Difference between revisions of "Amazon Echo"

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The 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. It is not battery-powered and thus needs to be connected to a power outlet.
 
The 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. It is not battery-powered and thus needs to be connected to a power outlet.
  
The user can select from three pre-defined 'wake' words the device listens to. After the device is ready, the user can say a command in plain language. 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 [[Speech synthesizers|synthetic voice]] convey the results to the user.
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The user can select from three pre-defined 'wake' words the device listens to. After the device is ready, the user can say a command in plain language. 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 [[Speech synthesizers|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.<ref name="zdnetreview">http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-it-sucks-its-awesome-it-sucks-we-want-two-more/</ref>
  
https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx2SQ0B11SGLKOI/Alexa-Voice-Service-Now-Available-in-Developer-Preview
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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.<ref>https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx2SQ0B11SGLKOI/Alexa-Voice-Service-Now-Available-in-Developer-Preview</ref>
  
 
=== Purpose ===
 
=== Purpose ===

Revision as of 14:16, 9 March 2016

The Echo on a shelf. Note the power cable.

Amazon Echo[1] 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.[2] Unlike some other personal assistants like Microsoft Cortana or Apple Siri, Amazon Echo is not designated for smartphones or desktop computer, but it is a stand-alone device for the household.

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.[3] The abilities of the device can be further expanded by third-party apps called Skills.[4]

Amazon Echo costs 180 USD[5] and was released on 23 June 2015.[6]

Main characteristics

Cross-section of the device and control features.
The device with the outer shell removed. The motherboard is visible on the right.

The 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. It is not battery-powered and thus needs to be connected to a power outlet.

The user can select from three pre-defined 'wake' words the device listens to. After the device is ready, the user can say a command in plain language. 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.[7]

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.[8]

Purpose

Company & People

Important Dates

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

Ethical & Health Issues

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

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/

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

Public Policy

Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research

References

  1. http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo/dp/B00X4WHP5E
  2. http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo/dp/B00X4WHP5E
  3. https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201608460
  4. https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-skills-kit/getting-started-guide
  5. http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo/dp/B00X4WHP5E
  6. http://www.androidcentral.com/amazon-echo-now-available-everyone-buy-17999-shipments-start-july-14
  7. http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-it-sucks-its-awesome-it-sucks-we-want-two-more/
  8. https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx2SQ0B11SGLKOI/Alexa-Voice-Service-Now-Available-in-Developer-Preview