Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo, also known as Alexa, is a voice command device from Amazon.com with functions including question answering, playing music and controlling smart devices. The device consists of a 9.25-inch (23.5 cm) tall cylinder speaker with a seven-piece microphone array, speakers that include a woofer/tweeter and a remote control. The device responds to the name “Alexa”, however this “wake word” can be changed by the user (to one other choice at present: “Amazon”). 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 attempts to expand its device portfolio beyond the original Kindle Ereader.

The Echo, previously available to Amazon Prime members or by invitation, became widely available on June 23, 2015. Additionally the service behind it (Alexa Voice Service) is now available to be added to other devices and other company’s/devices/services are encouraged to connect to it (using the Alexa Skills Kit).

Tucked under the light ring on Echo is an array of seven microphones. These sensors use beam-forming technology to hear you from any direction. With enhanced noise cancellation, Echo can hear you ask a question even while it’s playing music.

All you have to do is ask…

  Echo uses on-device keyword spotting to detect the wake word. When Echo detects the wake word, it lights up and streams audio to the cloud, where we leverage the Alexa Voice Service to recognize and respond to your request.Learn more about voice recognition on Echo.

Alexa—the brain behind Echo—is built in the cloud, so it is always getting smarter. The more you use Echo, the more it adapts to your speech patterns, vocabulary, and personal preferences. And because Echo is always connected, updates are delivered automatically.

360° immersive sound

Echo has been fine-tuned to deliver crisp vocals with dynamic bass response. Its dual downward-firing speakers produce 360° omni-directional audio to fill the room with immersive sound.

Echo provides hands-free voice control for Amazon Music, Prime Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn. Plus, Echo is Bluetooth-enabled so you can stream other popular music services like Spotify and iTunes from your phone or tablet.

Don’t lift a finger

Use Echo to switch on the lamp before getting out of bed, turn on the fan or space heater while reading in your favorite chair, or dim the lights from the couch to watch a movie—all without lifting a finger…or even raising your voice. Echo works with devices such as lights and switches from Belkin WeMo, Philips Hue, SmartThings, and Wink. Starter kits are available for easy setup.
Learn more about compatible Belkin WeMo, Philips Hue, SmartThings, and Wink connected devices.

Technical Information

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