alexa, allowing people to skip stories or ask for more details about the items they are interested in. From Wednesday, Alexa-enabled devices can ask “Give me BBC News” and take control of their news agenda, unlike the existing radio-like flash briefing bulletin offered by the…
Amazon announces Alexa-enabled Echo Frames glasses
Amazon has made its Alexa virtual assistant wearable and wireless for the first time, unveiling its first pair of Alexa-powered earphones – Echo Buds – and a pair of Alexa-enabled glasses, known as Echo Frames. The frames, which also include built-in directional speakers so users can have emails, text messages and other information read to…
‘Alexa, help me find a job at McDonald’s’
People looking for a job at fast food chain McDonald’s can now start their application using Alexa or Google Assistant. The global chain is hoping to attract new staff with increasingly popular voice-powered assistants taking answers to a few basic questions such as name, job area of interest and location. With the Apply Thru skill…
New Alexa-powered devices on the way at Amazon event
Alexa-powered earphones and a larger Amazon Echo smart speaker are among the rumoured new devices Amazon could announce on Wednesday, according to reports. The technology giant is holding an event at its Seattle headquarters where it is expected to unveil updated versions of its Echo smart home devices and other products. Reports in the US…
Facebook brings its video-calling Portal devices to UK
Facebook’s range of video-calling Portal devices are to go on sale in the UK for the first time, the company has announced. Three new versions of the screen-based smart home hubs have been announced, and will now also support Amazon’s voice-based assistant, Alexa, and support encrypted video calling via WhatsApp. First released in the US…
Amazon Alexa users can now ask it to speak more slowly
Amazon Alexa users can now ask the digital assistant to speak more slowly as part of efforts to make the virtual helper easier to interact with. The artificial intelligence-powered assistant is behind Amazon’s line of Echo smart devices and can be found in a number of smartphones. Amazon has announced that users can now say…
Amazon introduces Smart TVs and Soundbar
Amazon has unveiled a range of new TV-based devices as the technology giant continues its integration of virtual assistant Alexa into more household gadgets. The firm has announced its voice-controlled, remote-free Fire TV Cube is coming to the UK for the first time, as well as its first Soundbar. A range of smart televisions with…
Parents ditch Alexa as a baby name!
It has become a near-ubiquitous virtual assistant, responding to the voice commands of householders around the globe. But the emergence of Alexa-enabled gadgets in UK homes in the last two years has also coincided with a decrease in the name’s popularity. After all who wants their baby's name to be associated with that of a…
Fitbit unveils Alexa-enabled Versa 2 smartwatch
Fitbit has announced its first smartwatch with Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant built in, alongside a new subscription service for personalised fitness programmes and well-being tools. The fitness tech firm’s new Versa 2 smartwatch contains a microphone which allows users to issue voice commands to Alexa to start workouts, help find a local gym, and control…
BBC to launch Alexa rival
The BBC is developing its own Alexa-style digital voice assistant for next year which it claims is capable of understanding regional accents. ‘Beeb’ is being considered as the wake-word used to get the attention of the voice-activated technology, which is designed to work on existing devices such as smart-speakers, mobiles and TVs instead of launching…