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Amazon iOS Users Can Now Text Alexa Questions and Requests

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Apr 12, 2001
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Amazon has added a new feature to its Alexa app for iOS devices, which is designed to allow users to type Alexa commands rather than having to use voice commands to interact with the personal assistant.

amazon-alexa-typing.jpg

In a statement provided to The Verge, Amazon says that Type with Alexa is a new feature that's available as of today in public preview capacity in the United States. Alexa iOS users can type anything that would normally require a voice command into the app.

Type with Alexa can be accessed by tapping on the keyboard icon in the top left of the main menu in the app. Amazon says that the feature is still in beta, so there could be some errors. Customers will need to be a part of the public preview program to access the type with Alexa feature.

Apple's built-in Siri assistant has had a type to Siri option since iOS 11, allowing users to type in requests rather than having to speak them aloud, and Google Assistant has a similar feature.

Article Link: Amazon iOS Users Can Now Text Alexa Questions and Requests
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/12/03/amazon-ios-type-to-alexa/
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I've tried all the assistants, Google, Siri, Alexa. While I haven't tried a HomePod, I have used Siri from the phone, iPad, or even sometimes the Mac. When I first got into looking for a smart assistant in a Speaker, I started with Alexa, because of having Amazon Prime, and wanting to consolidate all my services into one provider as much as possible. I really like prime, and everything it has to offer. I tried the Google Home, mainly to compare the ecosystem. In the end I settled on Alexa s my main assistant, mainly because of amazon's flexibility and compatibility with third party services, and devices (smart home). I have been able to use my Apple Music trial with Alexa without any problems, but because of Amazon's recent lossless audio streaming within the last year or so, and since I have an Echo Studio, I think that may still be my primary music service, even though Apple Music also has good quality music as well.

As far as the texting feature mentioned in this article, haven't tried it yet. Usually I hear about such new features through the smart home channels I follow on YouTube. This time, I just happened to get notified through MacRumors about the feature. I may give it a try, just for the learning experience. However, I really don't see a real need for it right now. Typically I either speak to Alexa, or, I use routines that are automated to run on their own at certain times such as lighting, and turning the pedestal fan on and off and the lava lamps in the living room via smart plugs, and then the majority of my lights have smart bulbs.
 
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If they would implement this with iMessages for businesses, like Apple and Lowes (And many more I'm sure). Then we wouldn't need to download a separate app. Also we could ask Siri to tell Alexa something, which would be pretty cool.
 
Will and would never happen but I’d give anything if Alexa was an option for a voice assistant on iOS devices. Siri just pales in comparison in every way to Alexa. It’s not even close.
 
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This is great for some of us who don't want kids and such controlling Alexa! I can now just text her (which I've wanted to do before) with a command and it can like "play music" etc... instead of being worried somebody will take control!
 
Docsta80 said:
Will and would never happen but I’d give anything if Alexa was an option for a voice assistant on iOS devices. Siri just pales in comparison in every way to Alexa. It’s not even close.
Click to expand...

I use Siri to set timers on my watch, for everything else I use Alexa. I don't even bother looking for stuff to be HomeKit compatible.... my hue lights, blink cameras, ring doorbell, xbox, tp-link plugs, Sonos, all work with Alexa flawlessly.

It's hard to imagine that Siri came out with the 4s all those years ago, and is still essentially garbage
 
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MrGimper said:
I use Siri to set timers on my watch, for everything else I use Alexa. I don't even bother looking for stuff to be HomeKit compatible.... my hue lights, blink cameras, ring doorbell, xbox, tp-link plugs, Sonos, all work with Alexa flawlessly.

It's hard to imagine that Siri came out with the 4s all those years ago, and is still essentially garbage
Click to expand...
I agree 1000%. Siri is garbage and has made little to no improvement over all these years. Alexa is tied to everything in my house. And I’ve never even thought about using crappy HomeKit.
 
I cannot understand why it took so long to turn this on? It's literally 10 lines of code added to Alexa code to make it work.

There must have been some weird reason for them to have delayed this for so long.
 
farewelwilliams said:
iOS users can now text a useless assistant questions and answers instead of using the other useless assistant
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Alexa is pretty intelligent compared to Siri... I would put it second to Google. I’ve never had it not be able to answer a question or complete a task. If I could replace it with Siri I would in a heartbeat
 
acctman said:
Alexa is pretty intelligent compared to Siri... I would put it second to Google. I’ve never had it not be able to answer a question or complete a task. If I could replace it with Siri I would in a heartbeat
Click to expand...
i'm saying alexa is useless because alexa lives in an app
 
"tell a joke or turn on the lights"... this kind of ethics is the breeding grounds for a later rebellion and rise of the robots.
 
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This will be really useful when trying to play bands with weird names or playlists that Alexa just cannot get her head round.
 
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