Weekly Digest: AT&T Calling With Alexa and Apple’s Podcast Extension
This week in Conversational AI.
Amazon introduces AT&T calling with Alexa
Together with AT&T, Amazon introducee enables AT&T customers on eligible plans to make and receive AT&T calls through compatible Alexa-enabled devices. The new functionally features Drop-In connections, Announcements, Alexa-to-Alexa calling, and Alexa Outbound Calling. Via Amazon.
Apple launches ‘Oprah’s Book Club’ podcast
Apple Books and Oprah collaborated to launch the “Oprah’s Book Club” podcast, featuring an eight-episode series that will explore themes related to the eponymous book club. The podcast is the first to cross over from Apple’s streaming TV service, Apple TV+. Via TechCrunch.
Google’s Phone app can tell users why a business is calling
It’s official — Google’s phone app now has a new “Verified Calls” feature, which is designed to give users more information when businesses call users, showing a company’s name, branding, a small badge to show that it’s verified, and a reason for thee all. The feature will be available in the Google Phone app, which typically comes with Pixel and Android One phones, but Google promises that it will now be available to download on a “limited” set of additional phones running Android Pie and higher, including flagship handsets from Samsung and LG. Via The Verge.
First-ever animated interactive horror game for smart displays from Just AI
Just AI released Lovecraft World for Google Assistant and Google Nest Hub smart display. The release marks the first-ever voice-controlled animated game of its kind for smart displays. Just AI’s Lovecraft World game is an interactive audio story based on Howard Lovecraft’s “Call of Cthulhu” book and provides players with over 60 scenes with unique video content. Via PR Newswire.