Aussie companies teach Alexa new tricks
Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant is becoming more versatile in Australia thanks to the recent launch of the Alexa Skills Kit API. Australians can now use Alexa to find jobs, post tasks and find local services, request bank account balances and even order pizza.
SEEK has announced the launch of voice-activated job search through Alexa, providing jobseekers with hands-free access to career, company and job updates and insights.
SEEK company reviews, job skills and weekly employment market updates will be made available over the platform to any SEEK user with an Amazon Echo.
Users will, for example, be able to search for project manager roles in Melbourne, and Alexa will respond by reading out the most recent jobs and asking whether they would like the information emailed to them.
“Voice is without a doubt the next big technology trend. Being one of the first brands in the country to develop Alexa skills gives SEEK an opportunity to experiment with what type of career content resonates with users through voice search technology,” said SEEK’s managing director ANZ, Michael Ilczynski.
Airtasker, the community marketplace for outsourcing tasks and finding local services, has meanwhile introduced the ability to post tasks through voice control using Alexa. Users will, for example, be able to ask Airtasker to find a cleaner or gardener.
NAB has used the skills platform to allow customers who have connected Alexa to an NAB account to use voice control to perform functions like checking account balances, ask if they have been paid or query credit card debt.
“Our skill for Amazon Alexa devices provides a secure connection between the device and a customer’s internet banking account, allowing them the convenience to manage their money,” said NAB’s executive general manager for digital and innovation, Jonathan Davey.
“In the future, we certainly see this experience turning into one where you can pay bills, make funds transfers or even purchase items at the command of your voice.”
Finally, Domino's Australia has introduced the capability for customers to place their favourite pizza order and check the status of their order using voice control. The functionality makes use of the Domino’s Quick Order feature, which allows online customers to save their last or favourite orders and reorder the same pizzas in a few taps or clicks.
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