What's New in Alexa Voice Service Device SDK 3.0


The Alexa Voice Service (AVS) Device SDK 3.0 release represents one of the largest feature set changes to the SDK since the 1.0 release in 2017. The following sections provide an overview of the features added to the AVS Device SDK for the 3.0 release.

AVS Device SDK and Smart Screen SDK combined in a single SDK

The AVS Device SDK 3.0 combines all the features of the Alexa Smart Screen SDK and the AVS Device SDK 1.26 into one SDK. The combined SDK serves all Alexa Built-in device makers, including those that make devices without a screen and screen-based devices. Amazon chose version 3.0 numbering to indicate that this is a next-generation release that combines the AVS Device SDK 1.26 and Smart Screen SDK 2.9.2.

The following key features of the AVS Device SDK 3.0 were previously available only in the Alexa Smart Screen SDK:

Along with the previously listed key features, the AVS Device SDK 3.0 adds the entire set of Video Skill APIs and a configurable SDKClient. For details, see the following sections.

For details about how to upgrade to the AVS Device SDK 3.0, see Upgrade from Alexa Smart Screen SDK 2.x to AVS Device SDK 3.0.

Video device control

With the Alexa Video Skills Kit (VSK) integrated into your device, customers can use Alexa to say phrases like "Play The Boys" or "Record PBS at 5 o'clock PM " to control media playback on the device. With the AVS Device SDK 3.0, the entire set of Video Skill APIs, previously only available in the Alexa Video Skills Kit, are now directly available to Alexa Built-in devices. You no longer need to build and host your own video skills.

These APIs are now available over the same AVS connection that is used by SDK device developers for all other Alexa interactions. The APIs enable video and entertainment-based device makers and their customers to control a broad range of device-side features for video content playback through the use of Alexa natural language commands and interactions.

The following list shows the benefits of using video device control in the AVS Device SDK 3.0, rather than using the skills-based VSK:

  • Saves development costs by eliminating the need for developing a VSK skill.
  • Saves hosting costs by eliminating the need to pay for annual cloud-computing to host the skill.
  • Saves time by simplifying device manufacturer and partner onboarding.

For details about integrating the video device control support in the SDK for your device, see Video Device Control Implementation Guide.

Configurable SDKClient

The AVS Device SDK 3.0 provides an updated implementation of the application utility DefaultClient, which allows you to easily add feature sets provided by the SDK to your device. With this new configurable SDKClient, you can add and remove support for specific Alexa features in your build through the use of simple client registration APIs.

For details about the Configurable SDKClient support in AVS Device SDK 3.0, see Configurable SDKClient.

For details about features, fixes, and changes in AVS Device SDK 3.0, see AVS Device SDK Release Notes 3.0.


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Last updated: Sep 06, 2022