Amazon has cut paid perks for Alexa developers. With a bigger focus on generative AI, the voice assistant\u2019s third-party apps (skills) aren\u2019t a priority. An Amazon spokesperson told Engadget that the \u201colder programs have simply run their course, so we decided to sunset them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Launched in 2017, when Alexa was all the rage, the program paid developers bonuses for skills that resonated with users. It was part of Amazon\u2019s quest to turn Alexa Skills into a booming app store. (Did that happen?)<\/p>\n
At the company\u2019s fall 2023 devices event, Amazon previewed its next-gen version of Alexa, with ChatGPT-like generative AI abilities. With AI powers, Alexa appeared versatile enough to address all sorts of queries and requests without creating apps and skills manually. Alexa isn\u2019t going anywhere; Amazon is just making it think for itself.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mat Smith<\/p>\n
The biggest stories you might have missed<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \u200b\u200bYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. <\/em>Subscribe right here!<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Free Google Photos users get enhanced editing features without paying $20+ annually. This means all users will get a few of Google\u2019s AI-powered tools, such as Photo UnBlur, Magic Eraser, and Magic Editor. I can attest: Photo UnBlur is a game-changer when taking shots of toddlers that will. Not. Stay. Still.<\/p>\n Continue reading.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMagic Eraser, Photo UnBlur, Magic Editor and more will be widely available in May.<\/h3>\n
It works on T-Mobile and AT&T\u2019s networks.<\/h3>\n