Shows
Senior Safety Advice#40 - The Golden Age of Gadgets: Why It's Never Too Late to Embrace TechnologyGot a comment or idea? Send us a text.Technology offers seniors powerful tools to simplify daily tasks, enhance safety, and maintain independence while aging in place. Our passion for these solutions stems from seeing how the right gadgets and apps can transform lives, making technology adoption not just helpful but essential for older adults.• Smartphones and tablets connect seniors with family and friends through video chats and social media• Medical alert systems have evolved beyond traditional pendants to include stylish options like InvisiWear• Amazon Echo Show serves as a multifunctional hub for commun...2025-04-1121 min
Alexa's Publishing ChatThe Truth About Ghostwriting: How to Bring Your Nonfiction Book to Life with Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane {ep. 155}If you've ever dreamed of writing a book but felt overwhelmed by the process, you’re not alone. Many aspiring authors struggle to put their ideas into words, whether due to lack of time, writing challenges, or uncertainty about structure and flow. That’s where ghostwriting comes in.Alexa Bigwarfe and award-winning ghostwriter Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane discuss the ins and outs of ghostwriting, who can benefit from it, and why hiring a ghostwriter isn’t “cheating.” If you're curious about the process or considering ghostwriting for your own book, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.In this po...2025-03-0535 min
Women's Money WisdomEpisode 237: Getting Ready to Pay for College with Lucy Valandra, CFP® & Alexa Kane, CFP®, CDFA®, AIF®Ever wondered how to secure a bright educational future for your children without compromising your own financial well-being? Join Melissa Joy, CFP®, CDFA®, and her insightful colleagues Lucy Valandra, CFP®, and Alexa Kane, CFP®, CDFA®, AIF®, as they share personal stories and helpful tips to make the college savings process smoother. Lucy starts off with her heartwarming journey as a new mother to twin boys and the proactive steps she's taking toward their education savings. Meanwhile, Alexa, balancing life with two boys and a baby girl on the way, breaks down the many benefits of 529 plans—fr...2024-09-1738 min
Aging In Place Directory#10 - Explore How Alexa Devices Improve Independence For Older AdultsGot a comment or idea? Send us a text.Link to all my articles about Alexa DevicesSummaryIn this episode, Esther Kane discusses how Alexa devices can help older adults stay independent and safe. She explores various skills and features of Alexa, such as the Echo Show's screen for visual assistance, the Buddy Scale for emergency contacts, checking symptoms, finding products on sale, and ordering from Amazon. Esther also mentions the entertainment and sleep features, using Alexa as a speaker and intercom, controlling smart home devices, and using Alexa Guard...2024-07-1827 min
Women's Money WisdomEpisode 193: Year-End Financial Planning with Alexa KaneAre you ready to wrap up your financial year and set yourself up for success in the next? In this episode of the Women's Money Wisdom Podcast, with Co-Host Melissa Joy, CFP® and guest Alexa Kane, CFP ® we discuss what you can do in the last few weeks of the year to get your finances in order. We all know how chaotic this time of year can become with the holiday season approaching. Alexa shares valuable insight on things we should review in retirement planning, employee benefits, and taxation before we ring in the new year. This episode is brimm...2023-11-1415 min
The Girls UninterruptedSolo female traveling yarns - with Alexa WestThis week's guest host is an absolute VIBE.Over a decade ago, Alexa West boarded a plane with $200 in her pocket and zero travel experience under her belt.She's now a best selling travel author, has traveled all over the world and built a 6-figure travel empire.Her mission: to show women how we can travel and work abroad without having a boyfriend or a big bank account.Alexa and Brodie share travel war stories and it's an absolute hoot.There is some SOLID travel advice in here too...2023-10-181h 06
VUX WorldConversations Squared #6 - Kane SimmsOh wow, is that the time?! VUX World has been going for 5 years! For this episode of Conversations Squared the focus is on the man who's usually asking the questions - Kane Simms! What's he learned in the past 5 years? Where's the industry headed? What about Alexa and Google Assistant? Listen to Kane's responses to these questions and more...0:00 Intro4:00 Conversations and listening7:00 We need patience for conversational AI9:00 30 seconds, go!11:10 What surprised you most about the industry when you started VUX...2023-03-0241 minWomen's Money WisdomEpisode 131:Student Loan Forgiveness with Alexa KaneAre you wondering if your student loans are eligible for forgiveness? In this episode Melissa Joy, CFP®, and Alexa Kane, CFP® discuss who is eligible, how much could be forgiven and next steps.Resources:-The White House Fact Sheet on Student Loan Relief.-FAQs about the Student Loan Forgiveness Plan.-Information on requesting a refund if you made payments during the pause.Links are being provided for information purposes only. The information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Tax law...2022-08-3013 min
VUX WorldShooting the shiz with Balto's Marc Bernstein 002Kane Simms, CEO, VUX World, and Marc Bernstein, CEO, Balto, analyse the week's customer experience and technology news and happenings.00:00 Howdy, Super Bowl01:16 The magic of voice06:55 Limitations and potential of voice and smart TVs13:13 Why hasn't Alexa got better faster?17:00 Alexa: verticalising vs ecosystems20:35 Charter's first class phone service28:00 Moving from reacting to proactive CX31:38 Technology and consistency34:30 DeepMind's AlphaCode: computers that can code37:40 AI to enhance developer productivity41:20 Productivity vs the creation of crap2022-02-1551 min
VUX WorldHow we won the Alexa Prize Social Bot Grand Challenge with Jan ŠedivýJan Sedivy is a legend in the voice AI space, with vast experience working on speech systems at IBM and Google. He recently guided the Czech Technical University team in winning the Alexa Prize SocialBot Grand Challenge 4; a competition where contestants from Universities across the globe aimed to design a conversational AI that’s able to hold a conversation for 20 minutes.Jan joins us to share the journey through the Alexa Prize, how the team approached the project, lessons learned and conversation design tips geared to increase engagement with AI bots. He also shares some insights from hi...2021-12-071h 07Women's Money WisdomEpisode 92:Smart Financial Moves on #GivingTuesday with Alexa KaneIn this special #GIVINGTUESDAY episode, Melissa Joy, CFP® and Alexa Kane, CFP® discuss ways to give back this holiday season (and throughout the year). They will address how a Donor Advised Fund can assist with appreciated stock or bundled gift strategies as well as how to take advantage of your charitable deduction and bundle gifts to get itemized deductions in periodic years.We will learn:· What is #GivingTuesday· How to teach children the power of money through charity. · How bundling your charitable gifts can increase the tax advantage.· How do qualified charitable...2021-11-3015 min
VUX WorldThe future of NLU systems with Head of AI, Got It AI, Chandra KhatriChandra Khatri is the Head of AI at emerging startup, Got It AI, and joins us to share the future of NLU systems and how transformer-based models (explained in detail for the layperson) are heralding a new line of capabilities and making a new kind of customer experience possible. Chandra used to work on the Alexa team and was the founding brain behind the Alexa Prize which, to date, has been responsible for some of the most innovative work on multi-turn conversational AI development. Many of the outputs of the Alexa Prize have made it into...2021-11-091h 02
Women's Money WisdomEpisode 76: Improving Your Net Worth with Alexa KaneIn this episode, Melissa Fradenburg is joined by Alexa Kane, CFP®, Financial Advisor with Pearl Planning, to discuss ways to improve your net worth. We will discuss:· What is Net Worth and how do you calculate it?· How incremental increases in retirement contributions can really increase assets over time.· Why paying down debt on the liability side makes sense.· How refinancing can improve your balance sheet.· How market performance can hurt or help your net worth.· It is important to focus on improving your net worth vs comparing it to others...2021-08-0317 min
VUX WorldThe importance of owning your NLU with Stacey Kyler and Guy Tonye, Zammo.aiWhen you build voice assistants for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, most of the control over what the AI is doing and how its performing is lost. You can't access audio files, so you can't really understand what users actually said. You can't see anything about how the NLU classified an utterance, either. With Alexa, you don't even get the transcript of what the user said. All of this lack of visibility results in a lack of control over your voice assistant's performance. That means you can't improve your user experience in line with your actual user behaviour and r...2021-06-111h 04
Women's Money WisdomEpisode 67: Life Insurance with Alexa KaneIn this episode, Melissa Fradenburg is joined by Alexa Kane, CFP®, Financial Advisor with Pearl Planning, to discuss life insurance basics. Life insurance helps provide some financial protection while you are building wealth, but often people are under-insured and unsure how to protect themselves. We try to simplify the terms and answer some of the common questions in this informative episode. We will discuss:· Who needs life insurance?· What is the most affordable life insurance option?· How much life insurance coverage do I need? · If I have coverage through work is that enough?2021-06-0122 min
VUX WorldBuilding a business on Alexa and Google Assistant with Tom HewitsonTom Hewitson, Founder and CEO, Labworks.io, joins us to share how he built a business on Alexa and Google Assistant, how he finds, keeps hold and monetises users, design best practice and advice for those looking to do the same.In 2017 and 2018, when Amazon Alexa began rolling our in-skill purchasing (ISP), many thought that there'd be a gold rush on the Alexa platform. Business will be built, money will be made and all will be well. It happened with the App Store on mobile, after all.There was two problem that m...2021-03-011h 06
Women's Money WisdomEpisode 42: Year-End Tax and Financial Planning with Alexa KaneIn this episode Melissa Fradenburg is joined by Alexa Kane, CFP®, to discuss year-end tax and financial planning steps, specifically for 2020. It has been a crazy year for many, but you still have time to get organized and stay-on-track for your financial goals. We will discuss:· Have your goals or circumstances changed & does this change your investment strategy?· Do you have any unrealized tax losses that it would be appropriate to realize?· Review tax circumstances – does it make sense to do a Roth conversion?· How have charitable deductions in 2020 changed with the CARES a...2020-12-0818 min
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VUX WorldAlexa for caregiving with Mark GrayIn this episode, we're joined by Constant Companion CEO, Mark Gray, to discuss the opportunities and need for creating voice-first services for older adults.Constant Companion are providing voice OS access to care homes, retirement centres and individuals across the US, with demand for its services increasing exponentially this year. For a small monthly fee, your gran, grandad, parent or friend, can have an Alexa-enabled device installed and set up in their home that runs on top of the Constant Companion OS.Make calls, automate tasks, stay connected, be entertained, all safely and securely behind...2020-10-1651 minoffice setupoffice.com/setupoffice in its latest avatar is the coolest yet the most productive software available in the market. www.office.com/setup , office.com/setup , office.com setup , office setup2020-09-0700 minoffice setupoffice.com/setupoffice in its latest avatar is the coolest yet the most productive software available in the market. www.office.com/setup , office.com/setup , office.com setup , office setup2020-09-0500 minoffice setupoffice.com/setupoffice in its latest avatar is the coolest yet the most productive software available in the market. www.office.com/setup , office.com/setup , office.com setup , office setup2020-09-0300 min
VUX WorldAmazon's Paul Cutsinger tells us what's newAfter covering the top new Alexa features for marketers and the top features for developers, we were getting a lot of questions from the community about the new Alexa features announced during Alexa Live 2020. So, what better way to dive deep into them than by sitting down with someone who had a hand in creating a great deal of them.Paul Cutsinger is known within the voice community for being one of the first Alexa developer evangelists and teaching people all over the world how to build skills. 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VUX WorldAlexa is part of the family now with Rozzi MeredithSponsored by Project Voice CatalystProject Voice Catalyst is for companies working with voice and AI, whether heavily involved or just starting, it uses an extensive network to connect companies working with voice tech and conversational AI to new customers, partners, media, or investors, depending on needs and business objectives.Accelerating your business months ahead of where you otherwise would be.No matter what industry - publishing, healthcare, automotive, banking, gaming, hospitality - Project Voice: Catalyst is helping others and can help you.Contact Ray Kyle, Score Publishing's Director o...2020-06-151h 04
VUX WorldSMS conversation design with Hillary and Matthew BlackSponsored by Project Voice CatalystProject Voice Catalyst is for companies working with voice and AI, whether heavily involved or just starting, it uses an extensive network to connect companies working with voice tech and conversational AI to new customers, partners, media, or investors, depending on needs and business objectives.Accelerating your business months ahead of where you otherwise would be.No matter what industry - publishing, healthcare, automotive, banking, gaming, hospitality - Project Voice: Catalyst is helping others and can help you.Contact Ray Kyle, Score Publishing's Director o...2020-06-151h 00
VUX WorldWhat is text-to-speech and how does it work with Niclas BergströmEvery voice assistant needs three core components: Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), Natural Language Understanding (NLU) and Text-to-Speech (TTS). We've already covered what Automatic Speech Recognition is and how it works with Catherine Breslin and in this episode, we're covering the latter, text-to-speech.To guide us through the ins and outs of TTS, we're joined by Niclas Bergström, a TTS veteran and co-founder of one of the largest TTS companies on the planet, Readspeaker.Text-to-speech is the technology that gives voice assistants a voice. It's the thing that produces the synthetic vocal sound tha...2020-05-1853 min
VUX WorldThe Rundown: Talking volcanos finding gaps you can Read Along toThis week's top stories:Google’s Read Along Vernacular.ai raises $5.1 million led by Exfinity Ventures, Kalaari CapitalHR AI system, Paradox AI gets 40m funding for replacing the ‘boring’ jobsConverseNow has closed a $3.25 million seed funding round led by Bala InvestmentsOmilia, a conversational artificial intelligence platform developer, has raised $20 million in a funding round led by Grafton CapitalGetting the tone right - automated copy generation has to be retrained in a time of crisisStores may use voice assistants to transform shoppin...2020-05-1553 min
VUX WorldWhat is automatic speech recognition and how does it work? With Catherine BreslinWhat is speech recognition and how does it work?Automatics speech recognition (also known as ASR) is a suite of technology that takes audio signals containing speech, analysis it and converts it into text so that it can be read and understood by humans and machines. It's the technology that makes voice assistants like Amazon Alexa able to understand what a user says.There's obviously a whole lot more to it that than, though. So, in today's episode, we're speaking to one of the most knowledgable and experienced speech recognition minds the world has to o...2020-03-3052 min
VUX WorldAlexa for retailers and the voice shopping landscape with Shilp AgarwalVoice shopping on Alexa and Google Assistant smart speakers is a $2bn market today, and is forecast to explode. I've wrote about the potential of voice shopping for the Harvard Business Review last year, but things are starting to pick up.According Amazon's Patrick Gauthier, 20% of Americans are ready for voice shopping now, and 39% of all Americans will complete some part of their purchase journey via voice by 2022.And while it might not generate a huge percentage of sales today, the learnings that you'll gather through observing and collecting data on how customers are interacting with...2020-03-2355 min
VUX WorldThe Rundown: coronavirus and voice, Spotify, user journeys and JovoCorona virus hits voice as Google removes coronavirus actions, Spotify looks like it's releasing a voice assistant and Jovo lets you build voice assistants everywhere.Presented by SparksSparks is a new podcast player app that lets you learn and retain knowledge while you listen.The Sparks team are looking for people just like you: podcast listeners who're also innovative early adopters of new tech, to try the beta app and provide feedback.Try it now at sparksapp.io/vuxStories discussed in this episodeGoogle reject c...2020-03-1656 min
VUX WorldLive video broadcasting on Alexa with Tim McElreathThe Food Network aims to the be Peloton of cooking with live video broadcasting on Alexa. Director of Technology and Emerging Platforms at Discovery Inc., Tim McElreath, joins us to share how.Presented by SparksSparks is a new podcast player app that lets you learn and retain knowledge while you listen.The Sparks team are looking for people just like you: podcast listeners who're also innovative early adopters of new tech, to try the beta app and provide feedback.Try it now at sparksapp.io/vux2020-03-0950 min
VUX WorldVoice at VaynerMedia, situational and sound design with Claire MitchellVaynerMedia are one of the leading global digital agencies. Director of Innovation at VaynerSmart, Claire Mitchell, joins us to share how VaynerMedia approach voice, as well as sharing some insights on situational design and sound design.Listen on:Apple podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Overcast | CastBox | Spreaker | TuneIn | Breaker | Stitcher | PlayerFM | iHeartRadioPresented by ReadspeakerReadspeaker is a pioneering voice technology company that provides lifelike Text to Speech (TTS) services.Whether you're needing a TTS voice for your IVR system, voice application, automobile, robot, public service...2020-02-1758 min
VUX WorldHow your voice assistant talks is more important than what it says with Ben McCullochBen McCulloch shares his take on why intonation and emotion is imperative in creating high quality and trust-building voice experiences.Presented by ReadspeakerReadspeaker is a pioneering voice technology company that provides lifelike Text to Speech (TTS) services.Whether you're needing a TTS voice for your IVR system, voice application, automobile, robot, public service announcement system, website or anywhere else, Readspeaker have you covered.They've been in the TTS game for over 20 years and have in-depth knowledge and experience in AI and Deep Neural Networks, which t...2020-02-101h 02
VUX WorldFour Alexa Champions walk down memory lane with Nick Schwab, Eric Olsen, Tim Kahle and Steve ArkonovichWe catch up with 4 Amazon Alexa Champions to discuss the then, now and future of the Alexa skills ecosystem and the voice first community.Presented by ReadspeakerReadspeaker is a pioneering voice technology company that provides lifelike Text to Speech (TTS) services.Whether you're needing a TTS voice for your IVR system, voice application, automobile, robot, public service announcement system, website or anywhere else, Readspeaker have you covered.They've been in the TTS game for over 20 years and have in-depth knowledge and experience in AI and Deep Neural Networks, w...2020-02-0537 min
VUX WorldPersona design and voice actors with Adva LevinAdva Levin joins us to share why you should design personas for your voice apps, how you can create them, as well as how to work with voice acting talent.Presented by ReadspeakerReadspeaker is a pioneering voice technology company that provides lifelike Text to Speech (TTS) services.Whether you're needing a TTS voice for your IVR system, voice application, automobile, robot, public service announcement system, website or anywhere else, Readspeaker have you covered.They've been in the TTS game for over 20 years and have in-depth k...2020-02-0329 min
VUX WorldMatchbox.io with Sarah Andrew WilsonSarah Andrew Wilson, Chief Content Officer at Matchbox.io, shares the secret sauce for creating the kind of Alexa skills you can build a business on.In this episode:This week, we speak to Sarah about the Matchbox.io stable of skills and discuss:What it’s like maintaining 18 Alexa skillsThe Opearlo acquisitionUnique advice for people and companies just getting startedThe 3-step Matchbox.io philosophy that runs through each of its Alexa skillsEcosystems and community and how the two drive engagementISPs and how Matchbox.io is monetising Alexa skillsHow changing 1 word led to a 17% in...2020-01-0650 min
VUX WorldThe rundown: the start of the talking twentiesThe first episode of the new year is both a reflection on how far we've come in the last 12 months, and what to look forward to in the year to come. This is a special episode as it's the first of a new decade. And in this episode of the rundown, we're getting deep. Biggest news stories of 2019:Apple acquires Pullstring - Was this an acqui-hire? Or is Apple using the Pullstring tool internally? Will we ever find out? Either way, 2019 started out with a big acquisition from a big player and...2020-01-0353 min
VUX WorldUser research the NPR way with Ha-Hoa HamanoHow do NPR approach designing voice applications? And how do they engage users to make sure that they're designing the right things for the right people, Ha-Hoa Homano, Sr. Product Manager, Emerging Platforms at NPR joins us to share all.LinksRead more at npr.designLearn with npr.codesFollow Ha-Hoa on TwitterAudio player functionality suggestion on Alexa.uservoice.com (still pending) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2019-12-2354 min
VUX WorldDiscussing discoverability with Braden ReamIs discoverability of Alexa skills, Google Assistant actions and other voice applications the duty of the platforms i.e. Amazon and Google, or is it the duty of the brand or developer creating them? We discuss this, as well as discoverability challenges within voice applications with Voiceflow co-founder, Braden Ream.LinksSave 10% on the Conversational Academy online conversation design courseTry out VoiceFlowFollow Braden Ream on TwitterJoin the VoiceFlow Facebook community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...2019-11-1254 min
VUX WorldAlexa, the origin story with Jeff AdamsJeff Adams was the founding manager of the Alexa speech group; the team that made Alexa listen and talk. Jeff joins us to share the origin story of Alexa: where it come from and how it was created, and why the device was called 'Echo'.Jeff also explains the details behind the three core parts of speech recognition: lexicons, acoustic modelling and language modelling, how the Doppler became the Echo and about his company Cobalt Speech.Linkswww.cobaltspeech.cominfo@cobaltspeech.comhttp://www...2019-10-2853 min
VUX World///addresses.broken.help with Josh WigmoreCommunicating address information to voice assistants is hard. Josh Wigmore, Head of Product, joins us to share how What 3 Words are making this possible.Win a ticket to All About Voice 2019All About Voice is the biggest and best voice conference in Europe. It's in Muchich on October 11th and feature talks from Amazon, Google and plenty more. Plus, yours truly is hosting the event.Win a free ticket by sending a tweet using #aav19 and tell us your best voice experience of 2019.In this e...2019-09-2359 minVUX WorldIt's our jobIs it down to Amazon to help you get your Alexa Skill discovered? Is it up to Google to send Google Assistant traffic your way? Or is it up to you, the developer or brand, to promote your wares and drive traffic yourself?Discoverability is widely touted as one of the key challenges in the rise of voice adoption and usage. But what if it's actually something else?What if, the key to unlocking the VUI is psychological? What if it's about changing our habitual usage of our phone? And, if so, is...2019-09-1116 min
VUX WorldThe Rundown 006: WWDC, Siri, reMARS, Alexa and the future of voice shoppingIn this episode, we discuss the Siri announcements from WWDC19, the Alexa announcements from reMARS and the Future of Voice Commerce report.WWDC AnnouncementsAlexa ConversationsAlexa Cross-Skill ScenariosThe Future of Voice Commerce report Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2019-06-1554 min
VUX WorldThe Rundown 005: Google Assistant ups its gameWhat we discuss in this episodeMeet the expert: voice search and discovery with Dustin Coates:LondonSan FranciscoSeattleGoogle Assistant:What's new with Google Assistant? Announcements from I/O19Google Assistant passes 1m actionsAbout the interactive canvasHow to templates for Google AssistantSchema mark up for how to tutorialsSchema mark up for FAQsApp actions for Google AssistantGoogle Assistant for smart home...2019-06-0456 min
VUX WorldVoice strategy advice with Amazon Alexa Chief Evangelist, Dave IsbitskiWe're honoured to be joined by Amazon Alexa Chief Evangelist, Dave Isbitski, to discuss the conversations that he's having at C-Suite level about how brands should be approaching voice and where it's all heading.Become an expert conversation designerThe Conversational Academy is a fantastic online course that'll teach you the ins and outs of conversation design. Prepare yourself for the UX role of the future and enrol on the course today. VUX World listeners will save $100 when you enrol at conversationalacademy.com.In this e...2019-05-301h 19
VUX WorldConnecting the Dots with Ruby Steel and Will MerrillThis week, we're finding out how Ruby Steel and Will Merrill made Alexa more accessible for Susan as part of BBC 2's Big Life Fix.Become an expert conversation designerThe Conversational Academy is a fantastic online course that'll teach you the ins and outs of conversation design. Prepare yourself for the UX role of the future and enrol on the course today. VUX World listeners will save $100 when you enrol at conversationalacademy.com.In this episodeVoice first devices such as smart s...2019-05-2458 min
VUX WorldVoice first sneaker drop with Nike and bridging the voice and social gap with Unilever with Nick Rovisa and Matt LangBecome an expert conversation designerThe Conversational Academy is a fantastic online course that'll teach you the ins and outs of conversation design. Prepare yourself for the UX role of the future and enrol on the course today. VUX World listeners will save $100 when you enrol at conversationalacademy.com.In this episodeIn part 2 of RAIN week, we're joined by Nick Rovisa, Director, Business Development, and Matt Lang, Strategy Director. The guys share their learnings on the voice industry, including how different clients perceive p...2019-05-171h 09
VUX WorldHow we approach voice with Fortune 100 companies and the Kung Fu Panda Alexa skill with Greg HedgesThe Conversational Academy is a fantastic online course that'll teach you the ins and outs of conversation design. Prepare yourself for the UX role of the future and enrol on the course today. VUX World listeners will save $100 when you enrol at conversationalacademy.com.Welcome to RAIN weekThis week is RAIN week. We've got two huge episodes featuring the industry-leading and ground-breaking RAIN Agency.RAIN are a dedicated voice agency and have worked with 23 of the Fortune 100 companies on voice projects. From Nike to Unilever, Campbells to Ti...2019-05-131h 07
VUX WorldTwilio Autopilot and building trust through dialogue design with Elaine LeeKane Simms and Dustin Coates are joined by Elaine Lee, Principal Product Designer at Twilio, to discuss the ins and outs of Twilio's Autopilot bot builder and how you can build trust with users through dialogue design.Voice-Connected Home 2019, Cologne, GermanyThe Voice-Connected Home 2019 conference dives into all this and more with an incredible line up of speakers from brands like Amazon Alexa, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, BBC, BMW, Vodaphone and plenty more.Save 30% on tickets with promo code VuxVoice.Find out more2019-05-0157 min
VUX WorldHow to use sonic branding in voice with Eric SeayThis week, we're digging deep into how to craft compelling audio experiences in your voice app by using sonic branding and sound design, with Audio UX Co-Founder and CMO, Eric Seay.In this episode: sonic brandingWe're advancing the conversation we had with Joel Beckerman of Man Made Music on scoring voice experiences, and get into specifics of how to make your VUX sound better with a combination of sonic branding and sound design.We discuss:The resurgence of audioWhy is sonic branding and sound design are importantWhere and how...2019-04-171h 01
VUX WorldAmazon Alexa skill localisation with Tech Evangelists Andrea Muttoni and German ViscusoWe're honoured to be joined by Andrea Muttoni and German Viscuso, Technical Evangelists at Amazon Alexa, to dive deep into how to translate your Alexa skill into other languages.At the time of writing, Amazon Alexa is available in over 40 countries and 12 languages, and continuously growing.For skill builders, tapping into emerging markets is key to having your skills used on a global scale and to growing your user base.However, if you have a skill that's in English, you can't just point it to the Italian or German skill store. You have...2019-04-091h 10VUX WorldTalk to me with James VlahosThis week, Dustin and I are joined by journalist and author, James Vlahos, to discuss the details of his book Talk to Me: How voice computing will transform the way we live, work and think.Where to listenApple podcastsSpotifyYouTubeCastBoxSpreakerTuneInBreakerStitcherPlayerFMiHeartRadioAbout Talk to MeJames Vlahos writes for the likes of WIRED, New York Times Magazine, Popular Science a...2019-03-2649 min
VUX WorldVoice first brand strategy with James PoulterThis week, we're chatting to the ex-Lego frontier-seeking, Vixen Labs-venturing, Voice2 fire-starting, voice-first-feasting James Poulter about how brands can, could and should approach voice.As the ex-Head of Emerging Platforms at Lego Group, James led Lego through their first foray into voice with the creation and launch of the Lego Duplo experience on Alexa.He also founded the Voice2 What's App community group with Will Harvey, which is now one of the most active online voice communities. (It's where we spend a good chunk of our time.)James is currently CEO at Vixen L...2019-02-0549 minVUX WorldVUX Voiceboard | A voice design workshop blueprintWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_M0yaIYo3Ag Here's a full blueprint for a voice design workshop. It shows you, from beginning to end, the process to go through to design world class Alexa skills.If you're an agency trying to help brands build Alexa skills or voice apps, you can use this template to go through the VUX design process.If you're a brand, you can use this to do the same with your teams. Or if you're a hobbyist, you can use this to...2019-02-0118 min
VUX WorldDesigning story-telling robots with Amy StapletonThis week, Dustin and I are joined by Tellables co-founder, Amy Stapleton, to discuss storytelling through Alexa and the design challenges that come with that.By the end of this podcast, you'll:Be familiar with situational designGain insight into designing with Amazon PollyLearn about complex interaction modelsSee how you can use metaphors to helps users navigate (in this case, a box of chocolates)Understand how to build your own voice CMS and moreAbout Amy and TellablesAfter spending many years in IT, including 14 years at NASA as an IT manager, Amy Stapleton...2019-01-2856 min
VUX WorldAll about voice content management and localisation with Milkana Brace and Jonathan BursteinToday, we're discussing why you should separate voice app content from your code and logic with Jargon founders, Milkana Brace (CEO) and Jonathan Burstein (CTO).Where to listenApple podcastsSpotifyYouTubeCastBoxSpreakerTuneInBreakerStitcherPlayerFMiHeartRadioJargonSeparating content from code is a practice that not only makes it easier to manage your VUX in general, but also paves the way for internationalising your...2019-01-2349 min
VUX WorldThe Rundown 004: re:Invent recapOn this week's Rundown, we're catching up to run through AWS re:Invent, Amazon's biggest event of the year, and discuss everything voice-related that occurred. We'll also weave in some of the latest news happenings and analyse the implications and opportunities for the industry.Where to listenApple podcastsSpotifyYouTubeCastBoxSpreakerTuneInBreakerStitcherPlayerFMiHeartRadioLinksDustin's recap write ups of days one, two, thre...2018-12-1148 min
VUX WorldVUI design best practice for kids Alexa skills with the BBC's Paul JacksonWe're honoured to be joined by Paul Jackson, Senior Designer at the BBC, to discuss how the Beeb are approaching VUI design, with a particular focus on designing Alexa Skills for kids.Where to listenApple podcastsSpotifyYouTubeCastBoxSpreakerTuneInBreakerStitcherPlayerFMiHeartRadioVUI design for kidsThe BBC is killing it in voice right now...2018-11-191h 10
VUX WorldThe latest in voice SEO and discoverability with John CampbellDiscussing the latest insights and research in voice SEO and showing you how you can get discovered on Google Assistant, with the MD of Rabbit and Pork, John Campbell.Where to listenApple podcastsSpotifyYouTubeCastBoxSpreakerTuneInBreakerStitcherPlayerFMiHeartRadioVoice SEOVoice SEO is a roaring-hot topic. All the top marketing and business publications have...2018-11-121h 11
VUX WorldScoring voice experiences with Joel BeckermanThis week, Dustin Coates and I discuss the importance of sound design in voice experiences with the founder of Man Made Music, Joel Beckerman.Where to listenApple podcastsSpotifyYouTubeCastBoxSpreakerTuneInBreakerStitcherPlayerFMiHeartRadioSound design for voice experiencesMan Made Music were voted the third most innovative company in music, behind Apple and Spotify...2018-11-051h 01
VUX WorldThe Rundown 003: Increased engagement, Alexa room bookings, skill-to-skill connections, Google Assistant payments and moreTranslating the recent happenings in voice news into insights and recommendations for designers, developers and brands. As ever, lots has been occurring recently. In this episode of the rundown, we discuss:The state of voice assistants by Adobe and how we're seeing increased usage in the 'third category'. That is, people are using more in-depth functionality on their voice assistants. That opens doors for richer voice experiences and suggests that customers can handle more complex, transactional interactions.The picture of voice shopping - thanks to Charlie Cadburyfor sharing - and how v...2018-10-1637 min
VUX WorldVUI design best practice from user testing with 120 brands, with Abhishek Suthan and Dylan ZwickPulse Labs founders, Abhishek Suthan and Dylan Zwick share their advice on VUI design best practice that they've learned from conducting voice first usability testing with over 120 brands.Where to listenApple podcastsSpotifyYouTubeCastBoxSpreakerTuneInBreakerStitcherPlayerFMiHeartRadioThe search for VUI design best practiceIn web design, there are standards. Common design patterns and best practice that you'll find on most websites...2018-10-1556 min
VUX WorldThe Rundown 002: Big news from Alexa as Google Home Mini becomes top selling smart speaker... and moreIt's been a busy few weeks with both of the top two voice assistant platforms announcing new devices and software improvements, but what does it all mean for brands, designers and developers?Google Home Mini becomes top selling smart speakerThat's right, the Google Home Mini smart speaker outsold all other smart speakers in Q2.Google's intense advertising over the summer months looks like it could be starting to pay off. It still isn't the market leader. Amazon still holds that spot, for now.Takeaway:2018-09-2541 min
VUX WorldAll about Snips with Yann LachelleThis week, we're speaking to serial entrepreneur, Yann Lachelle, COO at Snips, about the privacy by design alternative to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.Privacy is a hot topic. With the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the introduction of GDPR in Europe, people are becoming more aware and more concerned with how companies are using their data.On the enterprise-side, one of the challenges preventing companies from implementing voice is the apprehension towards sending sensitive data to Amazon or Google.Enter, SnipsThe Paris-based startup is bringing a privacy-first a...2018-09-241h 00
VUX WorldThe Rundown 001: Alexa settings API, 5 Google Assistant tips and moreWe're starting a new feature on VUX World: The Run Down. Dustin Coates and I are getting together each week (or bi-weekly) to discuss the recent happenings in the voice space and how that'll impact designers, developers and brands.Alexa settings APIWe're starting off by discussing the Amazon Alexa feature that developers have been clambering for since 2016: the settings API.With the settings API, you can access the user's timezone (among other things) and use that within your skill to personalise the voice experience for y...2018-08-3144 min
VUX WorldAll about Voiceitt with Sara SmolleyAlexa Accelerator 2018 featured startup, Voiceitt, gives people with speech impairments their voice back. Today, we're joined by co-founder and VP Strategy, Sara Smolley, to hear all about it.The There are millions of people across the globe who have non-standard speech. People who've had a stroke or who have multiple sclerosis or cerebral pausey, for example. Voiceitt's advanced speech recognition system, which is deployed through an app, allows those people to speak and be understood.Once it's configured, all you do is speak through the app and Voiceitt will do the rest, handling speech to...2018-08-2752 min
VUX WorldVoice first design strategy with Ben SauerBen Sauer is a Design Strategist who's worked with some of the world's well known brands: Virgin, Tesco, Pearsons, British Gas, Penguin Random House, BBC. Ben worked with Clearleft as a Design Strategist for many years and more recently turned his attention to how voice will change design.Over the last couple of years, Ben has been focusing on helping brands navigate the voice space and figure out how voice will impact their business, as well as where to start with a voice strategy.Ben joins Dustin and I today to discuss the ins and...2018-08-201h 00
VUX WorldAdoption, growth, in-skill purchases and developer rewards with Nick SchwabThe first in a new series called 'Unscripted' where we have off-the-cuff, unscripted conversations with voice first leaders and practitioners to get acquainted, hear their story and find out how they do what they do.In this first episode, we speak to Alexa Skill developing veteran, Nick Schwab, founder of Invoked Apps, about:User adoption of his Ambient Sound skills (his daily usage is huge!)In skill purchasing and his conversation rates (surprising!)Developer rewards and how it all worksHow much it costs to host a successful skillWhy now is the time...2018-08-0838 min
VUX WorldAll about conversational commerce with Charlie CadburyIn this episode, we take a deep dive into conversational commerce: what it is, what's possible and how you can turn conversing strangers into paying customers. Our guestCharles Cadbury is the co-founder of Say It Now, a company that helps brands respond the the growing consumer need for immediacy. Charlie's history is impressive. He's seen more than 1,000 client briefs and delivered over 300 digital projects, many of them related to commerce. After working with Lola Tech to create the Dazzle platform, Charlie's attention remains focused on conversational interactions and helping brands convert...2018-08-0650 min
VUX WorldThe strategy, creativity and technology triangulation with RAIN's Will Hall and Jason HerndonThis week, we’re speaking to RAIN agency’s Will Hall and Jason Herndon about how their three pillars of: strategy, creativity and technology, are leading the world's biggest brands to voice first success.In this episode: voice strategy, creative prowess and technological geniusIn this episode, RAIN’s Executive Creative Director, Will Hall, and VP, Engineering, Jason Herndon guide us through the practicalities of how they shape voice strategies and implement voice first solutions for the world's biggest brands.Whether you're a brand, a designer or developer, this episode will h...2018-07-231h 18
VUX WorldAll about conversation design with PullString's Oren JacobThis week, we speak to conversation design master, Oren Jacob, about what it takes to create successful conversations with technology.There are so many complexities in human conversation. When creating an Alexa Skill or Google Assistant Action, most designers try to mimic human conversation. Google itself has taken steps in this direction with the fabricated ‘mm hmm’ moments with Google Duplex.But does all of this have an actual impact on the user experience? Does it make it better or worse? How natural is natural enough and does it matter?Wha...2018-07-161h 06
VUX WorldHow to translate your Alexa Skill or Google Assistant Action with Maaike DufourTranslating your Alexa Skill or Google Assistant Action is about more than translating the words in your script. It's about translating the user experience. Maaike Dufour calls this 'transcreating' and she joins us this week to show us how it's done.Why should you translate your Alexa Skill or Google Assistant Action?The world is getting smaller. Technology has enabled us to reach and connect with people from every corner of the earth with ease.Take this podcast for example. It’s listened to in over 40 di...2018-07-091h 02
VUX WorldHow I built the world's best chatbot with Steve WorswickWe speak to the creator of the world’s best chatbot about how to design Loabner prize-winning conversational experiences.Steve Worswick is the creator of Mitsuku, the general conversation chatbot that has won the Loabner prizefor the last two year’s straight.13 years in the making, Mitsuku passed the Turing testand convinced a panel of judges that it’s human over the course of a 20 minute conversation, two years in a row, to be crowned the world’s best chatbot and conversational agent.It's featured in the Wall Street Journal, BBC, The Guardianand Wired. And, unl...2018-07-021h 06
VUX WorldAll about Alpha Voice with Bryan ColliganThis week, we’re finding out how content creators can have their podcasts and YouTube content indexed and searchable on voice, with Bryan Colligan of Alpha Voice.With the podcast industry thriving and more people listening to podcasts than ever, more brands are starting to launch their own podcasts. Podcasts are a perfect fit for devices like the Echo and Google Home because they provide ambient entertainment, similar to the widely popular relaxation sounds skills.Two problems face podcast and content creators: how do you make your podcast discoverable in the first place and how do...2018-06-1159 min
VUX WorldVoice analytics and Dashbot with Arte MerrittThis week, we’re getting deep into voice analytics and will help you learn more about how you can understand the performance of your voice first experience.One of the biggest benefits that technology has given us is the ability to understand. To understand whether our latest PPC campaign had an impact on sales. To understand whether our new website increased our leads. To understand whether our pricing tweak made a difference on click through rates. To understand whether our foray into Facebook is sending more traffic. To understand whether our customers are satisfied.Tools su...2018-06-0449 min
VUX WorldAll about Pindrop, VUI design and VUI tuning with Simonie WilsonThis week, we take a look at the similarities between VUI design for IVR and VUI design for voice assistants. We also explain what VUI tuning is and why it’s important, whilst giving you some tips on how you can tune your voice user interface. We also discuss PinDrop and voice first security.In this episodeWe speak to one of the world’s expert VUI practitioners, Simonie Wilson, to get under the hood of Passport and figure out what it is, how it works, why it’s needed and how you ca...2018-05-2857 min