Alexa on your phone won’t exactly be like an Echo in your pocket.
Imagine if Siri and Google Now had an app store filled with 7,000 extra tricks you could teach them for free. That’s the promise of Amazon ‘s cloud-based Alexa assistant on a phone, which debuts with the Huawei Mate 9 in February (for US markets only right now).
Alexa, which initially appeared on the Amazon Echo speaker, made it possible for families and roommates to ask for music, headlines and Amazon services in a shared space like the living room or kitchen. Since then, Alexa has gained control over thousands of apps and services, which anyone with Alexa-based hardware — like the Echo, Echo Dot or Tap and even a lamp or a smart refrigerator — can trigger with a voice command. Alexa has become especially important for controlling various smart-home devices — but until now, that only worked when you’re within shouting range.
But what about when you’re out? This is where Alexa on a phone comes into play. We take a look at what Alexa on a phone can and can’t do for you.
First off, don’t expect an Echo in your pocket. The Mate 9 doesn’t have Amazon’s far-field beam-forming microphones, so it won’t be able to hear you whisper «Alexa» from across the room. Even if it could, you’ll need to boot up the Alexa app first: Unlike the Mate 9’s built-in Google Now functionality, Alexa won’t be always listening.
When you have the app running, Alexa on a phone will give you access to her world of skills without having to buy an Alexa-enabled device.
