Good for Curiosity.com for understanding how to deliver its content on Alexa (they have two of the top skills). Free idea: If I was to make a skill for this category, I’d take a look the world’s largest religions, see if there is a skill with their holy text(s), and capture that market. (we’ll soon be rolling out a search function to help with this type of discovery work!)
Alexa’s “skills” model of interaction shows an important weakness here. Whereas Google Home’s translation function is presumably integrated with Google Translate (and works great), Alexa’s translation relies on skills like “Translated”. As you can see from the entry, this is a very reviewed skill that must work some of the time (to have a decent rating), but often fails. Alexa might be more flexible because of its wide skill-base, but the quality seems to be generally a bit lower.
Word of the Day Flash Briefing by Volley Inc. – 4.5 out of 5, 1601 ratings, 1600 reviews
Word of the Day teaches you a useful word, its definition, etymology, and gives you examples of how to use it in a sentence.A new word each and every day!
Random review: Why did you change the world of the day guy? I liked the original voice better. He was witty and had a pleasant voice. Please bring him back. Thank you (1 out of 5)
This Day in History by A&E Television Networks Mobile – 4 out of 5, 1381 ratings, 247 reviews
Check in with Alexa to find out about the historical events that happened on this day and every other day of the year.
Random review: Great for history buffs.Would be even better if we could have a version specific to the time period we are interested in like “This Day In Ancient History”, “This Day in Medieval History”, etc.Would also like to be able to include it in my “Flash Briefing” (5 out of 5)
Curiosity by Curiosity.com – 4 out of 5, 285 ratings, 164 reviews
Curiosity delivers the most interesting facts and perspectives to ignite your natural curiosity and keep your brain sharp.
Random review: Wonderful app that satisfies my curiosity. Love how serendipitous the experience is. Don’t have to do too much work to learn a little something. The app is cool too if I wanna learn more! Wish there was a flash briefing for the curiosity app’s daily digest. Hopefully soon 🙂 (5 out of 5)
Holy Quraan by GO-APP – 4.5 out of 5, 144 ratings, 143 reviews
Play the Holy Quraan by just saying the chapter (Surah) reference number.
Random review: MashaAllah really beautiful app but need some enhancements. For instance start with a chapter and verse number, continuous playback. How can I disable help every time I open app? (4 out of 5)
Examining the Scriptures Daily by Synapse Research Systems – 4.9 out of 5, 690 ratings, 132 reviews
This skill uses content from the Jehovah’s Witnesses website.
Random review: Great app. Read me my daily text. (5 out of 5)
1-2-3 Math by Sermo Labs, LLC – 3.8 out of 5, 1158 ratings, 120 reviews
1-2-3 Math is a math challenge which tests your elementary mathematics skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, comparison, etc.There are three modes easy, medium and hard with increasing levels of difficulty.
Random review: I was surprised how easy this skill was to use.And right away, you were given a simple challenge to get leveled up.I don’t have kids but I am sure they would get addicted to it. (5 out of 5)
Curiosity Daily from Curiosity.com by Curiosity.com – 4.5 out of 5, 75 ratings, 74 reviews
Curiosity Daily podcast will help you get smarter about the world around you — every day. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll get a unique mix of research-based life hacks, developments in science and technology, and more.
Random review: There is nothing I don’t love about the podcast except that they don’t put out new ones on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I want to listen every single day! I can feel my mind growing! Thank you so much Curiosity ur the best!!! (5 out of 5)
Translated by Translated Labs – 3.4 out of 5, 3053 ratings, 628 reviews
Use the Translated skill to ask Alexa to translate short sentences from English into 37 languages.
Random review: It seems despite being a native English speaking person, I opened this skill… & a continuous circle of ridiculousness ensued…
1.Alexa asked what language .. I responded French
2. Alexa asked what did I want to translate .. I responded “good morning”
3. Alexa stated she didn’t get the language… then SEVERAL TIMES repeated steps 1-3 for Spanish (& same choice to translate) “good morning” .. hoping different results…But AGAIN.. Alexa didn’t get it!!!!! Waste of time/effort!! (1 out of 5)
