Starting today, device makers can use the Alexa Voice Service (AVS) to integrate Alexa directly into their products in Belgium and Switzerland. You can now offer your Alexa Built-in products to more customers, with a growing number of Alexa features, smart home integrations, and skills. Amazon Music Unlimited (Belgium only), Spotify, and TuneIn, which offers access to selected local news stations are supported, as well as some of Alexa’s other most popular features including timers, alarms, weather, smart home, Alexa-to-Alexa calling, and more. A certification process is required before launching new, or existing Alexa Built-in devices in Belgium or Switzerland.
In Belgium, Alexa supports French (France) and English (United States). In Switzerland, German (Germany), French (France), Italian (Italy) and English (United States) languages are available.
Hear the news from global and local sources
Alexa can read the news from global news sources like Reuters News Briefing, Al Jazeera Briefing, CNN Flash Briefing, and BBC World Service. Local news sources are also available. In Belgium, news from Journal La Première, RTL Info, and VRTNWS is available. In Switzerland, Alexa supports news in German from SRF Newsflash and SWI swissinfo.ch neuste Nachrichten, in French from RTS News Briefing and SWI swissinfo.ch, and in Italian from Notiziario RSI and Sky TG24. Alexa can give customized updates based on customer preferences, just say “Alexa, give me a news update.”
Ask Questions
Ask Alexa questions, including those about famous people, places, dates, calculations, conversions, and much more. We’ve added local knowledge for Belgium and Switzerland, like local holidays, famous people and places, and more. For example, “Alexa, who is the President of the Swiss Confederation?”, “Alexa, wann ist das nächste Super League Spiel?”, or “Alexa, quand est la fête nationale?”
Get the Weather
Ask Alexa about local, national, and international weather forecasts. For example: “Alexa, will it rain tomorrow?”, “Alexa, what’s the weather?”, or “Alexa, what’s the weather in Geneva this weekend?”
Play Music
Alexa offers a seamless, hands-free music experience with premier music services including Amazon Music Unlimited (Belgium only), Spotify and TuneIn, which provides access to local radio stations like NRJ Belgique (Belgium) and Radio Swiss Pop (Switzerland). Control volume and playback of songs by saying “Alexa, turn it up” or “Alexa, skip this song.”
Control your Smart Home
Use Alexa to turn off the lights to go to sleep or dim the lights from the couch to watch a movie—all using just your voice. Alexa works with compatible devices such as plugs and bulbs from global brands including Philips Hue and TP-Link.
Enjoy Hands-free Calling and Messaging
Talk hands-free to anyone with a supported Alexa device or the Alexa app—no tapping or searching required. Your contacts will hear and see your name when they receive the call so they know who is calling. You can also send messages via voice to anyone with a supported Alexa device or the Alexa app. Just say “Alexa, call mom,” or “Alexa, send a message to Tom.”
Set Timers and Alarms
Set up multiple alarms and timers with your voice. Just say “Alexa, wake me up at 6 tomorrow morning,” or “Alexa, how much time is left on my timer?”
Create Shopping and To-Do Lists
Alexa can help you stay organized by creating and managing your To-Do and Shopping lists. Just say “Alexa, add coffee to my Shopping list,” “Alexa, put ‘call mom’ on my To-Do list,” or “Alexa, what’s on my Shopping list?”
We are excited for you to delight customers in Belgium and Switzerland with your Alexa Built-in devices. To learn more about launching Alexa Built-in devices in Belgium and Switzerland, contact your Amazon representative or sign up to our email avs-row-interest@amazon.com to submit your request.