voice assistant
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Windows 10 test uses Cortana's voice search to sift through your files
“Hey Cortana, opening marketing deck,” and “Hey Cortana, open budget Excel from Anthony” are two examples, along with ‘find recent files” to pop up the last few items you’ve accessed.
Amazon now lets you interact with Alexa via text on iOS
Alexa can now respond to commands via text on iOS.
Google Assistant can finally schedule your smart lights
Google Assistant already works with Hue and other smart lights, but functionality has been limited to turning them on and off, using them with alarms and a few other features. Now, you can schedule lights and other electric devices to turn on and off at specific and even general times.
Alexa Routines now work with Amazon Fire TV
You can turn on your TV, coffee machine and smart lights with a single command.
Amazon makes it easier to link smart home devices to Alexa
Device Discovery will soon be available for all US users.
AI could tell smart speakers what direction your voice is coming from
Scientists have developed a technique that would help smart speakers know the direction where your voice is coming from.
Mercedes-Benz's voice assistant will soon support Samsung SmartThings
You'll be able to control your smart home gadgets while you're on the road.
Google Assistant can now play Spotify podcasts on your Nest speakers
Users around the world can now use Google’s Assistant to play and control Spotify podcasts in English.
Google Assistant will play podcasts from third-party services like Spotify
Google is adding support for third-party podcast services in Assistant, including Spotify.
Google Assistant's driving mode for Android is nearly ready, one year later
Android phones are finally getting their Google Assistant driving mode, over a year later than planned.
Amazon's new Echos are cheaper if you pre-order two
Apple launched a new Echo speaker yesterday with a futuristic spherical design and new features borrowed from the Echo Studio and Echo Plus. It also unveiled a globe-shaped version of the budget Echo Dot. Normally, you’d pay full price to get all-new devices, but Amazon is offering the Echos at a discount from the get-go.
Google Assistant can help you donate to the Center for Policing Equity
Google is making it easier for Assistant users to donate to an organization working to address racial bias in policing.
Alexa will soon be able to launch and control iOS and Android apps
Amazon's new Alexa for Apps developer tool will allow users to launch and navigate iOS and Android apps using Alexa voice commands.
Amazon's Alexa app now works hands-free on Android and iOS devices
Alexa allows hands-free control of all manner of devices, but there’s been one glaring exception: its own smartphone app. Amazon has finally brought that feature directly to Android and iOS devices via a new update to the Alexa app.
Android TV may soon recognize your exact voice
Android TV code hints at Voice Match coming to Google's living room OS, letting it deliver more personal material when you speak.
Lenovo's 7-inch Google smart display is on sale for $80 at Best Buy
Best Buy is selling the Lenovo Smart Display 7 for $80, making a tempting alternative to Google's Nest Hub.
The BBC's Beeb voice assistant is ready for testing on PC
The BBC is launching its voice assistant 'Beeb' in beta.
Apple buys an AI startup to improve Siri's data
Apple has bought Inductiv, an AI startup that could help Siri get 'clean' data from your requests.
Samsung's old S Voice assistant will shut down in June
Bixby hasn’t made that much of a mark either, but now Samsung is pulling the plug on S Voice.
Apple's latest acquisition could help Siri understand what you're saying
The battle between AI voice assistants continues to rage on, and now Apple has acquired a tech firm, Voysis, that is all about helping computers understand natural language. As reported by Bloomberg, the firm's now-deleted website said it could produce search results from phrases like "I need a new LED TV, my budget is $1,000." In 2017 TechCrunch interviewed CEO Peter Cahill, who pitched his company's approach as not a competitor to Siri, Assistant or Alexa, but a more general platform that businesses could use to build their own customer service bots on. Voysis is now just one of many AI startups Apple has bought in the last few years, and hopefully users will see benefits from its technology son.