This report was 1st published on our sister Site, Digital World Native.
Amazon has announced an array of new hardware for its Alexa-based products. The announcements were made during Amazon marathon Echo event where it unveiled a broad range of new tools for developers looking to build their own array of Alexa-powered devices.
A total of 9 new developer tools were unveiled during the event that saw 13 new devices from Amazon also introduced. With these new updates, developers will be able to better build voice control features into different new devices with the update of the Smart Home Skill API. The Alexa connect Kit will also allow manufacturers to connect their devices to Alexa via a wiring module into their products.
Here are details of some of the new products:
New Alexa Smart Home Developer Tools
The new Alexa Smart Home Developer tool will enable seamless voice control of any device from the simple wall plugs down to the most advanced appliances.
The New Smart Home Skill API will allow device makers to range, toggle & mode APIs building blocks for modeling the complete feature sets of their devices. This will allow them to combine the custom utterances & intents of their customers to the native Alexa home skill utterances to form a single skill.
The new updates also include easy to use WiFi set up which is a part of the new ‘Frustration-free’ program that makes it easier for developers to set up WiFi devices the same way you set up Amazon devices like Fire TV or Echo using the ZigBee simple setup a feature that was added last year.
The Alexa connect kit will also allow developers to connect any of their devices to Alexa & to the Internet by simply integrating the hardware module over a serial interface. Using Alexa connect kit they will now be able to set up your devices to interpret control messages directly from the module. This will help to turn any device that has a microcontroller unit (MCU) into a smart device seamlessly.
New Tools for Device Makers to Create Screen-Based Products with Alexa
In addition to the release of the new Echo Show which has a 10″ display screen with enhanced visuals, Amazon also introduced new tools to help device makers create more screen-based products with Alexa.
The new feature allows them to combine visual experiences with all the standard Alexa functionalities such as information, music, smart control & 1000s of other Alexa skills. The new Alexa smart screen & TV device SDK is now available on both Linux & Android devices. Alexa smart screen & TV device SDK for Android was used in Lenovo’s new series of smart Android tablets.
A new Alexa smart screen development kit was also introduced which will serve as a software & hardware reference solution for all types of screen-based products which has Alexa built-in. It comes with a 4″ touchscreen, the Amazon wake word engine, the new smart screen, & TV SDK as well as a 3-mic array & a voice forward GUI. This kit also features Alexa communications & Multi-Room music, two of the latest AVS technologies.
The Alexa Connect Kit
Another new release is the Alexa Connect Kit (ACK) which allows device makers to connect their devices to Alexa without having to bother about the management of Cloud services or a need to write Alexa skill from scratch or develop a complex network & security firmware.
The developer simply needs to buy the hardware module & pay a low upfront fee which covers the ongoing use for their Alexa connect kit cloud services thus turning both the ongoing & variable cost of Cloud service management into a single one time cost.
With ACK, developers will also have access to Cloud extensibility options which will allow them to connect devices to 3rd-party Cloud services, their own Cloud services, & mobile applications. The ultimate advantage of this is being able to build & manage their devices faster & more economically & be able to deliver Alexa control, simple WiFi set up & dash replenishment service to customers. ACK was used in building the AmasonBasics Microwave which was also unveiled yesterday.
Amazon also announced upcoming updates like the Alexa Music Skills API which will allow developers to stream music service to their customers in the United States. This API will grant access to features & functionalities similar to that of platforms like Spotify, Pandora, & Deezer enabling customers to access music catalogs via Alexa enable devices from Amazon as well as other manufacturers.
You may also read: Amazon launches design language & tools for Alexa skills.
Image Credit: Amazon blog
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