5 Pages Essay Due Wednesday

Running Head: AMAZON ECHO

“Amazon Echo”

Students Name

University

AMAZON ECHO

Amazon Echo is a device small enough to carry around in your hand in a small bag. It is a device that connects to a voice command system called "Alexa" voice commands are stored in iCloud . Echo was first introduced in 2014 and was created by Amazon, the Echo then made it’s way to the UK in 2015 and by 2016 it was released in Germany. It is not just a speaker it can be used in conjunction with the feature in your home such as your security system, music, and lights. Alexa understands command like "what is the weather," how long will it take me to get to work , what is 10 x 20 and to name a few, Alex can add events to your calendar. This device can be program to do almost anything. When listening to music through a Bluetooth speaker the sound is clear.

This device cost between $49 - 179 dollars depending on which device you want. I've learned that all the devices have the same function because they are pretty much on the same Alexa voice command system. The Amazon have two Echo the 1st generation is Amazon Echo, and the 2nd generation is known as the Echo Dot, both devices have the black casing, the Echo Dot is in a small black casing have two types the large speaker and a smaller speaker as known as the Echo Dot.

There are no fees associated with the use of the Echo device when used with your home security, music or lighting in your home.

According to the rating on Amazon, this product was rated 4.4 out of 5. Amazon has marketed the market when it comes to the Echo.

After the development of the Echo , Amazon reached out to the developers to assist with more options for the Echo, and they were giving away developer T-shirts if someone published an Alexa skill between September 14, 2016, and October 31, 2016. There are now over 10,000 skills available for Alexa.

Amazon is exercising customer empowering by allowing customers to take control of the market. The innovation and activity come from the Alexa developer community. The community has 3x increased in the number of skills since September 2016. New features include banking, meditation and food orders. As of February 15, 2017, Glenn Cameron announced a new challenge. They are looking for new skills to enhance the Alexa app and make it even smarter. The challengers have a chance to win $40,000 in prizes, as well as meet the executives at Amazon and the developer had to create more enhance Alexa skills. March 3, 2017 Michael Palermo announced a new Smart Home Skills that can be used with the Alexa app, this feature can ask Alexa to lock the door or is the doors locked?

Amazon has created an influencer panel, and they are looking for feedback on the Echo and ways to make this device smarter, more human-like one would say and for $40,000 in prizes this is a substantial amount at state.

There wasn’t much competition for the Amazon Echo until Google created a similar device called Google Home Control that looks like an air fresher. The Google Home Controller does the same things as the Amazon Echo but a little more. Google Home Controller function pretty much like the google speak online search app. So far, I have only found one Google Home Controller device that cost somewhere around $119 - $129. Google released Google Home in November 4, 2016. Unlike the Echo, Google Home can partake in a two-way conversation. It can reschedule appointments and translate words unlike the Echo. Google Home also works in conjunction with all the smart home devices such as lighting, music play, and more. One thing the Home can do the Echo cannot do is communicate with the TV. Amazon Fire stick offer the Alexa app on the remote but the Alexa app that is used for the speaker do not communicate with each other. Amazon Echo can work with the Samsung SmartThings Hub, 2nd Generation, according to the rating the SmartThings Hub was giving a 3 to 5 star rating. Amazon partnership with Samsung to create a better product for the consumers and the customers.

Google on the other hand has made the Home smarter than the Echo in that sense.

Google had partnered with a home deliver services to ensure that the Google Home function just a good as the Echo when it comes to ordering and purchasing items online.

It seems as if Google and leveled the playing field. If one is looking for a home virtual assistant the question my become what is it that I want to be able to do with the assistant, will I need a two-way communication capability or what color should I chose.

As for me I did purchase the Echo a while back but after doing the research on the two products I now wish I would have done my research a little soon because the Google Home have the features I would like to use at home. Being able to have a hands-free experience on the internet is good. One thing I was not able to find is whether or not the Google Home using similar features such as skills with the app.

Amazon has done a great job creating a community to help grow their product and to use social media to advertise the products. If you go to the Amazon site and add the Amazon Echo to your wish list your will notice that product on your social media pages. Amazon marketing department are making sure they are converting consumers into customers.

They are making sure your desire to purchase the Echo gets stronger with each commercial or post.

Amazon push advertisement to your smart devices if your device notifications are turned on. Their marketing strategies are absolutely great.

In conclusion, Amazon Echo has made a great product for the consumers and customers. The have provide a community of developers to help with the improve of the Echo. They have customer return policy if the customer is not satisfied with the product, giving the customer a sense of security and they make the purchase easier. However, there are no marketing codes to prevent underage children from purchasing the Echo or anything else from the site.

References

Amazon Developer Services. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://developer.amazon.com/

Announcing the Amazon Alexa Skills Challenge on DevPost.com : Amazon Developer Blogs. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/post/1f0c7fb6-03fd-4516-81b7-e8614f4e9b6d/announcing-the-amazon-alexa-skills-challenge-on-devpost-com

Google Home - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Home

search for Amazon Echo - Google Search. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?gs_ivs=1&q=search+for+Amazon+Echo#q=when+was+the+Amazon+Echo&*&tts=0

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