Amazon Plans to Take on Internet of Things with New Voice Assistant Alexa

Following in the footsteps of other giant companies, Amazon plans to take on Internet of Things with new voice assistant Alexa. The project is still in its incipient stage as the e-retailer relies heavily on developers to add new options and directions to the new voice assistant.

Amazon plans on investing more resources for the development of its Alexa human voice service. The program was launched several years ago, but no customer or investor has shown any signs of interest in it because the service was underdeveloped compared to other similar services.

Back then, Apple’s Siri was in the spotlight, so any similar endeavors went unnoticed, particularly if the developing companies failed to provide them with unique features. It was also the case of Alexa, which was not capable of carrying out the simple tasks that customers required them to do.

The voice assistant program will be produced through the conjoined efforts of two developing programs. On the one hand, Amazon is funding a $100-million investment for developing companies who think they can contribute to make Alexa just as functional as its competitors.

On the other hand, the e-commerce platform will create an online network called Alexa Skills Kit which gives third-party developers the possibility to create apps for devices featuring the Alexa and Echo services.

The companies that have agreed to sign themselves in the Alexa Skills Kit network have already suggested us some directions of the many uses that the voice assistant will take.

The seven investing companies plan on developing apps for toys, connected cars, personal fitness trainers and home security services. Thus, Alexa could soon become a competitor for the giants of the Internet of Things.

Home security is the new thing among technology companies, who are making efforts to integrate smartphone technology and home systems with the help of their voice services.

Apple, particularly, is the company that Amazon might be dethroning with its Alexa assistant as the iPhone producer has long used Siri to ensure home safety.

Amazon developers have been pleased with the response that Alexa has had from investing companies. They think many more enterprises will be tempted to invest in the service because the market segment has not been completely covered and there is still room for developers’ imagination.

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