Unfortunately for Brits, Amazon is yet to announce plans to release its ever-improving Echo speaker in the UK. However, there now a workaround beyond importing one.
The company has posted an official guide to building an Alexa-powered device using a Raspberry Pi 2 (Model B) unit, a speaker and a USB microphone (via Lifehacker).
With a little bit of programming, via the GitHub guide and supplied code, you too can access the streaming services, news updates, weather, general knowledge and more.
The only snag is the home-brewed version doesn’t have voice activated microphones so there’ll be no hollering “Hey, Alexa…” across the room.
Instead, makers will have to push a button on the microphone in order to issue the commands. From there, Alexa Voice Services will respond as it would with an Echo device.
To get set up you’ll need a Micro USB power cable, a microSD card, and an Ethernet cable. You’ll also need another computer and some SSH software that links up to the RPi. Chances are you have most of this stuff lying around anyway.
