When Amazon added the flash briefing skill API to the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK), CNN created a flash briefing skill of its own to deliver CNN’s top new stories of the day.

After receiving an Amazon Echo as a gift, Akilah Bolden-Monifa, who’d never before learned or tried to code, decided she would learn to build for voice.

Inspired to leverage voice technology to drive student engagement, OU embarked on a pilot project to develop Alexa skills with Echo devices. OU’s first skills were a proof of concept to help the university understand how to provide meaningful information with voice.

Sam Machin says the best technology is something you don't know you're using. And that perfectly describes voice, says the UK-based developer. Machin wants to put Alexa everywhere.

Tushar Chugh calls voice “the most powerful medium which can change the world.” For the visually impaired, he says the technology becomes even more powerful. Learn more about Chugh and the Alexa Pioneers who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible with voice. 

Earlier this year, GE announced its new Alexa-enabled lamp, the Sol, with built-in Alexa Voice Service. Recently, we spoke with Tom Stimac, GE Lighting's chief technical manager, to learn how voice and Alexa have impacted GE's product roadmap.

For customers of Wetter.com in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, checking the weather forecast is as simple as asking Alexa. Wetter.com, Germany’s leading website for weather, developed an Alexa skill that makes it fast and easy for customers to get their daily and weekly forecasts.

Kunden von Wetter.com in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz können jetzt Alexa fragen, um die Wetterprognose zu erhalten.

Since 2013, August Home’s mission has been to build smart devices that help customers live safely and securely in their homes. To reach that goal, the company has created a variety of innovative door locks, doorbell cameras, keypads, and bridges.

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.

Honeywell built two Alexa skills using the original Smart Home Skill API—one for its Total Connect Comfort app that is used to remotely control its thermostats, and one for the newer Lyric line of smart home devices. These skills gave users voice control over basic thermostat operations.

Tellables has created three popular kid skills for Alexa. In fact, Tellables' Tricky Genie skill for Alexa has been so successful that the company earned money for building a top-performing skill.

Walter Quesada says he has been “obsessed with building for voice” ever since the Amazon Echo was first released.

“Ever since Amazon Echo came out, I’ve been learning about ways it can fit into different scenarios, both in my professional life and in my free time,” says Quesada.

Sam Machin is a self-taught developer who started tinkering with voice in the early days of the Alexa Voice Service (AVS), which enables developers to integrate Alexa directly into their connected products.

“The announcement of Amazon Echo in Germany offered us a wonderful opportunity to gain experience with Alexa and voice technology,” says Hannes Hegewald, product manager at Kitchen Stories.