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Amazon Unveils Echo, a Speaker With a Siri-Like Voice Assistant
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Weird. Wasn’t expecting anything like this from Amazon (or anybody for that matter). It’s kind of inexpensive, sort of useful, seems to overlap with other devices, not portable. Looks like it integrates with Fire services[?]
Sure, it’s right in the video, you setup a “wake word”
I wonder if I can change it from responding to "Alexa" to "computer." Just something that would appeal to my pointy eared friend.
Sure, it’s right in the video, you setup a “wake word”
Correct!
And some people will set "Hey SIRI" for activation and compare if Echo or SIRI is better at responding to voice commands.
I've been thinking about turning off Siri / dictation on my iPhone for a long time... I haven't, but at the same time, the number of times I use Siri each year could be counted on one hand.
1) Can one turn off the listening feature so Amazon isn't eavesdropping 24/7 on my household?
2) No native iOS app? Major FAILLLLL
it only listens for "Hey Alexa" before it does anything else.
This device is amazing and something I'd get Prime just to purchase (might as well since the $100 savings equals a free year of Prime)
What the heck is Amazon doing?
Why in the world is Amazon wasting so much freaking money on this kind of crap? Their "Fire" phone has probably sold like 7 devices. Their Cromecast knock-off device is looking like a rapid flop. Now they want to show us how poorly one can execute a personal assistant / voice activated MP3 player?
I don't really care what they do with their money, but this kind of crap will simply not fly. Why do you want to try to compete with companies like Samsung, Google, Microsoft and Apple? Why not just wreck the ***** out of their online marketplace and win that big time (or cloud services ffs). Why throw away millions of dollars and release a steady stream of flops?
Where is it written that if you do one thing really well, that it is just a matter of time before you have to do everything everyone else does just as well or better?
This is just another identity crisis product that frankly will be DOA and people most certainly do not need. Why put your design teams through this?
Why in the world is Amazon wasting so much freaking money on this kind of crap? Their "Fire" phone has probably sold like 7 devices. Their Cromecast knock-off device is looking like a rapid flop. Now they want to show us how poorly one can execute a personal assistant / voice activated MP3 player?
I don't really care what they do with their money, but this kind of crap will simply not fly. Why do you want to try to compete with companies like Samsung, Google, Microsoft and Apple? Why not just wreck the ***** out of their online marketplace and win that big time (or cloud services ffs). Why throw away millions of dollars and release a steady stream of flops?
Where is it written that if you do one thing really well, that it is just a matter of time before you have to do everything everyone else does just as well or better?
This is just another identity crisis product that frankly will be DOA and people most certainly do not need. Why put your design teams through this?
This would seem to be an ever growing segment of the market. Amazon are certainly not first in the market.
I've had an IVEE Sleek for over a year (http://helloivee.com/). Sadly it doesn't connect to any of my home automation systems ... but that company has been adding various functionality like Nest Thermostat controls, some lighting, etc.
I must admit, I don't like talking to it ... but it's a decent alarm clock
It sure will be interesting to see what HomeKit spawns.
I've had an IVEE Sleek for over a year (http://helloivee.com/). Sadly it doesn't connect to any of my home automation systems ... but that company has been adding various functionality like Nest Thermostat controls, some lighting, etc.
I must admit, I don't like talking to it ... but it's a decent alarm clock
It sure will be interesting to see what HomeKit spawns.
If I was set up in the Amazon ecosystem, instead of Apple, I would totally pick one up for $100.00.
But don't want to deal with mulitiple apps for calendars, to do lists, etc.
But don't want to deal with mulitiple apps for calendars, to do lists, etc.
I actually think this looks cool. A lot of these comments are missing the point. First and foremost, it's a bluetooth speaker. But the 'personal assistant' aspect adds convenience because it's always on - you don't have to worry about battery drain. Say you're standing at the sink washing dishes and have wet hands - just say, "Alexa, can you play some music?" Ta dah. No need to get your phone, unlock it, activate Siri, plug in headphones, etc.
Simple household appliance. Great idea.
Simple household appliance. Great idea.
Cool idea, but tell me once
1) Apple makes a similar, most certainly better product
1) Apple makes a similar, most certainly better product
A) It uses Siri
B) The PSU is INSIDE it
2) Amazon lets people buy it without an "invitation" (aka, when Apple makes a similar product)And a smartphone requires you use your hands, activate the smart assistant, attach headphones (if you want good sound quality) etc.
It's not trying to be a smartphone. It's a household appliance, so battery life doesn't matter and it's always on for added convenience. It also has good sound quality from what I can tell. Great idea and a steal at $99.
"We need to waste more money on failed products!"-Amazon.
So, they have $83,000,000 worth of their dumb phones they can't give away, I wonder how much they get stuck with on this thing?
So, they have $83,000,000 worth of their dumb phones they can't give away, I wonder how much they get stuck with on this thing?
The idea is actually not bad, good job amazon
I like the idea, I just wouldn't see myself ever using it. I'd be interested to see how fast it actually is.
1) Can one turn off the listening feature so Amazon isn't eavesdropping 24/7 on my household?
2) No native iOS app? Major FAILLLLL
Even if you can turn off the listening feature , how can you be sure that it isn't really listening ?