Amazon is gradually transforming Alexa into a fully automated virtual assistant. Amazon’s numerous improvements to the Alexa user interface aim to make the virtual assistant easier to use. The most noticeable change is how Alexa now manages Routines; previously, users had to build their own automation, but now developers can create them and recommend them to other users.
Amazon is attempting to ensure that the most important commands, such as “Stop!” work regardless of which wake word you use. Alexa is also beginning to coexist with the assistants of other manufacturers.
If you ask me, this is a nice improvement.
Amazon made announcements at Alexa Live developer conference 2022, which also saw the release of a number of new Alexa capabilities aimed primarily at developers.They can use a simpler setup procedure, gain a better understanding of their surroundings, support Matter and other smart home devices more easily, and add shopping to their list of skills.
Amazon understands that if users can’t find them or figure out how to use them, none of Alexa’s flashy new features will be very useful. And, rather than creating new user interfaces or fancy voice menus. The Alexa team is increasingly leaning toward simply letting the system do the work for users.
Amazon is also working on a feature called Universal Commands, which will allow an Alexa-enabled device to perform certain critical tasks regardless of the wake word used. For example, you could say, “Hey Skullcandy, set a timer for 10 minutes,” which Skullcandy’s assistant cannot do, but Alexa can, so Alexa could handle it automatically.
Timers and call rejection, according to Rubenson, are similarly important features that any Alexa-enabled device should be able to handle even if you haven’t been interacting with Alexa.According to Rubenson, this feature will be available over the next year.
