Regular users of the Alexa app are in for a surprise as Amazon is beginning to roll out a complete redesign of the mobile interface. The new focus is on personalization, and presenting users with quick access to their most used features.
As TechCrunch reports, launching the Alexa mobile app will soon show everyone a large Alexa button at the top of the screen. Below that, new users will see a list of suggestions based on the most popular features Alexa is used for, including things such as shopping lists, reminders, and accessing Amazon Music. However, regular users will now see a list of suggestions based on usage, which hopefully means a single tap to get you to a desired feature.
Advanced features have been moved to a “More” button, but it seems likely any you use regularly should still turn up on the main page as a suggestion. If not, then expect to tap the More button to access Alexa Skills & Games, reminders, routines, and to get to the settings screen.
As to why the redesign happened, TechCrunch believes Amazon is reacting to how people use Alexa. Rather than having it always open, users launch it only when they need it, which is why the date and weather at the top of the screen wasn’t the best use of space. It’s also a realization that many of the available Skills aren’t being used that often, if at all. So the priority has changed to the key features Alexa is known for alongside “Amazon’s first-party experiences.” The Alexa app redesign is expected to be available to all users worldwide on Android, iOS, and Fire OS devices within a month, so before the end of August.
