Amazon Unveils Echo Interactive Speaker in New Offering
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) unveiled the Echo voice-controlled interactive speaker that lets people stream music and order items from the online retailer, as the company works to extend its reach into consumers’ digital lives.
Echo is priced at $199, Amazon said on its website today. Members of Amazon’s Prime fast-shipping program can purchase the gadget for $99 for a limited period. Consumers need to request an invitation to get the product.
Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos has been spending on new devices to tie people more closely to Amazon, and Echo expands the company’s new hardware offerings this year, which include a smartphone and set-top box. Last week, the Seattle-based Internet retailer unveiled a media-streaming device, the Fire TV Stick, which plugs into a TV set to let users browse video and music from Netflix Inc., Pandora Media Inc. and other content services.
Amazon said on its website today that Echo works when a consumer speaks the word “Alexa” to wake the device up. The gadget is connected to the Internet and runs on Amazon Web Services, the company’s cloud-computing service. Over time, Echo can adjust to consumers’ speech patterns and personal preferences, Amazon said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-06/amazon-unveils-echo-interactive-speaker-in-new-offering.html
Looks like an interesting new gadget -- like an always on Siri for your living room.
= new reply since forum marked as read
...most modern smartphones and tablets, minus the speaker. But many of us already have bluetooth speakers, that pair with our phones/tablets.
Sounds like they pulled a function out of common devices, just to sell us an unnecessary add on.
