Amazon Alexa - SlashGear

Amazon Echo and Alexa get users ready for COVID-19

JC Torres | Mar 27, 2020

Different tech companies have had their own ways to respond to the pandemic gripping the entire world but Amazon may be the one with the largest coverage as far as services and products go. From deliveries to entertainment to smart devices, the retail giant is busy not just responding to the crisis but also responding to criticisms and allegations. Its latest action to respond to the call of the times is to equip Alexa and its line of smart speakers and displays with information and content to keep people connected to the outside world even when stuck at home.

Marshall Uxbridge smart speaker packs Alexa and multi-room support

Brittany A. Roston | Mar 25, 2020

Retro speaker company Marshall has announced its latest portable speaker product: Uxbridge. The new model functions as a smart speaker, meaning users can summon and use Amazon Alexa alongside expected wireless connection options like Bluetooth, Airplay 2, and WiFi. The model brings the same classic Marshall design as the company's other more modern speakers, as well as physical button controls.

Alexa can give you a free movie ticket in March

Chris Burns | Mar 5, 2020

A slightly convoluted set of steps appeared this week on Atom Tickets with an end-goal of a single free movie ticket to a film of the user's choice. The folks at Atom Tickets likely enabled this promotional bit of work in order to tie users' minds to the idea that ordering a movie ticket via Alexa (and Atom) would be the best (and most default) way to go through the future. In any case - it might be worth the process, depending on movie ticket prices in your area.

Alexa’s new features detailed: Severe weather, NBA, and commuting

Brittany A. Roston | Mar 4, 2020

Amazon rolled out a number of new features for its Alexa personal assistant over the month of February, ones you may not have realized arrived. The new features are convenient for a wide number of users, including for people who regularly commute to work or school, basketball fans, and for anyone who lives in a region prone to severe weather. As previously announced, the personal assistant can also offer 2020 election updates, as well.

Samsung Galaxy Home Mini throws pre-launch shade at Siri

Chris Burns | Feb 10, 2020

The Samsung smart speaker called Galaxy Home Mini leaked in a release-ready configuration today tossing a jab at Apple's smart assistant Siri (unofficially, of course). The video comes courtesy of an unnamed source* who would appear to have been at a location where several new Samsung products were being shown. This new smart speaker will apparently allow you, the user to "make it say literally anything you want" - like what we see in the video below: "At least I'm better than Siri."

Fiat Chrysler Uconnect 5 adds wireless CarPlay and Android Auto in big dash update

Chris Davies | Jan 27, 2020

Fiat Chrysler has revealed its new infotainment platform, Uconnect 5, with features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and support for bigger, higher-resolution touchscreens. The latest version is based on Android, which FCA says will pave the way to new applications that could later enhance and expand a car's abilities.

Sengled Edison Filament Bulb brings CES 2020 back to 1879

Chris Burns | Jan 6, 2020

The folks at Sengled brought a very vintage-looking piece of tech to Las Vegas this week, to CES 2020. This is the Sengled Smart LED Edison Filament Bulb, with a design that's decidedly old-school. Sengled also has a set of new smart (and not so smart) lighting and smart home solutions out at CES 2020, including Smart LED Candle Light Bulbs, a new Smart Hub, and a Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring.

Lamborghini embeds Alexa as your Huracán EVO co-pilot

Chris Davies | Jan 6, 2020

Lamborghini is adding Alexa as co-pilot on its Huracán EVO sports car, with Amazon's assistant being embedded into the dashboard this year. The infotainment upgrade will allow for voice control not only over the usual Alexa features like general knowledge questions and entertainment, but of the car's own functionality too.

Kohler put Alexa in your showerhead and gave your toilet an app

Chris Davies | Jan 3, 2020

Are you ready for the brave new world of Digital Showering? Kohler certainly hopes so, the bathroom company continuing its geek-upgrade with a new showerhead with Amazon Alexa baked in, a smarter toilet with touch-free flush, and a shower system that looks more like a Star Trek prop. Getting wet has never been so exciting.

C by GE ‘Hubless’ devices make smart homes easier at CES 2020

Chris Burns | Jan 2, 2020

CES 2020 is set to be the place where we finally ditch this "hub" business for Smart Home devices. GE has the way forward, it would seem, with their C by GE Hubless Three-Wire Smart Switch and two Hubless Dimmer models. They're able to use smart assistant products for control without the need for a "hub" product for connection.

Citizen Smart Clock packs blue LEDs and Echo compatibility

Brittany A. Roston | Dec 13, 2019

If you like the idea of the Echo Wall Clock but not its basic, dark design, Citizen has launched a more appealing alternative: the Citizen Smart Clock. This model features a cream-colored face covered with protective glass and surrounded by a silver frame. The model works with Echo devices in order to manage the time using the Alexa personal assistant.

Amazon’s Samuel L. Jackson Alexa voice arrives: Here’s how to use it

Brittany A. Roston | Dec 12, 2019

As previously promised, Amazon has released its first celebrity voice for Alexa Voice Service. Starting today, Alexa users can get the Samuel L. Jackson skill for a minuscule $0.99, enabling them to ask the personal assistant questions and get responses from Jackson himself. The launch of celebrity voices on the platform was first announced by Amazon in September.