The Alexa Skills revolution that wasn't

Amazon's Alexa, launched in 2014, was envisioned as a revolutionary voice assistant that would transcend traditional app usage through its "skills" feature. However, a decade later, Alexa remains primarily used for basic tasks like playing music and checking the weather. Despite Amazon's efforts to encourage developers to create skills, the platform has struggled with user engagement and interface issues. The skills available, over 160,000, are significantly fewer than mobile app store offerings, and many users find it challenging to discover and utilize these skills effectively. The interaction model requires users to remember specific skill names and navigate through cumbersome settings, which detracts from the seamless experience Amazon aimed to provide. While some skills, particularly simple games, have gained popularity, the overall ecosystem lacks the marketing and discovery mechanisms that drive success in mobile apps. Looking ahead, Amazon is re-architecting Alexa to incorporate large language models (LLMs), which could enhance its ability to understand complex queries and streamline interactions. This shift may address some of the existing challenges, but it raises questions about the future role of skills and the overall capabilities of virtual assistants. Ultimately, the success of Alexa will depend on Amazon's ability to create a compelling product for developers and users alike.

- Alexa has not evolved beyond basic functionalities despite the introduction of skills.

- User engagement with Alexa skills is hindered by a poor discovery and interaction interface.

- The number of Alexa skills is significantly lower than mobile app offerings.

- Amazon is integrating large language models to improve Alexa's capabilities.

- The future of Alexa's skills and overall functionality remains uncertain.