Amazon has introduced new additions to the
video of Alexa, enabling the smart speaker to directly link with video content and services from other sources.
The new additions, recording, launcher and state reporting are supported by
skill updates coming from video service providers like Dish, Verizon, TiVo and DirectTV, according to an Amazon blog post.
The new feature will allow consumers to easily find and watch video
content without having to use a specific skill. With the new feature, Alexa will be aware of the video devices and services a consumer has subscribed to.
“The new recording capability of
the Video Skill API enables customers to set and manage DVR recordings with their voice,” stated Brian Crum, author of the blog. “Now a customer can simply ask, ‘Alexa, record the
Mariners game,’ and their live TV provider service will set the recording. A customer can ask, ‘Alexa, launch Prime Video,’ to navigate directly to the Prime Video app on their TV,
and to move within a video provider’s controlling interface, customers can ask, ‘Alexa, go to DVR.’”