This week we are unpacking what was said at Alexa Live - Amazon’s tech conference for developers.

The annual event often reveals what’s on the roadmap. This year it’s all about expanding the features already available on Alexa with improved functionality for Alexa Auto and Alexa Routines.

In this episode of Talking Shop, we hear from Vixen Labs CEO James Poulter and Creative Strategist Rich Merrett as they discuss the announcements and think about how they could be used by brands and businesses.

 

Talking Shop is taking a break for the Summer, so make sure you subscribe to the show so you don’t miss future episodes.

 

Alexa Live 2022 official blog

 

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Download the Vixen Labs Voice Consumer Index 2022

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This week we take a close look at the habits and routines people have formed around voice tech. Vixen Labs CEO James Poulter reveals the findings from our latest Voice Consumer Index research which looked at voice usage in the UK, US and Germany.

We also meet Vixen Labs researcher Chloe Prince as she tells about her role at the agency, and catch up with creative strategist Rich Merrett to discover the latest news from Amazon re:MARS event.

 

From the Vixen Labs Blog

Meet Vixen Labs researcher Chloe Prince

 

Rich’s news links…

Amazon’s re:MARS event

Alexa’s head scientist on conversational exploration, ambient AI

Alexa deepfakes deceased grandma’s voice to read to a child

Astro the Alexa-driven beat boxing cup holder

 

Hit like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you don’t miss the next episode of Talking Shop

Download the Vixen Labs Voice Consumer Index 2022

Follow us on social media @Vixen_Labs on Twitter, Vixen Labs on LinkedIn and @vixen_labs on Instagram.

It’s time to reveal this year’s voice tech research from Vixen Labs!

The Voice Consumer Index 2022 is now available for download, revealing the latest stats around the usage and behaviour of voice assistants in the UK, US and Germany.

In this episode of Talking Shop, Vixen Labs CEO James Poulter gives an overview of the UK and US usage stats. We also hear from creative strategist Rich Merrett as he explains more about Google sunsetting Google Actions, and some new use cases for synthetic voice.

 

Rich's news links...

Google sunsets Google Actions

Google Duplex launches in Brazil

Discord launches text to voice channels

Krafton reveals virtual human, Ana

Conversational AI therapy startup Wysa earns FDA breakthrough certification

Hit like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you don’t miss the next episode of Talking Shop

Download the Vixen Labs Voice Consumer Index 2022

Follow us on social media @Vixen_Labs on Twitter, Vixen Labs on LinkedIn and @vixen_labs on Instagram.

In this episode Vixen Labs' strategist, Scot Westwater exclusively reveals what we can expect from this year’s Voice Consumer Index research. The VCI 2022 data will hit your inbox on June 21 if you’re signed up to our mailing list (head to vixenlabs.co/newsletter to make sure you are!)

We also hear from Vixen Labs CEO James Poulter about the importance of voice search and Rich Merret gives a run-down of the latest voice tech news, including this week’s announcement that Google is to sunset Google Actions.

JP’s presentation to The Like Minds Nudge Ideas Festival

Google sunsets Google Actions

 

Don't forget to...

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In our all new magazine show you’ll hear Vixen Labs CCO Jen Heape speaking about her recent presentation at How Design Live in Boston. We also catch up with CEO James Poulter as he offers his thoughts on the connection between earbuds and the metaverse, plus we have a round-up of the latest news from the voice tech industry presented by voice strategist Rich Merrett.

 

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Sign up to our mailing list at vixenlabs.co to find out when our next research findings are available. (Hint: New report coming June 2022)

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How will Voice fit into the metaverse? How can we be sure of who we are speaking to when it comes to metaverse conversations? And where do NFTs fit into all this?

Vixen Labs audio creative Suze Cooper spoke with Vixen’s CEO JP, Ian Utilie of attn.live and EVP at Veritone One Sean King.

You can listen to the full interview here.

 

Three steps to staying in the know:

Hit like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you don’t miss an episode of Talking Shop

Sign up to our mailing list at vixenlabs.co to find out when our next research findings are available

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In this Talking Shop Shorts episode, we revisit our season one interview with former Procter & Gamble executive Milan Turk.

Voice commerce is growing and retailers are figuring out how best to handle transactions and returns via Voice. You can listen to the full interview here.

 

Three steps to staying in the know:

Hit like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you’re first to find out when Season 2 of Talking Shop drops.

Sign up to our mailing list at vixenlabs.co to find out when our next research findings are available

Follow us on social media @Vixen_Labs on Twitter, Vixen Labs on LinkedIn and @vixen_labs on Instagram.

This week on Talking Shop Shorts we listen back to our interview with McDonald’s Digital Portfolio Manager Steve Pearce.

A voice pioneer in the fast food industry, Steve talks to JP about the importance of being where the customer is.

You can listen to the full episode here.

 

Three steps to staying in the know:

Hit like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you’re first to find out when Season 2 of Talking Shop drops.

Sign up to our mailing list at vixenlabs.co to find out when our next research findings are available.

Follow us on social media @Vixen_Labs on Twitter, Vixen Labs on LinkedIn and @vixen_labs on Instagram.

Our Talking Shop Shorts episode this week is all about fintech. 

Finance specialist and Digital Scouting founder Dr Robin Kiera joins JP to talk about what happens when voice tech meets banking.

Are fears over data privacy are going to put an end to voice banking before it’s really begun? You can listen to the full episode here

Three steps to staying in the know:

Hit like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you’re first to find out when Season 2 of Talking Shop drops.

Sign up to our mailing list at vixenlabs.co to find out when our next research findings are available.

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This week on Talking Shop Shorts we are revisiting our fantastic interview content marketing director Lottie Norman of tour company Contiki.

This one is pure gold for anyone working in content marketing and wondering how Voice might fit into that.

We had trouble finding the best bit to use for our Shorts episode so make sure you check out the rest of the conversation here.

Three steps to staying in the know:

Hit like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you’re first to find out when Season 2 of Talking Shop drops.

Sign up to our mailing list at vixenlabs.co to find out when our next research findings are available.

Follow us on social media @Vixen_Labs on Twitter, Vixen Labs on LinkedIn and @vixen_labs on Instagram.