Unfortunately for Brits, Amazon is yet to announce plans to release its ever-improving Echo speaker in the UK. However, there now a workaround beyond importing one.
The company has posted an official guide to building an Alexa-powered device using a Raspberry Pi 2 (Model B) unit, a speaker and a USB microphone (via Lifehacker).
With a little bit of programming, via the GitHub guide and supplied code, you too can access the streaming services, news updates, weather, general knowledge and more.
Instead, makers will have to push a button on the microphone in order to issue the commands. From there, Alexa Voice Services will respond as it would with an Echo device.
Related: Raspberry Pi: 6 of the coolest projects ever
To get set up you’ll need a Micro USB power cable, a microSD card, and an Ethernet cable. You’ll also need another computer and some SSH software that links up to the RPi. Chances are you have most of this stuff lying around anyway.
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Have you concocted any interesting pieces of gadgetry with your micro PC? Share your wizardry in the comments section below.
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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.