07-05-2021
1 min read
Dasha Fomina
Weekly Digest: More Kid-Focused Content From Alexa and Google Assistant
Verizon might be working on an Alexa-powered display
Verizon is working on an Alexa-powered smart display: Protocol spotted the device in Federal Communications Commission. According to the filed documents, the Verizon Smart Display features an eight-inch, 1280×800 display, 4GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. Equipped with a front-facing camera, the device supports calls, messaging, Alexa announcements, and Verizon’s BlueJeans video conferencing tool. However, to activate the voice assistant users would need to say «Hey, Verizon» instead of “Alexa”. Via Engadget.
Netherlands World Wildlife Fund introduces Google Assistant action for children
The Netherlands WWF and AnimalVoice.io launched a new Google Action to combine education and entertainment on the subject of nature and wildlife. The app offers three kinds of experiences, centered on a wildlife quiz for up to four people using several hundred facts as well as audio recordings of endangered animals. There’s also a question of the day that the users will get, based on current events. The final piece is a compilation of funny short stories about animals read by famous Dutch people — from TV presenters to an astronaut. Via Voicebot.ai.
Samsung unveils Google-based wearables platform
Samsung shows off the first look at its new One UI Watch software and elaborated on just what the new Google / Samsung partnership could mean for future Galaxy Watches. According to the Verge, One UI Watch is an added layer on top specifically for Samsung devices, similar to what Samsung’s One UI does for Samsung’s smartphones. The company also showed off a new watch face design tool, that will enable Android developers to easily create new watch faces for the platform. Via The Verge.
Alexa releases voice profiles for children
Alexa’s voice profile feature gets augmented with a kid-focused version: parents and guardians can use the new Alexa Voice Profiles for Kids tool to enable a personalized experience for up to four children per account. Another new feature is Reading Sidekick, a new AI-powered tutor to encourage and help children become literate. Via Voicebot.ai.