Amazon Unveils Multiple New Echo Devices, Including HomePod and AirPods Competitors

[LeeW]

But how about reliability and longevity? Six years later and an Apple device continues to work as designed. Will these Amazon devices work, or are they expected to be replaced by newer versions, feeding that "disposable" culture?

Oh please, nobody 'feeds' that disposable culture more than Apple to try and make you replace kit. Trying to pull the Apple is more reliable and lasts longer angle just does not work anymore.

In so many ways when comparing the Echo to the Home pod for example, you get far better value and flexibility in the Echo.

 

[Azzin]

Anyone who puts one of these devices in their house -- by any manufacturer -- is an idiot.

There, I said it.

Says the person posting on a public Internet forum.

 

[ksgant]

The downside is that it runs Alexa. And it's from Amazon.

 

[chatin]

Amazon has the low-end wrapped up.

 

[LeeW]

Amazon has the low-end wrapped up.

That is the market they want, it is far more profitable overall. They understand that services sell better when you make your products accessible to all.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Look at amazon innovating. I’m liking it.

lol the best ... top level employee of amazon speaking about amazon newly launched products aimed at competition yet uses competitors product instead of its own lol.
Apple for the win AirPods

 

[sevoneone]

Why is Amazon so insisted on making MICROWAVES. They need Alexa the least!

Because they operate a huge home grocery delivery service and knowing what kind of food their customers are making and when is the input side of some very learned ML/predictive analysis algorithms. That microwave will inform everything from what promotions they present you the next time you visit their website down to making sure there is plenty extra in the warehouse of whatever frozen foodstuffs are trendy with 6-12 year olds at the moment.

This is a company that preemptively ships single items across the country based on habits of individual users so that lone item, or one like it, will be in the local warehouse and available for 1-Day shipping the next time you visit the site to entice you to pull the trigger.

These things need data in the form of observed behavior on massive scales to develop the uncanny accuracy that is driving their business. The point is, putting an always-on endpoint to a giant AI/ML platform in as many consumer devices as possible is an effective way to print money.

Amazon's endgame is to win by delivering services that are so seamlessly personalized and effortless down to a single individual that you don't even think about going to the grocery store anymore. For now, it is all dollar signs justified by what they see as a benefit to you. Concerns of privacy, killing competition, trust issues and limiting consumer choice? It is your opinion if the benefits justify the risks. Just remember, it is quite literally your behavior along with the observation of millions of others like you that fuels their giant machine.

 

[Khedron]

And some dudes were probably eavesdropping and laughing as well but you guys didn’t hear them.

And Tim Cook promised you he wasn't listening to your phone... because he was paying people to write down everything you say and reading it instead

 

[FrancoRumors]

Does anyone else think that amazons echo buds look very similar to the now defunct/sold Bragi product line?

 

[bobob]

lol the best ... top level employee of amazon speaking about amazon newly launched products aimed at competition yet uses competitors product instead of its own lol.
Apple for the win AirPods

Dave Limp, Amazon’s senior vice president of devices and service, went on Bloomberg to talk about the new products, using an Apple AirPod for his onscreen interview.

Limp, indeed.

 

[sidewinder3000]

I’m actually kinda impressed by some of their new products and features. The ability to hook the Studio speaker up to a TV is great, the digital readout on the small Echo speaker is cool, and the noise cancelling on the earbuds is a welcomed feature. Every one of those features are important, fundamental benefits I wish that Apple products had. Frustarting that they are letting Amazon beat them to the punch so often lately.

 

[Sir Ruben]

IMO the ring and the glasses are completely rubbish. The ring looks terrible and is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Same for the glasses. Why would you need either if everything can be done more easily from your smartphone that you carry everywhere with you always.

Out of everything, I liked the new echo dot with the clock. Simple and very useful, especially for people who have it on their bedside.

 

[MacBH928]

Now we wait for people being surprised for getting an ad "randomly" about something they were just discussing a couple of hours ago.

 

[Khedron]

Now we wait for people being surprised for getting an ad "randomly" about something they were just discussing a couple of hours ago.

Meanwhile Apple has just updated tvOS to force unwanted advertisements on high-paying users with no option to opt out.

And they're still tracking children in apps.

 

[tdar]

I want an Alexia toilet, so I can tell Alexia to flush my toilet and warm the toilet seat in the winter.

Here you go... coming Q2 2020. Even has Alexa built in.

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Amazon gives you an opt-out. Apple still refuses to do that.

And now they are adding support for auto delete of recordings. And giving you the ability to decide to do it at 3 months or 18. No one else does that. For now.

 

[grad]

An always-on "home assistant" from Amazon/Apple/Google/Microsoft/Xiaomi/etc ? I 'd rather install a virus on my computer.

 

[ipponrg]

I’m actually kinda impressed by some of their new products and features. The ability to hook the Studio speaker up to a TV is great, the digital readout on the small Echo speaker is cool, and the noise cancelling on the earbuds is a welcomed feature. Every one of those features are important, fundamental benefits I wish that Apple products had. Frustarting that they are letting Amazon beat them to the punch so often lately.

I don’t think Apple really is interested in experimenting with the general public. That is where Apple falters. They seem to like to let other companies pave a path forward, then they might jump on board and improve on the idea for a very specific demographic. The HomePod might have been the last thing that many did not ask for, and it did not seem to be as successful as they wanted it to be.

 

[macguru212]

I wouldn't trust Amazon ( or Google) as far as I could spit, so I am sorry to miss out on all this cool tech.

That being said, I wish Apple's HomeKit had a way of C3POing Amazon/Google devices into the Apple Eco system. I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I hope you understand my intent.

 

[dwsolberg]

.
A couple of months ago I was sitting in my neighbors kitchen shooting the breeze and I happened to mention that I needed a new tire for my bike. I never looked this up on any of my devices, never searched for it online, etc....He had an echo in the room but at no point did we trigger it by saying Alexa.... Anyhow a couple of days later he tells me that he is getting constant ads and pop ups on his phone and laptop for local and online bike shops. He immediately got rid of the echo.

Chances are good that both of you had your phones out. What makes you think it wasn’t one of your phones? You know, those things that probably have Facebook installed, have an always on microphone, have all your personal Information, and track your every movement.

 

[MistrSynistr]

You're an absolute FOOL if you put anything Amazon/Google in your home.

 

[LeeW]

You're an absolute FOOL if you put anything Amazon/Google in your home.

Or Apple. They don't deny capturing information, just that they 'claim' not to sell what they know about you.

But in fact, they really do. They give that information to others to direct ads and the like, just not directly identifying you. Bottom line, Apple is just as vulnerable if a hole in their security is found, personal information can still be leaked.

Above all others, Apple would be the last to admit a data breach if they could avoid having to disclose it so as not to dirty their halo.

 

[840quadra]

reallly You are pointing out a feature every smart speaker has and had except homepod?
homepod for travel, haha with the huge cable and a tesla powerwall in your backpack?
is this post even real?

I am asking a question regarding the Echo as some of their products do not support using them as a Bluetooth speaker.

As for your other question, not sure what the issue is for my use case. I plug my HomePod into AC power at my hotel room, or into outlets at my out of state offices. Works great as a remote speaker for my Mac, or iOS devices, and awesomely as a conference call speaker. The HomePod also does not have lithium batteries in it, which makes it legal and safe to put in my checked bag. Had TSA take my beloved JBL smart speaker last year due to Lithium batteries.

Are there any other assumptions I can clear up for you regarding my personal use case?

 

[magicschoolbus]

I love my Alexa enabled devices. Good for Amazon.

Apple really missed the boat on this one - if they innovated in this space, I would gladly upgrade to Apple products given their privacy record and these devices are in my house.

Not sure what they are waiting on.

 

[blacktape242]

microwave kinds cool actually. Id take that

 

[Romeo_Nightfall]

Amazon, Google, Facebook are 3 companies I do NOT trust to understand my right to privacy. There is no way any of their stuff will ever be allowed into our home.

i miss apple on the list. They do the same and more as the other 3. or are You an ideology hater or fanboy?