Amazon wants Bluetooth accessory makers to use Alexa, opens SDK for all developers

Jabra

Amazon wants its Alexa voice assistant to reach as wide an audience as possible. This time around, it’s targeting makers of Bluetooth headphones, headsets, and wearables. The company just made its Alexa Mobile Accessory Kit tool widely available to developers. Qualcomm even came out with a US$299 smart headset with Alexa reference design to help interested manufacturers and developers get started. Amazon is looking to bring Alexa to hands-free devices, so you can use it while exercising or doing other day-to-day activities when your hands are full. The software development kit first supported wireless Bluetooth headphones from Bose, Jabra, and Sony, but now the company wants it to support other Bluetooth devices like smartwatches and portable speakers, as well as traditional headsets.

What the SDK brings is letting these devices communicate with the Alexa app for iOS and Android without the need to build an app or Alexa skill on their own. “By leveraging the Amazon Alexa App that is readily available for Android and iOS, device makers accelerate product development, software integration, and testing time, while reducing product support costs,” explains Alfred Woo, a principal product manager for Alexa Voice Services. “After launch, their products are automatically updated to include new Alexa features and functionality when they arrive in the Amazon Alexa App.”

Source: The Verge

Google updates Find My Device app to show indoor layouts of large buildings

Google’s latest update to its Find My Device app might make it easier for you to locate your phone inside large buildings. And by large buildings, this includes complex spaces like malls, department stores, airports. Places Google has been recording layouts for through the years. However, the company didn’t list out which buildings the new feature applies to, so it’s going to be hit or miss if this will help you find your lost phone. But it could help narrow things down. Although, GPS can be wonky, so it still might not give you the most accurate reading. Aside from adding this feature though, the Find My Device app also now supports work profiles.

Source: The Verge

Review: BlackBerry KEY2 LE

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Following up the success of the premium BlackBerry KEY2 with a very similar, more affordable and mid-range focused handset is a brilliant move by BlackBerry Mobile.

The company has brought back the brand awareness attached to the BlackBerry name, the modern Android -powered BlackBerry handsets are solid, well-built, and feature rich.

The new BlackBerry KEY2 LE, looks like a dead ringer for the more premium KEY2. It has the same 4.5-inch touch display and features the familiar physical QWERTY keyboard.

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Final 'Aquaman' trailer sets us up for an origin story and thrill ride

The final traler for 'Aquaman' is out and gives us a glimpse of Arthur Curry A.K.A 'Aquaman' as a half human and half-Atlantean child, his discovery of his powers and lineage as well as the events that lead him to become DC's iconic underwater hero. The money shot is seeing Jason Momoa sport the classic orange and green costume complete with his royal trident. Other intense moments show the expanse of Atlantis, Meera and a menacing Black Manta in full battle regalia. 

I'm hoping 'Aquaman' will have the same sense of wonder and denouement that 'Wonder Woman' had and overall it looks less grim than Justice League and more fun, the way comic book movies should be. "Aquaman' surfaces in theatres on December 21, 2018.