Amazon’s new Alexa app for Xbox turns your gaming device into a smart display

The only caveat is that users will need an Amazon Echo smart speaker or a compatible Alexa device to use this app.

Alexa app for Xbox (Microsoft Store)

Microsoft and Amazon, back in 2018 had brought support for Alexa to Xbox gaming consoles. However, users could perform limited tasks using the Alexa voice commands such as launching games, adjust volume and capture screenshots among other things. Now, Microsoft and Amazon are expanding support for Alexa on the Xbox by launching a brand new Alexa app that is designed just for the gaming platform.

The new Alexa app is available on the Microsoft store where it is listed as coming soon. This means that users will have to wait a little longer to download this app on their Xbox gaming devices.

That said, the listing on the Microsoft store does reveal a number of key details about the upcoming app. For starters, the new Alexa app will be available on the Xbox Series X, Series One and the Xbox Series One when it is released.

The listing also reveals that users will not be able to control their Xbox using this new app, but they will also be able to play music, view their smart home cameras and manage their shopping list using this new Alexa app. To put it simply, it will turn the Xbox into an Echo Show-like display wherein users will be able to get feeds from their connected smart home devices.

Here are some of things users can try once the new app is released:

-- "Alexa, launch <Game Name>."

-- "Alexa, turn on <Xbox Name>."

-- "Alexa, play a song by <artist name> on <Xbox Name>."

-- "Alexa, show me the front door camera on <Xbox Name>."

-- "Alexa, show me my shopping list on <Xbox Name>."

The only caveat is that users will need an Amazon Echo smart speaker or a compatible Alexa device to use this app.