Amazon.com, Inc. has a new update for Alexa. The virtual assistant can now enable skills simply through voice-commands. Previously, Users with Alexa-powered devices had to rummage through their phones for the Alexa app, and manually enable each skill to proceed further.
Amazon has received positive feedback for its digital assistant after the retail giant began experimenting with its Bluetooth speaker and voice technology. Ever since the company rolled out the Amazon Echo in 2014, the device’s successful response has led it to launch of more Alexa-powered speakers like Amazon Tap and Dot.
Similarly, Amazon’s launch of its “skills” feature has also proven to be a great strategy to boost sales for the speakers. The “Alexa Skills Kit” allows users to manage certain smart-home devices or connect with listed sources. With skills, users can receive weather or traffic updates, set timers, adjust their thermostat temperatures, playback music, get medical feedback for their kids, call for a plumber, and browse through the other 1,400 diverse skills.
The company has also integrated support for third-party services like Uber and Dominos. Therefore, Alexa’s ability to finally enable each skill with verbal instructions is an update that is expected to please many customers. According to Amazon’s press-release, the company also has “tens of thousands of developers” who are currently immersed in developing more skills for Alexa support.
The company has taken this opportunity to categorize its skills in a systematic fashion to help users navigate through the numerous skills pages with ease. Compared to the former skills portion, the new layout hopes to further simplify the platform for users.
Users can simply tell the digital assistant “Alexa, enable Fitbit” and watch the virtual assistant obey. We believe that with Alexa’s ability to browse through the numerous 1,400 skills and process users’ commands highlights Amazon’s efforts to ensure that its virtual assistant remains two steps ahead of its rivals. With on-going competition from tech rivals like Apple Inc. and Google, Amazon hopes that Alexa’s voice technology capabilities will give it a distinctive edge over its competitors.
Amazon has also confirmed the addition of Lyft and Honeywell to its list of Echo skills. Considering that Google recently rolled out with its own “Google Home” platform alongside Apple’s “SiriKit,” it is apparent that Amazon needs to continue ramping up more skills and features to stay in the lead.
While some Alexa skills such as Jeopardy!, Daily Affirmation, Magic 8 Ball, Fitbit are extremely popular with users, it is possible that Amazon is choosing to expand upon its skills library to trigger competition for Google Home, which lacks support for third party services. As the trend of smart-homes continues to bolster, we believe that demand for digital assistants will continue to increase.
