Roger Fingas
People wanting to make use of Amazon's Alexa voice assistant will soon be able to talk to it through the company's iOS app, instead of depending on an Echo speaker or other compatible device.
The functionality is currently available in an updated Android app, but iPhone and iPad support is merely on the way, TechCrunch said on Friday. It's not clear what kind of delay might be involved — it can sometimes take several days for Apple's App Store reviewers to grant approval.
The Android app doesn't support wake-word functionality at the moment. The iOS version will only ever support wake words in-app, if at all, since only Siri is allowed to operate as a system-wide assistant.
Amazon received a big boost this holiday season with strong sales of Echo speakers, especially the Echo Dot. This was evidenced by the Alexa app topping App Store charts for the first time ever.
Normally the Alexa iOS app is meant for setting up and configuring an Echo, though it can also be used to make calls to other users, including "dropping in" on compatible speakers.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
5 Comments
That's cool, I guess for whoever finds value in any of these voice-controlled apps. I'd never activate any of them. They are data collection treasure troves.
The regular amazon app already has it. I think it showed up last week. The Alexa symbol is in the top right corner next to the camera symbol.
Actually, the amazon app has had this for quite some time.
It is really great that Amazone added voice but if this app main purpose related with some other reason then I might not go for it.