http://www.amazon.com/oc/echo/ref_=ods_dp_ae
Amazon rolls out another tech device. Will this one take off?
Echo -
Always ready, connected and fast. Just ask.
Information, music, news, weather, and more—instantly
Controlled by your voice for hands-free convenience
Voice recognition hears you from across the room
Connected to the cloud so it’s always getting smarter
What are you, their fucking sponsor?
Have any thoughs of your own there, because it just sounds like another device of which there are a zillion of already.
Lighten up Francis…you always act like this early in the morning? You’re girlfriend dump you?
Not really, not if it performs like they say it will. Sure, my iPhone will pick up voice if I have it plugged in, but not very reliably, and not from across the room. If doesn’t have all the functionality the Echo is purported to have (like making lists), and the speaker isn’t all that great. I like the idea of having something that’s in one place and doesn’t move around (like my phone tends to do…).
I think it’s pretty cool. I already put in my request for an invitation, and will likely buy one when it’s available, with the caveat that I’d like to read a few third-party reviews first.
I don’t know. Let me ask my New Amazon Echo™…
It’s easy and always ready. I’ll ask.
“Hey, Alexa… Did I get dumped today?”
…
“The temperature is currently 46° F.”
My point being, it’s bad form to post a commercial link then copy/paste the product’s boilerplate description.
I’ve used “Hey, Siri” plenty of times. Never had much of a problem.
Looks interesting, but I’ll waiting until the 3rd version/Google’s version to come out.
If it does what they say it does, I can see it taking off. It is a combination of things people are already buying, integrated into one easy to control unit with additional functionality.
Try getting her to make a list for you.
No, your point being, if other posters don’t do it your way, then you’ll snidely insult them. :rolleyes:
Sorry I missed the cmyk class on forum posting form. Is there another one coming up soon?
Dude, you’ve been here long enough to know what a decent OP is. If I didn’t recognize your username and note your time as a member here, I might’ve reported that OP.
And yes, I was being snide, I apologize.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! :rolleyes:
Do you ever move around? What if you’re in the kitchen and realize you need paper towels but the Echo is in tv room? What if you’re in the bedroom? Where’s your cellphone in this scenario? How many of these two hundred dollar speakers are you planning to buy?
Amazon has a phone with six cameras that do that useless paralax thing and now they have a paperweight with six microphones for people who want a digital assistant but never make phone calls.
Their next gadget will be a toaster that plays mp3s. It will have six speakers and it will have preset playlists based on how dark or light you like your bread.
It’s obviously not a magic bullet. We have a great room, encompassing the kitchen/dining/living room. I see the Echo working well there, especially when I’m spending time in the kitchen. I use my phone a lot there, to listen to music/podcasts. I also keep a shopping list as I notice ingredients are low, and quite often have timers going. Reliable voice-activated controls for those functions alone is worth $100 (I’m a prime member) to me. Add in being able to ask it random questions - what’s the weather report? What time is the football game on? What time is it? and it’s a no-brainer. I’ve already spent enough time cleaning raw pork and cookie dough off my phone/iPad.
Of course, the caveat is that it actually works as advertised. Given Amazon’s track record, I have my doubts. We’ll see.
It’s a $200 voice activated stereo. Yeah, it’s cool, but even if it works exactly as advertised it doesn’t seem like it’s going to have a huge market.
This sounds like the perfect device for people who live alone and a hellish nuisance for anyone who doesn’t.
You: “Hey, Alexa, what’s the weather going to be today?”
Your partner, voice muffled from being in the bathroom: “How the hell should I know? Look it up on the internet”
You: “I was asking Alexa!”
Your partner: “So what, you forgot how to type?”
Alexa, simultaneously: “It will be cloudy with occasional squalls”
You: “What?”
You: “Alexa, remind me to buy paper towels.”
Alexa, in creepy robot voice: “I will remind you to buy paper towels”
Your partner from the next room: “Will you keep it down? My show’s on.”
Actually, I think those self-playing video news clips on the internet have demonstrated to me that I don’t want anyone reading the weather or news to me. Reading is faster and far less irritating.
I think it’ll be a middling sale item at best for them.
Some people might burn a couple hundred bucks on it for the novelty. Others will buy it as a gift for their parents or whatever.
I don’t begrudge it, I just don’t think it’s that big a deal like a smartphone or a Kindle Fire is. It’s too one-trick/appliance-like.
To be honest, I’ve already experienced something similar to this with the “Hey, Siri” feature.
Me (loudly): Hey, Siri, play Foo Fighters.
Wife in other room on the phone: What?!
Me: Nothing, I’m asking Siri to do something.
Siri: Here are your search results on “to do something.”
PAGES OF MEANINGLESS WEB SEARCHES
Me (loudly again): Be quiet… I’m asking Siri again… Hey, Siri, play Foo Fighters.
MUSIC BLARES.
Wife: …
Well, I look forward to hearing your thoughts about it once it arrives.
I’m actually quite excited about this. I can see a good deal of use for it. Yes, some folks can holler at their phone, but I’d rather not yell at my Moto X when its on the breakfast bar and I’m sitting on the couch. Much easier to talk normally at a device if I have a quick question (such as how many HRs did a particular baseball player [who is up at bat in the game I’m watching] hit). Also be fun as a bluetooth speaker (I have one, but I don’t use it nearly as much as I could - mostly because I have it off to conserve battery; I can see an always on bluetooth speaker getting much more play).