Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Alexa Voice Service goes overseas, now available in the U.K. and Germany

Lulu Chang
By

alexa voice service germany uk amazon echo review 5 720x720
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Alexa is getting multilingual. On Tuesday, the online retail giant responsible for the popular AI assistant announced that the Alexa Voice Service (AVS) has now become available for developers in both the United Kingdom and Germany. That means that any device that supports AVS (think the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot, for starters), will be compatible with all Alexa services in both the British and German markets, and will understand British English and German.

“AVS localization provides you with language and region-specific services to expand your audience and delight new customers,” Amazon explained in its announcement. “With a few lines of code, you can upgrade any product with Alexa to access localized languages and skills in the U.K., Germany, and U.S. Now your end customers can speak with Alexa and receive responses and content in their preferred language and region.”

Recommended Videos

This latest update builds upon previous improvements to AVS — just last year, Amazon opened up the service to all U.S. developers, which allowed them to integrate Alexa with any connected device featuring a microphone and speaker. Since then, AVS integrations have abounded — everything from smart home products to in-car experiences have emerged as a result of this new open platform.

Related

Of course, we should point out that despite Alexa’s availability in these new markets, not all of its associated services will work internationally. As TechCrunch noted, iHeartRadio is only available in the United States, which means that it won’t work in Germany or the U.K. regardless of AVS. The same goes for Kindle book reading and traffic reports.

However, as the world grows ever more connected, it seems safe to assume that even these services will soon be readily available overseas.

So if you’re a German or British developer looking to stretch your development muscles, you can start today with AVS.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Lulu Chang
Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
If you have AT&T, Alexa is now a giant speakerphone
An Amazon Echo on a table in between a few books and a coffee mug.

Amazon Alexa can now make and receive calls if you’re an AT&T customer, essentially turning your smart home device into a giant speakerphone. 

The tech giant announced the new feature called “AT&T calling with Alexa.” Starting Wednesday, September 9, AT&T customers can use Alexa-enabled devices to answer incoming calls or start a new call, even if their phone is far away or turned off. 

Read more
Siri and Google Assistant say they now support Black Lives Matter
apple siri whispering

Voice assistants now explain and show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement when you ask questions like “Do Black lives matter?” or “Do all lives matter?”

Apple's Siri and Google's Assistant both share support for the movement, according to CNBC.

Read more
U.K. internet service providers lift caps on broadband data

As people around the world shift to remote work and look to the internet for personal communication and entertainment, unlimited access is more important than ever. Now, the U.K. government has reached an agreement with telecommunications companies to lift all data allowance caps on broadband plans to ensure people can continue to use the internet during the pandemic involving coronavirus, officially called COVID-19.

Major British broadband providers including BT/EE, Openreach, Virgin Media, Sky, TalkTalk, O2, Vodafone, Three, Hyperoptic, Gigaclear, and KCOM have all agreed to lift their data caps. The providers have also agreed to consider further actions, such as working with customers who are struggling to pay their bills due to the coronavirus outbreak, offering new affordable packages for both mobile and landline-based internet for those who don't yet have internet access at home, and providing alternative methods of communication for customers who experience problems with their internet access.

Read more