Building Voice Applications for Alexa
Seven Ways To Get Started
Last week was an amazing week with all of the incredible new things announced for Alexa Skill developers at Alexa Live 2022. I hope you were able to tune into the virtual conference and get a glimpse at the latest in voice app development for Alexa.
I also hope that you enjoyed the Alexa-focused content that I published last week. In case you missed it, here’s where you can find it all (and more):
I realize that some of you might be new to developing Alexa Skills and not know where to get started. So I’ve created this list of seven ways that you can get started building voice applications for Alexa.
1. Read My Book
I couldn’t create a list such as this without first recommending that you pick up a copy of Build Talking Apps for Alexa. My book guides you through many aspects of Alexa Skill development. It’s a great resource for anyone new to developing voice applications, and I wrote it with the new Alexa Skill developer in mind.
2. Watch My Getting Started Video
There’s more than one way to start a new Alexa Skill project. I’ve captured three ways in this video:
3. Attend The Progressive Web Experience
I’m a regular speaker on the No-Fluff Just-Stuff conference tour. One of the destination stops of the tour happens this December in Clearwater, FL: the Progressive Web Experience:
I’m scheduled to present several sessions on voice application development for Alexa and would be thrilled to have you join me in those sessions.
🔊 Side note: I am usually scheduled to present Spring Framework-related topics for the regular NFJS shows and don’t often get a chance to talk about Alexa. If you would like to see more voice app topics on the NFJS tour, please reach out to the NFJS organizers by clicking the Send Us a Message link at the bottom of their Contact Us page and ask them for more Alexa and voice application sessions.
4. Join the Discussion on Slack
Did you know that Alexa developers have their very own Slack channel? Join to discuss Alexa Skill development.
5. Tune In to Alexa Office Hours
Every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time, Jeff Blankenburg, Chief Technical Evangelist for Alexa, hosts Alexa Office Hours where he answers questions and invites guests from various segments of the Alexa team to discuss their area of expertise. Join in on Twitch.
6. Explore the Cake Time Tutorial
The Alexa team has created a fantastic getting started tutorial called “Cake Time” (which sadly, has very little to do with dessert). In this tutorial, you’ll learn to build an Alexa Skill that lets a user guess the month and year that an Alexa-chosen celebrity was born. Check out the tutorial, which takes just a few hours to complete.
7. Visit the Alexa Learning Lab
Announced during Alexa Live 2022, the Alexa Learning Lab offers learning paths to gain knowledge around several Alexa development subjects.
And Finally…
No matter how you get started with developing for Alexa, I hope that you’ll have as much fun with it as I have had. I look forward to seeing what you can create with Alexa!
If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy Build Talking Apps for Alexa by Craig Walls, now available in beta from The Pragmatic Bookshelf:
You can use promo code alexa_2022 through August 31st to save 35% on the ebook on pragprog.com. Promo codes are not valid on prior purchases.
