Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and TomTom to develop Open Map to rival Google and Apple

Open Map - Google Map on phone

The companies are working together to create free geographical data for developers to use. Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and TomTom have announced that they are collaborating on a jointly released open map dataset meant for developers to use with free geographical data. The purpose of the release is to throw a wrench into the duopoly currently held by Google and Apple Maps. The four companies founded the Overture Maps Foundation last year in December, when they decided to work together on the open map data project. They each bring their own…

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Alexa voices will no longer include celebrities like Samuel L. Jackson

Alexa voices Celebrities

The smart gadget will also no longer be able to sound like Melissa McCarthy is speaking to you. Amazon has announced that it has stopped the sale of celebrity Alexa voices in the form of “personalities” for the device. The e-commerce giant posted a note on the product pages that used to include celebrities for personalities. According to Amazon’s note, the celebrity Alexa voices are no longer available for purchase. Melissa McCarthy and Samuel L. Jackson aren’t the only celebrities whose “personalities” are being removed from the availability list. Others…

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Amazon will flag frequently returned products as a heads up to shoppers

Frequently returned products - Amazon - Keyboard

The new tag is meant to encourage consumers to research the item they want to buy. Amazon is adding a new tag to label some of the items being sold through its website and app, in the form of a frequently returned product message. The tag will be used to flag items that are often returned after they’ve been purchased on the platform. The frequently returned product tag isn’t meant to tell people not to buy an item. Instead it is meant to give people a heads up that they…

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Are voice assistants about to fade away?

Voice Assistant - How Can I Help You

As popular as they have been, they’re not nearly as profitable as many people think they are. By the end of 2021, about half of all US internet users had at least one voice assistant equipped device such as a smart speaker. That said, according to a recent report, Alexa, Amazon’s version of the technology, is aligned for a loss of $10 billion this year. This massive loss that is expected to happen is calling the future of the entire industry into question. The technology may be popular, but it…

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Kids can create and animate bedtime stories with this Alexa feature

Bedtime Stories - Kids reading at nighttime

Amazon has rolled out a new “Create with Alexa” feature that uses artificial technology for kids. Amazon has announced the launch of its new “Create with Alexa” feature, which is designed to let kids create and animate their bedtime stories while also adding music. This feature uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help kids to compose stories and then bring them to life with animation and tunes. The feature is initially only available on Echo Show devices in the United States. The new feature allows children to create their bedtime stories…

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