Huawei Mate 9 gets a new software update, Amazon Alexa is now on board

Released in the US back in January, the Huawei Mate 9 is now getting a software update that brings Amazon's Alexa digital assistant to the phone. The update is being delivered over the air starting today, March 22, only in the US (for now).

With the Alexa app on your Mate 9, you'll be able to perform many tasks (including shopping) using just your voice. Plus, you can interact with your Amazon Echo - if you have one - and other compatible smart home products.

Unfortunately, Alexa on the Mate 9 can't be summoned with a hotword. You'll have to open the Alexa app and tap on a mic before asking the assistant to do anything for you. Moreover, the assistant is currently missing some capabilities available on other devices, including Music, Tunein, and Timer/Alarms. All in all, this isn't a perfect integration, though Huawei and Amazon are working to further refine things.

Of course, you'll still be able to use Google Assistant on the Mate 9 - this one will react to hotwords, thus being easier to reach.

Huawei's brand is not as strong in the US as it is in other parts of the world, but the new partnership with Amazon will help in this regard. Huawei is seemingly also working with AT&T to start selling one of its new phones with data plans - that's another thing that should help with brand recognition.

source: Press release