Amazon Alexa Digital Assistant to Take Bigger Role in User’s Lives
Amazon on Thursday revealed that it wants to make its Amazon Alexa digital assistant and online services a bigger part of people’s lives with an array of new features and products.
Updates reveal that Alexa-infused Echo smart speakers will allow the system to tend to microwave cooking and even have “hunches” regarding what users may want or have forgotten.
The Amazon team thinks that Alexa has gotten smarter, more conversational and even intuitive during the past year and the team is further updating Alexa to be even smarter.
Pet or Beer?
Alexa is even developing a personality, by conversing with millions of customers. It has also learned to understand whispers.
Amazon recently teased an upcoming feature called Alexa Hunches that is designed to infuse the digital assistant with intuition. For example, when a user says goodnight to Alexa, it might respond by mentioning that the user has forgotten to lock a door.
“We are really at a tipping point for the smart home,” Limp said.
Amazon added that the Echo will be the equivalents of stereo components for home sound systems, along with improvements to its online music service.
“Amazon is doubling down on its strategy of integrating Alexa far and wide into appliances, consumer electronics, and cars,” CCS Insight research vice president Geoff Blaber said.
Security for Homes.
A newly announced Alexa Guard service will connect with Echo speakers in the home and motion detectors from Amazon-owned smart doorbell maker Ring.
When Echo speakers are set to guard mode, they listen for breaking glass or the sound of alarms from smoke or carbon dioxide detectors and send alerts to smartphones or even security companies.
“Amazon launched today what I believe is the industry’s largest assortment of home automation products and added meaningful improvements to its services,” said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights and Strategy.
Amazon has been moving fast in the race of best digital assistants fielded by powerhouse rivals such as Google and Apple and prefer to become the best one for users.
“Amazon’s announcements are sharp reminders to Apple and Google that Alexa has a significant lead that it is working meticulously to maximize,” Blaber said.
