Tag: Alexa
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…
Amazon brings Alexa Announcements to Fire TV
Amazon has confirmed the introduction of Alexa Announcements to its Fire TV streaming devices in the UK. The Announcements feature enables users to turn all the Alexa-enabled smart speakers in their home into a one-way intercom system and make announcements such as “dinner is ready”. Amazon said the feature would be automatically enabled, but users…
Amazon Alexa users ‘allowed to opt out of human reviews’
Amazon has given virtual assistant users the option to opt out of having human reviewers listen to their voice recordings. It has also pledged to provide clearer information on its recording review practices. However, the technology giant will not follow Apple and Google in suspending the practice of using human reviewers to analyse some recordings.…
Alexa gains free ad-supported Amazon Music
Devices using Alexa in the UK can access a selection of free ad-supported music from Amazon Music, as competition against the likes of Spotify heats up. The tech firm said it is making playlists and stations available to users at no extra cost, marking Amazon’s first step into free music streaming funded by advertising. People…
‘Alexa: What medical problem do I have?’ Smart speaker tie-up with NHS
Amazon’s Alexa is set to answer people’s health queries by searching the official NHS website. Until now, people asking Alexa a health question would be given an answer based on a variety of popular responses. But a new partnership with the NHS means Alexa will now give answers based on information from the health service…
Smart speakers could be used to detect cardiac arrest, say researchers
Researchers at the University of Washington have come up with an early test AI-powered tool which could be used on smart speakers and even smartphones to listen out for the unique breathing sounds associated with cardiac arrest, and then alert emergency services. People suffering with sudden cardiac arrest initially struggle with irregular gasps of breath,…
Smart speaker users want emergency services call feature despite privacy concerns
Smart speaker owners would like to use their devices to call the emergency services, despite many also being concerned they could be used to spy on them, new research suggests. The Unisys Security Index survey found that almost half (49%) of Britons would like smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo or Google Home to…
Vodafone users can now make mobile calls with Amazon Alexa
Vodafone customers can now make hands-free calls using Amazon Echo smart devices under their existing mobile plan, the operator has announced. Users who link their mobile number to an Alexa account – the virtual assistant that powers the smart speaker products – will be able to call any of their contacts by using voice commands…
Amazon adds option to delete Alexa voice recordings
Amazon is adding an option to Alexa-enabled devices that will allow users to delete all voice recordings, as the company looks to allay privacy concerns around smart speakers. The online retail giant is planning to make it easier for owners to remove recordings, simply by saying “Alexa, delete what I just said” or “Alexa, delete…
