AVS Display Cards for TV 1.1

The guidance on this page is based on implementing the TemplateRuntime 1.0 and PlaybackController 1.1 APIs for TVs. If you are using different versions, choose another page from the drop-down menu above. This page contains Tablet-specific Display Card design guidance. For general multimodal best practices, please see Multimodal Display.

Display Cards for Alexa provide visuals to support verbal responses, and give your users an additional modality with which to interact with Alexa.

If you are implementing Display Cards on a device, the Cards should properly display all content, templates, media attributions, and media controls. In addition, we expect that:

• A Display Card will appear as soon as Alexa begins responding or media begins playing, and the Display Card’s contents will match the Alexa response or media.
• Transitions between Display Cards will be smooth, as will the transition into displaying Cards and dismissing Cards.
• Display Cards will respond to screen interactions and voice utterances as described in the design guidelines for your product’s device class.
• Alexa attention states for Listening and Thinking will appear on top of any visible Display Card, and will not be obscured.

Details for each of these are provided in the guidelines below.

Static Display Cards

Global Elements

Alexa shows Static Display Cards in response to certain non-media queries. Cards appear as a sidebar over what the user is watching. All Display Cards in this section have the following global elements.

Notes on the guidelines for static Display Cards

1. All specs are based on a reference template of 1920 x 1080dp.

2. Layout is given in percentages to help adapt the template to your device’s screen resolution.

3. Font sizes are given on the reference screen. These sizes should scale as the resolution of screen changes. If no line-height is given, the line-height is the same as the font size.

4. mainTitle and subTitle should never exceed one line. If the text exceeds the width of the container, the crop the text and use an ellipsis.

5. Image assets and icons marked in dp size should scale as the resolution of screen changes.

6. All of the assets URL can be found in the Asset section of this documentation.

Voice Chrome

Voice chrome is a visual indicator of the Alexa attention states, such as Listening, Thinking, and Responding. Most TVs should use on-screen voice chrome, although it is possible to use on-device LEDs to display the states instead. On-screen voice chrome appears as a circular badge at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Details of how and when voice chrome should display can be found in the Interactions section below, and in the Interruption Scenarios section on this page. The colors and animations of voice chrome should follow the patterns specified in our Attention System documentation.

Interactions

The user views the following screen states when interacting with Alexa.

Step 1: Invocation

The customer invokes Alexa with the wake word “Alexa” or a button on the remote control. This activates the voice chrome to show Alexa is listening.

Step 2: Listening and thinking

Once Alexa is invoked and voice chrome is displayed, the customer can control Alexa with their voice. If Alexa recognizes an utterance, it processes the intent and display a Card. If Alexa doesn’t hear anything from the customer within 8 seconds, voice chrome dismisses.

Step 3: Response and dismissal

Alexa responds verbally, and when applicable, with a Display Card. The Card should stay up while Alexa is speaking and dismiss automatically when finished. The user can also clear the Card before Alexa is done speaking by using the back button. If the user interrupts Alexa with a new request, Alexa should stop speaking, dim the Card, open the voice chrome, and listen to the new request.

Additional interaction scenarios are described in the Interruption Scenarios section.

BodyTemplate1

BodyTemplate1 is used for Q&A, Wikipedia queries, and third-party Skill requests that do not contain a photo. Sample utterances that would invoke BodyTemplate1 include:

1. “How deep is the ocean?”
2. “What is the definition of “paradox”?”
3. "What is the Karman line?"
4. "What is bike polo?"

Style

Layout

Note: Text can extend to 60dp above the logo. Any text past that point should be hidden but accessible by scrolling on a 5-way remote control.

Data

JSON

{
  "directive": {
    "header": {
      "namespace": "TemplateRuntime",
      "name": "RenderTemplate"
    },
    "payload": {
      "token": "{{STRING}}",
      "type": "BodyTemplate1",
      "title": {
        "mainTitle": "Who is Usain Bolt?",
        "subTitle": "Wikipedia"
      },
      "skillIcon": {
        "sources": [
          {
            "url": "https://example.com/smallSkillIcon.png",
            "size": "small"
          }
        ]
      },
      "textField": "Usain St Leo Bolt, OJ, CD born 21..."
    }
  }
}

BodyTemplate2

BodyTemplate2, like BodyTemplate1, is used for Q&A, Wikipedia queries, and third-party Skill requests but, unlike BodyTemplate1, it also returns an image. Sample utterances that would invoke BodyTemplate2 include:

1. “Who is Usain Bolt?”
2. “What is 5 miles in kilometers?”
3. “Who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird?”
4. “Where is New Mexico?”

Style

Layout

Notes

1. The maximum image height and width are 320 x 480dp. Images of different aspect ratios should resize to stay within these dimensions.
2. Text can extend to 60dp above the logo. Any text past that point should be hidden but accessible by scrolling on a 5-way remote control.

Data

JSON

{
  "directive": {
    "header": {
      "namespace": "TemplateRuntime",
      "name": "RenderTemplate"
    },
    "payload": {
      "token": "{{STRING}}",
      "type": "BodyTemplate2",
      "title": {
        "mainTitle": "Who is Usain Bolt?",
        "subTitle": "Wikipedia"
      },
      "skillIcon": {
        "sources": [
          {
            "url": "https://example.com/smallSkillIcon.png",
            "size": "small"
          }
        ]
      },
      "textField": "Usain St Leo Bolt, OJ, CD Born 21 August...",
      "image": {
        "contentDescription": "Image with two sources."
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://example.com/smallUsainBolt.jpg",
              "size": "small"
            },
            {
              "url": "https://example.com/largeUsainBolt.jpg",
              "size": "large",
              "widthPixels": 1200 ,
              "heightPixels": 800
            }
          ]
      }
    }
  }
}

ListTemplate1

ListTemplate1 is used to display items in a list, such as a calendar or shopping list. Sample utterances that would invoke ListTemplate1 include:

1. “What’s on my to do list?”
2. “Add eggs to my shopping list.”
3. “When is my next event?”
4. “Add “Lunch with Jayla” to my calendar.”

Style

Layout

Data

Variation: Shopping List

Variation: Calendar

WeatherTemplate

WeatherTemplate is used with all weather-related utterances, such as:

1. “What’s the weather?”
2. “Will it rain today?”
3. “What’s the weather in [location]?”

Style

Layout

Weather template layout in 3 digits

Notes:

1. mainTitles and subTitles are one line maximum. If they don’t fit, truncate the title and use an ellipsis.
2. The icon size is given on a reference template of 1920 x 1080dp. It should scales as the TV dimension changes.

Data

JSON

{
  "directive": {
    "header": {
      "namespace": "TemplateRuntime",
      "name": "RenderTemplate"
    },
    "payload": {
      "token": "{{STRING}}",
      "type": "WeatherTemplate",
      "title": {
        "mainTitle": "San Francisco",
        "subTitle": "Friday, October 31"
      },
      "skillIcon": null,
      "currentWeather": "75°",
      "description": "Mostly cloudy and more humid with a couple of showers and ...",
      "currentWeatherIcon" {
        "contentDescription": "Weather image sources.",
        "sources": [
          {
            "url": "https://example.com/mediumPartlyCloudy.jpg",
            "size": "medium"
          }
        ]
      },
      "highTemperature": {
        "value": "76°",
        "arrow": {
          "contentDescription": "Up arrow sources.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://example.com/mediumUpArrow.jpg",
              "size": "medium"
            }
          ]
        },
      },
      "lowTemperature": {
        "value": "45°",
        "arrow": {
          "contentDescription": "Down arrow sources.",
          "sources": [
            {
              "url": "https://example.com/mediumDownArrow.jpg",
              "size": "medium"
            }
          ]
        },
      },
      "weatherForecast": [
        {
          "image": {
            "contentDescription": "Partly cloudy...",
            "sources": [
              {
                "url": "https://example.com/smallChanceOfRain.jpg",
                "size": "small"
              }
            ]
          },
          "day": "Sat",
          "date": "Oct 22",
          "highTemperature": "71°",
          "lowTemperature": "55°"
        },
        {
          ...
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

NowPlaying Cards

NowPlaying is used for media requests. Sample utterances that would invoke NowPlaying include:

1. “Play jazz music”
2. “Play Smoke & Retribution”
3. “Play Freakonomics on iHeartRadio”
4. “Play a country station from [third-party music provider]”

VUI Playback Commands

The customer can control media playback either using GUI or VUI. VUI playback commands include:

• Play
• Stop
• Cancel
• Pause
• Resume
• Next
• Previous
• Rewind
• Start Over
• Louder
• Softer
• Set Volume
• Mute
• Unmute
• Shuffle
• Restart
• Get details
• Who is this?

Global Elements

Alexa shows the NowPlaying GUI in response to media queries. All NowPlaying Cards in this section have the following global elements.

The global elements in the NowPlaying Card include:

1. Media Metadata

2. Playback controls: These will vary depending on the media type and the service.

3. Progress bar: Appears with most media types.

4. Alexa logo

5. Media artwork: This could be album art, a radio station logo, a program logo, or book artwork.

6. Music Provider Logo: The logo of the service providing the media.

Controls Per Music Service Provider

Alexa can play music from multiple Music Service Providers. Controls vary per provider offering. For example, a live radio station might not have forward and back controls. The correct controls for each offering will be specified in the PlayerInfo directive.

Interactions

The user views the following screen states when interacting with Alexa.

Step 1: Invocation

The customer invokes Alexa with the wake word “Alexa” or using a remote control. This activates voice chrome to show Alexa is listening.

Step 2: Listening and intent processing

Once voice chrome is invoked the customer can control Alexa with their voice. If Alexa recognizes an utterance it will process their intent and display a Card. If not, the voice chrome dismisses.

Step 3: Response and dismissal

Alexa responds verbally, shows the NowPlaying Display Card, and plays the requested media. The customer can control the media via voice commands or GUI. The Card updates with each now song.

If the user:

1. Multitasks with the remote, both the Card and audio dismiss.

2. Pauses or stops the music via voice or the button, then the audio stops and the Card remains. The Card should auto-dismiss after one minute of inactivity.

3. Activates Alexa again, the music attenuates, and voice chrome reappears awaiting the next command.

Additional interaction scenarios are described in the Interruption Scenarios section.

Specs

Style

Layout

Notes

1. If fields that are only one line exceed their container, truncate the line and use an ellipsis.
2. The source/Author information is one line, and the mainTitle can be two lines maximum. If the mainTitle exceeds two lines, truncate the text and use an ellipsis.
3. If Title has two lines, titleSubtext1 and titleSubtext2 push down to accommodate. The controls and progress bar remain in the same place.
4. The icon size is given on a reference template of 1280 x 800dp. It should scale as the TV dimension changes.

Data

Example 1: Amazon Music

“Alexa, play Smoke & Retribution”

JSON

The name key-value pair may come back as “Amazon Music”, “Prime Music”, or “Prime Station”. If Prime is not enabled, name will be “Digital Music Store.”

{
  "directive": {
    "header": {
      "namespace": "TemplateRuntime",
      "name": "RenderPlayerInfo",
      "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
      "dialogRequestId": "{{STRING}}"
    },
    "payload": {
      "audioItemId": "{{STRING}}",
      "content": {
        "title": "{{STRING}}",
        "titleSubtext1": "{{STRING}}",
        "titleSubtext2": "{{STRING}}",
        "header": "{{STRING}}",
        "headerSubtext1": "{{STRING}}",
        "mediaLengthInMilliseconds": {{LONG}},   
        "art": {{IMAGE_STRUCTURE}},     
        "provider": {
          "name": "{{STRING}}",
          "logo": {{IMAGE_STRUCTURE}}
        }                
      }
      "controls": [
        // This array includes all controls that must be
        // rendered on-screen.
        {
          "type": "{{STRING}}",
          "name": "{{STRING}}",
          "enabled": {{BOOLEAN}},
          "selected": {{BOOLEAN}}
        },
        {
          "type": "{{STRING}}",
          "name": "{{STRING}}",
          "enabled": {{BOOLEAN}},
          "selected": {{BOOLEAN}}
        },
        {
          ...
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Example 2: iHeartRadio Live Radio

“Alexa, play Hollywood Breakdown on iHeartRadio”

JSON

{
  "directive": {
    "header": {
      "namespace": "TemplateRuntime",
      "name": "RenderPlayerInfo",
      "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
      "dialogRequestId": "{{STRING}}"
    },
    "payload": {
      "audioItemId": "{{STRING}}",
      "content": {
        "title": "The summer of \"sequel-itis\" and beginning of awards season",        
        "header": "KCRW's Hollywood Breakdown",        
        "mediaLengthInMilliseconds": 0,   
        "art" : {
          "sources" : [
            {
              "size" : "medium",
              "url" : "http://example.com/AlbumArt.svg"
            }
          ]
        },     
        "provider": {
          "name": "iHeartRadio Live Radio",
          "logo" : {
            "sources" : [
              {
                "url" : "https://example.com/ProviderLogo.jpg"
              }
            ]
          }
        }                
      }
      "controls": [
        {
          "type": "BUTTON",
          "name": "PLAY_PAUSE",
          "enabled": true,
          "selected": false
        },
        {
       "type": "TOGGLE",
       "name": "THUMB_UP",
       "enabled": true,
       "selected": false
       },
       {
       "type": "TOGGLE",
       "name": "THUMB_DOWN",
       "enabled": true,
       "selected": false
       }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Example 3: Amazon Music Station

“Alexa, play my favorite station”

Example 4: Audible books

“Alexa, read my audible book”

Example 5: Pandora Music

“Alexa, read my pandora music”

Note: If Back, Pause/Play, or Forward is disabled, use the "disabled" version of the icon.

Controls-Only Template

There may be instances when no metadata is returned from a NowPlaying request. In this instance, use the Controls-Only Template, which includes a minimized set of visuals.

Note: For certain Music Service Providers, the PlayerInfo directive is sent after the PlaybackStarted Event. In these cases, we recommend adding logic to wait 2 seconds for the PlayerInfo directive. If metadata is not returned after this time, display the Controls-Only Template.

Controls-Only Template

Style

Layout

Data

Transitions

Transitions should be quick (< 1 sec) and employ easing to create a smooth feel. Display Cards enter from the right for partial-screen Cards, and fade in for full-screen Cards. The Card enters first, followed by the content fading in. To account for latency, a background placeholder box should appear in place of an image, which transitions to the fully loaded image when it arrives.

Cards exit the opposite way they came in. The content fades out first and then the Card removes. Partial-screen Cards slide off to the right and full-screen cards fade out.

Interruption Scenarios

Card to Card

Step 1: Utterance1

At Utterance1, voice chrome overlays the existing screen.

Step 2: TTS1 + GUI1

Alexa responds.

Step 3: Utterance 2 (Interruption)

When the customer interrupts Alexa (via tap or wake word), Alexa stops speaking and voice chrome overlays the existing card.

Step 4: TTS2 + GUI2

Alexa responds to utterance2 via voice and replaces the old card with a new one. This card dismisses according to regular dismissal rules.

NowPlaying to Card

Step 1: Utterance1

At Utterance1, voice chrome overlays the existing screen.

Step 2: TTS1 + GUI1

Alexa responds. Music plays.

Step 3: Utterance 2 (Interruption)

When the customer interrupts Alexa (via tap or wake word), the music attenuates and voice chrome overlays the nowPlaying GUI.

Step 4: TTS2 + GUI2

If the utterance is understood and a card is required, Alexa responds to the utterance via voice and a new card. Once the TTS completes, the music returns to the regular volume. The card dismisses according to regular dismissal rules, except that when dismissed, the customer returns to the nowPlaying card.

If the song changes during this time, when returning the nowPlaying GUI should reflect the new song.

Card to NowPlaying

Step 1: Utterance1

At Utterance1, voice chrome overlays the existing screen.

Step 2: TTS2 + GUI1

Alexa responds.

Step 3: Utterance2 (Interruption)

When the customer interrupts the music (via tap or wake word), Alexa stops speaking and the voice chrome overlays the existing card.

Step 4: TTS + GUI2

Alexa responds to Utterance 2 via voice and a new card. Once the TTS completes, music begins playing. This card dismisses according to regular dismissal rules.

NowPlaying to Error

Step 1: Utterance1

At Utterance1, voice chrome overlays the existing screen.

Step 2: TTS2 + GUI1

Alexa responds. Music plays.

Step 3: Utterance2 (Interruption)

When the customer interrupts the music (via tap or wake word), the music attenuates and voice chrome overlays the nowPlaying GUI.

Step 4: GUI1

If no utterance is understood, the voice chrome removes, returning to the nowPlaying GUI, and the music returns to it’s original volume.

Assets

These resources are provided for you to use with your display cards.

Alexa

• Alexa logo for 1080p TVs
• Alexa logo for 4K TVs

Transport controls

The following are assets for media player controls.

The focus icon (With Focus) should be used when the customer navigates to the icon with their remote control. The enabled icon (Enabled) is used when the customer presses a button to activate that control. It is optional, but we recommend using it to make the icon image transition smoother.

Play

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV

Pause

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV

Next

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Disabled: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV

Prev

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Disabled: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV

Shuffle

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Toggled On: 1080pTV, 4kTV

Loop

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Toggled On: 1080pTV, 4kTV

Thumbs Up

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Toggled On: 1080pTV, 4kTV

Thumbs Down

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Toggled On: 1080pTV, 4kTV

30 Seconds Forward

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV

30 Seconds Backward

• Default: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• With Focus: 1080pTV, 4kTV
• Enabled (optional): 1080pTV, 4kTV

Alexa font

Use the following font families for Alexa-related screens, features, and functionality:

• Amazon Ember Display
• Bookerly
• Noto Sans CJK

Bookerly is used mainly for Things to Try text, and Noto Sans CJK is supplied for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language support. Amazon Ember Display and Bookerly are reserved for Alexa-related uses only.

Find the Amazon font files on the Amazon Developer Portal (requires login) under the Resources tab.

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Last updated: Nov 27, 2023