Exclusive: Huge news for Echo users in the UK Alexa is getting a new voice

Date:
Tue, 16 Nov 2021 17:00:03 +0000

Description:
After the option launched in the US earlier this year, Echo owners in the UK can now change Alexas voice to a deeper-sounding alternative.

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Amazon Echo users in the UK are finally able to change Alexas voice, Amazon has confirmed to TechRadar. The deeper-sounding alternative, which is already available to Echo owners in the US, is being rolled out to Amazon smart speakers and smart displays in the UK.

However, while in the US, Alexas masculine tone has its own name Ziggy
Brits will have to wait until next year before they can assign this title to the voice. For now, they'll have to make do with the existing wake words Alexa (the default), Computer, Amazon, or Echo to summon the voice
assistant.

Just say "Alexa, change your voice" to switch to the new more masculine
voice; note, though, that an Amazon spokesperson told us the upgrade would land on devices "over the next few days", so dont be alarmed if Alexa is unable to do this immediately. You can also use the Alexa app on your smartphone to switch between the two voices read our article for in-depth instructions on how to change Alexas voice . Discover every Alexa privacy setting and how to change them What is Amazon Kids on Alexa, and how do I
turn it on? How to reset an Amazon Echo (and why you should know how before Black Friday) Opinion: is a new voice option enough?

Amazon has lagged behind when it comes to offering a choice of voices for its virtual assistant, as both Google and Apple have offered an array of options for some time. While there are areas where Alexa trumps its rival voice assistants such as the number of smart home devices it's compatible with
the rollout of the deeper-voiced alternative in the UK shows that the brand
is looking to square up to its rivals in all areas. However, it might not be enough to stop British Echo users from feeling a bit fed up.

While the masculine tone is a start, theres still no sign of the celebrity voice alternatives that are available for Alexa in the US, which include Samuel L Jackson, Shaquille ONeal, and Melissa McCarthy. When we asked Amazon about the possibility of celebrity voices heading to the UK, a spokesperson told TechRadar: Im afraid I cant comment on our future roadmap.

We understand that Shaq might not be a big draw for those outside America,
but both Samuel L Jackson and Melissa McCarthy are global superstars that resonate around the world and a couple of British celeb options, such as
Mary Berry or Daniel Craig, would be welcome too.

Its not just the lack of voice choice that bothers us from the ability to make zoom calls on the Amazon Echo range of smart displays, to using the
handy Guard Plus feature to turn Alexa into a device that monitors your home for unusual noises, there are a wealth of features the UK users dont have access to, and its starting to make us a little jealous.



Heres hoping that Amazon can speed up the rollout of its roadmap in the UK before we start to turn our backs on Alexa and Echo in favour of other, more feature-rich alternative smart speakers on the market. In the market for an Alexa speaker? Check out the best Black Friday Amazon Echo deals round-up to get a heads up on all the best deals as soon as they drop



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/exclusive-huge-news-for-echo-users-in-the-uk-al exa-is-getting-a-new-voice/


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