First came the web, then came mobile. Today voice is the most natural way to interact with technology, which is why pioneering developers are inspired to build for Alexa.

We met thousands of these developers at AWS re:Invent last week, where we announced a variety of new features and programs to inspire developers to build delightful voice-first experiences for customers.

One of the highlights was the announcement of two new voice-first monetization opportunities. Now you can earn money with your Alexa skills through in-skill purchasing and Amazon Pay. You can apply today to participate in the developer preview program for these features, which will be broadly available in 2018.

We also introduced Alexa for Business, a new service that makes it easy for organizations to use Alexa in the workplace. This opens up new opportunities for developers to build skills for enterprise customers and transform everyday tasks with voice.

Additionally, we shared that Alexa and Alexa-enabled devices are coming to Australia and New Zealand in 2018. Now developers can start building voice-first experiences for customers in Australia and New Zealand using the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK). And the gamers in attendance got a real treat with a preview of new voice-powered gaming experiences, including the new Official Destiny 2 Ghost skill.

Meet the Pioneers

We introduced Alexa pioneers who are creating magical voice experiences that make Alexa smarter. These developers are reaching and delighting customers through tens of millions of devices with Alexa. And they’re helping redefine the way customers interact with technology.

The Alexa pioneers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with voice, from designing a speech therapy skill to building a voice-controlled K’NEX car.

Watch this video to learn more about their voice-first innovations:

Webinars: Give Your Vision a Voice

Join the Alexa pioneers and give your vision a voice. Sign up for our upcoming webinars, Voice Design 101 and Advanced Voice Design, to start building. Register now to save your spot.

What are you building for voice with Alexa? Tweet us using the hashtag #AlexaPioneers.

Build a New Skill, Earn Developer Perks

Bring your big idea to life with Alexa and earn perks through our tiered rewards system. US developers, publish a skill before the end of the year, and receive an Alexa developer hoodie. If 100 customers use your skill in its first 30 days in the Alexa Skills Store, you can also apply to receive a free Echo Dot to help you make Alexa even smarter. If you need inspiration, consider creating a holiday-themed skill to get into the holiday spirit. If you're not in the US, check out our promotions in the UK, Germany, and India. Learn more about our promotion and start building today.