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Amazon has silently updated its Alexa assistant to include Outlook.com calendar support, reports The Verge.

Amazon's Echo family of connected smart speakers have always supported Google calendars, but now Outlook users can ask Alexa to add or review upcoming events in their schedule using voice commands like "What's on my calendar?" or "Add an event to my calendar."

alexa-family-shot-copy-800x580.jpg

Outlook.com calendars can be added via the iOS Alexa app under Settings -> Calendar, which will activate the support on any connected Alexa-powered devices. Alexa still doesn't officially offer support for Apple Calendar, but a basic skill has recently been developed and made available on Github that allows the assistant to read upcoming events from the native Apple app.

In related news, Amazon has added hands-free Alexa support to its Tap portable speakers via an over-the-air software update. Originally, Amazon Tap users wishing to activate Alexa had to press a physical button on the Bluetooth speakers, but the latest update means Alexa can now be invoked via voice alone.

Amazon says that even with the hands-free function, Tap speakers should retain about eight hours of battery life, while the "listening" mode of the devices can be put to sleep with a press of the power button. Tap speakers now also support Amazon's "echo spatial perception", which enables the closest Alexa device to respond to commands when two or more are in proximity.

Article Link: Amazon's Alexa Gets Expanded Calendar Support and Tap Speaker Hands-Free Mode
 

Glassed Silver

macrumors 68020
Mar 10, 2007
2,096
2,567
Kassel, Germany
I habe the Dot and Lord Almighty let me tell you the language recognition from the few days of testing I've had so far with it is really good.

It certainly isn't perfect either, but it was Apple who had (or bought) the headstart here and then totally fell asleep hoping a slightly pimped voice commands alla iOS 6 with internet dependency and very little real-world enhancements would cut it, at least with the competitors you can see the progress being made and having a stationary device that has its volume controls set independently from whatever you set for late-night video playback etc is more convenience than one might imagine.

Too bad I can't use my iCloud services with Alexa, but I'm still hoping that Apple is merely late to catch the train and not boarding another station.

Cause one thing's for sure, with all the flack I'll give Apple, they got the upper hand in the privacy game and whilst I'm willing to use Google and Amazon to great extends I am glad I can freely pick whatever I'm willing to share with which company. Well at least for the most part, you guys know what I mean.

Glassed Silver:ios
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
I have to say this is very un-apple like. They're the ones in the past to see the potential of an existing device and produce something that no one else thought to do. Given how well Alexa, Google Now and Cortana is, its disappointing to see Apple so far behind

I have an Amazon dot, though I haven't unboxed it yet. I'll probably do that shortly and see how it works
 

itsvdiddy

macrumors member
Jun 5, 2008
67
3
While siri gets "batman" support. What a mess Apple is making with siri :(

Our household uses our Dot everyday. It's integrated with my lights and my TV/AppleTV and we use it to play all our music inside our house.

Apple has absolutely dropped the ball on this. I still have some hope because Apple's 3rd party ecosystem being amassed with Siri integration would immediately make it a contender from a "skill"/usefulness perspective, but Siri's voice recognition, language processing and accuracy need a lot of work. Amazon is eating their lunch from a consumer product perspective and Google Now is showing what's possible with their language processing.
 
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Just Jeff

macrumors member
Jan 24, 2017
46
34
It seems to support Office 365 as well, or at least it let me log in with my Office 365 account information.
 

Mike Oxard

macrumors 6502a
Oct 22, 2009
804
458
Our household uses our Dot everyday. It's integrated with my lights and my TV/AppleTV and we use it to play all our music inside our house.

Apple has absolutely dropped the ball on this. I still have some hope because Apple's 3rd party ecosystem being amassed with Siri integration would immediately make it a contender from a "skill"/usefulness perspective, but Siri's voice recognition, language processing and accuracy need a lot of work. Amazon is eating their lunch from a consumer product perspective and Google Now is showing what's possible with their language processing.
I was hoping that Apples discontinuation of the Airport Express was a sign that the "Siri Echo" wasn't too far away, as at the moment apple no longer support airplay audio only. An airplay speaker with Siri built in is the obvious replacement. Hopefully its "in the pipeline".
 

eneisch

macrumors 6502a
Jul 11, 2008
803
293
I have the real echo and a dot, but this makes the tap really appealing to me now. Would be great as a shower speaker. Next time it goes on sale I'll probably pick one up.
Be careful - I don't think the Tap is waterproof or water resistant.
 

Weaselboy

Moderator
Staff member
Jan 23, 2005
34,463
16,164
California
Nice update. Looks like my Tap got the new FW at version 567200520. You can now see the enable hands free toggle in the settings.
 

RMo

macrumors 65816
Aug 7, 2007
1,266
327
Iowa, USA
It seems to support Office 365 as well, or at least it let me log in with my Office 365 account information.

It does--it supports any home, work, or school Microsoft account, including those on other domains ... which is really neat, except I wish there were a way to fine-tune its access a bit more, say, to make it read-only. But I'll take it. :) iCloud Calendar would be nice as well.

The Tap update sounds great. I really thought about getting one but needing to press the button was a huge drawback for me. Now I wish I would have got one when it was on sale before Christmas!
 

gogogut

macrumors member
Aug 6, 2012
69
6
Just wondering, are there any security concerns with linking my Google calendar with Alexa?
I resisted connecting yet another service to my daily home interactions, and wonder what other people think.





Amazon has silently updated its Alexa assistant to include Outlook.com calendar support, reports The Verge.

Amazon's Echo family of connected smart speakers have always supported Google calendars, but now Outlook users can ask Alexa to add or review upcoming events in their schedule using voice commands like "What's on my calendar?" or "Add an event to my calendar."

alexa-family-shot-copy-800x580.jpg

Outlook.com calendars can be added via the iOS Alexa app under Settings -> Calendar, which will activate the support on any connected Alexa-powered devices. Alexa still doesn't officially offer support for Apple Calendar, but a basic skill has recently been developed and made available on Github that allows the assistant to read upcoming events from the native Apple app.

In related news, Amazon has added hands-free Alexa support to its Tap portable speakers via an over-the-air software update. Originally, Amazon Tap users wishing to activate Alexa had to press a physical button on the Bluetooth speakers, but the latest update means Alexa can now be invoked via voice alone.

Amazon says that even with the hands-free function, Tap speakers should retain about eight hours of battery life, while the "listening" mode of the devices can be put to sleep with a press of the power button. Tap speakers now also support Amazon's "echo spatial perception", which enables the closest Alexa device to respond to commands when two or more are in proximity.

Article Link: Amazon's Alexa Gets Expanded Calendar Support and Tap Speaker Hands-Free Mode
 

steve knight

macrumors 68030
Jan 28, 2009
2,735
7,180
I have the real echo and a dot, but this makes the tap really appealing to me now. Would be great as a shower speaker. Next time it goes on sale I'll probably pick one up.

My wife really loves the tap it is a good little speaker too.
 
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