Amazon today unveiled a new version of its Alexa mobile app for iOS and Android users, which as TechCrunch explains, is designed to offer a more personalized experience that provides better instruction on when and how consumers can use Alexa.
There's a new home screen with a large Alexa button at the top that encourages users to tap the button or say Alexa to get started. Amazon recommends tasks that can help users get more out of Alexa, such as linking a Spotify account or using video call features.
Suggestions are personalized based on how customers have used the app in the past and what Amazon services they take advantage of, such as Amazon Music, Audible, reminders, shopping lists, and more. First time users will see more suggestions and tips on what can be done through the mobile app.
The redesign de-prioritizes the third-party voice apps or skills as many Amazon customers weren't using this feature, and Skills & Games can now be found in the "More" tab alongside Reminders and Routines. Amazon's first-party offerings, like shopping and media playback, are now the focal point of the home screen.
The new Alexa app will be rolling out worldwide over the course of the next month on iOS, Android, and Fire OS devices, and should be available to everyone by late August.
Top Rated Comments
I don’t know why I tortured myself even looking at the comments here. I just had to see how deep the faux indignation and hypocrisy ran, and it got off to a great start in the first few comments.
A group that couldn’t be more on the grid, tech savvy people, allegedly, attacking these devices, again. Some probably even Google users, all carrying these personal tracking devices in there pockets and at every corner of the internet they go.
Privacy... in this country... in 2020... God some of you are so cute. The naivety (and aforementioned hypocrisy) is so quaint and adorable.
Ok, well, have at it. I can find my way out.
Hopefully this version allows for custom alarm tones rather than the MEH ones that it comes with.