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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Hi You All<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Do read on down through this text. Looks doable and fun!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>We can compare our experiences later….<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>RLN <br><a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/alexa-just-got-three-new-generative-ai-skills-heres-how-to-try-them/#ftag=RSSbaffb68">https://www.zdnet.com/article/alexa-just-got-three-new-generative-ai-skills-heres-how-to-try-them/#ftag=RSSbaffb68</a><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><h1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-line-height-alt:14.55pt;text-align:start;hyphens: manual;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:25.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Alexa just got three new generative AI skills - here's how to try them<o:p></o:p></span></h1><h2 style='margin-top:0in;mso-line-height-alt:15.25pt;text-align:start;hyphens: manual;color:rgba(27, 27, 27, 0.65);max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:19.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif;font-weight:normal'>If you want to use artifical intelligence to make the most of Alexa, you're in luck.<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Jan. 10, 2024 at 1:02 a.m. PT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><img border=0 width=1280 height=853 style='width:13.3333in;height:8.8854in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/3924d48639ef37060e96a61de67a8bd33187df4d/2024/01/10/a04dfb09-e64b-4ddb-8a35-6f83e25f85dc/gettyimages-1498442399.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280" alt="Alexa neon sign"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Chesnot/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>With <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-ai-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-artificial-intelligence/"><span style='color:#416ED2'>artifical intelligence</span></a> (AI) a dominant theme at this year's CES, Amazon has unveiled three new Alexa skills that all come with a hefty helping of AI. Now accessible to all <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/home-entertainment/best-amazon-echo/"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Echo</span></a> and Alexa users, the three skills are freely available through the Alexa app as well as through the <a href="https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https:/www.amazon.com/alexa-skills/?tag=zd-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=__COM_CLICK_ID__%7C3c97af91-74be-45a6-8725-7f2414d34181%7Cmwb" target="_blank"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Alexa Skills website</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><strong><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Also: <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/collection/ces-2024-whats-next-in-tech/#link={%22role%22:%22standard%22,%22href%22:%22https://www.zdnet.com/collection/ces-2024-whats-next-in-tech/%22,%22target%22:%22%22,%22absolute%22:%22%22,%22linkText%22:%22CES%202024:%20What's%20Next%20in%20Tech%22}"><span style='color:#416ED2'>CES 2024: What's Next in Tech</span></a></span></strong><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>First on the list is a skill called <a href="https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https:/www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRSSBQ4L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QOE4BU3544FQ&keywords=character.ai&qid=1704827731&s=digital-skills&sprefix=character.ai%2Calexa-skills%2C105&sr=1-1&tag=zd-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=__COM_CLICK_ID__%7C3c97af91-74be-45a6-8725-7f2414d34181%7Cmwb" target="_blank"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Character.AI</span></a>. Designed by the developers behind the <a href="https://beta.character.ai/" target="_blank"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Character.AI website</span></a>, this skill lets you chat with a range of different chatbots. You can talk to historical figures, such as Socrates or Albert Einstein, and engage in conversations about philosophy or physics.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h3 style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:16.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Special Feature<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><a href="/collection/ces-2024/"><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#416ED2'><o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif;color:#416ED2'><a href="/collection/ces-2024/"><span style='color:#416ED2;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=459 height=238 style='width:4.7812in;height:2.4791in' id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/9a8a230a3826d49c88489e70f519438a70d36ea7/2024/01/04/d083c4cc-f70b-4bb4-88ac-fad4a79b981b/frame-3.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459" alt=frame-3></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p><h3 style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><u><span style='font-size:16.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif;color:#416ED2'><a href="/collection/ces-2024/"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Best of CES 2024<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></u></h3><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><u><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif;color:#416ED2'><a href="/collection/ces-2024/"><span style='color:#416ED2'>ZDNET sorts through the wave of CES news and announcements to identify innovations that will make the most impact on professionals. Learn about the newest products and trends that transform the future of work and life.<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif;color:#416ED2'><a href="/collection/ces-2024/"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Read now </span></a></span></span><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>You can also use Character.AI to chat with trip planners, dating coaches, fitness coaches, and other helpers to get help and advice. And for entertainment, you can explore AI-driven alternate timelines or help an AI escape from a harrowing situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>To use the skill, just say: "Alexa, open Character.AI." Alexa then asks whether you'd like to speak with assistants, helpers, famous people, or have fun and games. Make your choice, and Alexa lists some of the different characters waiting to chat with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>I opted to converse with Grace Hopper, the famous computer scientist and mathematician. I naturally asked her if it was true that the term "bug" was created after she discovered a moth in her log book. But she set me straight by explaining that the story about the moth is a myth and the term bug was actually devised long before she found a real one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><strong><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Also: <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-best-ces-2024-gadgets-you-can-buy-right-now/"><span style='color:#416ED2'>The best CES 2024 gadgets you can buy right now</span></a></span></strong><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Next on the list is a skill called <a href="https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https:/www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRVV9WGQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VQTQTZZJ1AGT&keywords=splash&qid=1704829371&s=digital-skills&sprefix=splash%2Calexa-skills%2C119&sr=1-1&tag=zd-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=__COM_CLICK_ID__%7C3c97af91-74be-45a6-8725-7f2414d34181%7Cmwb" target="_blank"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Splash</span></a>, which uses AI to create a song based on your description. With this one, you can tell Alexa to create any type of song or specify the genre of music you want. After playing a short excerpt, Alexa asks if you want to make any changes, such as adding lyrics. If you like the tune, you can then tell Alexa to send it to your phone for playback.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>To use the skill to generate any type of song, say: "Alexa, create a song with Splash Music." To include a genre, say: "Alexa, open Splash Music," and you'll be asked what style you prefer. For this one, I asked Splash to compose a song in the style of jazz. The result certainly wouldn't win any awards at the next Grammys, but it showed promise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Finally, the third skill is named <a href="https://assoc-redirect.amazon.com/g/r/https:/www.amazon.com/Volley-Inc-Games/dp/B0CLKW59XR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GYFTVOSJ3Y5R&keywords=volley%27s+20+questions&qid=1704829774&s=digital-skills&sprefix=volley%27s+20+questions%2Calexa-skills%2C96&sr=1-1&tag=zd-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=__COM_CLICK_ID__%7C3c97af91-74be-45a6-8725-7f2414d34181%7Cmwb" target="_blank"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Volley Games</span></a>, an AI-driven spin on the usual 20 questions game. In this one, a friendly AI host challenges you to guess an object by asking the right 'yes' or 'no' questions. After giving you the category, you're prompted to ask each question until you hopefully guess the mystery item. Along the way, you can ask for hints if you're stumped.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><strong><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Also: <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-robots-and-ai-innovations-at-ces-2024/"><span style='color:#416ED2'>The best robots and AI innovations we've seen at CES 2024 so far</span></a></span></strong><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>To try this one, say: "Alexa, open Volley Games." Your AI host reveals the category and then asks for your first question. In my case, I was given a category of household objects. After guessing that the object was something in the kitchen, I was stumped for a while, until finally I figured out that the answer was spatula.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>The three new skills were all cooked up by developers using <a href="https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/blogs/alexa/alexa-skills-kit/2023/09/alexa-llm-fall-devices-services-sep-2023?tag=zd-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=__COM_CLICK_ID__%7C3c97af91-74be-45a6-8725-7f2414d34181%7Cmwb" target="_blank"><span style='color:#416ED2'>new tools introduced by Amazon last September</span></a>. The tools are designed to more easily integrate generative AI into Alexa skills, allowing users to engage in conversations and access real-time data. Other abilities touted by Amazon at the time included booking reservations at a restaurant and getting a summary of a trending news story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h4 style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Newsletters<o:p></o:p></span></h4><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>ZDNET Tech Today<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>ZDNET's Tech Today newsletter is a daily briefing of the newest, most talked about stories, five days a week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width:100%'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Subscribe <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><a href="/newsletters/"><span style='color:#416ED2'>See all </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Goldfield,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you need help using your assistive technology learn about my training services by visiting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.screenreadertraining.com/">WWW.ScreenReaderTraining.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Am Yisrael Chai<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Nation of Israel Lives!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification/">JAWS Certified, 2022</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="https://certification.nvaccess.org/">NVDA Certified Expert</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subscribe to the Tech-VI announcement list to receive news, events and information regarding the blindness assistive technology field.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:tech-vi+subscribe@groups.io">tech-vi+subscribe@groups.io</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.davidgoldfield.com/">www.DavidGoldfield.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'>_._,_._,_<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></div><p class=MsoNormal>Groups.io Links:<o:p></o:p></p><p>You receive all messages sent to this group. <o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/6022" target="_blank">View/Reply Online (#6022)</a> | <a href="mailto:tech-vi@groups.io?subject=Re:%20%5BTech-VI%5D%20Alexa%20just%20got%20three%20new%20generative%20AI%20skills%20-%20here%27s%20how%20to%20try%20them%20%7C%20ZDNET" target="_blank">Reply To Group</a> | <a href="mailto:david.goldfield@outlook.com?subject=Private:%20Re:%20%5BTech-VI%5D%20Alexa%20just%20got%20three%20new%20generative%20AI%20skills%20-%20here%27s%20how%20to%20try%20them%20%7C%20ZDNET" target="_blank">Reply To Sender</a> | <a href="https://groups.io/mt/103639792/429118" target="_blank">Mute This Topic</a> <br><a href="https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/editsub/429118">Your Subscription</a> | <a href="mailto:tech-vi+owner@groups.io">Contact Group Owner</a> | <a href="https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/leave/8992023/429118/183103599/xyzzy">Unsubscribe</a> [robertleslienewman@gmail.com]<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'>_._,_._,_<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Respectfully yours,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Robert Leslie Newman</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>NFBN Senior Division, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>