New app lets you access Amazon's Alexa on your iPhone

If you’ve wanted to try out the power of the Amazon Echo and its virtual assistant Alexa but haven’t wanted to shell out $180, this new iPhone app is for you.

Called Lexi, the $4.99 app (iOS link) uses the Alexa services API in the palm of your hand, no separate device required. The app was first-spotted by The Next Web.

I bought the app and setup was very simple. You authenticate using your Amazon account (don’t worry, you’re not giving your login information to the app) and then access the features by tapping and holding on the screen and speaking, “Lexi, tell me the weather” or “Lexi, read me the news.” Lifting your finger off the screen will allow the app to process your voice requests. Read more...