The Amazon Echo is still only officially available inside the United States, leaving Brits wondering whether all that hype is merited.
Now the company is offering up a demo of the Alexa assistant’s capabilities within web browsers, through the Alexa Skill Testing Tool site.
The Echoism.io site (via VentureBeat), which is based on a like-minded project from independent developer Sam Machin, lets visitors issue commands as they would on the Echo range of smart home speakers.
One you’ve loaded the site, and logged-in to your Amazon account you’ll be able to hold down the microphone button and speak commands like “Alexa, how’s the weather?”
Related: Amazon Echo and Alexa: Everything you need to know
As well as fulfilling the whims of curious folks outside America, Amazon is also offering up the tool as an aid to developers around the world who can test integration of their apps through the Alexa Skills API.
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“You no longer need an Alexa-enabled device to test your skills. Developers worldwide can use Echosim.io to experience Alexa. Its simplicity makes it easy for anyone to understand what an Echo is and what it does without having to explain Alexa’s unique UX.”
Amazon is yet to reveal if and when it’ll be bringing Alexa to nations beyond the United States.
However, with Google Home forthcoming and rumblings of a Siri-based rival, we can’t imagine the firm will hang around for much longer.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
