#voice-activated-controls
#voice-activated-controls

You can now 'conversationally' order Grubhub and Uber Eats with Alexa Plus

Amazon introduces a conversational food ordering feature for Grubhub and Uber Eats through Alexa, enhancing user experience and interaction.

Amazon is making an Alexa phone

Amazon is developing a new smartphone, code-named 'Transformer', focused on integrating Alexa and artificial intelligence capabilities.

Amazon Reportedly Building AI Smartphone to Revive Alexa Ecosystem

Amazon is reportedly developing a smartphone called 'Transformer' to integrate with Alexa and enhance user interaction with its services.

Amazon is reportedly working on a new phone built around Alexa

Amazon plans to re-enter the smartphone market with a new device codenamed 'Transformer' focusing on AI and easier access to its services.

Amazon working on new smartphone with Alexa at its core, report says | TechCrunch

Amazon is developing a new smartphone codenamed 'Transformer' with a focus on AI and integration with its services.

Podcast

7 hours ago

How the Amazon Echo learned to talk - and listen

Jeff Bezos aimed to create a voice computer, leading to the development of the Echo speaker and Alexa voice assistant despite numerous challenges.

Dining

You can now 'conversationally' order Grubhub and Uber Eats with Alexa Plus

Amazon introduces a conversational food ordering feature for Grubhub and Uber Eats through Alexa, enhancing user experience and interaction.

Amazon is making an Alexa phone

Amazon is developing a new smartphone, code-named 'Transformer', focused on integrating Alexa and artificial intelligence capabilities.

Amazon Reportedly Building AI Smartphone to Revive Alexa Ecosystem

Amazon is reportedly developing a smartphone called 'Transformer' to integrate with Alexa and enhance user interaction with its services.

Amazon is reportedly working on a new phone built around Alexa

Amazon plans to re-enter the smartphone market with a new device codenamed 'Transformer' focusing on AI and easier access to its services.

Amazon working on new smartphone with Alexa at its core, report says | TechCrunch

Amazon is developing a new smartphone codenamed 'Transformer' with a focus on AI and integration with its services.

Rana el Kaliouby on why AI needs a more human future

Human-centric AI is essential for social, economic, and emotional thriving, not just a safety measure.

Google Home's latest update makes Gemini better at understanding your commands

Google's Home app update enhances Gemini AI for more natural smart home control and improved device identification.

fromgizmodo.com

9 hours ago

Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni Review: Window Cleaning Robots Have a Long Way to Go

The Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni is effective for large, hard-to-reach windows but may not justify its cost for smaller homes.

Roam Research

fromTNW | Artificial-Intelligence

6 hours ago

I let Gemini in Google Maps plan my day and it went surprisingly well

Gemini enhances Google Maps by providing personalized itinerary planning and useful suggestions for exploring new areas.

#microsoft

9 hours ago

Privacy professionals

Microsoft's own ToS calls Copilot 'entertainment only' amid adoption slump

Marketing tech

Microsoft's new 'superintelligence' game plan is all about business

fromTNW | Artificial-Intelligence

Microsoft builds its own AI stack to help wean it from its reliance on OpenAI

Microsoft has launched proprietary AI models to reduce dependence on OpenAI while maintaining a strategic partnership.

Privacy professionals

9 hours ago

Microsoft's own ToS calls Copilot 'entertainment only' amid adoption slump

Microsoft's Copilot is marketed as an essential AI tool, but its Terms of Use label it as 'for entertainment purposes only'.

Marketing tech

Microsoft's new 'superintelligence' game plan is all about business

Microsoft's Mustafa Suleyman focuses on achieving superintelligence to enhance business productivity through AI advancements.

Microsoft builds its own AI stack to help wean it from its reliance on OpenAI

Microsoft has launched proprietary AI models to reduce dependence on OpenAI while maintaining a strategic partnership.

Apple

OpenAI brings ChatGPT's Voice mode to CarPlay

Gadgets

Open AI's upcoming AI gadget to be controlled by voice

Apple

OpenAI brings ChatGPT's Voice mode to CarPlay

Gadgets

Open AI's upcoming AI gadget to be controlled by voice

Grammarly's sloppelganger saga

Grammarly rebranded as Superhuman, aiming to expand beyond grammar checks into AI-driven insights and features.

#ai-agents

fromnews.bitcoin.com

22 hours ago

Human.tech Unveils Natural Language Wallet Protocol for AI Agents

Human.tech launched a wallet infrastructure for AI agents that ensures human control through cryptographic enforcement.

6 days ago

A human approach to Agentic AI. One person. One text file. Five agents.

A soft-agent team of AI assists in book creation and management without requiring coding skills.

fromnews.bitcoin.com

22 hours ago

Human.tech Unveils Natural Language Wallet Protocol for AI Agents

Human.tech launched a wallet infrastructure for AI agents that ensures human control through cryptographic enforcement.

6 days ago

A human approach to Agentic AI. One person. One text file. Five agents.

A soft-agent team of AI assists in book creation and management without requiring coding skills.

Digital life

AI's next frontier is the real world | Fortune

Typography

AI is rewriting the rules. Language is following.

Artificial intelligence

Netflix, Meta, IBM speakers discuss AI and their workdays

Meta's AI push is reshaping how work gets done inside the company

Meta is prioritizing AI tools to enhance productivity and efficiency among its employees, impacting job roles and company structure.

fromPsychology Today

AI Didn't Extend Intelligence, It Changed Its Direction

AI changes the direction of intelligence rather than making it faster, leading to a loss of personal engagement in knowledge creation.

fromArs Technica

Google Vids gets AI upgrade with Veo and Lyria models, directable AI avatars

Google is enhancing its Vids editing product with new AI features, including controllable avatars and improved video generation capabilities.

Digital life

fromFortune

AI's next frontier is the real world | Fortune

AI has transformed digital interactions, yet the physical world still relies on outdated identity verification methods.

Typography

AI is rewriting the rules. Language is following.

The word 'delve' has surged in usage due to AI's influence on language and communication patterns.

Netflix, Meta, IBM speakers discuss AI and their workdays

Optimal AI results require significant preparatory work and multiple agents to manage tasks effectively.

Meta's AI push is reshaping how work gets done inside the company

Meta is prioritizing AI tools to enhance productivity and efficiency among its employees, impacting job roles and company structure.

fromPsychology Today

AI Didn't Extend Intelligence, It Changed Its Direction

AI changes the direction of intelligence rather than making it faster, leading to a loss of personal engagement in knowledge creation.

fromArs Technica

Google Vids gets AI upgrade with Veo and Lyria models, directable AI avatars

Google is enhancing its Vids editing product with new AI features, including controllable avatars and improved video generation capabilities.

Do less with AI

Trying to do too much hinders productivity and leads to unfinished projects and feelings of inadequacy.

fromInfoQ

Anthropic's Designs Three-Agent Harness Supports Long-Running Full-Stack AI Development

Anthropic's multi-agent harness improves autonomous application development by dividing tasks among agents for better coherence and output quality.

E-Commerce

fromFast Company

Visa says AI could start making purchases for you. Not everyone wants that, but here's how close we are

AI is influencing consumer purchases and acting on behalf of shoppers in commerce.

Wearables

With its new app store, Ring bets on AI to go beyond home security | TechCrunch

Amazon-owned Ring launches an app store to enhance camera capabilities, focusing on elder care, workforce analytics, and rental management.

#chatgpt

Apple

I tried ChatGPT's new CarPlay integration: It's my new go-to for the questions Siri can't answer

Apple

You can now use ChatGPT with Apple's CarPlay

fromTNW | Opinion

When the machine asks you to stay

ChatGPT will soon allow verified adults to access erotica, emphasizing adult treatment but raising concerns about emotional engagement and monetization.

I tried ChatGPT's new CarPlay integration: It's my new go-to for the questions Siri can't answer

ChatGPT now integrates with Apple CarPlay for hands-free conversations in vehicles.

You can now use ChatGPT with Apple's CarPlay

ChatGPT is now available on CarPlay for voice-based interactions with iOS 26.4 and the latest app version.

fromTNW | Opinion

When the machine asks you to stay

ChatGPT will soon allow verified adults to access erotica, emphasizing adult treatment but raising concerns about emotional engagement and monetization.

Press 1 to Accept the Future

The only choice left regarding technology is whether to embrace it or be left behind.

I built two apps with just my voice and a mouse - are IDEs already obsolete?

AI coding transforms development by replacing traditional editing and debugging with instructive guidance.

Alexa+ gets new food ordering experiences with Uber Eats and Grubhub | TechCrunch

Alexa+ now allows users to order food from Uber Eats and Grubhub through conversational interactions.

Mobile UX

Amazon's Alexa+ AI chatbot is now available to everyone in the US, with a catch

Mobile UX

Amazon's Alexa+ now has a home on the web

Gadgets

Amazon's AI assistant comes to the web with Alexa.com | TechCrunch

Gadgets

Amazon is rolling out Alexa+ for the web so you can use its assistant without a dedicated device

Gadgets

Alexa+ is now available nationwide, with a free text-based version for non-Prime members to try

Dining

Alexa+ gets new food ordering experiences with Uber Eats and Grubhub | TechCrunch

Alexa+ now allows users to order food from Uber Eats and Grubhub through conversational interactions.

Mobile UX

Amazon's Alexa+ AI chatbot is now available to everyone in the US, with a catch

Mobile UX

Amazon's Alexa+ now has a home on the web

Gadgets

Amazon's AI assistant comes to the web with Alexa.com | TechCrunch

Gadgets

Amazon is rolling out Alexa+ for the web so you can use its assistant without a dedicated device

Gadgets

Alexa+ is now available nationwide, with a free text-based version for non-Prime members to try

Speechify's Windows app uses local models for transcription and dictation | TechCrunch

Speechify launched a Windows app for dictation and reading aloud, processing voice entirely on-device for enhanced user experience.

EU data protection

Smart TVs and voice assistants are the next gatekeepers

Smart TVs and voice assistants are becoming major gatekeepers in content access, prompting calls for regulatory oversight under the Digital Markets Act.

Deliverability

I used Gmail's AI tool to do hours of work for me in 10 minutes - with 3 prompts

Gmail's AI features enhance productivity by streamlining email management and reducing tedious tasks.

#ai-models

Microsoft released 3 new AI models, ramping up competition with its close partner, OpenAI

Microsoft has launched three in-house AI models, signaling a move towards independence from OpenAI.

fromTNW | Apps

Microsoft launches three in-house AI models in direct challenge to OpenAI

Microsoft has launched three in-house AI models that compete directly with OpenAI, marking a significant shift in its AI strategy.

Microsoft released 3 new AI models, ramping up competition with its close partner, OpenAI

Microsoft has launched three in-house AI models, signaling a move towards independence from OpenAI.

fromTNW | Apps

Microsoft launches three in-house AI models in direct challenge to OpenAI

Microsoft has launched three in-house AI models that compete directly with OpenAI, marking a significant shift in its AI strategy.

You can use Google Meet with CarPlay now: How to join meetings safely in your car

Google Meet now supports audio-only meetings on Apple CarPlay, enhancing accessibility for users on the road.

fromwww.theguardian.com

Alright mate?': Amazon pins UK hopes on AI upgrade of Alexa

We've eliminated the need for that Alexa-speak, such as 'turn on bedroom lamp two', you can just speak naturally. Alexa+ knows you, your home, your family. And is available anywhere, any time, as life does not happen in a chat box.

Arsenal

European startups

Alexa+ launches in the UK

Amazon's next-generation Alexa+ voice assistant launches in early access across the UK with enhanced conversational abilities, contextual awareness, and British cultural understanding.

It's no longer free to use Claude through third-party tools like OpenClaw

Anthropic will charge third-party apps for using Claude AI, requiring a usage bundle or API key starting April 4.

#siri

Apple

Apple Prepares Siri for Multi-Step AI Requests in iOS 27

Apple's New Siri With ChatGPT-Like Features Could Be Coming Soon

Apple is rebooting Siri with a dedicated app and button, enhancing its AI capabilities to function like a traditional chatbot.

Apple Prepares Siri for Multi-Step AI Requests in iOS 27

Apple is developing a Siri upgrade to handle multiple requests in one command, enhancing its functionality in iOS 27.

Apple's New Siri With ChatGPT-Like Features Could Be Coming Soon

Apple is rebooting Siri with a dedicated app and button, enhancing its AI capabilities to function like a traditional chatbot.

The future of AI is already in your hands

AI must integrate into smartphones as a core system, emphasizing judgment over mere capability to build user trust.

European startups

Amazon brings Alexa+ to the UK | TechCrunch

Amazon launches Alexa+, its AI-powered conversational assistant, in the U.K. through an early access program, with Prime subscribers receiving free access and non-Prime users paying £19.99 monthly after the trial ends.

Privacy technologies

Alexa+ can now swear, thanks to a new personality style

Amazon introduced a 'sassy' personality option for Alexa+ that uses censored profanity, playful sarcasm, and witty comebacks while maintaining safety guardrails against harmful content.

Microsoft shivs OpenAI with new AI models for speech, images

Microsoft launched public preview versions of machine learning models for speech recognition, speech synthesis, and image generation, competing directly with OpenAI.

fromInfoWorld

Building enterprise voice AI agents: A UX approach

Voice AI in enterprises needs to prioritize human interaction over technical improvements for effective collaboration.

Report: Apple Testing AI-Powered 'Alternative Words' Feature for iPhone Keyboard

Apple is testing a redesigned keyboard for iOS 27 to enhance autocorrect and typing experience.

Apple

Apple will reportedly allow other AI chatbots to plug into Siri

iOS 27 will allow users to choose AI chatbots to link with Siri.

Report: Apple Testing AI-Powered 'Alternative Words' Feature for iPhone Keyboard

Apple is testing a redesigned keyboard for iOS 27 to enhance autocorrect and typing experience.

Apple will reportedly allow other AI chatbots to plug into Siri

iOS 27 will allow users to choose AI chatbots to link with Siri.

Alexa+ gets a new 'adults only' personality option that curses but won't get into NSFW content | TechCrunch

Amazon launches Sassy personality for Alexa+ with adult-only access, requiring security verification and excluding use with Amazon Kids.

fromWIRED

4 weeks ago

Gadgets

Why Is Alexa+ So Bad?

Privacy technologies

Alexa+ gets a new 'adults only' personality option that curses but won't get into NSFW content | TechCrunch

Amazon launches Sassy personality for Alexa+ with adult-only access, requiring security verification and excluding use with Amazon Kids.

fromWIRED

4 weeks ago

Gadgets

Why Is Alexa+ So Bad?

more#alexa-ai-assistant

Microsoft takes on AI rivals with three new foundational models | TechCrunch

Microsoft AI released three foundational AI models for text, voice, and image generation, emphasizing human-centered design and competitive pricing.

fromPsychology Today

AI as Personal Coach? Maybe. Three Ways to Make It Useful

Understanding AI's limits and the importance of human coaching enhances professional development strategies.

fromEntrepreneur

Apple Can't Launch Smart Home Device Because Siri Isn't Ready

Apple's smart home display (J490) is delayed until September 2025 due to incomplete Siri AI development, despite hardware completion months ago.

You can now make Alexa's AI personality more friendly, blunt, or chilled out

Amazon launches three personality style presets for Alexa Plus users in the US: Brief, Chill, and Sweet, allowing customization of how the voice assistant communicates.

Amazon rolls out Alexa Plus nationwide and launches a new free tier

Amazon has announced that its generative AI-powered digital assistant Alexa Plus is now available to all Prime members in the US via any Alexa-enabled device, Alexa.com, and the Alexa mobile app. If you don't have Prime, you can access the assistant on a new free tier on the web and app, or pay $20 a month for unlimited access to Alexa Plus, without Prime.

Tech industry

Amazon's AI-powered Alexa+ gets new personality options | TechCrunch

Amazon launches three customizable Alexa+ personality styles—Brief, Chill, and Sweet—allowing users to adjust the AI assistant's tone and communication approach.

fromwww.bbc.com

Amazon's Alexa has had an AI upgrade. Now she's got more to say

Amazon is launching Alexa+, an AI-powered upgrade to Echo smart speakers in the UK that makes the digital assistant more conversational, proactive, and capable of following conversation threads.

Marketing tech

fromThe Drum

Getting the first word in voice search

Voice search usage is growing, creating brand opportunities while requiring optimisation for accuracy, shopping trust, and adaptation to screenless interactions.

Amazon introduces three personality styles for Alexa+

Amazon introduces three customizable personality styles for Alexa+ users: Brief, Chill, and Sweet, allowing personalized communication preferences based on expressiveness, emotional openness, formality, directness, and humor.

fromInfoWorld

How developers can bring voice AI into telephony applications

Voice AI agents require complex infrastructure beyond LLMs to integrate with legacy telephony systems, demanding flexible architecture designed for component switching and evolution.

fromSocial Media Explorer

Voice Control Basics: Making Your Smart Home Work With A Single Command - Social Media Explorer

Intent-based voice control uses LLMs and contextual signals to understand natural language and trigger smart-home and small-business actions seamlessly.

12+ powerful Alexa commands you should start using at home (no subscriptions required)

Amazon Alexa transforms home automation by managing lighting and routines through Echo devices, occupancy sensors, smart switches, and customizable voice-triggered actions.

Apple's Siri future is hybrid, integrated - and already here

Apple will power a much smarter Siri via a hybrid model using on-device processing and Google's Gemini through Private Cloud Compute while enforcing privacy controls.

Apple Unveils Steps to Make Siri Sound Human - TechRepublic

A method reduces text-to-speech latency to make Siri and other voice-driven products sound more responsive while preserving intelligibility and accuracy.

Why Amazon's Echo Hub became my favorite way to control my smart home

Echo Hub is a pared-down, wall-mountable smart home control panel providing touchscreen and Alexa voice control without streaming, ads, or extraneous features.

Emerson's SmartVoice devices follow verbal instructions without Wi-Fi or a hub

Using the company's SmartVoice technology, the devices react to wake-up words for verbal commands, using built-in microphones. Most of the appliances will also offer a built-in speaker so that they can react audibly to the commands. IAI Smart emphasizes the ease of use that this offers. "Our guiding principle is simple: make smart home technology easier for everyone," said Jason Jiang, CEO of IAI Smart. "Voice control should be effortless, and now it is." And because everything is on-device, personal information never leaves the home.

Gadgets

Emerson Smart brings offline voice control to lamps and fans

Emerson Smart appliances process voice commands locally on-device, enabling voice control of plugs, fans, heaters, and air fryers without Wi‑Fi or cloud processing.

fromFortune

Hey Alexa-Amazon may be teaming up with OpenAI. Here's why that matters | Fortune

Meta is massively expanding its Hyperion AI data center while Amazon and OpenAI pursue a potential multibillion-dollar alliance to integrate OpenAI models into Alexa.

Lenovo's new AI assistant works across your phone, laptop, and Motorola's AI pin

Lenovo and Motorola launched Qira, an ambient AI assistant that performs tasks across devices and builds a fused, personalized knowledge base.

fromSocial Media Examiner