Amazon Echo Alexa is Coming For Apple Siri - http://clapway.com/2016/01/12/alexa-from-amazon-echo-is-coming-for-apple-siri-123/

After releasing the Echo, Amazon is releasing a second, cheaper generation called Amazon Fox, with an Alexa that could take Apple Siri out of the game. The mini-speaker will be the size of the average beer can, and it will be wireless.

Amazon Brings Cloud-Based Services to the Mainstream

The Fox is expected to cost under $180, which is the current Echo price. Unlike the Echo, it will be battery operated. It will probably come with a docking station where it can re-charge. Alexa will not work automatically. Users will have to push a button to activate her, much like how Apple users activate Siri.

There’s a chance that Amazon will bring in an Alexa app that would allow users to activate her from a phone. This would get rid of the need of physically approaching the device to initiate communication.

The Amazon Speakers Go Bluetooth

This isn’t the only disadvantage that might come with the Amazon Fox. The Amazon Echo got a lot of positive reviews for its audio quality. A smaller device would mean some sacrifice for sound. There’s also a big possibility that the Fox will connect to everything via Bluetooth, which also makes compromises to audio quality.

However, Bluetooth makes usage very convenient. If the Fox manages to overpower the Echo in terms of lagging or glitching, it could sell well. We can even expect the Fox to be named Best Product of the Year for its functionality and price. A price tag for under $180 could put it on top of the Beats Pill.

The Best Selling Point for the Amazon Fox, Alexa

The voice-command feature for a speaker is a unique selling point. No other speaker on the market features this. The only thing that Amazon has to worry about is if the smaller size will take away from some of the Echo features that gave it such positive reviews. This is new territory for Amazon, but it can be easily dominated if they bring together the best of the Echo and bring in the best of Alexa to the smaller Fox.

Alexa vs. Apple Siri: Who is Better?

Siri was recently put into the new Apple TV OS, but it didn’t heed overly positive results. Hopefully, this will not be the case for Alexa. Virtual assistants are slowly taking over technology, and hopefully, Alexa will bring some humor and functionality to the innovation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkOCeAtKHIc

Amazon Echo Alexa is Coming For Apple Siri

Amazon’s Echo is Heading to Over 3,000 Retail Stores in the U.S. - http://clapway.com/2015/11/12/amazons-echo-is-heading-to-over-3000-retail-stores-in-the-u-s-123/

Amazon has finally decided to send their Echo smart speaker on the shelves of thousands of retail stores. Before this, the only way to purchase the Amazon Echo was on their website. However, Amazon has now announced the Echo will be sold at over 3,000 retail stores including: Brookstone, Fry’s, Home Depot, PC Richard & Son, RadioShack, Sears, and Staples. The timing of this decision could not have been more perfect as the holiday season is alive and well and about ready to hit its peak.

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WHAT IS AN ECHO SMART SPEAKER?

The Amazon Echo is certainly more than just a speaker. Per various sources, the it is a 9.25-inch tall cylinder speaker with a seven piece microphone array that responds to the default name Alexa. Alexa reportedly allows users to use voice interaction with this speaker and this allows the device to do some amazing things. The Echo can reportedly be used for music playback, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, making to-do lists, providing weather for the day, setting alarms, and also receiving other real time information. This device can also reportedly control other smart devices. As can be seen, this device has a lot of cool and convenient elements. According to Amazon’s website, the Echo costs $180, but with Black Friday coming up it may cost less in retail stores. However, as of right now Amazon has not commented on whether or not it will be cheaper than its online price.

This is an absolutely awesome decision by Amazon to send their Echo to retail stores because many people do not shop online and will only buy it if it is sold at stores. Then considering that Amazon decided to release the Echo in November, the decision becomes even more genius. The Echo smart speaker seems to be an awesome device, but looks can always be deceiving. I myself have never used an Echo speaker, but listening to all the features that it has makes it very tempting. It seems like Amazon is wanting to make their Echo speaker a massive hit this holiday season with this decision. The Echo speaker could indeed be a hot commodity in the coming months and customers will need to be on the lookout because it may be announced with a discount in the future.

Amazon’s Echo is Heading to Over 3,000 Retail Stores in the U.S.

%On Friday #SmartThings took to their blog to announce the company was teaming up with Amazon to provide home automation support to #Amazon Echo.% - http://clapway.com/2015/08/22/amazon-samsung-smartthings-amazon-echo-101/

On Friday SmartThings took to their blog to announce the company was teaming up with Amazon to provide home automation support to Amazon Echo.

SMARTTHINGS FEATURES

SmartThings is a home automation company that is owned by Samsung, and happens to be one of the more popular and user-friendly home automation platforms out there. The new Echo-friendly features allows users who use SmartThings devices like lights, switches, or anything else that might be plugged into a SmartThings powerstrip to be voice compatible with Amazon Echo.

That last part is what makes this partnership interesting. SmartThings is touted for its cross-platform support, which blows the doors wide open for other devices. Plug something that isn’t natively compatible with Amazon Echo into a SmartThings plug-in or powerstrip and suddenly it works.

CHECK OUT MORE NEWS ABOUT AMAZON HERE!

SmartThings says that this new Amazon Echo compatibility will work for both their upcoming hub and their current hub. Pairing the two devices together is relatively easy, too. You’ll use Amazon Echo’s Device Links option in the Echo app to connect your SmartThings account. After that you can just choose to pair devices from a list of your current devices. You’ll then have to ask Alexa to discover the new devices, but from there you can ask Alexa to turn on your lamp and it’ll do it.

AMAZON ECHO

For anyone less familiar with Amazon Echo, don’t worry. It’s actually one of the company’s newest devices. It debuted in June, but was limited to Amazon Prime subscribers who were invited to purchase the device. The device, which retails for $179, connects to your home’s Wi-Fi and has an always-on mic. From there, you simply ask the Amazon Echo how the weather is, a question to ask Google, or ask it to add something to your Amazon shopping list. Just be sure you address it by “Alexa” first.

AVAILABLE NOW

Current SmartThings hub owners should already have Echo-support, which started on Friday. User can take a look at their more detailed setup instructions here. For users who are waiting on the newest SmartThings hub, it can be pre-ordered on their site for $99. Amazon Echo users interested in home automation should definitely give SmartThings a look over.

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YOU NEEDN’T TOLERATE FAULTY TECH

Amazon and Samsung Team Up to Bring SmartThings Support to Amazon Echo