Amazon gives the Alexa ‘app store’ a makeover, now lets you add new Skills by voice

 

https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/28/amazon-gives-the-alexa-app-store-a-makeover-now-lets-you-add-new-skills-by-voice/

Nice addition that was long in coming - now they need to start working on proactive voice announcements. This would be similar to alarm clock feature they have now.

 

The only difference is that those developers would have direct access to the Alexa API and could (define spoken / defined values) that would invoke her to speak.

 

Off the top of my head that would be weather reports such as rain, snow, fog, lightning, high winds, out of band temperature ranges. From meeting, exceeding, or below a specific value for say energy monitoring / energy management.

 

Reminders that could be defined and scheduled to call out *Today is Alexa's birthday*, its your anniversary etc. For those with vision impairment proactive voice would be that missing sense these users could appreciate.

OMG! We have the beginning of the first vocal viruses!

 

• "Alexa, install the virus"

Yeah, I habe wondered how long before a malicious skill makes it to the Alexa 'app store' - but the need to use the authenticated Alexa app kind of mitigated the risk somewhat.

 

Now, anyone in vocal range of my Alexa can deploy any skill without needing any credential, meaning the risk is now higher.

I used a vocal request for the device to download NBC News. I was under the impression it was going to be global news and not just focused on the presidential race?!?!

 

Regardless, the steps to invoke the down load was very easy and smooth - Alexa did inform me that it could take a few moments for the new skill to load and made available.

Add HA into the mix and a renegade app could activate a voice, to Alexa, to download more apps, or even tell other Alexii within hearing distance, to load another virus app.

 

Oh Gawd! The beginning of Skynet!

Edited June 29, 20169 yr by larryllix

Add HA into the mix and a renegade app could activate a voice, to Alexa, to download more apps, or even tell other Alexii within hearing distance, to load another virus app.

 

Oh Gawd! The beginning of Skynet!

 

Oh Larry,

 

You just stole my *SkyNET* thunder . . .