Amazon isn’t allowing ads on Alexa just yet
But the e-commerce giant is wrestling with how to let third-party firms make money off of software designed for its virtual assistant.
Background: Earlier this year, CNBC reported that Amazon was working out how it could run ads on its Alexa voice assistant.
Now: The Information ($) reports that the firm denied Sony’s request to run ads on its Jeopardy app (sorry, “skill”) for Alexa. The e-tailer told Sony that ads would put people off playing.
The case for ads: Developers don’t make any money from Alexa skills currently, because they’re free to install. Ads could change that.
The case against: The user experience of a voice assistant with ads would, to put it bluntly, be dreadful. And Amazon says it wants using Alexa to be "a delightful experience."
What next: The Information says Amazon will experiment with premium skills, where users pay a few dollars for specific features. That may appease developers—for a while, at least.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
Large language models can do jaw-dropping things. But nobody knows exactly why.
And that's a problem. Figuring it out is one of the biggest scientific puzzles of our time and a crucial step towards controlling more powerful future models.
The problem with plug-in hybrids? Their drivers.
Plug-in hybrids are often sold as a transition to EVs, but new data from Europe shows we’re still underestimating the emissions they produce.
Google DeepMind’s new generative model makes Super Mario–like games from scratch
Genie learns how to control games by watching hours and hours of video. It could help train next-gen robots too.
How scientists traced a mysterious covid case back to six toilets
When wastewater surveillance turns into a hunt for a single infected individual, the ethics get tricky.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.