Amazon Echo
Overview
The Amazon Echo is a brand of smart speakers developed by Amazon. Echo devices connect to the voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa, which responds to the name "Alexa". This "wake word" can be changed by the user to "Amazon", "Echo" or "Computer". The features of the device include voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, and playing audiobooks, in addition to providing weather, traffic and other real-time information. It can also control several smart devices, acting as a home automation hub.
Development
The Amazon Echo became available in the United States on June 23, 2015. Initially, it was available only to Amazon Prime members, and by invitation. Amazon expanded the Echo's availability to all U.S. customers on June 23, 2015. The Echo features dual downward-firing speakers, which can fill a room with 360° omni-directional audio.
Features
The Amazon Echo's primary ability is voice recognition. The device is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic, and other real-time information. It can also control several smart devices, acting as a home automation hub.
Alexa
The Echo's voice recognition system is called Alexa. Alexa is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic, and other real-time information. Alexa can also control several smart devices, acting as a home automation hub.
Hardware
The Amazon Echo hardware is a cylindrical device with a seven-piece microphone array. The device comes in several variants, the standard version being a 9.25 inch (23.5 cm) tall cylinder with a 3.27 inch (8.3 cm) diameter. The top of the device has a ring of LEDs that illuminate when the device is active. The device also includes a 'mute' button, which disables the microphones.
Software
The Amazon Echo runs on Amazon's Fire OS. Fire OS is a mobile operating system based on Android and produced by Amazon for its Fire Phone and Kindle Fire range of tablets, and other content delivery devices like Fire TV.
Reception
The Amazon Echo has been well received by critics and consumers alike. The device has been praised for its voice recognition capabilities and its potential as a home automation device. However, it has also been criticized for its lack of support for non-Amazon music services.