Amazon opens up Alexa platform as part of big voice technology move

Earlier this week Amazon finally opened up the closed beta for their Amazon Echo voice-activated device to general consumers. However, Amazon was not anywhere close to being finished with a move into the voice-activated technology realm. Today they announced that they are opening up their software platform that powers Echo, Amazon Alexa, to developers via APIs, they are making APIs available for hardware makers to incorporate Alexa technology into new devices, and they are backing all of this with a $100 million fund to support developers.

According to Greg Hart with Amazon,

“When we launched Amazon Echo we immediately heard from developers about the innovative voice experiences they would create if they had access to an SDK. Today, we’re making the Alexa Skills Kit available to any developer, maker, or general hobbyist that wants to invent on behalf of customers, creating new skills and capabilities. We can’t wait to see what developers are going to invent with this technology.”

The ASK is free and can be used to enable voice-driven capabilities in existing applications with just a few lines of code or, if someone wants to put in additional effort, they could build a whole new application focused on voice interactions powered by Alexa. The Alexa technology itself is a cloud-based voice service made available via the Amazon AWS Cloud, meaning developers do not need to invest in servers and other hardware. The developer preview version of the ASK is available starting today.

If a developer is interested in bringing Alexa to some specific hardware, Amazon is helping with that as well. They are opening “the Alexa Voice Service to any device maker that wants to add Alexa into their products—for free.” According to Hart any device that includes a microphone, a speaker, and is capable of connecting to the Internet can integrate Alexa. The developer preview of the Alexa Voice Service (AVS) will be available starting next month.

Finally, Amazon has announced a $100 million Alexa Fund to provide support for “developers, manufacturers, and start-ups of all sizes who are passionate about creating new experiences designed around the human voice.” Amazon says they will be looking for solutions that have the potential for unique or novel applications of voice technology using Alexa platforms and services. Already seven initial investments have been made in:

• Orange Chef – developers of a mobile app called Countertop that connects to “smart” kitchen appliances;
• Scout Alarm – a DIY home security system;
• Garageio – a platform for controlling a garage door via a smartphone app;
• Toymail – a form of voicemail that can be delivered to children via Alexa capable toys or devices;
• Dragon Innovation – a service to support developers who want to incorporate Alexa in their products;
• MARA – a voice-based running assistant; and
• Mojio – a connected car system that uses an auto’s OBD-II port.

Amazon is now accepting applications for funding through the Alexa Fund.

With all of these moves, do you think Alexa can move to the front of the class ahead of Google Now, Siri, or Cortana for voice-enabled technology?

sources: Amazon (Alexa Skills Kit), Amazon (Alexa Voice Service), Amazon (Alexa Fund)

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