Amazon Tap Archives - Argyll Free Press

We live in an all-connected world in which Amazon’s Echo speaker, and its descendants, Tap and Dot, are the royal family. Amazon’s products are growing in popularity as more consumers prefer ‘smart’ speakers for their homes.

But the interest for internet-connected homes has also spurred interest in the developer world in the form of add-ons dubbed “skills.” These allow devs all around the world to teach Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa new tricks, like ordering you a pizza or calling you an Uber.

Today, Amazon announced that the app store for Alexa’s skills – so to speak – has surpassed 1,000. Given that the Echo has only become universally available last June (it was invitation only before that), the new milestone is definitely notable.

At the same time, Alexa’s voice and functionalities have also been integrated into other connected devices, such as the Fire TV; thanks to Amazon’s open platform, third-party hardware makers could also implement the assistant into their products.

What’s even more impressive is the quick acceleration of this third-party “app” ecosystem; only in January of this year, Alexa’s skills section only contained some 130 apps.

In the announcement, Amazon highlighted the more notable additions to Alexa’s selection of skills, such as those from Domino’s, Capital One, Fitbit, SmartThings, Uber, and more.

According to Rob Pulciani, director of Amazon’s Alexa, the community size of the third-party developer around its personal assistant has reached into the “tens of thousands.” That means developers are at least interested in toying around with Alexa, even if not all of them are actually creating new apps.

While Alexa’s capabilities have steadily improved over time, Amazon now needs to solve the problem of discovery. Alexa’s skill section – its personal “app store” that pairs with the connected speaker or other Alexa-powered devices – is at this point merely bare bones.

Search is rocky, and there are no top charts or categories to browse through, as with other app stores. Seeing that there are more than 1,000 apps already, Amazon needs to figure out how to highlight the best of them, so users can actually find them.
Image Source: Wall Street Journal

Lutron Electronics, one of the first pioneers in lighting control, has partnered Amazon to integrate its affordably-priced Caséta Wireless system with Amazon’s Alexa. The result is a beautiful and convenient voice control of your home lighting.

By using the free Lutron app, homeowners can adjust the light from anywhere inside or outside the house; they can also use the Lutron Pico® remote control, or select third-party devices.

And now, after the integration with Amazon, customers who own an Amazon Tap, Echo, Echo Dot, or Amazon Fire TV can simply use their voice to control their Caséta Wireless system.

Combining Alexa-enabled devices with Caséta Wireless is an ideal match, as the Alexa-powered gadgets are mostly located in areas where people spend their time when they’re at home – such as the kitchen or the living room.

Whether you’re helping the kids with homework, doing crafts, or watching the TV, all of these occasions are more comfortable and relaxing if the right light is on. All you need to do is adjust it to your linking by the sound of your voice. For those who prefer it, it can also be done by the tap of a button.

Matt Swatsky, director of product management at Lutron, explained that “asking Alexa to control your lights is undeniably powerful and can simplify things like coming home with arms full of kids, pets, and groceries.”

At the same time, Alexa can also be useful to senior citizens who don’t have a lot of mobility. Swatsky added that a smart home is no longer about the wow factor – the products can also change peoples’ lives.

On the other side of the partnership, Charlie Kindel, Director of Amazon Alexa Smart Home, said the Amazon team is “excited that Lutron customers can now control their lights simply by asking Alexa.”

When Caséta Wireless was introduced in 2014, it helped people overcome two problems regarding smart home lighting: the installation challenges and the compatibility with LEDs.

Due to its design, the system doesn’t require in-wall installation or a neutral wire – this saves homeowners the cost and hassle of having to add one.

And as Swatsky pointed out, Caséta Wireless comes with a powerful Pico remote, which is ideal for when you can speak to Alexa. Are the kids asleep or is your spouse in the middle of an important phone call?

You can still access the system via the remote, which can be mounted on a wall or placed on a tabletop pedestal.
Image Source: Smarthome Reviewed

Massive Interest in Amazon’s Alexa: Voice Assistant Has Over 1,000 Skills

You Can Control Your Lutron Lights With Amazon’s Alexa Voice Control

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