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{{short description|Voice command device from Amazon}}
{{Information appliance
{{About|the brand of smart speakers developed by Amazon|the software used by Amazon Echo|Amazon Alexa|the acoustic phenomenon|Echo}}
| image = File:Amazon Echo.jpg|175px
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
| caption = Amazon Echo
{{Infobox information appliance
| type = [[Voice command device]]
| logo = AmazonEchoLogo.png
| manufacturer = [[Amazon.com]]
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| type = [[Smart speaker]]
| developer = [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
| manufacturer = Amazon
| os = [[Fire OS]]
| release date = {{start date and age|2014|11|6}}
| input = [[Speech recognition|Voice commands]]
| website = [https://www.amazon.com/smart-home-devices/b?node=9818047011 Amazon Echo (US)]<br />[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06Y5ZW72J Amazon Echo (UK)]<br />[https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B06ZXQV6P8 Amazon Echo (Ger)]<br />[https://www.amazon.in/amazon-echo/b?node=14156834031 Amazon Echo (India)]<br />[https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B079PNT5TK Amazon Echo (France)]
| currentfw = Fire OS 6~8
}}
'''Amazon Echo''', often shortened to '''Echo''', is a brand of [[smart speaker]]s developed by [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]. Echo devices connect to the voice-controlled [[Virtual assistant|intelligent personal assistant]] service ''[[Amazon Alexa|Alexa]]'', which will respond when a user says "Alexa". Users may change this ''wake word'' to "Amazon", "Echo", "[[Computer]]", and other options.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201601770|title= Amazon.com Help: Set Up Your Amazon Echo|website= Amazon.com|access-date= March 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2017/1/23/14365338/amazon-echo-alexa-computer-wake-word-star-trek|title= You can finally say 'Computer' to your Echo to command it|last= Bohn|first= Dieter|newspaper= The Verge|access-date= January 28, 2017}}</ref> The features of the device include voice interaction, music playback, making [[to-do list]]s, setting [[Alarm device|alarms]], streaming [[podcast]]s, and playing [[audiobook]]s, in addition to providing weather, traffic and other real-time information. It can also control several [[smart device]]s, acting as a [[home automation]] hub.

Amazon started developing Echo devices inside its [[Amazon Lab126|Lab126]] offices in [[Silicon Valley]] and in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] as early as 2010. The device represented one of its first attempts to expand its device portfolio beyond the [[Amazon Kindle|Kindle]] [[e-reader]].<ref name="bweek" />

Amazon initially limited the first-generation Echo to [[Amazon Prime]] members or just by invitation, but it became widely available in the [[United States]] in mid 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.androidcentral.com/amazon-echo-now-available-everyone-buy-17999-shipments-start-july-14|title= The Amazon Echo is now available for everyone to buy for $179.99, shipments start on July 14|website= Android Central|access-date= June 23, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151208120609/http://www.androidcentral.com/amazon-echo-now-available-everyone-buy-17999-shipments-start-july-14|archive-date= December 8, 2015|url-status= dead}}</ref> and subsequently in other countries. Additionally, the Alexa voice service is available to be added to other devices, and Amazon encourages other companies' devices and services to connect to it.<ref>
{{cite web
|url= https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/25/amazon-unbundles-alexa-virtual-assistant-from-echo-with-new-dev-tools/
|title= Amazon Unbundles Alexa Virtual Assistant From Echo With New Dev Tools
|date= June 25, 2015|publisher= AOL|website= TechCrunch
}}
</ref>

==History==
{{more citations needed|date=June 2019}}
[[File:Amazon Echo.jpg|thumb|100px|The first-generation Amazon Echo]]

Work on the Amazon Echo began in 2011, known as "Project D". It was named this because the [[Amazon Kindle|Kindle]] was Project A and the [[Fire Phone]] was Project B. The Amazon Echo was an offshoot of Project C. Project C is unknown, even though the work on it has stopped. The Amazon Echo was originally supposed to be called the Amazon Flash. The wake word, the word that makes the device responsive, for the Echo used to be "Amazon". Both of these attributes were disliked by [[Amazon Lab126|Lab126]], the division of Amazon that conducts research and development and creates computer hardware. Lab126 believed that "Amazon" is too much of a commonly used word, and the device would react when it was not intended to. [[Jeff Bezos]], the CEO of Amazon, ended up being influenced by Lab126 to change the name of the device to the Amazon Echo and the wake word to "Alexa".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-amazon-echo/|title=The Real Story of How Amazon Built the Echo|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|via=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref> The Amazon Echo was originally pitched as only a smart speaker, it was not originally intended to be a smart home hub, as it is now, until after it was launched. As [[Amazon Alexa|Alexa]], the artificial intelligence (A.I.) that powers the Amazon Echo, improved, the device became more of a controlling center for smart home appliances. Dave Isbitski, the chief developer evangelist for the Echo and Alexa, received calls from smart home manufacturers to discuss connecting their devices, after the release of the Amazon Echo. But smart home devices had a problem: people were not buying smart home devices because they often required an extra app in order to be used, which was not much better than just using the device manually.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-echo-and-alexa-history-from-speaker-to-smart-home-hub-2017-5|title=How Amazon's Echo went from a smart speaker to the center of your home|last=Weinberger|first=Matt|date=May 23, 2017|website=Business Insider}}</ref>

The Amazon Echo (1st Generation) was initially released in 2014 alongside the voice of the product, Alexa. Alexa is a voice associated with the Amazon Echo that will respond to questions and requests through artificial intelligence. [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] has claimed that the voice of Alexa was inspired by electronic [[communications system]]s featured in the television series ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' and ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/06/07/how-star-trek-inspired-amazons-alexa/|title=How 'Star Trek' inspired Amazon's Alexa|date=June 7, 2017|website=VentureBeat|access-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref> The Echo was announced on Nov 6, 2014 and was initially available by invitation only.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/11/6/7167793/amazon-echo-speaker-announced | title=Amazon just surprised everyone with a crazy speaker that talks to you | date=November 6, 2014 }}</ref> It became available to all customers on July 14, 2015.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150623005861/en/Amazon-Echo-Now-Available-to-All-Customers | title=Amazon Echo Now Available to All Customers | date=June 23, 2015 }}</ref>

The Echo featured prominently in Amazon's first [[Super Bowl]] broadcast television advertisement in 2016.<ref>[http://www.geekwire.com/2016/amazons-first-ever-super-bowl-commercial-stars-alec-baldwin-dan-marino-missy-elliott/ "Amazon's first Super Bowl commercial stars Alec Baldwin, Dan Marino, Missy Elliott"]. Geekwire, February 7, 2016.</ref>

In March 2016 Amazon released a less expensive version of the Amazon Echo, called the '''Amazon Echo Dot'''. This device is an [[hockey puck|ice hockey puck]] sized version of the original Amazon Echo released in 2014, and it has the same capabilities. This product was designed to be used in smaller rooms such as bedrooms due to its limited speaker capabilities (size) or to be paired with an external speaker. In November 2016 the second generation of the Echo Dot was released for a lower price with improved voice recognition and new colors.

The second generation of the Amazon Echo was released in October 2017. This update offered better voice recognition and a fabric covering exterior. Subsequently, other variants of the Amazon Echo have been released.

In May 2017 Amazon released the now-discontinued '''Amazon Tap''', a portable, slightly smaller version of the Amazon Echo. Although the two products are similar the Tap is battery powered, portable, and requires the touch of a button in order to enable voice commands.

In April 2017 the '''Amazon Echo Look''' was released to invitees only, as an Amazon Echo with a built in camera. It was designed as a speaker, that is also handy with artificial intelligence that has smart algorithms to help users pick out outfits. It was released to the general public in August 2018. The Look was phased out in 2020.

In June 2018 the '''Amazon Echo Show''' was released to the public as a device with a 7-inch screen used for streaming media, making video calls and the use of Alexa. The second generation of the device was made available in November 2018 and features a 10-inch screen with improved speakers.

==Features==
[[File:Amazon Echo Dot (RS03QR) - LED and microphone board - detail-1138.jpg|thumb|A microphone (center) and two LEDs (left and right) inside an Echo Dot]]
[[File:Amazon Echo Dot (RS03QR) - LED and microphone board-0548.jpg|thumb|The Echo contains several microphones (here: an array of seven microphones inside an Echo Dot, with six of them arranged in a circle alternating with LEDs)]]
[[File:Amazon Echo Dot (RS03QR) - case, bottom with loudspeaker-0671.jpg|thumb|A loudspeaker inside an Echo Dot]]
{{See also|Amazon Alexa}}

===Overview of operation===
In the default mode, the device continuously listens to all speech, monitoring for the wake word to be spoken, which is primarily set up as "Alexa" (derived from [[Alexa Internet]], the Amazon-owned Internet indexing company). Echo's microphones can be manually disabled by pressing a mute button to turn off the audio processing circuit.<ref name="bweek" />

Echo devices require a wireless Internet connection in order to work. Echo's voice recognition capability is based on [[Amazon Web Services]] and the voice platform Amazon acquired from [[Yap (company)|Yap]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.speechtechmag.com/Articles/Editorial/Feature/Star-Performers-Amazons-on-Fire-98361.aspx|title=Star Performers: Amazon's on Fire|website=[[Speech Technology (magazine)|Speech Technology Media]]|date=July 29, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref> [[Evi (software)|Evi]], and IVONA<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/11/06/amazon_echo_is_an_always_on_personal_assistant_that_s_also_a_speaker.html|title=Amazon Echo is an always-on personal assistant that is also a speaker|website=Slate Magazine|date=November 6, 2014|access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref> (a Polish-based specialist in voice technologies used in the Kindle Fire).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/01/24/amazon-gets-into-voice-recognition-buys-ivona-software-to-compete-against-apples-siri/|title=Amazon Gets Into Voice Recognition, Buys Ivona Software To Compete Against Apple's Siri|website=TechCrunch|date=January 24, 2013 |access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref> The device requires one time setup by pairing it with Amazon's Alexa app, which gives the user more control over features.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techspark.in/how-to/how-to-pair-an-echo-dot/|title=How to Pair an Echo Dot|website=techSpark|date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=November 1, 2022}}</ref>

The smart speakers perform well with a "good" (low-latency) Internet connection, which minimizes processing time due to minimal communication round trips, [[Stream (computing)|streaming]] responses and geo-distributed service endpoints. While the application is free, an Amazon account is required, and setup is not possible without one.

===Available services===
Echo devices offer weather from [[AccuWeather]] and news from a variety of sources, including local radio stations, [[BBC]], [[NPR]], and [[ESPN]] from [[TuneIn]] and [[iHeartRadio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmarthometech.com/echo-review-best-home-assistant/|title=Amazon Echo Review—Key highlights and Features|website=thesmarthometech.com|publisher=The Smart Home Tech|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055828/http://www.thesmarthometech.com/echo-review-best-home-assistant/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Echo can play music from the owner's [[Amazon Music]] accounts<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bigtechquestion.com/2017/07/14/smarthome/amazonalexa/make-alexa-play-exactly-music-want/|title=How do I make Alexa play exactly the music I want?|date=July 14, 2017|website=The Big Tech Question|access-date=July 15, 2017}}</ref> and has built-in support for other streaming music services like [[Apple Music]], [[Spotify]], [[Deezer]], [[Pandora Radio|Pandora]] and [[Sirius XM Satellite Radio|Sirius XM]] among others,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/oc/echo/|title=Amazon Echo|website=Amazon.com|access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> and has support for [[IFTTT]] and [[Nest Learning Thermostat|Nest]] thermostats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-ifttt-channels-for-alexa/#!|title=Amazon Echo just became much more useful with IFTTT support|author=Kevin Tofel|website=ZDNet}}</ref> Echo can also play music from non-compatible music streaming services such as [[Google Play Music]] from a phone or tablet via [[Bluetooth]]. Echo maintains voice-controlled alarms, timers, shopping and to-do lists and can access [[Wikipedia]] articles. Echo will respond to questions about items in one's [[Google Calendar]]. It also integrates with Yonomi,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.yonomi.co/blog/hey-alexa-meet-yonomi/|title = Hey Alexa, Meet Yonomi|date = March 22, 2016|website = Yonomi|access-date = July 7, 2016|archive-date = August 16, 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170816111005/https://www.yonomi.co/blog/hey-alexa-meet-yonomi/|url-status = dead}}</ref> [[Philips Hue]], [[Belkin Wemo]], [[SmartThings]], [[Insteon]], and [[Wink (platform)|Wink]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.engadget.com/2015/04/08/amazon-echo-controls-philips-hue-belkin-wemo/|title = Amazon Echo controls Belkin WeMo and Philips Hue with your voice|date = April 8, 2015|website = Engadget}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-can-now-control-wink-smart-home-products/|title = Amazon Echo can now control Wink smart home products|date = July 9, 2015|website = ZDNet|last = Tofel|first = Kevin}}</ref> Additionally, integration with the Echo is in the works for Countertop by Orange Chef, [[Sonos]],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://press-us.sonos.com/134980-sonos-with-partners-and-industry-leaders-ushers-in-new-era-of-connected-home-listening/|title = SONOS, With Partners and Industry Leaders, Ushers in New Era of Connected Home Listening|date = August 30, 2016|access-date = January 8, 2017|website = Sonos|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170108192531/http://press-us.sonos.com/134980-sonos-with-partners-and-industry-leaders-ushers-in-new-era-of-connected-home-listening/|archive-date = January 8, 2017|url-status = dead|df = mdy-all}}</ref> Scout Alarm, [[Garageio]], Toymail, MARA, and Mojio.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/06/amazon-makes-100m-available-to-fund-for-voice.html|title = Amazon makes $100M available to fund voice-control tech|date = June 25, 2015|website = Puget Sound Business Journal|last = Parkhurst|first = Emily}}</ref> Questions like "Who is Barack Obama?" are answered by reading the first few lines of the corresponding Wikipedia article.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/15/amazon-echo-is-great-but-what-does-it-hear|title=Amazon's Echo seems great, but what does it hear?|author=John Naughton|website=The Guardian|date=January 15, 2017|access-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref>

Echo devices also have access to "skills" built with the Alexa Skills Kit. These are third-party-developed voice applications which add functionality to any Alexa-enabled device. Examples of skills include the ability to play music, answer general questions, set an alarm, order a pizza or a ridesharing car (e.g., [[Uber]], [[Lyft]]), and so on. The Alexa Skills Kit is a collection of self-service [[application programming interface]]s (API), tools, documentation and code samples. Developers can also use the "Smart Home Skill API",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-skills-kit/content/smart-home |title=Extend Alexa's Smart Home Capabilities |website=Developer.amazon.com |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> a new addition to the Alexa Skills Kit, to extend Alexa's compatibility with cloud-controlled lighting and thermostat devices. All of the code runs in the cloud and nothing is on any user device. A developer can follow tutorials to learn how to build voice-response capability for their new and existing applications.<ref>{{cite web|author=Noelle LaCharite |url=https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx3DVGG0K0TPUGQ/New-Alexa-Skills-Kit-Template-Step-by-Step-Guide-to-Build-a-Fact-Skill |title=Updated: Alexa Skills Kit Fact Template: Step-by-Step Guide to Build a Fact Skill—Amazon Mobile App Distribution Blog |website=Developer.amazon.com |date=March 29, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref>

In November 2018, Amazon added [[Skype]] calling ability to all of their Echo products. Echo devices that have a display have access to video calling. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/19/amazon-echo-devices-can-now-make-skype-calls/?guccounter=1|title=Amazon Echo devices can now make Skype calls|date=November 20, 2018 |publisher=TechCrunch|access-date=November 20, 2018}}</ref>

In May 2019, Amazon released Alexa Guard. If "Away mode" is enabled and an Echo device detects the sound of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or glass breaking, it will send alerts to the Alexa app on smartphones. If the user has professional monitoring, it can send alerts directly to the security provider. It can also switch smart lights on and off to make it look like someone is home. A paid feature called Guard Plus enables other features such as playing the sound of a dog barking when an intruder is detected.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moon |first1=Mariella |title=Amazon's Alexa Guard Plus security subscription comes to the US |url=https://www.engadget.com/amazon-alexa-guard-plus-live-us-094051390.html |access-date=January 26, 2021 |publisher=engadget |date=January 26, 2021}}</ref>

===Voice Services===
The [[Amazon Alexa#Alexa Voice Service|Alexa Voice Service]] (AVS) allows developers to voice-enable connected products with a microphone and speaker. The AVS enables volume control, audio playback, and speech recognition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/docs/alexa-voice-service/api-overview.html|title=Alexa Voice Service Overview (v20160207) &#124; Alexa Voice Service|website=developer.amazon.com}}</ref> The devices have natural lifelike voices resulting from speech-unit technology.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/12/tech/innovation/amazon-echo-always-listening/|title=Why Amazon's Echo is the computer of the future|first=Heather|last=Kelly|date=November 12, 2014|work=CNN|access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=January 2018}} High speech accuracy is achieved through sophisticated [[natural language processing]] algorithms built into the Echo's [[Speech synthesis|text-to-speech]] engine.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

===Software updates===
As with all Alexa devices, the functionality of Echo smart speakers periodically evolves as Amazon releases new software for it. Most new releases fix bugs in addition to including enhanced functionality. New releases are pushed to the devices on a gradual basis so it may take several days to a week or more for a particular device to be updated. Because much of Echo's intelligence lies in the cloud, significant functional enhancements can be made to Echo without updating the software version it is running. For example, in April 2015, the Echo added the ability to give live sports scores without updating the software version running on the device.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/amazon-echo-mlb-mls-pandora-support/|title=Amazon's Echo smart speaker now supports Pandora, adds MLS and MLB sports scores|last=Palermino|first=Chris Leo|website=[[Digital Trends]]|date=April 6, 2015|access-date=February 14, 2018}}</ref>

===Smart Home===
The Amazon Echo is able to connect to many different [[smart home]] devices. Thermostats, humidifiers, lightbulbs, plugs, dog and cat feeder, door locks, cameras, thermostats, security systems, speakers, WiFi, televisions, vacuums, microwaves, printers, and other smart home devices can now all be controlled through Alexa. Alexa can be used to activate and deactivate all of these smart home appliances, as well as change their settings depending on the device. For example, Alexa can be used to change the temperature in a house through a thermostat, turn off the lights with smart lights, put out dog or cat food via a smart pet feeder, and activate the security systems via a smart security system. The user is able to organize these smart home devices by putting them into groups. For example, a user can make a "Music Group" on the Amazon Echo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=201952240|title = Alexa Features Help - Amazon Customer Service|website = Amazon}}</ref> The Amazon Echo will be able to play music and other media in multiple rooms in a house through other Echos and speakers that are in the "Music Group". Along with multiple groups, an Amazon Echo can hold multiple profiles. Switching between the profiles can allow users to play their music, access their calendars, and use their accounts for shopping, instead of just using one person's.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alphr.com/go/1009596|title=Amazon Echo secret features: 11 cool tricks you didn't know your Alexa device can do|website=Alphr|date=October 7, 2009 }}</ref>

In December 2021, an outage of Amazon's cloud service caused smart home devices to stop working.<ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/how-amazon-outage-left-smart-homes-not-so-smart-after-all/ar-AARAEZv How Amazon Outage Left Smart Homes Not So Smart After All], Bloomberg, December 7, 2021</ref>

===Hands-free===
Amazon Echos are able to make calls and send messages. Users can make calls to another Amazon Echo or speaker that is in the house by calling the device name. Users can also make calls and send messages to other people that have an Amazon Echo. This is done by connecting the user's contacts to the Amazon Echo. The user's Amazon Echo will call their contact's Amazon Echo. They will be able to have a conversation using the Amazon Echos. Messages will go to the contact's phone, in the Alexa App. The message can also be played on the Echo.<ref name="auto"/>

==Variants==
=== Echo ===
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Amazon Echo (first generation)
| image = Amazon Echo unpacked (15978606333).jpg
| caption = Amazon Echo unpacked, January 2015
| power =
| connectivity = [[Wi-Fi]] and [[Bluetooth]]
| releasedate = {{plainlist|
*{{Start date|2014|11|06}} {{small|([[Amazon Prime]] and invited members)}}
*{{Start date|2015|06|23}} {{small|(released in the U.S.)}}
*{{Start date|2016|09|28}} {{small|(released in the U.K.)}}
*{{Start date|2016|10|26}} {{small|(released in Germany)}}
}}
| price = {{US$}}179.99<br />{{GBP}}149.99<br />EUR{{€}}179.99
| website = [https://www.amazon.com/oc/echo/ Amazon Echo (US)]<br />[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GAGVIE4/ Amazon Echo (UK)]<br />[https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01GAGVCUY/ Amazon Echo (Germany)]
}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Amazon Echo (second generation)
| image = Amazon Echo 2nd gen.jpg
| caption =
| power =
| power =
| connectivity = [[Wi-Fi]] and [[Bluetooth]]
| connectivity = [[Wi-Fi]] and [[Bluetooth]]
| releasedate = {{plainlist|
| announced = {{Start date|2014|11|06}}
| releasedate= {{Start date|2014|11|06}}
*{{Start date|2017|10|31}} {{small|(released in the U.S.)}}
}}
| media =
| price = {{US$}}99.99
| operatingsystem =
| website = [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0749WVS7J Amazon Echo (US)]<br />[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y5ZW72J Amazon Echo (UK)]<br />[https://www.amazon.de/dp/B06ZXQV6P8 Amazon Echo (Germany)]<br />[https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0725W7Q38 Amazon Echo (India)]<br />[https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0749ZSPN7 Amazon Echo (Canada)]
| input = [[Voice command device|Voice command]]
| website = [http://www.amazon.com/oc/echo/ Amazon Echo]
}}
}}


'''Amazon Echo''' is a [[voice command device]] from [[Amazon.com]] with functions including [[question answering]] and playing music. The device consists of a 9-inch (23&nbsp;cm) tall cylinder speaker with a seven microphone sensor array, speakers that include a [[woofer]]/[[tweeter]] and a remote control.<ref name="bweek">{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-06/amazon-echo-is-a-listening-talking-music-playing-speaker-for-your-home |title=Amazon Unveils a Listening, Talking, Music-Playing Speaker for Your Home |last1=Stone |first1=Brad |last2=Soper |first2=Spencer |date=2014-11-06 |website=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |accessdate=2014-11-07}}</ref> The device responds to the name "Alexa", however this "wake word" can be changed by the user (to one other choice at present: "Amazon").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201601770|title=Amazon.com Help: Set Up Your Amazon Echo|work=Amazon.com|accessdate=2015-03-04}}</ref>
The first-generation '''Amazon Echo''' consists of a 9.25&nbsp;inch (23.5&nbsp;cm) tall cylinder speaker with a seven-piece [[microphone array]].<ref name="bweek">{{cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-06/amazon-echo-is-a-listening-talking-music-playing-speaker-for-your-home |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108204053/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-06/amazon-echo-is-a-listening-talking-music-playing-speaker-for-your-home |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2014 |title=Amazon Unveils a Listening, Talking, Music-Playing Speaker for Your Home |last1=Stone |first1=Brad |last2=Soper |first2=Spencer |date=November 6, 2014 |website=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=November 7, 2014}}</ref>
The Echo hardware complement includes a [[Texas Instruments]] DM3725 [[ARM Cortex-A8]] processor, 256MB of LPDDR1 RAM and 4GB of storage space.<ref name="ifixit">{{cite web|title=Amazon Echo Teardown|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Amazon+Echo+Teardown/33953|website=[[iFixit]]|date=December 16, 2014|access-date=December 22, 2014}}</ref> {{as of|2017|July}}, the first-generation Echo maintained an 83% score on GearCaliber, a review aggregator.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gearcaliber.com/Home%20Automation/Echo |title=Archived copy |website=gearcaliber.com |access-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928150148/http://www.gearcaliber.com/Home%20Automation/Echo |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


Although the Echo is intended to be voice-controlled at the unit, a microphone-enabled remote control similar to the one bundled with the [[Amazon Fire TV]] is available for purchase. The remote was also bundled with early units. An action button on top of the unit is provided for user setup in a new location, and the mute button allows the microphones to be turned off.<ref>{{cite web|author=Mario Aguilar |url=https://gizmodo.com/amazon-echo-review-i-just-spoke-to-the-future-and-it-1672926712|title=Amazon Echo Review: I Just Spoke to the Future And It Listened|website=[[Gizmodo]]|date=December 19, 2014|access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> The top half-inch of the unit rotates to increase or decrease the speaker volume. The Echo must be plugged in to operate since it has no internal battery.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amazon Tap Review|url=http://www.howitravel.co/amazon-tap-review/|website=How I Travel|access-date=July 6, 2016}}</ref>
Amazon had been developing Echo inside its [[Lab126]] offices in Silicon Valley and Cambridge, Mass., for at least four years. The device, codenamed 'Doppler' or 'Project D', was part of Amazon’s first attempt to expand its device portfolio beyond the original [[Amazon Kindle|Kindle]] Ereader.<ref name="bweek"/>


Echo provides dual-band [[Wi-Fi]] 802.11a/b/g/n and [[Bluetooth]] Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming and Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amazon Echo - Amazon Official Site - Alexa-Enabled |url=https://smile.amazon.com/Amazon-Echo-Bluetooth-Speaker-with-WiFi-Alexa/dp/B00X4WHP5E?#tech|access-date=November 14, 2016}}</ref>
==Cloud-based processing==
Amazon Echo runs on [[Amazon Web Services]]. In the default mode the device continuously listens to all conversations, monitoring for the wake word to be spoken. The device also comes with a manually and voice-activated remote control which can be used in lieu of the 'wake word'. Echo's microphones can be manually disabled by pressing a mute button to turn off the audio processing circuit.<ref name="bweek"/>
Echo requires an internet connection in order to work. Echo's voice recognition capability is based on Amazon Web Services and the Amazon common voice platform it acquired from Ivona,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/11/06/amazon_echo_is_an_always_on_personal_assistant_that_s_also_a_speaker.html|title=Amazon Echo is an always-on personal assistant that is also a speaker.|work=Slate Magazine|accessdate=17 November 2014}}</ref> a Polish-based specialist in voice technologies used in the Kindle Fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/24/amazon-gets-into-voice-recognition-buys-ivona-software-to-compete-against-apples-siri/|title=Amazon Gets Into Voice Recognition, Buys Ivona Software To Compete Against Apple’s Siri|work=TechCrunch|accessdate=17 November 2014}}</ref> Echo performs well with a 'good' Internet connection (i.e., a connection with low latency) which minimizes processing time due to minimal communication round trips, streamable responses and geo-distributed service endpoints.


The mainline [[Linux kernel]] is able to boot the Amazon Echo since version 5.6.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Linux-5.6-Amazon-Echo|title=Linux 5.6 Can Boot The Original Amazon Echo, But It's Not Really Practical - Phoronix|website=phoronix.com|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>
==Hardware==
The Echo hardware complement includes a [[Texas Instruments]] DM3725 [[ARM Cortex-A8]] processor, 256MB of LPDDR1 RAM and 4GB of storage space.<ref name=ifixit>{{cite web|title=Amazon Echo Teardown|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Amazon+Echo+Teardown/33953|website=https://www.ifixit.com|publisher=[[iFixit]]|accessdate=22 December 2014}}</ref> Connectivity is provided by dual-band [[Wi-Fi]] 802.11a/b/g/n and [[Bluetooth#Bluetooth v4.0|Bluetooth 4]].


In September 2020, the 4th gen Echo was announced replacing the Echo and Echo Plus devices in a new spherical form-factor. The Echo brings the Echo Plus' [[Zigbee]] smart home hub with support for [[Amazon Sidewalk]].<ref name="Echo family PR">{{cite press release |url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/introducing-all-new-echo-family-reimagined-inside-and-out |title=Introducing the All-New Echo Family—Reimagined, Inside and Out |publisher=[[Amazon (company)]] |date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=September 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=All-new Echo (4th Gen) |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XKF5RM3 |website=Amazon |access-date=September 26, 2020}}</ref>
The Echo is intended to be voice controlled at the unit, however it comes with a mic-enabled remote control similar to the one bundled with the [[Fire TV]]. An action button on top of the unit is provided for user setup in a new location, and the mute button allows the microphones to be turned off.<ref>[http://gizmodo.com/amazon-echo-review-i-just-spoke-to-the-future-and-it-1672926712 Amazon Echo Review: I Just Spoke to the Future And It Listened]. Retrieved 22 December 2014.</ref> The top half-inch of the unit rotates to increase or decrease the speaker volume. The Echo must be plugged in to operate since it has no battery.


==== Limited editions ====
==Natural voices==
As part of a holiday promotion, [[Seattle Seahawks]] player [[Marshawn Lynch]] drove the [[Treasure Truck]] around [[Seattle]] in December 2016 selling a limited-edition beast-mode Echo with a custom skin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2016/former-nfl-running-back-marshawn-lynch-drive-amazons-treasure-truck-give-special-echo-devices/|title=Ex-NFL star Marshawn Lynch teams up with Amazon to drive the Treasure Truck, autograph 'Beast Mode' Echo devices|last=Soper|first=Taylor|date=December 3, 2016|work=[[GeekWire]]|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref> The beast-mode version was a first-generation Echo that responded to a user's commands with Marshawn Lynch's voice, instead of the Alexa voice.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/business/marshawn-lynch-drives-amazon-treasure-truck/|title=Marshawn Lynch is projecting his inner Santa with Amazon's Treasure Truck|last=Guthrie|first=Brinke|date=December 4, 2016|work=[[Digital Trends]]|access-date=January 1, 2017}}</ref>
Echo's natural lifelike voices result from speech-unit selection technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/12/tech/innovation/amazon-echo-always-listening/|title=Why Amazon's Echo is the computer of the future|author=Heather Kelly, CNN|date=12 November 2014|work=CNN|accessdate=17 November 2014}}</ref> High speech accuracy is achieved through sophisticated [[natural language processing]] (NLP) algorithms built into the Echo's [[text-to-speech]] (TTS) engine.


In November 2017, a [[Product Red]] version of the second-generation Echo was announced as a limited edition item.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/20/amazons-all-new-echo-goes-red-for-a-limited-time/|title=Amazon's all-new Echo goes (RED) for a limited time|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|date=November 20, 2017|work=TechCrunch|access-date=November 21, 2017}}</ref>
==Services provided==

Echo offers weather and news from a variety of sources, including local radio stations, NPR, and ESPN from TuneIn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retailwire.com/news-article/17899/what-does-amazon-echo-have-to-do-with-shopping|title=RetailWire News Article: What does Amazon Echo have to do with shopping?|publisher=Retailwire.com|accessdate=17 November 2014}}</ref> Echo can also play music from streaming services such as [[Spotify]], [[iTunes]], and [[Pandora Radio]] from a phone or tablet. Echo maintains voice-controlled alarms, timers, shopping and to-do lists and can access Wikipedia articles.
Another special version of Echo is the Alexa Super Skills Collectible edition, which was given to select Amazon Alexa developers who published five skills between July 22 and October 30, 2017. This special variant comes with a white mask, a blue cape, and a blue belt.{{Citation needed|date=November 2018|reason=Original site deleted}}

==== Availability ====
Amazon initially limited the first-generation Echo to [[Amazon Prime]] members or just by invitation, but it became widely available in the [[United States]] in mid 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Amazon Echo is now available for everyone to buy for $179.99, shipments start on July 14|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/amazon-echo-now-available-everyone-buy-17999-shipments-start-july-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208120609/http://www.androidcentral.com/amazon-echo-now-available-everyone-buy-17999-shipments-start-july-14|archive-date=December 8, 2015|access-date=June 23, 2015|website=Android Central}}</ref> In 2016, the Echo became available in the [[United Kingdom]] and Germany.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-europe-echo-idUSKCN11K24D Amazon launches voice-powered Echo speakers in Britain and Germany] / Reuters, September 14, 2016</ref>

{{as of|2017|December}}, the Echo was available in more than 80 countries: [[Albania]], [[Austria]], [[Anguilla]], [[Argentina]], [[Australia]], [[Austria]], [[Barbados]], [[Belarus]], [[Belgium]], [[Bermuda]] [[Bolivia]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Cambodia]], [[Canada]], [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Croatia]], [[Cyprus]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[Denmark]] [[Ecuador]], [[El Salvador]], [[Estonia]], [[Finland]], [[Ghana]], [[Gibraltar]] [[Germany]], [[Greece]], [[Grenada]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Indonesia]], [[Jamaica]], [[Kenya]], [[Hungary]], [[Iceland]], [[India]], [[Ireland]], [[Italy]], [[Japan]], [[Latvia]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Lithuania]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Macao]], [[Malaysia]], [[Malta]], [[Mexico]], [[Namibia]], the [[Netherlands]], [[New Zealand]], [[North Macedonia]], [[Norway]], [[Panama]], [[Peru]], [[Philippines]], [[Panama]], [[Peru]], [[Poland]], [[Portugal]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Romania]], [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Serbia]], [[Singapore]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], [[South Korea]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Suriname]], [[Sweden]], [[Switzerland]], [[Taiwan]], [[Tanzania]], [[Thailand]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]], [[Turkey]], the [[United Kingdom]], the [[United States]], [[Uruguay]], [[Vanuatu]], [[Venezuela]] and [[Zambia]].<ref>{{citation|title=Amazon bringing Echo and Alexa to 80 additional countries in major global expansion|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/amazon-bringing-echo-alexa-80-additional-countries-major-global-expansion|website=geekwire.com|date=December 8, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Supported Alexa Features by Country for International Version Echo Devices|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202207000|website=amazon.com}}</ref>

In 2018, Amazon and Microsoft jointly announced a solution to integrate their digital assistants so that [[Cortana (virtual assistant)|Cortana]], Microsoft's voice assistant, could be called from an Amazon Echo device and Alexa could be called from Windows devices, including PCs. In January 2019, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Cortana would no longer be a platform competitor to Alexa or Google Assistant, but rather a voice skill to access Microsoft 365 via other voice assistants.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}} As of April 2019, Alexa was the only Cortana-integrated voice assistant, which gave it exclusive access to Microsoft's suite of business applications.

=== Echo Dot ===
[[File:Amazon Echo Dot (black) on a wood surface.jpg|thumb|The black Amazon Echo Dot (second generation) sitting idle on a wood surface]]

==== 1st Gen ====
In March 2016, Amazon unveiled the original '''Amazon Echo Dot''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dot |title=Echo Dot |website=Amazon.com |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> which is a [[hockey puck]]-sized version of the Echo designed to be connected to external speakers due to the smaller size of the onboard speakers, or to be used in rooms such as the bedroom as an alternative to the full-sized Echo. Despite its smaller form factor, the Amazon Echo Dot retains all the core functionalities of the original Amazon Echo, ensuring a seamless voice-controlled experience for users.<ref>{{cite web|author=Cheryl Eddy |url=https://gizmodo.com/amazon-echosbrain-is-finally-in-gadgets-i-want-to-use-1762452486 |title=Amazon Echo's Brain Is Finally in Gadgets I Actually Want to Use |website=Gizmodo|date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref>

Additionally, users have the option to enhance the portability of the Echo Dot with third-party external batteries, providing extended usage on the go.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smarthomegeeks.co.uk/hubs-and-controllers/kiwi-design-alex-review/|title=Alex - Echo Dot Battery Review - Hubs & Controllers - Smart Home Geeks|date=November 1, 2017|work=Smart Home Geeks|access-date=November 8, 2017}}</ref>

==== 2nd Gen ====
The second generation of the Amazon Echo Dot became available on October 20, 2016. It is priced lower, has improved voice recognition, and is available in black, grey and white. The Echo Spatial Perception (ESP) technology allows several Echo and Dot units to work together so that only one device answers the request.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} {{as of|2017|November}}, the Echo Dot maintained a 78% score on GearCaliber, based on 23 reviews.<ref>[http://www.gearcaliber.com/Home%20Automation/Echo%20Dot "Echo Dot"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103156/http://www.gearcaliber.com/Home%20Automation/Echo%20Dot |date=September 28, 2017}}. GearCaliber. Retrieved November 14, 2017.</ref>

On August 18, 2017, an Amazon promotion allowed Amazon Prime customers to receive a 100% price reduction on the Echo Dot (from $49.99 to $0.00). Amazon never commented on the promotion or gave any indication of how many Dots were given away.<ref>{{cite web|author=Liberman, Lena R. |url=https://www.sellerlabs.com/blog/amazon-echo-dot-promotion-gone-wrong-sellers-can-learn-amazons-mistake/ |title=Amazon Echo Dot Promotion Gone Wrong: What Sellers Can Learn From Amazon's Mistake |website=Seller Labs|date=August 22, 2017 |access-date=August 30, 2018}}</ref>

==== 3rd Gen ====
[[File:Echo Dot (3rd Gen) 03.jpg|thumb|Third generation Echo Dot]]
The third generation Echo Dot, introduced in September 2018, featured a new design with fabric covers, departing from the previous plastic or metal cylinder design. These fabric-covered Echo Dots also incorporated upgraded speaker drivers while retaining their core functionalities, including 3.5mm audio output and a Zigbee home automation hub in the Echo Plus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/363895/hands-on-with-amazons-new-echo-dot-plus-input-and-more|title=Hands On With Amazon's New Echo Dot, Plus, Input, and More|last=Greenwald|first=Will|date=September 21, 2018|work=[[PC Magazine]]|access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>

In January 2019, Amazon's SVP of devices and services, Dave Limp, revealed that over 100 million Alexa-enabled devices had been sold. The company's earnings reports and press releases also reveal that the Echo Dot has been among the top-selling products on Amazon.com for 2017 and 2018.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

==== 4th Gen ====
In September 2020, the fourth generation Echo Dot was revealed with a new spherical design and 30% smaller compared to the 3rd gen Echo.<ref name="Echo family PR" /><ref>{{cite web |title=All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XJ8C8F5 |website=Amazon |access-date=September 26, 2020}}</ref>

==== 5th Gen ====
[[File:The black Amazon Echo Dot (fifth generation) on wooden table.jpg|thumb|The black Amazon Echo Dot (fifth generation) on wooden table]]
In September 2022, the fifth generation Echo Dot introduced several enhancements, including a new temperature sensor, an improved audio experience with clearer vocals and deeper bass, and cutting-edge ultrasonic motion detection technology. Notably, it also features eero Built-in as a Wi-Fi extender, expanding its capabilities for smart homes and offering users a broader range of options.<ref>{{cite web |title=All-new Echo Dot (5th Gen) |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B8V1LZ3 |website=Amazon |access-date=January 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=eero - Finally, wifi that works |url=https://eero.com/eero-built-in |website=eero |access-date=January 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-02 |title=Amazon Echo Dot 5th Generation Review |url=https://techfusionmind.com/amazon-echo-dot-5th-generation-review/ |access-date=2023-10-20}}</ref>

===Amazon Tap===
[[File:Amazon Tap.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|The Amazon Tap]]

The '''Amazon Tap''' is a smaller portable version of the Echo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/tap|title=Amazon Tap - Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Alexa Enabled|website=Amazon.com|date=July 8, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> The Tap can do the many things the Echo can do; however, as it is battery-powered, it is also portable.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://time.com/4281147/amazon-tap-echo-review/|title=Review: The Amazon Tap Will Leave You Wanting More|last=Patrick Pullen|first=John|date=April 4, 2016|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> Initially, the user had to press an activation button on the front of the Tap to speak commands. However, a February 2017 software update allows the option of activating the Tap with an activation word, just like the Echo and the Dot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tomsguide.com/us/amazon-tap,review-3608.html|title=Amazon Tap Review: Alexa to Go|last=Attkisson|first=Anna|date=February 9, 2017|website=[[Tom's Hardware|Tom's Guide]]|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> Some of the limitations of the Tap include not being able to stream music as part of a group and not being able to send announcements to the device. Additionally the Tap does not support "Drop In" feature and as a result cannot be used for two-way voice communication. Amazon has discontinued the Tap. This has encouraged 3rd party accessory manufacturers to make available battery add-on units for other Echo products.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=battery+for+amazon+Echo|title=Results of Amazon Search for "Battery for Amazon Echo"|website=Amazon.com|access-date=September 16, 2019}}</ref>

===Echo Look===
In April 2017, the '''Amazon Echo Look''' was introduced as a camera with Alexa built-in, for US$20 more than the first-generation Echo.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gibbs|first1=Samuel|title=Amazon unveils Echo Look, a selfie camera to help you choose what to wear|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/26/amazon-echo-look-webcam-choose-fashion-outfits-alexa-smart-selfie-camera|access-date=April 27, 2017|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 26, 2017}}</ref> The device can provide artificial intelligence outfit recommendations, take photos, and record videos; in addition to the features available on the Echo.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hartmans|first1=Avery|title=Amazon's new Echo device is a hands-free camera that helps you decide what to wear|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-look-camera-outfit-analysis-2017-4|access-date=April 27, 2017|work=[[Business Insider]]|date=April 26, 2017}}</ref> It offers Amazon Alexa's key feature plus a camera to take full-length photos and 360-degree videos with built-in AI for fashion advice.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/26/amazons-new-echo-look-has-a-built-in-camera-for-style-selfies/|title=Amazon's new Echo Look has a built-in camera for style selfies|publisher=TechCrunch|author=Brian Heater|date=April 26, 2017|access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/26/15435550/amazon-echo-look-200-smart-camera-mirror-stylist|title=Amazon's new $200 Echo Look camera will judge your outfits|publisher=The VERGE|author=Natt Garun|date=April 26, 2017|access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref> As a consumer product, it helps catalog users' outfits and rates their looks based on "machine learning algorithms with advice from fashion specialists.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2017/04/amazon-echo-look-privacy/|title=Amazon's Echo Look Privacy Could Be a Big Issue Someday|publisher=Wired|author=Brian Barrett|date=April 28, 2017|access-date=May 3, 2017}}</ref>

The device was initially only available for purchase by invitation-only in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Larson|first1=Selena|title=Amazon's new Echo Look will judge your outfits|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/04/26/technology/amazon-echo-look/index.html|access-date=April 27, 2017|work=[[CNN Business|CNN Money]]|date=April 26, 2017}}</ref> However, it became generally available on June 6, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/6/17431486/amazon-echo-look-style-assistant-camera-alexa-now-available|title=Amazon's Echo Look fashion camera is now available to everyone in the US|last=Welch|first=Chris|date=June 6, 2018|work=[[The Verge]]|access-date=September 21, 2018|publisher=Vox Media}}</ref> Three years later, Echo Look owners received an email from Amazon stating that the device would soon stop working, because Amazon was discontinuing production and sales of the device. Echo Look owners had a device that they could not use.<ref>{{cite news |title=Guinea Pigs for Amazon's Gadgets |author=Brian Chen |date=June 18, 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=B1}}</ref>

===Echo Show===
{{Main|Amazon Echo Show}}
[[File:Amazon Echo Show in white.jpg|thumb|right|The Amazon Echo Show]]
In May 2017, Amazon introduced the '''Echo Show''', which features a tactile 7-inch [[liquid-crystal display]] screen that can be used for playing media, making video calls (5 MP front camera), and other features.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.androidheadlines.com/2017/05/lcd-equipped-echo-show-debuts-on-amazon-pre-order-for-230.html|title=LCD-Equipped Echo Show Debuts On Amazon, Pre-Order For $230 - Androidheadlines.com|date=May 9, 2017|access-date=May 9, 2017}}</ref> The Echo Show was offered for purchase at a price of $229.99 on June 28, 2017, and was initially only available in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite book|asin=B01J24C0TI|title=Introducing Echo Show - Black}}</ref>

A second generation of the Echo Show was unveiled at an Alexa-themed product event by Amazon on September 20, 2018, for release the following month.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90239644/heres-everything-amazon-announced-at-its-big-alexa-event-in-seattle|title=Here's everything Amazon announced at its big Alexa event in Seattle|last=Sullivan|first=Mark|date=September 20, 2018|work=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> The new device has a 10-inch touchscreen, improved speakers, and mesh casing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-new-echo-show-2018-9|title=Amazon is releasing a redesigned Echo Show with a larger screen and better speakers|last=Hartmans|first=Avery|date=September 20, 2018|work=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> Amazon has released three additional sizes of the Echo Show making them available in 5-, 8-, and 15-inch displays. These devices broke the traditional naming mechanism of naming strictly on generation. They are known as the Echo show 5, Echo Show 8,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/amazon-echo-show-5-vs-echo-show-8/|title=Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8|date=June 15, 2021}}</ref> and Echo Show 15.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv/|title=Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa's on your wall|date=Dec 26, 2022}}</ref>

===Echo Spot===
On September 27, 2017, Amazon launched the '''Echo Spot''', a hemispherical device that has the same functions as an Echo Show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-echo-spot-details-price-availability-2017-9?op=1|title=Amazon is coming out with a funky $129 alarm clock|last=Weinberger|first=Matt|date=September 27, 2017|website=Business Insider|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> The device has a 2.5-inch circular screen, and looks like an alarm clock. The device sold for $129.99.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thesmarthometech.com/amazon-echo-spot-review/|title=Echo Spot Review - Echo Show squeezed into an Alarm Clock|date=September 27, 2017|work=The Smart Home Tech|access-date=September 27, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055831/http://www.thesmarthometech.com/amazon-echo-spot-review/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, the Echo Spot has been discontinued in all regions. On July 9, 2024, Amazon brought back the Echo Spot, but with a different design. The device now resembles the look of the Echo Pop, with a 2.83" inch touch screen with a half-circle tinted cover glass and a speaker. Unlike the 2017 version, videocalling and smart home cameras are not available on the device. The device sold for $79.99.

===Echo Plus===
On September 27, 2017, Amazon announced the '''Echo Plus''', which released on October 31, 2017. It shares design similarities with the first-generation Echo, but also doubles as a smart home hub, connecting to most common wireless protocols to control connected smart devices within a home.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/reviews/amazon-echo-plus|title=Hands on: Amazon Echo Plus review|last=Chacksfield|first=Marc|date=September 27, 2017|website=TechRadar|access-date=September 30, 2017}}</ref> It incorporates seven second-generation far field microphones and noise cancellation, while also supporting [[Dolby Laboratories|Dolby]] Sound.

In September 2018, a second-generation Echo Plus was released. The new version has a fabric covering and includes an embedded temperature sensor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/technology/mobiles-and-tabs/210918/amazon-announces-updated-echo-dot-echo-plus-and-all-new-echo-sub.html|title=Amazon announces updated Echo Dot, Echo Plus and all new Echo Sub|date=September 21, 2018|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref> The Echo Plus has since been discontinued in 2020.

===Echo Flex===
[[File:Echo Flex.jpg|alt=|upright=0.7|thumb|The Amazon Echo Flex]]
On November 14, 2019, Amazon released the '''Echo Flex''' for $24.99'''.''' It is a small device with a speaker that can be plugged directly into a wall outlet. It has a full-sized USB Type-A port into the bottom to charge other devices or into which additional accessories, such as a motion sensor, can be plugged.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/25/20883839/amazon-echo-flex-home-security-safety-speaker-features-specs-price-alexa-ring|title=Amazon's new Echo Flex lets you put Alexa everywhere in your home|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=September 25, 2019|website=The Verge|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref>

=== Echo Studio ===
[[File:Amazon Echo Studio.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Amazon Echo Studio]]
In November 2019, Amazon introduced Echo Studio, a Dolby Atmos-compatible surround sound Alexa speaker. Compared to other Alexa speakers, it was the biggest and the loudest.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/amazon-echo-studio |title=Amazon Echo Studio Review |first=Will |last=Greenwald |date=6 November 2019 |work=PCMag }}</ref>

===Speakerless devices===
At an Alexa-themed product launch event in September 2018, Amazon announced an Echo device designed for cars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/09/20/amazon-debuts-fire-tv-recast-dvr-and-echo-auto-in-car-system/|title=Amazon debuts Fire TV Recast DVR and Echo Auto in-car system|last1=Wiggers|first1=Kyle|date=September 20, 2018|work=[[VentureBeat]]|access-date=September 21, 2018|last2=Johnson|first2=Khari}}</ref> The device connects with the user's smartphone over Bluetooth and offers driving direction, in addition to other Alexa functionality.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mashable.com/article/alexa-amazon-echo-auto-car/|title=Amazon brings Alexa into the car with Echo Auto|last=Lekach|first=Sasha|date=September 20, 2018|work=[[Mashable]]|access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref> '''Echo Auto''' became available as an invite-only product to US customers near the end of 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2018/09/20/amazon-launches-new-echo-dot-echo-show-echo-auto-alexa-will-be-everywhere-release-date-prices/|title=Amazon Launches New Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Auto: Alexa Will Be Everywhere|last=Phelan|first=David|date=September 20, 2018|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>

The '''Echo Input''' is an Alexa input device with no on-board speakers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-echo-input-is-a-tiny-35-dot-for-your-own-speakers/|title=Amazon Echo Input is a tiny $35 Dot for your own speakers|last=Katzmaier|first=David|date=September 20, 2018|work=CNET|access-date=September 22, 2018|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref> It must be connected to external speakers for audio output. The '''Echo Link''' is a higher-end version of the Echo Input, with additional output ports and a volume knob.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/09/20/amazon-echo-link-unveil/|title=Amazon's Echo Link is its answer to high-end audio|last=Baldwin|first=Roberto|date=September 20, 2018|work=Engadget|access-date=September 22, 2018|publisher=Oath Inc.}}</ref> The '''Echo Link Amp''' has the same controls of the Link, but with an [[amplifier]].

===Accessories===
Along with the second-generation Echo, Amazon announced two new accessories. The '''Echo Buttons''' can be used while playing games on Echo devices, such as ''[[Jeopardy!]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.androidcentral.com/amazon-announces-20-echo-buttons-gaming-echo|title=Amazon announces $20 Echo Buttons for gaming with Echo|last=Sargent|first=Mikah|date=September 27, 2017|work=Android Central|access-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> The '''Echo Connect''' is a small adapter that plugs into any Echo and a home phone line, allowing the Echo to make voice calls through a home phone number.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-27/amazon-unveils-35-gadget-for-hands-free-landline-phone-calls|title=Amazon Unveils $35 Gadget for Hands-Free Landline Phone Calls|last=Gurman|first=Mark|date=September 27, 2017|work=[[Bloomberg News]]|access-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref>

In September 2018, Amazon announced the '''Echo Sub''', a [[subwoofer]] that connects to other Echo speakers, and the '''Echo Wall Clock''', which can display how much time is remaining on timers set with an Echo device.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-echo-hardware-2018/amp|title=Is there an Echo in here? All the hardware Amazon announced|last1=Goode|first1=Lauren|date=September 20, 2018|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|access-date=September 21, 2018|last2=Calore|first2=Michael}}</ref>

=== Wearable ===
Amazon announced the '''Echo Loop''' in September 2019, a [[smart ring]] with a button that activates Alexa. The Echo Loop uses [[Bluetooth]] to connect to a smartphone for Internet access.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Dieter|last1=Bohn|access-date=December 12, 2019|title=Using Amazon's Echo Loop ring is like whispering a secret to Alexa|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/25/20884044/amazon-echo-loop-smart-ring-hands-on-photos-alexa|date=September 25, 2019|website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> The '''Echo Frames''' [[smartglasses]], which support [[prescription lenses]], were also announced on the same day.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Dale|last1=Smith|access-date=December 12, 2019|title=Amazon Echo Frames: Here's what you didn't know|url=https://www.cnet.com/how-to/amazon-echo-frames-heres-what-you-didnt-know-about-amazons-new-smart-glasses/|website=[[CNET]]}}</ref> In 2020, it was announced that Echo Loop would be discontinued.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theindianwire.com/gadgets/amazon-echo-frames-go-for-sale-with-improved-audio-quality-and-longer-battery-life-299372/ |title=Amazon Echo Frames go for sale with improved audio quality and longer battery life |work=Indian Wire |date=November 21, 2020 }}</ref> On September 20, 2023, Amazon unveiled the third generation of '''Echo Frames''' and a collaboration with Carrera Eyewear on two frame designs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=Introducing Amazon's all-new lineup of smart glasses: A first look at the 7 new styles of Alexa-powered eyewear |url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/introducing-next-generation-echo-frames-carrera-smart-glasses-with-alexa |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=US About Amazon |language=en}}</ref>


==Privacy concerns==
==Privacy concerns==
Some individuals have expressed concerns about the access Echo has to 'private' conversations in the home, or other non-verbal indications that can identify who is present in the home and who is not—based on audible cues such as footstep-cadence or radio/television programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/11/amazon-announces-echo-a-199-voice-driven-home-assistant/|title=Amazon announces Echo, a $199 voice-driven home assistant|work=Ars Technica|accessdate=17 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashgear.com/how-private-is-amazon-echo-07354486/|title=How private is Amazon Echo?|publisher=Slashgear.com|accessdate=17 November 2014}}</ref> Amazon responds to these concerns by stating that Echo only streams recordings from the user's home when the 'wake word' activates the device. However, Echo would always be listening to detect that a user has uttered the word.
There are concerns about the access Echo has to private conversations in the home, or other non-verbal indications that can identify who is present in the home and who is not—based on audible cues such as footstep cadence or radio and television programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/11/amazon-announces-echo-a-199-voice-driven-home-assistant/|title=Amazon announces Echo, a $199 voice-driven home assistant|website=Ars Technica|date=November 6, 2014|access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slashgear.com/how-private-is-amazon-echo-07354486/|title=How private is Amazon Echo?|date=November 7, 2014|publisher=Slashgear.com|access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref> Amazon responds to these concerns by stating that Echo only streams recordings from the user's home when the "wake word" activates the device, though the device is technically capable of streaming voice recordings at all times, and in fact will always be listening to detect if a user has uttered the word.

Echo uses past voice recordings the user has sent to the cloud service to improve response to future questions the user may pose. To address privacy concerns, the user can delete voice recordings that are currently associated with the user's account, but doing so may degrade the user's experience using voice search. To delete these recordings, the user can visit the "Manage My Device" page on Amazon.com or contact Amazon customer service. In May 2018, it was reported that an Echo device had sent a recorded conversation to an acquaintance of a user who did not intend for this to happen. Amazon apologized and conjectured that one part of the conversation had been misinterpreted as a command to distribute it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/25/614470096/amazon-echo-recorded-and-sent-couples-conversation-all-without-their-knowledge|title=Amazon Echo Recorded And Sent Couple's Conversation—All Without Their Knowledge|first=Laurel|last=Wamsley|publisher=NPR|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref>

Echo uses an address set in the Alexa companion app when it needs a location.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alexa.amazon.com/spa/index.html#settings |title=Amazon Alexa |website=Alexa.amazon.com |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> Amazon and third-party apps and websites use location information to provide location-based services and store this information to provide voice services, the Maps app, ''Find Your Device'', and to monitor the performance and accuracy of location services. For example, Echo voice services use the user's location to respond to the user's requests for nearby restaurants or stores. Similarly, Echo uses the user's location to process the user's mapping-related requests and improve the Maps experience. All information collected is subject to the Amazon.com Privacy Notice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=468496|title=Amazon.com Help: Amazon.com Privacy Notice|website=amazon.com}}</ref>

Amazon retains digital recordings of users' audio spoken after the "wake up word", and while the audio recordings are subject to demands by law enforcement, government agents, and other entities via subpoena, Amazon publishes some information about the warrants it receives, the subpoenas it receives, and some of the warrant-less demands it receives, allowing customers some indication as to the percentage of illegal demands for customer information it receives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.networkworld.com/article/2935894/amazon-now-an-open-book-on-search-warrants-and-subpoenas.html | title=Amazon Now An Open Book On Search Warrants And Subpoenas| date=June 15, 2015}}</ref>


As Amazon employed ex-US-security-chief Gen [[Keith B. Alexander]] in autumn 2020, Edward Snowden commented laconically: "It turns out 'Hey Alexa' is short for 'Hey Keith Alexander."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-54106863|title = Snowden criticises Amazon for hiring former NSA boss|work = BBC News|date = September 10, 2020}}</ref>
Echo uses past voice recordings the user has sent to the cloud service to improve response to future questions the user may pose. To address privacy concerns, the user can delete voice recordings that are currently associated with the user's account, but doing so may degrade the user's experience using voice search. To delete these recordings, the user can visit the ''Manage My Device'' page on Amazon.com or contact Amazon customer service.


===Echo as criminal evidence===
Echo determines its location in the user's home by the collection of networks detected including Wi-Fi routers, the signal strengths of these routers, the type of security the routers use, and the registration information provided by the broadband carrier of these devices. Amazon and third-party apps and websites use location information to provide location-based services and store this information to provide voice services, the Maps app, ''Find Your Device'', and to monitor the performance and accuracy of location services. For example, Echo voice services use the user's location to respond to the user's requests for nearby restaurants or stores. Similarly, Echo uses the user's location to process the user's mapping-related requests and improve the Maps experience. All information collected is subject to the Amazon.com Privacy Notice.<ref>http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=468496</ref>
During the course of the investigation into the November 22, 2015, death of Victor Collins in the home of James Andrew Bates in [[Bentonville, Arkansas]], police sought the data stored on the Amazon Echo on the premises as evidence, but were refused by Amazon.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alexa: Who dunnit? |author=Elizabeth Weise |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=December 27, 2016 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/12/27/amazon-alexa-echo-murder-case-bentonville-hot-tub-james-andrew-bates/95879532/ |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Police said to probe Amazon Echo in relation to murder case |author=Anita Balakrishnan |date=December 27, 2016 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/27/police-said-to-probe-amazon-echo-in-relation-to-murder-case.html |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> The conflict was resolved when Bates consented to the release of his personal information that was held by the company.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McLaughlin|first1=Elliot|title=Suspect OKs Amazon to hand over Echo recordings in murder case|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/07/tech/amazon-echo-alexa-bentonville-arkansas-murder-case/|access-date=May 1, 2017|publisher=CNN|date=April 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Heater|first1=Brian|title=After pushing back, Amazon hands over Echo data in Arkansas murder case|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/07/amazon-echo-murder/|access-date=May 1, 2017|publisher=[[TechCrunch]]|date=March 7, 2017}}</ref>


=== Concerns relating to in-car smart systems ===
==Initial user reception==
In February 2017, Luke Millanta successfully demonstrated how an Echo could be connected to, and used to control, a Tesla Model S. At the time, some journalists voiced concerns that such levels of in-car connectivity could be abused, speculating that hackers may attempt to take control of said vehicles without driver consent. Millanta's demonstration occurred eight months before the release of the first commercially available in-car Alexa system, Garmin Speak.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mike|first=Bantick|date=February 17, 2017|title=Control your car from the lounge|url=https://www.motoring.com.au/control-your-car-from-the-lounge-106010/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220104115/http://www.motoring.com.au/control-your-car-from-the-lounge-106010/|archive-date=February 20, 2017|website=Motoring}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Zaharov-Reutt|first=Alex|title=iTWire - VIDEO Interview Aussie millionaire gaming genius: Luke Millanta, launches AlerTor, the Dark Web tracking tool|url=https://itwire.com/guest-articles/guest-interviews/video-interview-aussie-millionaire-gaming-genius-luke-millanta,-launches-alertor,-the-dark-web-tracking-tool.html|access-date=April 28, 2021|website=itwire.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Edwards 2017-10-18T06:56:10.290Z|first=Luke|title=Garmin Speak puts Alexa in your car for super smart voice controls|url=https://www.t3.com/news/garmin-speak-puts-alexa-in-your-car-for-super-smart-voice-controls|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=T3|date=October 18, 2017}}</ref>
Purchasing merchandise or digital media such as songs, by commanding Echo to buy the song, results in manual intervention being required—through an alternate user interface—to complete the purchase. Echo has demonstrated hit-or-miss results when asked common questions that users would expect better answers to. Echo sometimes confuses certain [[homophones]].<ref>http://www.engadget.com/products/amazon/echo/reviews/14ap/</ref><ref>http://www.engadget.com/products/amazon/echo/reviews/14b5/</ref>


==Limitations==
==Software Versions==
Purchasing merchandise in the categories of apparel, shoes, jewelry, and watches is not available.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Khari|title=You can now ask Alexa to order millions of products on Amazon|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/07/01/you-can-now-ask-alexa-to-order-millions-of-products-on-amazon/|access-date=October 8, 2016|work=[[VentureBeat]]|date=July 1, 2016}}</ref> In addition, [[Amazon Prime Pantry]], [[Prime Now]], or Add-On items are not supported by Alexa's ordering function,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mediati|first1=Nick|title=Amazon Echo now lets you order products from Amazon|url=http://www.techhive.com/article/3091130/home-tech/amazon-echo-now-lets-you-order-products-from-amazon.html|access-date=October 8, 2016|work=TechHive|publisher=[[International Data Group]]|date=July 3, 2016}}</ref> while the shopping list function allows no more than one item to be added at a time.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McGregor|first1=Jay|title=Amazon's Alexa Vs. Google Assistant : 24 Questions, 1 Winner|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaymcgregor/2016/12/30/amazons-alexa-vs-google-assistant-24-questions-1-winner/|website=Forbes|access-date=January 1, 2017}}</ref>
The Echo functionality periodically evolves as Amazon releases new software for it. Most new releases will fix bugs in addition to including enhanced functionality. New releases are pushed to the devices on a gradual basis so it may take several days to a week or more for a particular device to be updated.
{| border="1"
|+
! Version !! Date !! Description
|-
! 2332
| 02/26/15 || Bug fixes and performance improvements.
|-
! 2249
| 01/28/15 || Additional voice commands for Shopping and To-do Lists--can now review shopping-list and to-do list items.
|-
! 2221
| 01/12/15 ||
|-
! 2171
| 01/07/15 ||
|-
! 2100
| ||
|-
|}


Echo has provided inconsistent responses when asked common questions to which users would expect better answers. Echo sometimes confuses certain [[homophone]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/products/amazon/echo/reviews/14ap/|title=Amazon Echo|publisher=AOL|website=Engadget}}</ref>
==Play with Echo==
This is an enumerated list of things you can ask Alexa. Some inquiries have practical applications while others are less stoic.
* "Alexa, how is traffic?" (requires settings configuration of your start/end points).
* "Alexa, Simon Says the sky is blue."
* "Alexa, live long and prosper."
* "Alexa, count by ten."
* "Alexa, what is the weather today?"
* "Alexa, who won the Denver Broncos game?"
* "Alexa, when do the Kansas City chiefs play next?"
* "Alexa, flip a coin."
* "Alexa, rock, paper, scissors."
* "Alexa, roll the dice."
* "Alexa, do you like green eggs and ham?"
* "Alexa, one fish, two fish."
* "Alexa, why do you sit there like that?"
* "Alexa, what was the Lorax?"
* "Alexa, show me the money!"
* "Alexa, I want the truth!"
* "Alexa, set the alarm for ten forty two pm."
* "Alexa, what is the alarm set for?"
* "Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes."
* "Alexa, how much time is left on the timer?"
* "Alexa, play iheartradio K C R W."
* "Alexa, play Thievery Corporation."
* "Alexa, play The Hop by Radio Citizen."
* "Alexa, whats in the news today?"
* "Alexa, why do birds suddenly appear?"
* "Alexa, why did the chicken cross the road?"
* "Alexa, which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
* "Alexa, tell me a joke." (Do you know why the broom was late? He over-sWept !)


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Google Now]]
* [[Google Nest (smart speakers)|Google Nest]]
*[[Microsoft Cortana]]
* [[HomePod]]
* [[Invoke (smart speaker)|INVOKE]]
*[[S Voice]]
{{Clear}}
*[[Siri]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Amazon Echo|the Amazon Echo}}
*[http://www.amazon.com/oc/echo/ Official website]
* {{official website}}
*[http://www.websec.it/amazon-echo-un-maggiordomo-sempre-disponibile.html Amazon Echo Video Presentation]
*[https://unacceptable-privacy.github.io ''Unacceptable'', where is my privacy? Exploring Accidental Triggers of Smart Speakers]


{{Amazon}}
{{Amazon}}
{{Smart speaker}}


[[Category:Amazon.com]]
[[Category:Amazon (company) hardware]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2014]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2014]]
[[Category:Intelligent software assistants]]
[[Category:Smart speakers]]
[[Category:Natural language processing software]]
[[Category:Smart home hubs]]
[[Category:Fictional gynoids]]

Latest revision as of 04:00, 17 September 2024

Amazon Echo
DeveloperAmazon
ManufacturerAmazon
TypeSmart speaker
Release dateNovember 6, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-11-06)
Operating systemFire OS
InputVoice commands
Current firmwareFire OS 6~8
WebsiteAmazon Echo (US)
Amazon Echo (UK)
Amazon Echo (Ger)
Amazon Echo (India)
Amazon Echo (France)

Amazon Echo, often shortened to Echo, is a brand of smart speakers developed by Amazon. Echo devices connect to the voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa, which will respond when a user says "Alexa". Users may change this wake word to "Amazon", "Echo", "Computer", and other options.[1][2] 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.

Amazon started developing Echo devices inside its Lab126 offices in Silicon Valley and in Cambridge, Massachusetts as early as 2010. The device represented one of its first attempts to expand its device portfolio beyond the Kindle e-reader.[3]

Amazon initially limited the first-generation Echo to Amazon Prime members or just by invitation, but it became widely available in the United States in mid 2015,[4] and subsequently in other countries. Additionally, the Alexa voice service is available to be added to other devices, and Amazon encourages other companies' devices and services to connect to it.[5]

History

[edit]
The first-generation Amazon Echo

Work on the Amazon Echo began in 2011, known as "Project D". It was named this because the Kindle was Project A and the Fire Phone was Project B. The Amazon Echo was an offshoot of Project C. Project C is unknown, even though the work on it has stopped. The Amazon Echo was originally supposed to be called the Amazon Flash. The wake word, the word that makes the device responsive, for the Echo used to be "Amazon". Both of these attributes were disliked by Lab126, the division of Amazon that conducts research and development and creates computer hardware. Lab126 believed that "Amazon" is too much of a commonly used word, and the device would react when it was not intended to. Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, ended up being influenced by Lab126 to change the name of the device to the Amazon Echo and the wake word to "Alexa".[6] The Amazon Echo was originally pitched as only a smart speaker, it was not originally intended to be a smart home hub, as it is now, until after it was launched. As Alexa, the artificial intelligence (A.I.) that powers the Amazon Echo, improved, the device became more of a controlling center for smart home appliances. Dave Isbitski, the chief developer evangelist for the Echo and Alexa, received calls from smart home manufacturers to discuss connecting their devices, after the release of the Amazon Echo. But smart home devices had a problem: people were not buying smart home devices because they often required an extra app in order to be used, which was not much better than just using the device manually.[7]

The Amazon Echo (1st Generation) was initially released in 2014 alongside the voice of the product, Alexa. Alexa is a voice associated with the Amazon Echo that will respond to questions and requests through artificial intelligence. Amazon has claimed that the voice of Alexa was inspired by electronic communications systems featured in the television series Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation.[8] The Echo was announced on Nov 6, 2014 and was initially available by invitation only.[9] It became available to all customers on July 14, 2015.[10]

The Echo featured prominently in Amazon's first Super Bowl broadcast television advertisement in 2016.[11]

In March 2016 Amazon released a less expensive version of the Amazon Echo, called the Amazon Echo Dot. This device is an ice hockey puck sized version of the original Amazon Echo released in 2014, and it has the same capabilities. This product was designed to be used in smaller rooms such as bedrooms due to its limited speaker capabilities (size) or to be paired with an external speaker. In November 2016 the second generation of the Echo Dot was released for a lower price with improved voice recognition and new colors.

The second generation of the Amazon Echo was released in October 2017. This update offered better voice recognition and a fabric covering exterior. Subsequently, other variants of the Amazon Echo have been released.

In May 2017 Amazon released the now-discontinued Amazon Tap, a portable, slightly smaller version of the Amazon Echo. Although the two products are similar the Tap is battery powered, portable, and requires the touch of a button in order to enable voice commands.

In April 2017 the Amazon Echo Look was released to invitees only, as an Amazon Echo with a built in camera. It was designed as a speaker, that is also handy with artificial intelligence that has smart algorithms to help users pick out outfits. It was released to the general public in August 2018. The Look was phased out in 2020.

In June 2018 the Amazon Echo Show was released to the public as a device with a 7-inch screen used for streaming media, making video calls and the use of Alexa. The second generation of the device was made available in November 2018 and features a 10-inch screen with improved speakers.

Features

[edit]
A microphone (center) and two LEDs (left and right) inside an Echo Dot
The Echo contains several microphones (here: an array of seven microphones inside an Echo Dot, with six of them arranged in a circle alternating with LEDs)
A loudspeaker inside an Echo Dot

Overview of operation

[edit]

In the default mode, the device continuously listens to all speech, monitoring for the wake word to be spoken, which is primarily set up as "Alexa" (derived from Alexa Internet, the Amazon-owned Internet indexing company). Echo's microphones can be manually disabled by pressing a mute button to turn off the audio processing circuit.[3]

Echo devices require a wireless Internet connection in order to work. Echo's voice recognition capability is based on Amazon Web Services and the voice platform Amazon acquired from Yap,[12] Evi, and IVONA[13] (a Polish-based specialist in voice technologies used in the Kindle Fire).[14] The device requires one time setup by pairing it with Amazon's Alexa app, which gives the user more control over features.[15]

The smart speakers perform well with a "good" (low-latency) Internet connection, which minimizes processing time due to minimal communication round trips, streaming responses and geo-distributed service endpoints. While the application is free, an Amazon account is required, and setup is not possible without one.

Available services

[edit]

Echo devices offer weather from AccuWeather and news from a variety of sources, including local radio stations, BBC, NPR, and ESPN from TuneIn and iHeartRadio.[16] Echo can play music from the owner's Amazon Music accounts[17] and has built-in support for other streaming music services like Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Pandora and Sirius XM among others,[18] and has support for IFTTT and Nest thermostats.[19] Echo can also play music from non-compatible music streaming services such as Google Play Music from a phone or tablet via Bluetooth. Echo maintains voice-controlled alarms, timers, shopping and to-do lists and can access Wikipedia articles. Echo will respond to questions about items in one's Google Calendar. It also integrates with Yonomi,[20] Philips Hue, Belkin Wemo, SmartThings, Insteon, and Wink.[21][22] Additionally, integration with the Echo is in the works for Countertop by Orange Chef, Sonos,[23] Scout Alarm, Garageio, Toymail, MARA, and Mojio.[24] Questions like "Who is Barack Obama?" are answered by reading the first few lines of the corresponding Wikipedia article.[25]

Echo devices also have access to "skills" built with the Alexa Skills Kit. These are third-party-developed voice applications which add functionality to any Alexa-enabled device. Examples of skills include the ability to play music, answer general questions, set an alarm, order a pizza or a ridesharing car (e.g., Uber, Lyft), and so on. The Alexa Skills Kit is a collection of self-service application programming interfaces (API), tools, documentation and code samples. Developers can also use the "Smart Home Skill API",[26] a new addition to the Alexa Skills Kit, to extend Alexa's compatibility with cloud-controlled lighting and thermostat devices. All of the code runs in the cloud and nothing is on any user device. A developer can follow tutorials to learn how to build voice-response capability for their new and existing applications.[27]

In November 2018, Amazon added Skype calling ability to all of their Echo products. Echo devices that have a display have access to video calling. [28]

In May 2019, Amazon released Alexa Guard. If "Away mode" is enabled and an Echo device detects the sound of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or glass breaking, it will send alerts to the Alexa app on smartphones. If the user has professional monitoring, it can send alerts directly to the security provider. It can also switch smart lights on and off to make it look like someone is home. A paid feature called Guard Plus enables other features such as playing the sound of a dog barking when an intruder is detected.[29]

Voice Services

[edit]

The Alexa Voice Service (AVS) allows developers to voice-enable connected products with a microphone and speaker. The AVS enables volume control, audio playback, and speech recognition.[30] The devices have natural lifelike voices resulting from speech-unit technology.[31][additional citation(s) needed] High speech accuracy is achieved through sophisticated natural language processing algorithms built into the Echo's text-to-speech engine.[citation needed]

Software updates

[edit]

As with all Alexa devices, the functionality of Echo smart speakers periodically evolves as Amazon releases new software for it. Most new releases fix bugs in addition to including enhanced functionality. New releases are pushed to the devices on a gradual basis so it may take several days to a week or more for a particular device to be updated. Because much of Echo's intelligence lies in the cloud, significant functional enhancements can be made to Echo without updating the software version it is running. For example, in April 2015, the Echo added the ability to give live sports scores without updating the software version running on the device.[32]

Smart Home

[edit]

The Amazon Echo is able to connect to many different smart home devices. Thermostats, humidifiers, lightbulbs, plugs, dog and cat feeder, door locks, cameras, thermostats, security systems, speakers, WiFi, televisions, vacuums, microwaves, printers, and other smart home devices can now all be controlled through Alexa. Alexa can be used to activate and deactivate all of these smart home appliances, as well as change their settings depending on the device. For example, Alexa can be used to change the temperature in a house through a thermostat, turn off the lights with smart lights, put out dog or cat food via a smart pet feeder, and activate the security systems via a smart security system. The user is able to organize these smart home devices by putting them into groups. For example, a user can make a "Music Group" on the Amazon Echo.[33] The Amazon Echo will be able to play music and other media in multiple rooms in a house through other Echos and speakers that are in the "Music Group". Along with multiple groups, an Amazon Echo can hold multiple profiles. Switching between the profiles can allow users to play their music, access their calendars, and use their accounts for shopping, instead of just using one person's.[34]

In December 2021, an outage of Amazon's cloud service caused smart home devices to stop working.[35]

Hands-free

[edit]

Amazon Echos are able to make calls and send messages. Users can make calls to another Amazon Echo or speaker that is in the house by calling the device name. Users can also make calls and send messages to other people that have an Amazon Echo. This is done by connecting the user's contacts to the Amazon Echo. The user's Amazon Echo will call their contact's Amazon Echo. They will be able to have a conversation using the Amazon Echos. Messages will go to the contact's phone, in the Alexa App. The message can also be played on the Echo.[34]

Variants

[edit]

Echo

[edit]
Amazon Echo (first generation)
Amazon Echo unpacked, January 2015
Release date
  • November 6, 2014 (2014-11-06) (Amazon Prime and invited members)
  • June 23, 2015 (2015-06-23) (released in the U.S.)
  • September 28, 2016 (2016-09-28) (released in the U.K.)
  • October 26, 2016 (2016-10-26) (released in Germany)
Introductory priceUS$179.99
£149.99
EUR179.99
ConnectivityWi-Fi and Bluetooth
WebsiteAmazon Echo (US)
Amazon Echo (UK)
Amazon Echo (Germany)
Amazon Echo (second generation)
Release date
  • October 31, 2017 (2017-10-31) (released in the U.S.)
Introductory priceUS$99.99
ConnectivityWi-Fi and Bluetooth
WebsiteAmazon Echo (US)
Amazon Echo (UK)
Amazon Echo (Germany)
Amazon Echo (India)
Amazon Echo (Canada)

The first-generation Amazon Echo consists of a 9.25 inch (23.5 cm) tall cylinder speaker with a seven-piece microphone array.[3] The Echo hardware complement includes a Texas Instruments DM3725 ARM Cortex-A8 processor, 256MB of LPDDR1 RAM and 4GB of storage space.[36] As of July 2017, the first-generation Echo maintained an 83% score on GearCaliber, a review aggregator.[37]

Although the Echo is intended to be voice-controlled at the unit, a microphone-enabled remote control similar to the one bundled with the Amazon Fire TV is available for purchase. The remote was also bundled with early units. An action button on top of the unit is provided for user setup in a new location, and the mute button allows the microphones to be turned off.[38] The top half-inch of the unit rotates to increase or decrease the speaker volume. The Echo must be plugged in to operate since it has no internal battery.[39]

Echo provides dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming and Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices.[40]

The mainline Linux kernel is able to boot the Amazon Echo since version 5.6.[41]

In September 2020, the 4th gen Echo was announced replacing the Echo and Echo Plus devices in a new spherical form-factor. The Echo brings the Echo Plus' Zigbee smart home hub with support for Amazon Sidewalk.[42][43]

Limited editions

[edit]

As part of a holiday promotion, Seattle Seahawks player Marshawn Lynch drove the Treasure Truck around Seattle in December 2016 selling a limited-edition beast-mode Echo with a custom skin.[44] The beast-mode version was a first-generation Echo that responded to a user's commands with Marshawn Lynch's voice, instead of the Alexa voice.[45]

In November 2017, a Product Red version of the second-generation Echo was announced as a limited edition item.[46]

Another special version of Echo is the Alexa Super Skills Collectible edition, which was given to select Amazon Alexa developers who published five skills between July 22 and October 30, 2017. This special variant comes with a white mask, a blue cape, and a blue belt.[citation needed]

Availability

[edit]

Amazon initially limited the first-generation Echo to Amazon Prime members or just by invitation, but it became widely available in the United States in mid 2015.[47] In 2016, the Echo became available in the United Kingdom and Germany.[48]

As of December 2017, the Echo was available in more than 80 countries: Albania, Austria, Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Ghana, Gibraltar Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Namibia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela and Zambia.[49][50]

In 2018, Amazon and Microsoft jointly announced a solution to integrate their digital assistants so that Cortana, Microsoft's voice assistant, could be called from an Amazon Echo device and Alexa could be called from Windows devices, including PCs. In January 2019, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Cortana would no longer be a platform competitor to Alexa or Google Assistant, but rather a voice skill to access Microsoft 365 via other voice assistants.[citation needed] As of April 2019, Alexa was the only Cortana-integrated voice assistant, which gave it exclusive access to Microsoft's suite of business applications.

Echo Dot

[edit]
The black Amazon Echo Dot (second generation) sitting idle on a wood surface

1st Gen

[edit]

In March 2016, Amazon unveiled the original Amazon Echo Dot,[51] which is a hockey puck-sized version of the Echo designed to be connected to external speakers due to the smaller size of the onboard speakers, or to be used in rooms such as the bedroom as an alternative to the full-sized Echo. Despite its smaller form factor, the Amazon Echo Dot retains all the core functionalities of the original Amazon Echo, ensuring a seamless voice-controlled experience for users.[52]

Additionally, users have the option to enhance the portability of the Echo Dot with third-party external batteries, providing extended usage on the go.[53]

2nd Gen

[edit]

The second generation of the Amazon Echo Dot became available on October 20, 2016. It is priced lower, has improved voice recognition, and is available in black, grey and white. The Echo Spatial Perception (ESP) technology allows several Echo and Dot units to work together so that only one device answers the request.[citation needed] As of November 2017, the Echo Dot maintained a 78% score on GearCaliber, based on 23 reviews.[54]

On August 18, 2017, an Amazon promotion allowed Amazon Prime customers to receive a 100% price reduction on the Echo Dot (from $49.99 to $0.00). Amazon never commented on the promotion or gave any indication of how many Dots were given away.[55]

3rd Gen

[edit]
Third generation Echo Dot

The third generation Echo Dot, introduced in September 2018, featured a new design with fabric covers, departing from the previous plastic or metal cylinder design. These fabric-covered Echo Dots also incorporated upgraded speaker drivers while retaining their core functionalities, including 3.5mm audio output and a Zigbee home automation hub in the Echo Plus.[56]

In January 2019, Amazon's SVP of devices and services, Dave Limp, revealed that over 100 million Alexa-enabled devices had been sold. The company's earnings reports and press releases also reveal that the Echo Dot has been among the top-selling products on Amazon.com for 2017 and 2018.[citation needed]

4th Gen

[edit]

In September 2020, the fourth generation Echo Dot was revealed with a new spherical design and 30% smaller compared to the 3rd gen Echo.[42][57]

5th Gen

[edit]
The black Amazon Echo Dot (fifth generation) on wooden table

In September 2022, the fifth generation Echo Dot introduced several enhancements, including a new temperature sensor, an improved audio experience with clearer vocals and deeper bass, and cutting-edge ultrasonic motion detection technology. Notably, it also features eero Built-in as a Wi-Fi extender, expanding its capabilities for smart homes and offering users a broader range of options.[58][59][60]

Amazon Tap

[edit]
The Amazon Tap

The Amazon Tap is a smaller portable version of the Echo.[61] The Tap can do the many things the Echo can do; however, as it is battery-powered, it is also portable.[62] Initially, the user had to press an activation button on the front of the Tap to speak commands. However, a February 2017 software update allows the option of activating the Tap with an activation word, just like the Echo and the Dot.[63] Some of the limitations of the Tap include not being able to stream music as part of a group and not being able to send announcements to the device. Additionally the Tap does not support "Drop In" feature and as a result cannot be used for two-way voice communication. Amazon has discontinued the Tap. This has encouraged 3rd party accessory manufacturers to make available battery add-on units for other Echo products.[64]

Echo Look

[edit]

In April 2017, the Amazon Echo Look was introduced as a camera with Alexa built-in, for US$20 more than the first-generation Echo.[65] The device can provide artificial intelligence outfit recommendations, take photos, and record videos; in addition to the features available on the Echo.[66] It offers Amazon Alexa's key feature plus a camera to take full-length photos and 360-degree videos with built-in AI for fashion advice.[67][68] As a consumer product, it helps catalog users' outfits and rates their looks based on "machine learning algorithms with advice from fashion specialists.[69]

The device was initially only available for purchase by invitation-only in the U.S.[70] However, it became generally available on June 6, 2018.[71] Three years later, Echo Look owners received an email from Amazon stating that the device would soon stop working, because Amazon was discontinuing production and sales of the device. Echo Look owners had a device that they could not use.[72]

Echo Show

[edit]
The Amazon Echo Show

In May 2017, Amazon introduced the Echo Show, which features a tactile 7-inch liquid-crystal display screen that can be used for playing media, making video calls (5 MP front camera), and other features.[73] The Echo Show was offered for purchase at a price of $229.99 on June 28, 2017, and was initially only available in the U.S.[74]

A second generation of the Echo Show was unveiled at an Alexa-themed product event by Amazon on September 20, 2018, for release the following month.[75] The new device has a 10-inch touchscreen, improved speakers, and mesh casing.[76] Amazon has released three additional sizes of the Echo Show making them available in 5-, 8-, and 15-inch displays. These devices broke the traditional naming mechanism of naming strictly on generation. They are known as the Echo show 5, Echo Show 8,[77] and Echo Show 15.[78]

Echo Spot

[edit]

On September 27, 2017, Amazon launched the Echo Spot, a hemispherical device that has the same functions as an Echo Show.[79] The device has a 2.5-inch circular screen, and looks like an alarm clock. The device sold for $129.99.[80] In 2019, the Echo Spot has been discontinued in all regions. On July 9, 2024, Amazon brought back the Echo Spot, but with a different design. The device now resembles the look of the Echo Pop, with a 2.83" inch touch screen with a half-circle tinted cover glass and a speaker. Unlike the 2017 version, videocalling and smart home cameras are not available on the device. The device sold for $79.99.

Echo Plus

[edit]

On September 27, 2017, Amazon announced the Echo Plus, which released on October 31, 2017. It shares design similarities with the first-generation Echo, but also doubles as a smart home hub, connecting to most common wireless protocols to control connected smart devices within a home.[81] It incorporates seven second-generation far field microphones and noise cancellation, while also supporting Dolby Sound.

In September 2018, a second-generation Echo Plus was released. The new version has a fabric covering and includes an embedded temperature sensor.[82] The Echo Plus has since been discontinued in 2020.

Echo Flex

[edit]
The Amazon Echo Flex

On November 14, 2019, Amazon released the Echo Flex for $24.99. It is a small device with a speaker that can be plugged directly into a wall outlet. It has a full-sized USB Type-A port into the bottom to charge other devices or into which additional accessories, such as a motion sensor, can be plugged.[83]

Echo Studio

[edit]
Amazon Echo Studio

In November 2019, Amazon introduced Echo Studio, a Dolby Atmos-compatible surround sound Alexa speaker. Compared to other Alexa speakers, it was the biggest and the loudest.[84]

Speakerless devices

[edit]

At an Alexa-themed product launch event in September 2018, Amazon announced an Echo device designed for cars.[85] The device connects with the user's smartphone over Bluetooth and offers driving direction, in addition to other Alexa functionality.[86] Echo Auto became available as an invite-only product to US customers near the end of 2018.[87]

The Echo Input is an Alexa input device with no on-board speakers.[88] It must be connected to external speakers for audio output. The Echo Link is a higher-end version of the Echo Input, with additional output ports and a volume knob.[89] The Echo Link Amp has the same controls of the Link, but with an amplifier.

Accessories

[edit]

Along with the second-generation Echo, Amazon announced two new accessories. The Echo Buttons can be used while playing games on Echo devices, such as Jeopardy!.[90] The Echo Connect is a small adapter that plugs into any Echo and a home phone line, allowing the Echo to make voice calls through a home phone number.[91]

In September 2018, Amazon announced the Echo Sub, a subwoofer that connects to other Echo speakers, and the Echo Wall Clock, which can display how much time is remaining on timers set with an Echo device.[92]

Wearable

[edit]

Amazon announced the Echo Loop in September 2019, a smart ring with a button that activates Alexa. The Echo Loop uses Bluetooth to connect to a smartphone for Internet access.[93] The Echo Frames smartglasses, which support prescription lenses, were also announced on the same day.[94] In 2020, it was announced that Echo Loop would be discontinued.[95] On September 20, 2023, Amazon unveiled the third generation of Echo Frames and a collaboration with Carrera Eyewear on two frame designs.[96]

Privacy concerns

[edit]

There are concerns about the access Echo has to private conversations in the home, or other non-verbal indications that can identify who is present in the home and who is not—based on audible cues such as footstep cadence or radio and television programming.[97][98] Amazon responds to these concerns by stating that Echo only streams recordings from the user's home when the "wake word" activates the device, though the device is technically capable of streaming voice recordings at all times, and in fact will always be listening to detect if a user has uttered the word.

Echo uses past voice recordings the user has sent to the cloud service to improve response to future questions the user may pose. To address privacy concerns, the user can delete voice recordings that are currently associated with the user's account, but doing so may degrade the user's experience using voice search. To delete these recordings, the user can visit the "Manage My Device" page on Amazon.com or contact Amazon customer service. In May 2018, it was reported that an Echo device had sent a recorded conversation to an acquaintance of a user who did not intend for this to happen. Amazon apologized and conjectured that one part of the conversation had been misinterpreted as a command to distribute it.[99]

Echo uses an address set in the Alexa companion app when it needs a location.[100] Amazon and third-party apps and websites use location information to provide location-based services and store this information to provide voice services, the Maps app, Find Your Device, and to monitor the performance and accuracy of location services. For example, Echo voice services use the user's location to respond to the user's requests for nearby restaurants or stores. Similarly, Echo uses the user's location to process the user's mapping-related requests and improve the Maps experience. All information collected is subject to the Amazon.com Privacy Notice.[101]

Amazon retains digital recordings of users' audio spoken after the "wake up word", and while the audio recordings are subject to demands by law enforcement, government agents, and other entities via subpoena, Amazon publishes some information about the warrants it receives, the subpoenas it receives, and some of the warrant-less demands it receives, allowing customers some indication as to the percentage of illegal demands for customer information it receives.[102]

As Amazon employed ex-US-security-chief Gen Keith B. Alexander in autumn 2020, Edward Snowden commented laconically: "It turns out 'Hey Alexa' is short for 'Hey Keith Alexander."[103]

Echo as criminal evidence

[edit]

During the course of the investigation into the November 22, 2015, death of Victor Collins in the home of James Andrew Bates in Bentonville, Arkansas, police sought the data stored on the Amazon Echo on the premises as evidence, but were refused by Amazon.[104][105] The conflict was resolved when Bates consented to the release of his personal information that was held by the company.[106][107]

Concerns relating to in-car smart systems

[edit]

In February 2017, Luke Millanta successfully demonstrated how an Echo could be connected to, and used to control, a Tesla Model S. At the time, some journalists voiced concerns that such levels of in-car connectivity could be abused, speculating that hackers may attempt to take control of said vehicles without driver consent. Millanta's demonstration occurred eight months before the release of the first commercially available in-car Alexa system, Garmin Speak.[108][109][110]

Limitations

[edit]

Purchasing merchandise in the categories of apparel, shoes, jewelry, and watches is not available.[111] In addition, Amazon Prime Pantry, Prime Now, or Add-On items are not supported by Alexa's ordering function,[112] while the shopping list function allows no more than one item to be added at a time.[113]

Echo has provided inconsistent responses when asked common questions to which users would expect better answers. Echo sometimes confuses certain homophones.[114]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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