Calling all developers and innovators: reserved seating is now open for Alexa Gadgets sessions at AWS re:Invent 2017.

As an AWS re:Invent attendee, you will be among the first to learn more about the Alexa Gadgets, including the recently announced Echo Buttons. Echo Buttons deliver a new way for customers to play games with friends and family. Each Echo Button illuminates and can be pressed to trigger a variety of multiplayer and interactive game experiences. At AWS re:Invent, you can learn more about how to use the Gadgets Skill API to build skills that work with Echo Buttons, and create experiences that turn a compatible Echo device into a hub for interactive play.

The Alexa Gadgets educational track includes a technical breakout session, chalk talk, and two hands-on workshops where you can learn to build your own Echo Button skills.

It’s All Fun and Games with Alexa! Enriching Voice with Physical Gameplay

Alexa is always getting smarter, but what about Alexa getting more fun? In this session, you will hear from the GM of Alexa Gadgets, the team responsible for a new category of connected products and developer tools that enhance voice interactions with compatible Echo devices. This session will provide an overview of Alexa Gadgets and what it means to developers. It will detail the history of Amazon’s first reference product (Echo Buttons). And it will highlight the initial 3P integrations with Musicplode Media (the makers of Beat the Intro) and Gemmy Industries (the makers of Big Mouth Billy Bass).

Date: Monday, Nov 27
Time: 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Location: Aria

Designing Interactive Gaming Experiences for Echo Buttons

Echo Buttons aren't just for buzzing in on trivia games. Get a behind-the-scenes look at designing interactive game skills for Echo Buttons. The Alexa Gadgets team will provide key insights and share how Echo Buttons can lead to entirely new gameplay experiences.

Date: Tuesday, Nov 28
Time: 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Location: Aria

Build a Game Skill for the Recently Launched Echo Buttons

Have you built Alexa game skills before? Are you looking to create something new? In this workshop, we’ll deep dive into how to build engaging experiences with the recently launched Echo Buttons. Participate in this interactive session and create your own Echo Button skill that leverages the new dynamic input modality in the Alexa Skills Kit. Bring your laptop, AWS account, and Amazon Developer Portal credentials.

Workshop 1: Monday, Nov 27 7 p.m. - 9:30p.m.
Workshop 2: Wednesday, Nov. 29 12:15p.m. - 2:45p.m.
Location: Aria

The Alexa Gadgets session tracks will fill up fast, so reserve your seat today. If you have trouble registering, all sessions will be open for walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, the Alexa Gadgets team will be available at the Alexa Smart Cities Hackathon to help teams who want to incorporate an Alexa Gadget into their hack. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas.

If you are interested in Alexa Gadgets but unable to attend AWS re:Invent, you can sign up to be notified on availability of the developer tools.