Kayak Adds Voice Capabilities to Travel Search
Alexa, the cloud-based voice service that powers Amazon Echo devices, can now help users plan and track trips through an integration with travel search engine Kayak.
To jump-start trip planning and flight tracking, those with an Alexa-enabled device, including Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, or Amazon Fire TV, can turn on the Kayak skill in their settings menu in the Alexa app. From there, users just need to tell Alexa to "Open Kayak" or "Ask Kayak" to get started. Alexa can access and share travel intel on demand, from helping users dream up their next trips to providing practical information to guide the planning process.
"Natural language processing is giving us the opportunity to explore new forums for Kayak and new ways to make travel planning easier," said Giorgos Zacharia, chief technology officer at Kayak, in a statement. "We are helping to make Alexa a travel expert and in doing so, shaping the future of travel, which will seamlessly integrate voice, chat, and new ways to plan and manage a trip. This is just the beginning."
"We are excited to expand Alexa's skill selection in the travel category through our work with Kayak, just in time for the summer travel season," said Rob Pulciani, director of Amazon Alexa, in a statement. "Alexa now has over 800 skills, and our customers are loving the convenience of having a wide-range of third-party skills available to them. With Kayak, Alexa can now offer helpful insights on flights, hotels, and rental cars, all by just using your voice."
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