Amazon just announced that it has put Alexa, the voice-powered AI software found in the Echo speaker, along with its siblings the Tap and the Echo Dot, right inside the browser with the launch of Echosim.io.
From now on, all you have to do is just head to the browser, log in with your Amazon credentials, and start Alexa asking questions just by clicking and holding the mic button. It’s not only nifty for anyone to use but also very useful to the developers.
“Developers worldwide can use Echosim.io to experience Alexa,” Glenn Cameron, Developer Marketing Manager on the Alexa team, Wrote in a blog post. “Its simplicity makes it easy for anyone to understand what an Echo is and what it does without having to explain Alexa’s unique UX.”
The interface of the website is recreated in 3D Javascript animations. However, unlike the original Echo, you won’t find the always-listening microphone in it. Rather, to click and hold the mic button on the screen for asking your question, you have to make sure that you actually have a working microphone on your PC or laptop. And at some point, you’ll see flashing blue lights indicating Alexa is thinking. As it relies on WebRTC, so Chrome (Android, Linux, OS X and Windows), Firefox, and Opera, are all supported. Also, support for Safari is in progress.
Amazon has been taking steps toward converting Alexa into a platform that extends former Amazon’s own hardware. And recently, the company has launched SDKs and APIs to help both hardware and software developers integrate Alexa into their wares.
