Amazon Echo

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Amazon Echo
Amazon echo shelf.jpg
Category Intelligent Personal Assistants
Developer Amazon.com, Inc
Announced 6 November 2014 [1]
Released Developers: 31 January 2015 [2]
Consumers: 23 June 2015 [3]
Price 180 USD [4]
Operating system Fire OS, Android, and iOS [5]
Controls

buttons, voice, smartphone or tablet [5]

Data available
Risk factor
Not offline
Device
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Echo-Bluetooth-Speaker-with-WiFi-Alexa/dp/B00X4WHP5E

Amazon Echo[4] is a smart device by Amazon.com, Inc. that is controlled by a variety of voice commands and can function as a intelligent personal assistant.[4] Unlike some other personal assistants like Cortana or Siri, Amazon Echo is not designated for smartphones or desktop computer, but it is a stand-alone device for the household. However, it also contains intelligent personal assistant's software, namely Alexa.[6]

The user can use Amazon services, play music, ask about weather or traffic situation, control other smart devices in the household, review calendar and task, ask about recipes, and other.[7] The abilities of the device can be further expanded by third-party apps called "Skills".[8]

Amazon Echo costs 180 USD[4] and was released on 23 June 2015 for the United States of America[3] and 28 September 2016 in the United Kingdom. It should be also available in Germany soon.[6] The service is not yet available outside those countries, although some European users report using the device without any problems in the time, it was not available in Europe.[9]

Main characteristics

Amazon Echo is a approximately 24 cm tall cylindrical device. The power and microphone buttons are on the top of the device. An array of seven microphones is also present here. A small part of the top rotates and can be used to adjust the volume. Almost entire housing of the device contains speakers, the control unit is embedded in the side of the inner tube. The device connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi and cannot work offline. It is not battery-powered and thus needs to be connected to a power outlet.[4]

The user can select from three pre-defined "wake" words the device listens to. It is "Alexa", "Amazon" and "Echo". The wake words could be switched in the app. When the device hears the wake word, it begins listening users demands.[10] After that the device is ready, the user can say a command in plain language. The fact that Amazon Echo is listening is expressed by blue lighting on the top of the device.[6] The query is parsed on the side of the device and sent to Alexa service running on Amazon servers for processing. After the command is processed and relevant information retrieved or action taken, the synthetic voice convey the results to the user. However, Amazon Echo can not process natural language in a way that more advanced intelligent personal assistants can. Echo only looks for keywords in the voice commands from the users and fails at longer and more complicated sentences.[11]

Amazon Echo is setup by app in FireOS, Android or iOS. After that it could be controlled by voice, app or remote control. It is linked with the devices via Bluetooth. In comparison with other intelligent personal assistants it performs well even in a noisy surrounding due to beam-forming tech, which it includes.[6] Additionally to it's personal assistant functions, Amazon Echo can also be used to control other compatible household appliances such as the smart lightbulbs from Philips or Belkin, or the smart WeMo coffee maker.[10]

Echo's abilities can be expanded by using "Skills", third-party plug-ins develop through the Alexa Skills Kit which is freely available to developers since 31 July 2015.[2]

Amazon Smart Home Devices

Amazon announces the device on 6 November 2014.[12][1] In March 2016, Amazon introduced two smaller devices with the same capabilities as Amazon Echo - the Amazon Dot, a device with smaller speaker and Bluetooth, and the Amazon Tap, a smaller, battery-powered version of Echo.[13] Amazon Dots cost 50 USD each and allow users to cover all their house with Alexa's support. Moreover, in the case that users have more Amazon devices, Dots are smart enough to recognise which device is closest to a user and this will interact with user.[6] Amazon Dot is a standalone device, thus it does not require Amazon Echo to function.[14] Amazon Tap costs 130 USD and is currently shipped only in the United States.[6] Amazon Tap can play music, read the news, provide weather reports, and order a pizza from Domino's.[15]

Purpose

Amazon Echo is a voice command-driven household device that the user can use to use internet services, search for information, play music, set tasks, and order items from Amazon.com.

Company & People

The Echo was developed by the Amazon Lab126 based in Sunnyvale, California.[16]

  • Jeff Bezos - CEO at Amazon [17]
  • Toni Reid - Director of Product at Amazon.com.[18]
  • Frédéric Deramat - Senior Principal Engineer at Amazon.com.[19]
  • Charlie Kindel - Alexa Smart Home Director.[20]
  • Amir Aslani - Senior Manager Product Management - Alexa Voice Service.[21]
  • Shamitha Somashekar - Principal Product Manager - Speech at Amazon / Alexa / Echo [22]

Amazon.com, Inc. held an recruiting event in Seattle on February 2016 which shows a big focus on this technology.[23] In December 2016, Amazon still recruiting intensively.[21]

Important Dates

  • 6 November 2014 - Amazon Echo announced.[1]
  • December 2014 - First customers, which are involved in "Amazon Prime", were invited to purchase Amazon Echo.[24]
  • 31 January 2015 - Amazon Echo was open for developers.[2]
  • 23 June 2015 - Amazon Echo was released for the United States of America.[3][25]
  • 3 March 2016 - Amazon Dot and Amazon Tap were released.[26]
  • 28 September 2016 - Amazon Echo was released for the United Kingdom.[6]

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

Cross-section of the device and control features.

One feature of the enhancement which Amazon Echo provides, is the control of smart devices. There are shipped various smart devices from several companies, but Amazon Echo allows to control majority of them by voice. It includes thermostats, lightbulbs, coffee machines or smart switches.[27] With a certain skill and smart device it could even control garage or monitor the movement of user's car. Moreover, it is highly probable, that the list of smart devices which could be control by Amazon Echo will grow. Additionally, Amazon Echo works with IFTTT app.[28] This app allows to create more complex commands as "open the garage when my car enters a drive way" or "read the news headlines every day at 8 a.m."[29]

Another enhancing feature of Amazon Echo is, that it can provide various kind of information just after the voice command. It includes the weather forecast, the density of the traffic on the supposed way, the recipe, which its user require for cooking and more. It could read headlines from the news and it could answers user's questions.[27] In addition, Amazon Echo could be paired with Fitbit and provide information about the user's progress in exercise. It could also spell a word to its users.[30]

Due to implementation of "skill" Amazon Echo supports also services from third parties. Therefore, it enables user to purchase pizza from Domino's or order a taxi at Uber, just by a voice command. Other skills could turn Amazon Echo to metronome of guitar tuner.[28]

There are also health and exercise skills as 7-minute workout, Pilates or mediation, which could be installed at Amazon Echo.[30] It could serve as a voice notebook, since Amazon Echo is also able to create a TO-DO list, a shopping list or add a remark.[24]

Because of voice control, Amazon Echo is available for elderly and disabled people. The voice control of their home environment is especially useful for those group of people. The Amazon Echo provides skill "Ask My Buddy", which immediately alarms the pre-selected contacts. This could be helpful when Amazon Echo's user has an accident and needs a help.[31] Furthermore, it provides a brand new possibilities for disabled people, especially quadriplegic and makes them more independent.[32] It could be also easily remote by visually disabled people.[33]

Ethical & Health Issues

Comment - it is available only for the English speaking world - http://www.wareable.com/trending/trending-digital-3653

Buying with Alexa is very easy - it is necessary to restrict it when there are children in the house: https://www.wareable.com/amazon/a-week-living-in-amazon-ecosystem-connected-home-3618

The use of Echo increases the data Amazon receives from user: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601583/how-alexa-siri-and-google-assistant-will-make-money-off-you/ , in addition, it makes it easier to purchase products from Amazon.

privacy - http://www.cio.com/article/3143137/open-source-tools/amazon-echo-vs-google-home-the-choice-is-obvious.html

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

The device with the outer shell removed. The motherboard is visible on the right.

Smart tech of the year 2016 - http://www.wareable.com/awards/wareable-tech-awards-2016-winners

Smartest company of 2016, mostly due to Echo - https://www.technologyreview.com/lists/companies/2016/#amazon

http://fortune.com/2015/06/23/amazon-echo-review/

http://www.cnet.com/products/amazon-echo-review/

http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-use-the-amazon-echo-and-why-you-should-get-one/

Teaser with Alec Baldwin - http://qz.com/611026/amazon-echo-is-a-sleeper-hit-and-the-rest-of-america-is-about-find-out-about-it-for-the-first-time/

http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-it-sucks-its-awesome-it-sucks-we-want-two-more/

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/amazon-echo-adds-1000-new-features-1363173697691702.html

http://readwrite.com/2015/07/31/amazon-alexa-voice-service-developer-preview-echo

http://www.wareable.com/trending/trending-digital-3653

amazon user reviews http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo/product-reviews/B00X4WHP5E

Public Policy

Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research

It is rumoured that Amazon is currently developing a device similar to Echo, which would have a large screen. It should be unveiled in the first quarter of 2017.[34]

http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-ifttt-channels-for-alexa/

Dash buttons - https://www.wareable.com/amazon/a-week-living-in-amazon-ecosystem-connected-home-3618

The recognition of emotions - https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601654/amazon-working-on-making-alexa-recognize-your-emotions/

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 WELCH, Chris. Amazon just surprised everyone with a crazy speaker that talks to you. The Verge [online]. 2014, Nov 6. Available online at: http://www.theverge.com/2014/11/6/7167793/amazon-echo-speaker-announced (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Amazon. Alexa Voice Service Now Available in Developer Preview. Amazon [online]. 2015, Jan 31. Available online at:https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx2SQ0B11SGLKOI/Alexa-Voice-Service-Now-Available-in-Developer-Preview (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 CALLAHAM, John. Amazon Echo is now available for everyone to buy for $179.99, shipments start on July 14. Android Central [online]. 2015. Jun 23, Available online at: http://www.androidcentral.com/amazon-echo-now-available-everyone-buy-17999-shipments-start-july-14 (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Amazon. Amazon Echo. Amazon [online]. Available online at: http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo/dp/B00X4WHP5E (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Amazon. Technical Details. Amazon [online]. Available online at: https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Echo-Bluetooth-Speaker-with-WiFi-Alexa/dp/B00X4WHP5E#tech (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 BREWIS, Marie. Complete guide to Amazon Echo: What is Amazon Echo? What is Amazon Dot?. PC Advisor [online]. 2016, Dec 2. Available online at: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/new-product/audio/amazon-echo-uk-what-is-amazon-echo-how-can-you-buy-it-update-3584881/ (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  7. ↑ Amazon. Help & Customer Service. Amazon [online]. Available online at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201608460 (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  8. ↑ Amazon. Alexa Skills Kit. Amazon [online]. Available online at: https://developer.amazon.com/appsandservices/solutions/alexa/alexa-skills-kit (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  9. ↑ CaixaGordinha. Is there any info about Alexa coming to Europe?. Reddit [online]. 2015. Available online at: https://www.reddit.com/r/amazonecho/comments/3n5enc/is_there_any_info_about_alexa_coming_to_europe/cvlskzi (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 PULLEN, John Patrick. The Ultimate Guide to the Amazon Echo. Time [online]. 2016, Feb 18. Available online at: http://time.com/4227833/amazon-echo-user-guide/ (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  11. ↑ GEWIRTZ, David. Amazon Echo: It sucks. It's awesome. It sucks. We want two more. ZDNet [online]. 2015, May 21. Available online at: http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-it-sucks-its-awesome-it-sucks-we-want-two-more/ (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  12. ↑ Amazon. Introducing Amazon Echo. Youtube [online]. 2014, Nov 6. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkOCeAtKHIc (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  13. ↑ BUHR, Sarah. Amazon adds the $130 Tap and the $90 Dot to the Echo family. TechCrunch [online]. 2016, Mar 3. Available online at: http://techcrunch.com/2016/03/03/amazon-adds-the-130-tap-and-the-90-dot-to-the-echo-family/ (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  14. ↑ TechFit360. Echo Dot 2 Review - Top 5 Features. Youtube [online]. 2016, Oct 25. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBvAj0Z_9do (Retrieved 21 st December, 2016).
  15. ↑ Amazon. Amazon Tap. Amazon [online]. Available online at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BH83OOM (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  16. ↑ Lab126. Amazon Lab126. Lab126 [online]. Available online at: http://www.lab126.com/ (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  17. ↑ KNIGHT, Will. Alexa, Talk Some Sense, Will You?. MIT Technology Review [online]. 2016, Sep 29. Available online at: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602517/alexa-talk-some-sense-will-you/ (Retrieved 21st December, 2016).
  18. ↑ RAO, Leena. Meet the Woman Who Runs Amazon’s Alexa Unit. Fortune [online]. 2016, Oct 25. Available online at: http://fortune.com/2016/10/25/amazon-echo-alexa-artificial-intelligence-toni-reid/ (Retrieved 21st December, 2016).
  19. ↑ Frédéric Deramat. LinkedIn [online]. Available online at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deramat (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  20. ↑ Charlie Kindel. LinkedIn [online]. Available online at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckindel (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Amir Aslani. LinkedIn [online]. Available online at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amiraslani (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  22. ↑ Shamitha Somashekar. LinkedIn [online]. Available online at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamitha?authType=name&authToken=8DRA&trk=prof-sb-browse_map-name (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  23. ↑ SOPER, Taylor. Amazon recruiting heavily for Echo and Alexa engineers, hosts big invite-only event to find talent. GeekWire [online]. 2016, Feb 19. Available online at: http://www.geekwire.com/2016/amazon-ramps-up-recruiting-efforts-for-engineers/ (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 HIGGINBOTHAM, Stacey. You should probably buy the Amazon Echo. Fortune [online]. 2015, Jun 25. Available online at: http://fortune.com/2015/06/23/amazon-echo-review/ (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  25. ↑ Amazon. Amazon Echo Now Available to All Customers. Available online at: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2061798 (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  26. ↑ Amazon. Amazon Introduces Echo Dot and Amazon Tap, Two New Alexa-Enabled Devices. Available online at: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2143663 (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 CRIST, Ry. Amazon Alexa: Device compatibility, how-tos and much more. CNET [online]. 2016, Apr 8. Available online at:https://www.cnet.com/how-to/amazon-alexa-device-compatibility-how-tos-and-much-more/ (Retrieved 21st December, 2016).
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 CRIST, Ry, CARNOY, David. Amazon Echo review. CNET [online]. 2016, Feb 15. Available online at: https://www.cnet.com/products/amazon-echo-review/2/ (Retrieved 21st December, 2016).
  29. ↑ IFTTT. IFTTT [online]. Available online at: https://www.ifttt.com/(Retrieved 21st December, 2016).
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 PRASUETHSUT, Lily and LANGLEY, Hugh. The best Amazon Echo skills for your smart home. Wareable [online]. 2016, Oct 31. Available online at: http://www.wareable.com/smart-home/best-amazon-echo-skills (Retrieved 21st December, 2016).
  31. ↑ Alex S. Already very practical for overcoming disability issues. Amazon [online]. 2015, Jun 19. Available online at: https://www.amazon.com/review/RTRDKUJDZCO4B/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00X4WHP5E&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=9818047011&store=amazon-home&tag (Retrieved 21st December, 2016).
  32. ↑ Patrickometry. Alexa is a Revolution for my Disabled Family Member. Amazon [online]. 2015, Sep 6. Available online at: https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo/product-reviews/B00X4WHP5E (Retrieved 21st December, 2016).
  33. ↑ KENIN, Sean. A life changing device for a boy who is blind. Amazon [online]. 2015, Jul 29. Available online at: https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo/product-reviews/B00X4WHP5E (Retrieved 21st December, 2016).
  34. ↑ GURMAN, Mark. Amazon Plans Premium Alexa Speaker With Large Screen. Bloomberg [online]. 2016, Nov 29. Available online at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-29/amazon-said-to-plan-premium-alexa-speaker-with-large-screen (Retrieved 20th December, 2016).
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