by Terren Peterson | Released August 2017 | ISBN: 9781491993736

Creating advanced Amazon Alexa skills requires a more sophisticated set of tools than the elementary ones described on Amazon's web site. In this course, Terren Peterson reveals the tools and processes employed by Alexa Champions. You'll gain experience designing advanced voice user interfaces, learn about the Speech Synthesis Markup Language, and explore ways to integrate third party APIs. You'll also pick up techniques for adding music and sound, discover how to use analytics to improve the performance of your skills over time, and learn how to add visuals to Amazon's Echo Show. Understand the fundamentals of the Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) Discover different analytic techniques that track how audiences use Alexa skills Pick up multiple methods for managing content (i.e., S3, external APIs, etc.) Explore ways to add sounds and music to skills using tools such as Audacity Learn how to render visuals onto the Amazon Echo Show touch screen display Review the source code of advanced skills already published on Alexa Terren Peterson is an Amazon Alexa Champion - the designation Amazon awards each year to just a handful of Alexa developers worldwide. He's created several chart-topping Alexa skills, such as "Hurricane Center", a skill providing tropical storm information based on NOAA data. A 20+ year technology veteran with multiple Amazon Web Services certifications, Terren is Head of Technology Infrastructure for Consumer Banking at Capital One, where he leads the bank's transition to cloud technologies. Show and hide more Publisher resources Download Example Code

1. Introduction
   • Welcome To The Course 00:01:41
   • About The Author 00:00:42
2. Designing An Advanced Voice User Flow
   • Voice Design Flows 00:06:19
   • Intent Model For Complex Skills 00:05:43
   • How To Create A Memorable Intro 00:06:03
   • Designing Help Within A Skill 00:06:16
   • How To Extend Skills 00:11:15
3. Using Analytics To Track And Improve Skills
   • What Analytics Are Available Through The Console 00:04:53
   • Detailed Info On A Skill 00:04:03
   • Tracking Granular Usage 00:05:46
   • Using Voice Analytics Services 00:07:55
   • Following Up On User Feedback 00:02:21
4. Managing Content For Skills
   • Architecture Patterns For Managing Content 00:05:53
   • Managing Content Locally 00:03:45
   • Managing Content In S3 00:04:53
   • Leveraging Content Through APIs 00:04:29
   • Session Data As Content 00:04:10
   • Altering Content Based On Country 00:04:29
5. Integrating Sound And Music Into Skill
   • SSML Overview For Audio 00:06:24
   • Recording MP3 For Alexa Skills 00:05:36
   • Incorporating Sounds Within A Skill 00:03:04
   • Incorporating Voices Within A Skill Using Polly 00:05:57
6. Adding A Visual Medium To Alexa Skills
   • Augmenting The Voice First Experience With Visuals 00:02:31
   • Rendering Cards On The Companion App 00:06:23
   • Building Skills With Visuals For The Echo Show 00:08:18
7. Conclusion
   • Wrap Up And Thank You 00:00:58
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