We imagine it can be a bit confusing that Amazon has an Alexa app for mobile devices, but yet despite the name, the app doesn’t actually contain the Alexa digital assistant, but rather it’s an interface in which you use to control Alexa devices, like the Echo series of speakers. However that has changed.
According to a report from Android Police, it seems that Amazon has recently updated its Alexa app on Android where it will now allow users to interact with the app using their voice. This is because Alexa has essentially been baked into the app so it can pretty much do what any Alexa-powered device do as users should be able to access all the same skills and features.
However there won’t be hotword detection, meaning that you can’t say “Alexa” and expect it to work, at least not when the app is closed, so that’s something to think about. However if you don’t own an Echo speaker or an Alexa-powered device, then this could be a cheaper way of using Alexa on your mobile device.
The update is only applicable for Android users at the moment, but a report from TechCrunch has revealed that the update is headed for iOS as well, but it will be arriving later as it has been presumed that this “delay” could be attributed to Apple’s review process.