Today, we are excited to announce that the Alexa Gadgets Toolkit is now available in all locales where Alexa-enabled devices are sold. Now, developers in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have the opportunity to build Echo companion devices – unlocking fun and delightful experiences for their customers.
Around the world, customers interact with Alexa billions of times each week – requesting important information, setting timers and alarms, playing their favorite music, and much more. With the Alexa Gadgets Toolkit, you can build companion devices that either enhance Alexa’s capabilities, or create a new interactive experience between the product, Alexa, and the customer. Whether you choose to create a smart toy, smart clock, or novelty accessory, the Alexa Gadgets Toolkit enables you to bring delight, entertainment, and utility to your customers.
The Alexa Gadgets Toolkit offers self-service APIs and interfaces that expose metadata of Alexa’s capabilities through compatible Echo devices. Use Custom Interfaces to create interactive two-way communication between your product and its paired Echo device, or choose from several Defined Interfaces to build a product that reacts in response to some of Alexa’s most popular capabilities.
Custom Interfaces: Create dynamic interactions and immersive experiences that are unlocked when your product is connected to a compatible Echo device. This API provides a private channel between your companion device and an associated custom Alexa skill, allowing you to create a unique product experience for your customers, regardless of locale or language. To help you get started, here are just a few ideas for products you could build for customers across the globe:
Defined Interfaces: Build a companion device that responds to Alexa's native capabilities, such as setting timers, receiving notifications, playing music, and more. When building Echo Wall Clock, Amazon leveraged Defined Interfaces to extend the utility of Alexa timers, alarms, reminders, and notifications with unique visual responses. The current list of available interfaces includes:
The Alexa Gadgets Toolkit also includes technical documentation and sample code to facilitate direct pairing and connectivity, communication, and over-the-air (OTA) updates between your product and its paired Echo device.
To get started with the Alexa Gadgets Toolkit, you can access our Raspberry Pi and Python-based solution that includes sample applications and step-by-step guides that simplify the process of getting your prototype connected and ready to respond. Once connected, you have the flexibility to combine your prototype with off-the-shelf components, such as servos, buttons, lights, and more. Here are a few resources to get started:
Start prototyping today and be first-to-market in fun and interactive categories that are not yet connected to Alexa. Sign up to receive the latest updates on the Alexa Gadgets Toolkit and upcoming features. We can’t wait to see what you build for Alexa customers!