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Alexa can build Amazon Music playlists for you
Amazon announced today that Amazon Music listeners will now be able to ask Alexa to make a playlist through their Alexa-enabled devices. Commands like "Alexa, add this to my playlist" and "Alexa, create a new playlist" can be used and users can ask the assistant to add songs to a specific playlist or to create a new playlist from the current song being listened to.
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You don't need to touch the Amazon Tap to use Alexa anymore
Having to touch a device to use voice commands kind of defeats the purpose of having voice commands at all. For example, my use of "Okay, Google" went down dramatically once I switched from Android to iOS. Amazon realizes this problem is a problem too, and the latest over-the-air update for the Tap speaker nixes the need to touch the device to start pestering the Alexa digital assistant. So, like its Echo cousins, now all you have to do to change a song or order dehydrated cereal marshmallows in bulk is use the device's trigger word. Shazbot! I won't judge your shopping habits if you don't judge mine.
Amazon Alexa deals will make you shout out your shopping list
The folks at Amazon are clearly attempting to entice you into the dangerous world of shopping with voice commands. They're doing Alexa-exclusive deals for customers who shop through the company's Echo, Echo Dot and Tap speakers, starting today until July 12th. The team is also adding more items to the list (including gadgets and smart home products) on the 12th, which the company has designated as "Prime Day." You simply have to ask your faithful voice assistant: "Alexa, what are your Prime Day deals?"
The Amazon Tap is a so-so speaker with a so-so voice assistant
The Amazon Echo has been an unexpected hit for Amazon. Since it came out a year and a half ago, the always-listening Alexa has expanded its reach beyond ordering stuff and answering questions about the weather to controlling household items and cars. Now, not too surprisingly, Amazon is integrating this winning feature into new products. Case in point: the Tap, Amazon's $130 voice-controlled Bluetooth speaker. But unlike the Echo, you have to press a button: You can't just yell a keyword to get the device to listen to random questions or commands. The result is a mediocre voice assistant in the body of a mid-range speaker.
Amazon debuts two smaller and cheaper Echos
Amazon has announced two new Alexa-enabled devices that do most of the same tasks, but look completely different. The Echo Dot is a stubby version of the regular Echo while the Amazon Tap is a Bluetooth and WiFi speaker that supports voice commands.
