JSJ 274: Amazon Voice Services and Echo Skills with Terrance Smith
JavaScript Jabber15 Aug 2017

JSJ 274: Amazon Voice Services and Echo Skills with Terrance Smith

JSJ 274 Amazon Voice Services and Echo Skills with Terrance SmithOn today’s episode of JavaScript Jabber, we have panelists Joe Eames, Aimee Knight, Charles Max Wood, and we have special guest Terrance Smith. He’s here today to talk about the Amazon Alexa platform. So tune in and learn more about Amazon Voice Services![01:00] – Introduction to Terrance SmithTerrance is from Hacker Ferrer Software. They hack love into software.[01:30] – Amazon Voice ServiceWhat I’m working on is called My CareTaker named probably pending change. What it will do and what it is doing will be to help you be there as a caretaker’s aid for the person in your life. If you have to take care an older parent, My CareTaker will be there in your place if you have to work that day. It will be your liaison to that person. Your mom and dad can talk to My CareTaker and My CareTaker could signal you via SMS or email message or tweet, anything on your usage dashboard, and you would be able to respond. It’s there when you’re not.[04:35] – Capabilities Getting started with it, there are different layers. The first layer is the Skills Kit for generally getting into the Amazon IoT. It has a limited subset of the functionality. You can give commands. The device parses them, sends them to Amazon’s endpoint, Amazon sends a call back to your API endpoint, and you can do whatever you want. That is the first level. You can make it do things like turn on your light switch, start your car, change your thermostat, or make an API call to some website somewhere to do anything.[05:50] – Skills KitSkills Kit is different with AVS. Skills Kit, you can install it on any device. You’re spinning up a web service and register it on Amazon’s website. As long as you have an endpoint, you can register, say, the Amazon Web Services Lambda. Start that up and do something. The Skills Kit is literally the web endpoint response. Amazon Voice Services is a bit more in-depth.[07:00] – Steps for programmingWith the Skills Kit, you register what would be your utterance, your skill name, and you would give it a couple of sets of phrases to accept. Say, you have a skill that can start a car, your skill is “Car Starter.” “Alexa tell Car Starter to start the car.” At which point, your web service will be notified that that is the utterance. It literally has a case statement. You can have any number of individual conditional branches outside of that. The limitation for the Skills Kit is you have to have the “tell” or “ask” and the name of the skill to do whatever. It’s also going to be publicly accessible. For the most part, it’s literally a web service.[10:55] – Boilerplates for AWS LambdaBoilerplates can be used if you want to develop for production. If you publish a skill, you get free AVS instance time. You can host your skill for free for some amount of time. There are GUI tools to make it easier but if you’re a developer, you’re probably going to do the spin up a web service and deal it that way.[11:45] – Do you have to have an Amazon Echo?At one point, you have to have the Echo but now there is this called Echoism, which allows you to run it in your browser. In addition to that, you can potentially install it on a device like a Raspberry Pi and run Amazon Voice Services. The actual engine is on your PC, Mac, or Linux box. You have different options.[12:35] – Machine learningThere are certain things that Amazon Alexa understand now that it did last year or time before that like understanding utterances and phrases better. A lot of the machine learning is definitely under the covers. The other portion of it Alexa Voice Service, which is a whole engine that you have untethered access to other portions like how to handle responses. That’s where you can build a custom device and take it apart. So the API that we’re working with here is just using JSON and HTTP.[16:40] – Amazon Echo ShowYou have that full real-time back and forth communication ability but there is no video streaming or video processing ability yet. You can utilize the engine in such a way that Amazon Voice Services can work with your existing tool language. If you have a Raspberry Pi and you have a camera to it, you can potentially work within that. But again, the official API’s and docs for that are not available yet.[27:20] – ChallengesThere’s an appliance in this house that listens to everything I say. There’s that natural inclination to not trust it, especially with the older generations. Giving past that is getting people to use the device. Some of the programming sides of it are getting the communication to work, doing something that Alexa isn’t pre-programmed to do. There isn’t a lot of documentation out there, just a couple of examples. The original examples are written in Java and trying to convert it to Node or JavaScript would be some of the technical challenges. In addition, getting it installed and setup takes at least an hour at the beginning. There’s also a learning curve involved.[29:35] – Is your product layered in an Echo or is your product a separate device?Terrance’s product is a completely separate device. One of the functionality of his program is medicine reminders. It can only respond to whatever the API calls from Amazon tells you to respond to but it can’t do anything like send something back. It can do an immediate audio response with a picture or turn on and off a light switch. But it can’t send a message back in like two hours from now. You do want your Alexa device to have (verbally) a list of notifications like on your phone. TLDR, Terrance can go a little further with just the Skills Kit.[32:00] – Could you set it up through a web server?Yes. There are examples out there. There’s Alexa in the browser. You can open up a browser and communicate with that. There are examples of it being installed like an app. You can deploy it to your existing iPhone app or Android app and have it interact that way. Or you can have it interact independently on a completely different device like a Raspberry Pi. But not a lot of folks are using it that way.[33:10] – MonetizationAmazon isn’t changing anything in terms of monetization. They make discovery a lot easier though. If you knew the name of the app, you could just say, “Alexa, [tell the name of the app].” It will do a lazy load of the actual skill and it will add it to your available skill’s list.However, there is something called the Alexa Fund, which is kind of a startup fund that they have, which you can apply for. If you’re doing something interesting, there is a number of things you have to do. Ideally, you can get funding for whatever your product is. It is an available avenue for you.[36:25] – More information, documentation, walkthroughsThe number one place to go to as far as getting started is the Amazon websites. They have the Conexant 4-Mic Far-Field Dev Kit. It has 4 mics and it has already a lot of what you need. You have to boot it up and/or SSH into it or plug it up and code it. They have a couple of these kits for $300 to $400. It’s one of the safe and simpler options.There are also directions for the AVS sites which is under Alexa Voice Services, where you can go to the Github from there. There will give you directions using the Raspberry Pi. If not that, there’s also the Slack chatroom. It is alexaslack.com. Travis Teague is the guy in charge in there.PicksJoe EamesAimee KnightCharles Max WoodTerrance SmithSpecial Guest: Terrance Smith.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/javascript-jabber/donations

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/javascript-jabber--6102064/support.

Avsnitt(733)

What's New in JavaScript: Latest Language Updates and Features - JSJ 666

What's New in JavaScript: Latest Language Updates and Features - JSJ 666

Hey, everyone. Welcome back to another exciting episode of JavaScript Jabber, part of the Top End Devs Network. I'm your host, Charles Max Wood, joined by our amazing panelist, Dan Shappir. In this episode, we dive into the latest developments in the world of JavaScript as we kick off a new year. You might recall we covered this topic about a year and a half ago in episode 590.  Today, we're revisiting the updates to see what's progressed and what's newly introduced in the JavaScript standard.Dan Shappir offers his expertise as we explore features that have recently been added to the language. From promise.allSettled, a feature that's been around for about five years but often underutilized, to array method enhancements like .at and Object.hasOwn, there's a ton to unpack. We'll also delve into exciting new library additions like findLast for arrays, efficient array copying methods and improvements in set operations that make JavaScript more powerful and developer-friendly than ever.The episode isn't just about the features that have already landed; we'll also touch on what's in the pipeline with proposals in various stages of development, including exciting concepts like temporal for better date and time handling. Whether you're a JavaScript pro or just keen to stay updated on the latest trends, this discussion is packed with insights to level up your coding game.So, grab your headphones, stay tuned, and let's explore the exciting world of new JavaScript features together!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/javascript-jabber--6102064/support.

22 Jan 1h 26min

Reflections on Technology Trends, AI Impact, and Memorable Episodes - JSJ 665

Reflections on Technology Trends, AI Impact, and Memorable Episodes - JSJ 665

Welcome to another riveting episode of Top End Devs! In today's "Year in Review" special, hosts Charles, AJ, Dan, and Steve Edwards take you on a retrospective journey through their most memorable moments and thought-provoking discussions of the year. From the amusing and insightful exchanges with influential guests like Rich Harris and Kyle Simpson to their deep dives into emerging tech trends like Svelte 5 and AI integration in development, this episode has it all.They also explore Charles's experience transitioning from a Mac to a high-performance System76 machine, Dan's favorite and least favorite tech trends, and AJ's admiration for profitable and customer-focused approaches in the industry. Expect a blend of technical expertise, humor with those beloved dad jokes, and personal reflections that make this podcast uniquely engaging.So, get ready as we reflect on the year's highlights, laugh at the dad jokes that have become fan favorites, and look forward to exciting developments in the tech world with your favorite panelists.PicksAJ - 100 Days of Rejection (Therapy)AJ - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLamouX6QxWIuTHuaArIOzdorWoYaF6cU5AJ - John Sonmez: Eye Contact & SmirkingAJ - John Sonmez: How to Become a ManAJ - EvalPlus LeaderboardAJ - OllamaCharles -HeatCharles - Heat: Pedal to the MetalCharles - Hit Refresh by Satya NadellaCharles -  American Icon by Bryce HoffmanCharles - System76Charles - Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth, Book 1) (Sword of Truth, 1)Dan - A Man on the Inside (TV Series 2024Dan - The Best Syria Breakdown You'll Ever Hear - Thomas SmallDan - Master of the Five MagicsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/javascript-jabber--6102064/support.

7 Jan 2h 5min

Innovation and Framework Adoption - JSJ 664

Innovation and Framework Adoption - JSJ 664

In this episode, Charles, AJ, and Dan explore the intricacies of team dynamics, technological choices, and the challenges of web development with our distinguished panel. Joining them is a very special guest, the legendary Uncle Bob Martin. They delve into team collaboration and decision-making, with Uncle Bob emphasizing the importance of reasonable debates and team buy-in when it comes to mental models and project directives. Dan discusses how, in startups, the initial developer often ends up making key decisions.They also touch on technological choices, including the complications of inheriting decisions from previous team members and the ever-topical debate on relational databases influenced by marketing pressures. Uncle Bob shares his seasoned insights into React Framework inconsistencies and the philosophy behind state-driven design.They tackle the separation of business logic from frameworks to maintain purity and independence in code. There's also a lively discussion about starting with functional prototypes, and the influence of Apple’s focus on UI on their success.Additionally, they explore Uncle Bob’s controversial stance on web frameworks, the dynamics of framework adoption, and the role of technical decisions in hiring. There are fascinating comparisons between framework popularity and historical tech stories, including the evolution of Apple’s innovations and the contributions from Xerox PARC.Finally, as they wrap up, they have insightful pick recommendations from the panelists, covering everything from the NBA season and engaging TV series to board games and book recommendations—a little something for everyone.Join them for an enlightening journey through the nuances of modern development practices, historical tech anecdotes, and personal insights from some of the industry's top minds. This episode promises to be a treasure trove of knowledge and experience for any developer. Let's get started!SocialsLinkedIn: Robert MartinPicksAJ - How to Start a Startup - A course Y Combinator taught at StanfordCharles - MLEM: Space Agency | Board GameDan - NBA SeasonDan - The Day of the Jackal (TV Series 2024Uncle Bob - 'The Cloud Fugitive' | David Heinemeier Hansson | NTK # 001Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/javascript-jabber--6102064/support.

31 Dec 20241h 45min

Revolutionizing API Syntax and Schema Management with Jazz Framework - JSJ 663

Revolutionizing API Syntax and Schema Management with Jazz Framework - JSJ 663

In today's episode, Charles and AJ are joined by Anselm Eickhoff, a trailblazing full-stack software engineer. Anselm delves into the world of "Local First" software development and the innovative tool he’s developed, "Jazz." They explore how Jazz leverages schema information for type inference and runtime validation, enabling real-time collaboration and seamless offline functionality. They dive into the simplifications brought by Jazz's API changes, the flexibility offered through open protocols, and the local-first approach using CRDTs.They also tackle Jazz’s impressive backend infrastructure and its shift to direct disk storage, along with insights into the challenges and emerging support structures faced by early adopters. Anselm shares real-world applications, advanced analytics capabilities, and the future outlook for Jazz, emphasizing performance, resilience, and data privacy.Plus, stay tuned for a lighthearted detour into board games and TV recommendations, as well as updates on Charles’ AI Dev Boot Camp and exciting developments on the Top End Devs platform. This episode is packed with cutting-edge insights and practical advice for developers looking to integrate advanced real-time features and streamline their app development processes. SocialsLinkedIn: Anselm EickhoffPicksAJ - Dune 2-Film Collection (Blu-Ray + Digital)Charles - Imperial Miners | Board GameBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/javascript-jabber--6102064/support.

24 Dec 20241h 25min

Painting Roses, Eating Marshmallows and Network Protocols - JSJ 662

Painting Roses, Eating Marshmallows and Network Protocols - JSJ 662

Welcome to another insightful episode of the JavaScript Jabber podcast, hosted by Charles alongside our expert panelists Dan and AJ. Today, they are thrilled to be joined by Avishai Ish-Shalom a seasoned technologist with an eye for challenging conventions in the tech world. In this episode, Avishai takes us through fascinating discussions comparing industrial food products to technological abstractions, including his unique perspective on the “marshmallow effect” and the evolving complexities of virtualization.They delve into the challenges of backward compatibility in modern tech, using real-world parallels like AWS virtual storage options, and discuss the impact of technologies like Docker and cloud services on our understanding of underlying infrastructures. Charles shares his upgrade journey from an aging Mac laptop to a powerful System76 desktop for AI tasks, reflecting the changing demands on development environments.Listen in as they explore the nuances of binary vs. textual protocols, the importance of future-proofing legacy systems, and Avishai's compelling arguments in his articles "Don't Paint the Roses" and "The Marshmallow Effect." Plus, they discuss Avishai's career evolution and the intellectual challenges faced by today’s engineers in the rapidly advancing tech landscape. Whether you’re a casual listener or a tech enthusiast, this episode promises to offer valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions. Stay tuned!SocialsLinkedIn: Avishai Ish-ShalomPicksAJ - Deku Deals Avishai - marimo | a next-generation Python notebookCharles - Challengers! Beach Cup | Board GameDan - The Penguin (TV Mini Series 2024)Dan - BlueskyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/javascript-jabber--6102064/support.

17 Dec 20241h 33min

Structuring Node.js Applications Part 2: Dependency Management, Package Managers, Proper API Usage, etc.- JSJ 661

Structuring Node.js Applications Part 2: Dependency Management, Package Managers, Proper API Usage, etc.- JSJ 661

This is the second part of the deep dive into the essential practices and principles for successful Node.js development. Our esteemed guests, Michael Dawson, James Snell, Matteo Collina, and Natalia Venditto, bring their extensive expertise to the table, discussing key topics like how to manage dependencies in a Node.js project.SocialsLinkedIn: James SnellLinkedIn: Michael DawsonLinkedIn: Matteo CollinaLinkedIn: Natalia VendittoPicksCharles - Gnome Hollow | Board GameCharles - Reacher (TV Series 2022Michael - MakerWorld: Download Free 3D Printing Models Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/javascript-jabber--6102064/support.

11 Dec 20241h 22min

TypeScript Success: Integration, Type Checking, and Generics - JSJ 660

TypeScript Success: Integration, Type Checking, and Generics - JSJ 660

In this episode, Dan sits down with TypeScript expert Matt Pocock to dive deep into the world of TypeScript migration, learning curves, and developer challenges. They explore why having a TypeScript "wizard" is crucial for teams transitioning from JavaScript and how TypeScript's integration with development environments like Visual Studio Code has been a game changer.Dan and Matt discuss the importance of real-time typechecking, the community's role in TypeScript's success, and practical strategies for migrating large codebases to TypeScript. You'll hear about Matt's journey from drama school to becoming a DevRel expert, his contributions to the XState library, and his philosophy of type-driven development. Together, they highlight TypeScript's advantages, such as enhanced code reliability and the nuanced benefits of explicit vs. inferred types.Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting with TypeScript, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice to help you harness the full power of static typing in your projects. Tune in for a fascinating discussion that underscores the value of "boring" code, the need for continual learning, and the ongoing evolution of software development practices. Stay with us as we unravel the intricacies of TypeScript and share practical tips to elevate your coding journey.SocialsLinkedIn: Matt PocockBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/javascript-jabber--6102064/support.

3 Dec 20241h 20min

React and Beyond: The Importance of Learning DOM APIs - JSJ 659

React and Beyond: The Importance of Learning DOM APIs - JSJ 659

In today's episode, Charles, AJ and Steve are joined by guests Corey Brown for a rich discussion on the importance of understanding foundational concepts in software development. They explore the balance between leveraging high-level frameworks like React and the necessity of grasping the underlying technologies to troubleshoot effectively and build robust applications. They emphasize the value of comprehending core language features to write better software and solve problems efficiently. Corey reflects on the passion within the software development community and the hidden costs of over-relying on third-party dependencies like the infamous "left pad" incident.As the conversation unfolds, they debate whether sticking to frameworks or delving into deeper technologies leads to long-term success. They share practical insights on the benefits of reading source code, continuously learning, and the significance of core platform APIs. Additionally, the episode includes light-hearted "picks" from the panelists, including humorous resources and personal anecdotes. Join them as they dissect these critical perspectives and share valuable advice for both novice and seasoned developers alike. Let's get started!PicksAJ - Grug BrainAJ - Creeds of CraftsmanshipAJ - AJQuery v3.0.3Cory - Palm Paradise #206Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/javascript-jabber--6102064/support.

26 Nov 20241h 23min

Populärt inom Business & ekonomi

badfluence
framgangspodden
varvet
rss-jossan-nina
uppgang-och-fall
bathina-en-podcast
rss-svart-marknad
rss-borsens-finest
24fragor
svd-tech-brief
lastbilspodden
avanzapodden
dynastin
fill-or-kill
affarsvarlden
rss-kort-lang-analyspodden-fran-di
rss-inga-dumma-fragor-om-pengar
borsmorgon
rss-dagen-med-di
kvalitetsaktiepodden