smart device: Amazon Alexa voice control, $100m fund for innovation

​Amazon throws in $100 million, developer tools to open Echo's Alexa ecosystem | ZDNet
"The technology behind Amazon's Echo is being opened up to developers and third party hardware vendors as the e-commerce giant moves to expand the Alexa ecosystem."

Amazon Media Room: Press Releases
"Amazon Introduces the Alexa Fund: $100 Million in Investments to Fuel Voice Technology Innovation"