Astra - for Alexa Voice Services
| Category | Price | Seller | Device |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $2.99 | Thaddeus Ternes | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
Try out Alexa Voice Services before you purchase an Echo. Use Astra as a remote for your Smart Devices when away from home. Test your Skills as you develop them.
Set up your city location, sports team preferences, news feed preferences, smart devices, home and work locations, and enable Skills through the Alexa app for more personalized information.
FEATURES
• Control your Smart Devices away from home
• Re-order products from Amazon
• Ask Astra to give you a Flash Briefing for your news
• Find out if there is traffic on your commute
• Add items to your shopping and to do list
• Ask Astra to set a timer for 10 minutes
• Check sports scores
• Check movie listings and times
• Get recommendations for local restaurants
• Get information about local businesses
• Ask about the weather forecast
• Use any Alexa Skill available
• Test out your own Skills as your develop them
ASTRA REQUIRES AN AMAZON ACCOUNT
ASTRA DOES NOT SUPPORT MUSIC PLAYBACK OR READING AUDIO BOOKS. Certain other content may be unavailable due to licensing restrictions.
Reviews
Works as is
918 Randy
I already have it on my homescreen. Watching tv with others, it's more polite to whisper to your smartphone, than to yell at Alexa. The real Alexa voice responds through your iOS device. This is remarkable for Echo users and seems to good to be true. I turned on and off appliances awY from home by talking to Alexa here, it's a big deal. Also, you don't even have to prefix with "Alexa"--it's based on listening to you when you press s large screen button.
Not as functional as on would hope for
BigFree1
I wanted to use this app to control Amazon Prime Music on my iPhone while my iPhone was connected by bluetooth to my cars audio system. Sort of like you would with an amazon Echo or Tap. I surely don't want to set-up a hot-spot for my tap and carry that in my car. This Asta app seemed like it could be my answer, but is seems that funtionality isn't there. :(
No audio
BillZen
This app is not working for me. Although it shows a song "playing" there is no audio. In general, it has very limited functionality. Interface is non-intuitive. The FAQs are very limited and not helpful.
Buggy
CloakOfMuadDib
Trying to play a news brief just says playing audio but nothing plays. Very little you can do with this app.
Great way to try Alexa before buying an Echo
ddkilzer
This app is a great way to try Alexa before buying an Amazon Echo. Or if you just want to try a voice assistant "bake-off", it lets you compare Amazon's Alexa to Apple's Siri, Google Assistant and Microsoft's Cortana. My favorite "skill" is the Jeopardy J6 skill which gives you six new clues in six categories each day. For those complaining about access to music, note that it's not available through Astra, and this is noted in the FAQ.
Great for Controlling my Smart Home
Pete Mayhem
I use two Echo Dot devices to control my Hue lights by voice, using Alexa. I utilize Astra when outside of vocal range or even when away from home. The interface is pleasant and the app is responsive. It does not require the wake 'Alexa' (think Echo Tap) since you are holding to record. I'm guessing because this is a paid app, that the developer wants this to be more than a proof of concept. I hope the future of Astra involves a iPad and WatchOS app. People often leave an iPad central in the home, this is why Apple allows an iPad to be the center of their own Home app.
BEWARE don't buy - doesn't work with news
jecLosAngeles
This app doesn't tell you the news briefing. Just freezes which is what I like to use it for the most. Womp womp. Save your money. Developers please fix bugs.
Works great!
domoarigato
Does just what it says. Works great to access Alexa when I'm not in the room.
Perfect
Vulgar demos
If you're using Alexa for Siri-like functionality, this app essentially makes the Amazon hardware totally unnecessary. In other words, I wish I knew I didn't have to buy an Echo. Does Amazon know this? Shhhh.
