The voice-activated Amazon Echo smart speaker with Alexa is not only a futuristic device, but also practical and affordable. With a rapidly growing list of features, integrations, and use cases, it's hard to imagine the full potential of Echo devices.
Pros:
- “Always Listening” - Just say “Alexa” in the room with the device and give commands, no buttons required
- Superior speech recognition
- Voice control
- Good design
Minuses:
- Russian language is not supported Alexa only works in English, German and Japanese.
- No battery, works only from a wall outlet
- Built-in sound is inferior compared to other speakers in this price range
What is Amazon Echo
Imagine a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi speaker with a voice assistant inside, such as Google Assistant. This is the Amazon Echo with the Alexa voice assistant - the first artificial intelligence to receive its own separate device. She will constantly wait for your commands (“always listening”), answer questions, play music and control devices. Alexa is capable of interacting with third-party apps and even making purchases.
Amazon Echo was released in 2015 and has sold more than 11 million devices in the past two years. Amazon releases updates for Echo every week, and the number of Skills—third-party skill apps—is growing. Alexa now looks very good compared to Siri and Google Assistant, and a separate device with 7 microphones gives it a speech recognition quality that Apple and Google can only envy at the moment.
Design
The device may look imposing when you take it out of the box, but indoors the Echo looks rather inconspicuous. A black or white cylinder will organically fit into any interior.
Like many other Bluetooth speakers, Echo has 360-degree sound. The speaker grille in the lower half of the device has a laconic and neat design.
On the top surface of the device there is a barely noticeable circle of cutouts for 7 multi-directional microphones, which allow you to receive commands from a user located in any part of the room. There's also a glowing bezel on top that lets you know with a nice blue light when you're talking to the Echo. It's a strangely warm feeling to see Alexa attentively awaiting your request. The glowing bezel will also indicate when the request has been accepted and is being processed.
You'll almost always be using voice commands, but there is manual volume control (by rotating the top of the cylinder) and a microphone mute button.
It's unlikely you'll be moving the Echo from place to place because, unlike most Bluetooth speakers, the device doesn't have a battery and must always be plugged into an outlet. There is also no AUX output (which is present on), so an external audio system can only be connected via Bluetooth.
Enabling and setting
Connecting Echo is easy, even for those just starting to use smart devices. Plug the device into a power outlet, select the network that appears in the list of Wi-Fi connections on your computer with a name in the format AMAZON-XXX, connect to it and enter the login and password for your home Wi-Fi network in your Alexa account. Echo's connection to the Internet is very stable, without any complaints. If any difficulties arise, you can use the connection on our website.
You can transfer many everyday tasks to the device. Set and turn off an alarm clock, a timer while preparing dinner, find out the exchange rate, the meaning of an unfamiliar word, request a summary of an article from Wikipedia. Alexa can be connected to your Google Calendar and manage your schedule.
If you say “Alexa, What’s in the news?” The Flash Briefing, a personalized summary of news from the sources you select, will begin playing. In addition to BBC, CNN and Guardian, you can also install .
You can control a large number of smart home devices with your voice. For example, turn on the lights in the kitchen “Turn on the lights in the kitchen”. It all works great. All standard Alexa commands can be found here.
There are also Alexa Skills apps from third-party developers. Most of them are boring, like interesting facts or quotes from famous people. But there are also very useful ones, such as Fitbit, translation skill or memory training.
Use in Russia
As we wrote above, at the moment smart speakers from Amazon do not support the Russian language, and it is unknown when they will add Russian. We use Echo in English - you can choose American or British dialect, as well as German or Japanese.
In Russia, Echo works well, almost all functions are available from Amazon, with the exception of voice purchases on Amazon for obvious reasons and the music streaming service Amazon Music (which only works in 28 Western countries, but there is an excellent alternative - Spotify, and it works great) . The rest of the features work fine: you can set a Russian address, find out the weather forecast, get answers to help questions from Alexa, install applications and manage smart home devices.
Sound quality and speech recognition
Each of Echo's 7 microphones provides long-range speech recognition. Amazon boasts that their device will hear you even when the music is playing loud enough from the speakers.
Speech recognition has been steadily improving since the Echo's release. Now it works simply incredible, Alexa will understand you, even if you formulate a phrase a little strangely or mumble a couple of words in the request. Even strong The device understands Russian accent perfectly. Basically you won't need to remember or use special commands, you just make the request in the normal form you would address to a person, in most cases Alexa will understand you.
Note that Echo sends all your requests to Amazon servers for recognition and analysis. To improve the quality of recognition of your particular voice in your room, you can run a short training mode for Alexa in the settings.
Smart House
Amazon Echo is already compatible with most popular device manufacturers, such as Philips Hue, WeMo,. If you already have a smart home system with , then most likely Echo also supports your Hub. As a general rule, look for gadget boxes that say “Works with Alexa.” In general, Amazon has a more open and friendly approach towards device manufacturers, unlike, for example, Apple with their HomeKit standard and smart speaker.
Now and others. Alexa was created in Lab126. She can listen to your voice commands and respond to them with messages when the task is completed. Alexa is ready to help you listen to music on Spotify, create a to-do list, and control items in your home, like Hue lights or a Google thermostat.
Alexa was initially popularized when working with the Amazon Echo speaker, which functions not only as a speaker, but also as a hub for smart home devices. Today it can work on many other devices. This virtual assistant is constantly being developed and updated. Of course, she may have some problems recognizing commands, like any other similar assistant. But thanks to the connection with Amazon, it is automatically updated. And machine learning technology makes it more and more useful for the owner as it works.
What devices does Amazon Alexa work on?
Amazon now allows you to install Alexa not only on the Echo hub, but also on other hubs. Third-party developers are also adding Alexa support to their smart home devices. Virtual assistant integration is also possible on some smartwatches. Amazon Alexa support has already been received by:
- Fire TV.
- SmartThingQ.
- Pebble Core.
- Nucleus Anywhere.
- CoWatch.
- Many other hubs and devices.
The Alexa virtual assistant can be controlled using a central . You can download it from the AppStore, Google Play or directly from the Amazon Appstore. The application allows you to set tasks for the virtual assistant and customize the system completely for yourself. The application also allows you to expand the capabilities of Alexa by adding new Skills to it. Alexa Skills are additional extensions directly from Amazon or third-party developers. Managing these extensions through the virtual assistant app is very easy. There are currently more than 3,000 different Skills available.
What Amazon Alexa can do
With Amazon Alexa you can:
- Make a to-do list for the day or the whole week ahead using Google Calendar.
- Combine control of smart home devices and assign Alexa tasks related to them.
- Access music streaming services and listen to your favorite music.
- Get access to other entertainment services from third-party developers using Skills extensions.
- Using different Skills, check the results of sporting events, call a taxi through Lyft, or create an original cocktail using The Bartender extension.
The main capabilities of a virtual assistant are limited to a fairly standard set: managing the Internet of Things of your smart home, launching streaming services, searching for information on the Internet and working with some Google services. But thanks to the Skills extensions, you will be able to experience absolutely all the capabilities of the system and fully appreciate its advantages. You can improve and “get to know better” your Alexa almost endlessly. True, so far only in English.
Since Amazon first introduced its voice assistant in 2014,
Amazon has confidently become the most popular mention in the smart home section. And unexpectedly, almost every IT company decided to integrate its product with Amazon’s virtual voice assistant, Alexa.
This kind of integration is constantly continuing at an accelerated pace and sometimes it is very difficult to even imagine which product will support Alexa. Amazon's website tries to show the top most popular Alexa-enabled products, but information about all Alexa-enabled products is not very well structured.
What's also understandably often glossed over is the fact that you don't even need to own an Echo device to work with these devices and take full advantage of the Alexa ecosystem.
Thus, not only does Amazon build Alexa into its new devices (Echo Plus, Echo Spot and Fire HD 10 tablet), but the company also allows third-party manufacturers to build Alexa support into their products, for example, Ford began to build Amazon's voice assistant into its new car models.
In order to understand what Alexa has achieved, we decided to make a detailed guide.
Below is a list of products that in one way or another use the capabilities of Amazon's voice assistant.
Devices with Alexa
Smart home hubs
Light control devices
Switches, dimmers, sockets
Locks, cameras, security
Heating and cooling devices
Cars
Services
Miscellaneous
Devices with Alexa
Although Alexa Echo remains a flagship, it is no longer alone. New versions are constantly appearing, as well as devices from third-party manufacturers.
So, a little overview:
Amazon Echo (2nd Gen.)
Announced on September 27, 2017, the second generation Echo has the same capabilities but is smaller and more convenient.
Essentially, this is a Bluetooth speaker with sensitive microphones and the Always On function. It can control smart home devices, play music from your phone, Amazon Prime or Spotify, and order groceries from Amazon, all with voice commands.
With the Alexa app you can customize the virtual assistant the way you like, and with hundreds of skills we can do almost everything - from getting an accurate weather forecast to playing all sorts of obscene sounds.
The price of such a device starts at $99, which is almost half the price and is smaller in size than the first generation Echo and has a fabric-covered body. The coating of the device body can be selected from several options, thereby choosing the most suitable one for each room.
Also, the second generation Echo claims better sound reproduction thanks to the Dolby system, which was introduced last summer - the so-called. multi-room audio system.
This allows Echo to compete with other similar audio systems, such as Sonos.
The second generation Echo is available for pre-order for $99, with sales starting on October 31, 2017.
Amazon Echo Plus
Amazon Echo Plus looks like an upgrade from the flagship Echo. The same design, but a new color has appeared - silver. Among the new features, Echo Plus can work as a hub for a smart home.
Just ask Alexa about the installed devices in your home and she will manage them.
A pre-order gift includes a Hue smart lamp from Phillips.
Amazon Echo Show
One of the newest additions to the Echo family is Show. A touchscreen, camera and smart speaker have been added, allowing you to make video calls, view video cameras, watch Amazon Prime Video, of course, buy things from Amazon and much more.
Price - $229.99
Amazon Echo Connect
Echo Connect is a $35 device that turns any Alexa-compatible device into a corded phone.
Allows you to connect your home phone to Alexa and gives you the ability to make and receive calls through your smart speaker.
Amazon Echo Spot
Echo Spot is a hybrid of Echo Show and Dot, priced at $129.99. Pre-order, sales will begin on December 19, 2017.
Echo Spot allows you to make video calls to other Alexa Show and Spot owners, view weather forecasts, alarms, timers, etc...
A small device that can be placed in any room, it has built-in Bluetooth, an internal speaker and an audio output for connecting to an amplifier.
Amazon Echo Dot
Take the Echo, cut off the top and you get an Echo Dot. Dot got rid of the high-quality speaker to lower the price, but remained just as smart.
The small built-in speaker will allow you to communicate with Alexa, but is not sufficient for high-quality playback of streaming audio.
Instead, you can connect an external amplifier either via Bluetooth or via a wired audio output.
The Dot sells separately for $49, but Amazon offers discounts when you buy multiples or when you buy it with a Bose audio system or other smart home devices.
Amazon Tap
Amazon Tap has taken the core functionality of Echo and packaged it into a portable Bluetooth speaker. Because it runs on batteries, Amazon Tap doesn't always listen for a keyword like Echo or Echo Dot. You need to press the microphone button to say the command. However, the new update will allow you to work in hands-free mode for about an hour.
Although the Tap is portable, it requires a Wi-Fi connection (there's no 3G or LTE option), so if you're outdoors, you'll need to use your smartphone as a hotspot.
Price $129.99
Amazon Echo Look
A recent addition to the Echo family, the Echo Look is a camera with built-in Alexa that lets an assistant act as your stylist.
You can take photos and videos of your appearance and using machine learning Alexa will advise you on how to look better and, of course, recommend buying new clothes.
The Echo Look isn't widely available yet, but you can order it from Amazon for $199.99.
Amazon Fire TV
New Fire TV, available October 25, 2017, pre-order for $69.99, compatible with
4K ultra HD and HDR TVs and 40% more powerful than Fire TV Stick.
The device does not have all the Alexa functions of the Echo, but it can be used to control your smart home and use Alexa Skills. You can control CBS, NBC, Hulu and Netflix apps with your voice. The main difference is in the controls - you need a TV and can talk to Alexa through the Fire TV Remote path. There is no always-on listening feature, but this can be a plus when you want to maintain privacy.
Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote also supports Alexa using the same remote control interface. The same functionality as on Fire TV and at the same time the opportunity to buy a virtual assistant for only $50
Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet
Amazon's popular $80 tablet now comes with Alexa support. You can watch streaming TV and movies, use thousands of applications, read books in Kindle format and much more. It's very convenient to use Alexa to find the app you want or the TV show you want to watch, especially when your hands are full.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet
The new Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is an improved version of the popular Fire HD 8. In addition to a 10-inch screen and higher resolution (1080p), this tablet also has Alexa built-in. The price starts at $150 for the 32GB model, there are 3 colors - black, red and blue.
Amazon Applications
Want to use Alexa anywhere, not just at home? Thanks to a recent update to Amazon's iPhone app, the popular shopping app now has a virtual assistant. It doesn't support all the Alexa features that Echo does, but it will allow you to use Alexa to search for products on Amazon, for example.
Unfortunately, nothing is said about when the Android version of the application will be released.
Alexa Gadgets
Amazon has announced a whole line of Alexa-enabled gadgets designed specifically to work with Echo devices.
So far we only know about the $20 Echo Button, which is used for games with friends, such as trivia.
The start of sales is not yet known.
Huawei Mate 9
When Huawei first announced that the Mate 9 would be the first smartphone with Alexa built-in, it caused quite a stir.
The phone runs Android, but instead of using Google Assistant, the company has moved away from Google in favor of Amazon's virtual assistant.
The price is $464, it claims 2 days of operation on a single charge and a Leica camera (64GB).
Smart thermostat Ecobee4
If you decide to use Alexa everywhere in your home, then the Ecobee4 smart thermostat is a must-have. If you replace all the thermostats in your home with an Ecobee4, you'll not only get a smart thermostat, but you'll also have constant access to Alexa thanks to the thermostat's built-in microphone and speaker. Available for pre-order at a price of $249, sales start on May 15, 2018.
Ecobee smart switch
Ecobee Smart Light Switch is the first switch that will allow you to use Alexa in every room. It also has light sensors, but that's all we know. More detailed information about the price will apparently be available in the company's next release.
Invoxia Triby
If you want to make your refrigerator smarter without spending thousands of dollars, check out the Invoxia Triby. This is the first device from a third-party developer to offer Alexa integration. It has a built-in speaker for playing music, a screen and the ability to make phone calls.
Price - 120$
Ford Sync
Ford vehicles with the latest version of Ford Sync will receive Alexa integration, including both core Echo functionality and dedicated in-car assistant functionality.
This integration won the CES Editors' Choice Awards last year.
BMW and MINI
Ford's status as the only company to offer Alexa functionality in the car is coming to an end.
BMW and MINI will release cars with built-in Alexa in the on-board computer in mid-2018.
You can ask Alexa for the nearest gas stations, weather forecast, scroll through music tracks and much more without taking your attention from the road.
Plus, if you have other smart home devices, you can access them while you're on the go. Now you won't forget to close your garage door or front door.
Smart Home Hubs
Although Alexa can control a large number of smart home devices, many smart home integrations require the use of a hub as a connecting device. Uncomfortable? Yes. But since Alexa-enabled devices require wireless connectivity to communicate directly with each other, this kind of interaction is necessary so that we can do this more efficiently in the foreseeable future.
Samsung SmartThings Hub
SmartThings from Samsung is one of the most advanced smart home systems on the market.
Integration with Alexa allows you to control almost all SmartThings compatible devices, which can be turned on and off.
Also included in the list of compatible devices are smart lamps, fans, sockets and switches, locks and thermostats.
Wink Hubs
Wink is perhaps SmartThings' main competitor, although it has fewer supported devices. Using the Wink hub, Alexa gains access to control smart lamps, switches and sockets, and thermostats. The company offers second-generation hubs for $99 and first-generation hubs for $69 - the main difference is that the second generation has Bluetooth and a more powerful processor.
Insteon Hub
Insteon may not be as well known as SmartThings and Wink, but support for older smart home ecosystems remains a very interesting option. Alexa can control devices using the Insteon hub. It won't work with all hubs, but with the Insteon Hub model (2245-222), you can control outlets, switches, and wired thermostats.
Alarm.com Hub
At CES 2016, the company announced integration with Amazon Echo, which allows you to control devices to control lights and thermostats. You can also control the security system with your voice.
Vivint Hub
Vivint is a system installed by authorized representatives and also announced integration with Alexa at CES 2016. Here, Alexa can be used to enable smart home security, control lamps, thermostats, garage doors, and even smart locks.
Even though Vivint is a dealer-installed system, it is considered the best voice-activated smart home system, although competition in this segment is growing rapidly.
Nexia Home Intelligence Bridge
Nexia is not yet a very well-known brand, but it can work with a large number of Z-Wave compatible smart home devices. Like Alarm.com and Vivint, Nexia announced integration with Alexa, but has not yet provided the general public with detailed information about which devices will be compatible with Alexa.
Universal Devices ISY Hubs
You may never have heard of Universal Devices, but home automation geeks know the company for its Insteon compatible ISY hubs (“izzy”). The company offers 2 hubs - ISY-994i Series and ISY-994iZw Series. Both are compatible with Insteon, but Z-Wave support is also added. You can separately enable integration with Alexa and you can control lights, door locks, thermostats, etc.
HomeSeer Home Controllers
HomeSeer offers 6 different smart home controllers (hubs), the functionality of which is more suitable for geeks than for the average user. With Alexa integration, HomeSeer allows you to control lights, locks, thermostats, garage doors and security systems with your voice.
Simple Control Simple Hub
Simple Control initially focused on controlling audio/video devices and home theater systems, but the company's powerful controller allows you to control many other devices, including SmartThings systems from Samsung and Insteon.
This system is quite complex and expensive, but it allows you to make a lot of custom settings. Alexa, paired with such a system, can control TVs and even change channels.
Almond Smart Home WiFi Routers
Instead of buying a separate hub and a separate Wi-Fi router, Securifi's Almond company combined these devices in one piece of hardware. Two routers from the Almond line - Almond+ and Almond 2015 can also work with Alexa and Echo. With this integration, you can activate various scenarios and operating modes of the controller (Dinner scene, Evening scene, etc.)
Smart lighting
Light control was the very first smart home feature that Alexa started doing, and today's huge number of smart lamps (as well as switches, dimmers and outlets) that can work with Echo clearly show how far Alexa has come.
Most of these devices are smart lamps, which, on the one hand, are quite complex devices, and on the other hand, are quite easily configured by ordinary users, which allows them to immediately experience what a smart home is.
Philips Hue White Starter Kit
Philips makes the best smart bulbs for the money, which is why they're our favorites. The lamps also work with Siri and can work with Alexa, giving additional options and choices for voice control. The set for $69 includes 2 lamps, but you can also purchase them separately.
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit
A very good set and here's why - not only do they have good characteristics, but they can also work in third-party ecosystems. Just like a regular set, it can work with Siri and Alexa out of the box.
Philips Hue Go (via Hue Bridge)
Philips Hue Go is a rechargeable color light with 300 lumens of light and up to 3 hours of runtime. Requires Philips Hue Bridge (included in the kit above) and can be controlled by a dedicated app or Alexa.
Philips Friends of Hue Lightstrip (requires Hue Bridge)
Another device from the Hue line, Lightstrip is a luminous multi-color strip that can be cut. You also need Hue Bridge to work with Alexa.
LIFX Smart Bulbs and Light Strip
LIFX has a small line of products - LIFX 19 - multi-color lamps, LIFX+A19 - multi-color lamps with infrared radiation for night vision cameras and LIFX Z - luminous strip. A great alternative to Philips Hue, because these lamps are controlled directly via Wi-Fi and do not require a hub. And since they work via Wi-Fi, they easily integrate with Alexa.
TP-Link WiFi Smart Bulbs
When you hear the name TP-Link, you probably think about Wi-Fi routers, but the company also produces very interesting devices for the smart home, including 4 types of different smart lamps that work with Alexa. The lamps also don't require a hub, making them affordable ($18).
Cree Connected LED (requires SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub)
Cree Connected LED lamps are one of the most attractive in terms of price and functionality. Prices rival Philips Hue White bulbs and can work with almost any smart home hub. This makes them the best option in the long run if you decide to use Cree Connected LED to build your own smart home ecosystem. With hubs from SmartThings or Wink hub, you can control these lights using Alexa. The line includes lamps with a temperature of 5000K.
Price - from $15.
GE Link Bulb (works with Wink Hub)
GE Link lamps try to compete with Cree Connected LED on price, functionality and color temperature, but fall short in other characteristics. They can also work with Alexa through the hub from Wink.
Osram Lightify Smart Bulb (requires SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub)
The Lightify line of lamps from Osram cannot change color, but they allow you to change the color temperature within slightly smaller limits than LIFX White 800. They work with Alexa through a hub from SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub.
TCP Connected Smart Bulbs (requires SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub)
TCP Connected lamps are not the best solution. They require their own controller and are underwhelming with their specs. But they can also work with Alexa through a hub from SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub.
Switches, dimmers and sockets
In a way, this is an addition to light control, but here you can control smart switches, sockets and plugs. From ceiling fans to garbage disposals, there are many things you can make smart with the help of an outlet or switch. And of course, if you use the devices described below, we can control them using Alexa.
Belkin WeMo Light Switch
If you just want to turn something on and off and want it to work with Alexa, then the Belkin WeMo Light Switch is the best choice. Unlike competitors, this switch works directly with Wi-Fi, which means you can control it through Alexa without a hub.
Belkin WeMo Switch
The name WeMo Switch is a little misleading - it's a smart plug, not a switch. It is called a switch only because it can be turned on/off using a button on the case or using an application. Also works with Wi-Fi, and integrates easily with Alexa.
Belkin WeMo Insight Switch
Insight Switch - the same functionality as WeMo Switch, but added the ability to monitor the energy use of any device connected through this outlet. A trendy feature for only $10 compared to WeMo Switch, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be asking Alexa how much energy your coffee machine has used in a month.
iHome Smart Plug (via Wink Hub)
Just like Belkin's Wemo switches, the iHome Smart Plug allows you to turn on/off lights or various devices. Works with Apple HomeKit (Siri support), Nest and Wink. Although it works directly with Wi-Fi, it only works with Alexa through the Wink hub.
Samsung SmartThings Outlet (via SmartThings Hub)
SmartThings produced this socket long before Samsung acquired this startup and continues to produce it to this day. It works over the ZigBee protocol instead of Wi-Fi, which means you'll need a SmartThings hub if you want to control the outlet using Alexa.
D-Link WiFi Smart Plugs
Just like TP-Link, D-Link offers 2 types of smart plugs that work with Alexa -
regular DSP-W110 smart plug and with power consumption monitoring function - DSP-W215 smart plug.
Insteon Switches, Dimmers, and Outlets (via Insteon Hub)
Insteon, unlike other manufacturers of smart home systems, independently produces dimmers, switches and sockets. Thanks to Echo integration, all devices can work with Alexa.
GE Z-Wave Switches, Dimmers, and Outlets (via SmartThings Hub)
General Electric may be a device manufacturer, but the company sells a large number of smart switches, dimmers, and outlets. Amazon doesn't mention that these devices work with Alexa, but since they are all compatible with the SmartThings controller, that means they should work with Alexa as well.
Leviton Switches, Dimmers, and Outlets (via SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub)
Like General Electric, Leviton makes smart switches, dimmers and outlets that can be controlled by Alexa through hubs from SmartThings or Wink.
Lutron Caséta Wireless Switches, Dimmers, and Remotes
Lutron is arguably the largest brand that makes switches and dimmers. The company uses its proprietary wireless protocol called Lutron ClearConnect, which means these devices can only work with Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge or Wink controllers.
If you decide to purchase Lutron products, you can only link a Wink hub with HomeKit support through a smart bridge, so it depends on whether you want to work with the Apple or Wink ecosystem. But you won't have any problems integrating Alexa via Wink or Lutron bridge.
Enerwave Switches, Dimmers and Outlets (via SmartThings Hub)
Enerwave is not as well known as Lutron, GE or Leviton, but the company's Z-Wave devices work with the SmartThings hub. Thus, the entire line should also work with Alexa.
Evolve Switches, Dimmers and Outlets (via SmartThings Hub)
Like Enerwave, Evolve is not very well known, but the company's entire line works with SmartThings, which automatically means all devices can work with Alexa.
Locks, cameras and security systems
Surely the security of your front door is not criticized unless you are lazy, but know that locks are becoming smart too. Almost all the major lock companies - plus a few startups - have already started making them.
Smart locks can not only recognize that you are nearby (using a smartphone) and open the doors. They also allow you to temporarily grant access to your home to whoever you want.
August Smart Lock (second generation)
The second generation of August Smart Locks integrated with Alexa in a rather unusual way. This is the only lock you can lock using Alexa (unlocking is available on all Alexa-compatible locks) - you need to give a specific pincode. You can also ask Alexa whether the door is open or not if you are outside the house.
Scout Alarm
Scout Alarm is a very simple security system that works with Alexa. The company offers a wide range of commands for interacting with Alexa, including the ability to arm/disarm and call for help.
Netgear Arlo Security Cameras
With Echo Show, you can see live feeds from security cameras. Netgear is one of the first manufacturers to offer this integration and our tests have shown that the Netgear Arlo Pro is one of the best video surveillance systems.
Ring - doorbell with camera
Like the Netgear Arlo camera, feeds from the doorbell and other cameras can be viewed on the Echo Show.
Climate control
Amazon recently expanded Alexa's capabilities to include thermostat controls. Thanks to the Alexa Skills Kit, you can now control the temperature in your home and also use some third-party climate control devices for this purpose.
Nest Learning Thermostat
Until recently, this was, without a doubt, the most requested Alexa integration, judging by the sheer number of different integrations available through IFTTT. And for the past few years, you've only been able to control your thermostat through IFTTT or the Wink hub, but now Nest works directly with Alexa.
Honeywell Lyric Thermostat (via SmartThings Hub)
Nobody wants startups to beat them, so longtime thermostat maker Honeywell created its own, similar to the Nest, and called it the Honeywell Lyric Thermostat. The latest version works with Apple HomeKit and with Alexa, thanks to integration with SmartThings.
Honeywell Total Connect Comfort Thermostats (via SmartThings Hub)
Not as cute as its Lyric thermostat sibling, the Honeywell Total Connect Comfort has more functionality, but its main focus is on scheduling. Thanks to official integration with SmartThings, it can also be controlled by Alexa.
Ecobee3 was the first thermostat to work directly with Alexa, without a hub. It's also the first thermostat to support Apple HomeKit.
Sensi WiFi Programmable Thermostat
Sensi is a lesser-known smart thermostat from Emerson, the second thermostat to work directly with Alexa. It doesn't have an unusual design or a fancy color display, but it does have scheduled operation, a direct Internet connection, and an attractive price.
Ceiling fans Haiku Home
In April 2018, Alexa will be working with Haiku Home ceiling fans, which allow you to control the light and fan speed. All Haiku fans from SenseMe technology, including the H, I and L series will work with Alexa.
Keen Home Smart Vents (via SmartThings Hub)
If you're having trouble regulating the climate in different rooms of your home, Keen Home Smart Vents offer a great solution. They can integrate your thermostat through Nest, SmartThings, and Lowes' Iris to distribute airflow to different rooms without making it too cold or hot. And since it works through the SmartThings hub, you can control the system from Alexa, too.
Cars
Echo and Alexa have taken over homes pretty quickly, and with new integrations like Ford Sync, they've also suddenly appeared in cars and garages. There aren't many compatible devices on the market yet, but it's only a matter of time.
Automatic
Automatic is a small device that connects to the diagnostic port and collects various data - such as fuel level, fault codes and much more - and sends them to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
With Alexa integration, you can ask how much gas you have left, where you last parked, and how long you drove in a certain period of time.
Garageio
Garageio is a small Wi-Fi enabled device that you can place on your garage doors and remotely open and close them (you can control up to 3 different gates) from your phone.
With Echo and similar devices, you can do this with your voice, through Alexa.
Various services
In addition to the various devices you can control through Alexa, there are a variety of services you can work with.
You can order Domino's pizza, call an Uber, check your bank account with Capital One and more.
IFTTT (an acronym for If This, Then That) is perhaps the most sophisticated service you can connect to Echo. It's an almost infinitely flexible middle man that helps connect Alexa to thousands of other devices and services that don't have official Alexa integration.
With Spotify and Echo integration, you can listen to and control tracks with your voice.
Capital One Bank
The first banking service integrated with Alexa, Capital One Bank lets you make ongoing payments, check your balance, and listen to your transactions.
With Alexa integration, you can call Uber using your voice. You can also find out how far the nearest car is from you and even cancel your trip.
Google Calendar
Amazon and Google don't always get along, but since Alexa is declared open, Amazon has added support for Google Calendar. This allows you to check your calendar using Alexa and add new events.
Domino's
The fast pizza delivery chain is always introducing new technologies, from pizza delivery tracking to ordering pizza using emojis. With Alexa integration, you can order using just your voice.
USA TODAY Network
Our colleagues at USA TODAY are always looking for new ways to deliver their news, and now they're using Alexa. USA TODAY offers a skill where you have to select news from a specific section, as well as Flash Briefing from 7 different podcasts.
1-800-Flowers.com
Do you need to urgently order flowers delivery? With the new integration, Alexa takes care of that. Just say what you want to order and she will organize everything.
Popular travel search engine Kayak is the first site to integrate with Alexa, and it adds some interesting features to the assistant's repertoire. You can track departures, find out flight schedules, find out information about hotels and car rentals, and even find travel within a specific budget.
HomeAdvisor
Just like Angie's List and Pro.com, HomeAdvisor will help you find a plumber, electrician, and so on. Recently, the service announced integration with Alexa, which will allow you to select the right service and make a call to a specialist.
Perhaps one of Alex's coolest integrations, KidsMD is a skill created by Boston Children's Hospital. Allows you to describe the symptoms of your child's illness and find out whether you need to call a doctor and also find out the exact dose of a particular medicine based on the child's age and weight. Of course. , you should not use this skill as a replacement for a doctor, but this service can help if a child has a cold or even if something more serious has happened.
OurGroceries
A popular shopping app, OurGroceries allows you to add groceries to your listing through Alexa. If you notice that you've run out of milk, just tell Alexa about it and then the application will remind you about it when you're in the store.
Because Echo has a built-in speaker, integration with a music service is a must. With Pandora, Alexa can play your favorite internet radio stations.
IheartRadio
Want to listen to your favorite local radio stations on Echo? All you need to do is activate the iHeartRadio integration.
TuneIn is similar to iHeartRadio, allowing you to listen to stations from all over the country (from all over the world - translator's note). The difference is that TuneIn also offers news, sports and talk radio. This means you can listen to CNN, NPR, ESPN Radio and more.
Amazon Prime Music
If you have an Amazon Prime account, Prime Music gives you free access to thousands of old songs. And since this is an Amazon product, it makes sense to use a virtual assistant.
Miscellaneous
There are several products that can work with Alexa, but that don't fit into any of the above categories. The more products we have with integration, the faster we can break them down into specific categories.
Want Alexa to help you stay healthy? With Fitbit integration, you can ask the virtual assistant how many steps you've walked, how many calories you've burned, how long you've slept, and more. Do you think it’s easier to press a button on the bracelet or look in the app? No, it won't be that cool.
The first irrigation system to integrate with Alexa, Rachio allows the assistant to control the watering of different zones and control the weather, not turning on watering if it suddenly rains.
GreenIQ Smart Garden Hub
The GreenIQ Smart Garden Hub is another irrigation controller, but it also integrates plant growth sensors and a weather station to give you better control of your garden. With Alexa integration, you can turn irrigation on/off, control street lighting, and get information about water consumption.
Ooma Telo
In perhaps one of the most innovative Alexa integrations, you can make calls through Ooma Telo, an IP telephony system. You might scoff at the idea of using a home phone, but the Telo isn't really a home phone. It uses an internet connection and offers free domestic calls, which makes this offer quite attractive if you want to continue using your home phone.
In yet another attempt to implement ideas from science fiction films, tech giants, one after another, began working on virtual assistants. At the Google I/O 2016 conference the company presented Google Assistant, as well as an analogue of Amazon Echo - the home voice assistant Google Home.
The latest major company to enter the virtual assistant race. Let's figure out what competitors it has (including among startups).
First, let's remember what Google Now is.
Google Voice Search/Google Now
Peculiarities: Fast. Extremely accurate when creating routes. It frightens you with its knowledge of your flights, bookings and other details. with some third-party applications: manage notes, messages and music playback.
Flaws: Sometimes you get bored with excessive initiative (for example, it shows the results of games of teams that are not interesting to you, or routes to home from famous places). Useless when controlling a smart home. Work on integration with third-party applications seems to have stalled.
Humanity Level: Null. Not conducive to communication. It doesn't even have a name other than Google.
Summary: Google's vast reserves of personal data and access to a search engine should, in theory, make Google an industry leader, but the company has yet to even figure out how to leverage its advantages and create an assistant that can understand the user. Today, Google Now and voice search compete on equal terms with Siri, but have not yet reached a new level of development.
And now - about competitors.
Apple Siri
What: A voice assistant that can talk to the user and give proactive recommendations. Activated by long pressing the Home button on the iPad. Assistant support has recently appeared on Apple TV and Apple Watch.
Peculiarities: Easy to use on iOS devices. Understands natural speech. Knowledgeable about news, weather, sports, movies, routes and local businesses. Can tell you what to watch on TV. Able to interact with some elements of a “smart home”.
Flaws: Cannot interact with most other applications and services. Works slower than some competitors.
Humanity Level: He is not able to carry on a full conversation, but at certain moments he demonstrates his own wisdom. The female voice sounds relatively human.
Flaws: It feels great on Windows - a platform that is least interesting to developers, and, possibly, to users. Using the assistant on Android and iOS is more difficult and has fewer functions.
Humanity Level: Loves jokes, especially banal ones. Has a long list of witty answers to common questions ready. Can read passages from Shakespeare.
Summary: After years of being in the shadows of Siri and Google, Cortana has become a much more interesting chatbot. Microsoft wants to make its voice assistant the underlying intelligence for all other bots, able to manage your travels, meetings, to-do lists and other things, as well as increase integration with other Microsoft products, such as Office. The company's goal is to create a new shell for computing technology in the post-PC era, but it's too early to judge whether it will succeed or not.
Facebook M
What: Partly managed, partly by people, and still in development. M will be a text-based assistant in the Facebook Messenger environment.
Peculiarities: Will try to do everything you ask.
Flaws: It is not yet a finished product, and will not be for a long time. Available only to a small number of users in San Francisco.
Humanity Level: Extremely high, since people will be involved in shaping the answers to questions. According to Wired, the company hopes that over time M will learn from these operators and be able to work more independently.
Summary: At this point, M is little more than just an idea. But given Facebook's interest in chatbots in general, it wouldn't be surprising if M ends up being super-intelligent.
X.ai
What: One of the few virtual assistants that has only one function. It works only through e-mail, where it can make appointments at your request.
Peculiarities: Knows your schedule and preferences, negotiates with other participants for you.
Peculiarities: Viv promises that their product will be able to understand complex questions such as: “Will the temperature near the Golden Gate Bridge be above 20 degrees the day after tomorrow after 5 pm?” Work is underway to ensure compatibility with third-party applications.
Flaws: So far, other than prepared presentations, there is no evidence that everything works exactly as stated.
Humanity Level: Visual aids and specific answers are valued more than detailed descriptions. The presence of wit is questionable.
Flaws: Integration options with third-party applications are limited, and it is impossible to open the service directly on iOS or Android. Requests that the assistant cannot recognize are redirected to Ask.com.
Humanity Level: He is not conducive to long conversations, but knows how to answer additional questions.
Summary: It appears that Hound's mobile apps really only exist to showcase the capabilities of the Houndify service (adding voice assistant functionality to any app - editor's note), which SoundHound plans to sell to other companies. If everything works out, we won’t even know that we are using it.
Ozlo
What: AI, whose main function at the moment is to search for cafes, bars and restaurants. Available to a limited number of users.
Peculiarities: Finds and combines data from multiple sources, including Yelp and Foursquare, and then presents everything in the form of convenient cards. Tries to communicate by asking and answering follow-up questions, such as “what places are open now?” or “what’s on their menu?”
Flaws: Limited features unless Ozlo creators add new features. AI relies heavily on users to train.
Humanity Level: Avoids unnecessary pleasantries, only briefly greets by name.
Summary: Ozlo would be no different from many other chatbots if it did not have the prospect of creating something more. The ability to combine data from multiple sources into a single result is unique, but it remains to be seen whether developers will be able to realize the full potential they claim. In the meantime, Ozlo's business plan is limited to just the app, and there may be problems collecting the data necessary for training.
SpeakToIt Assistant.ai
What: One of many copies of Siri. In the app store, searching for Siri brings up many similar programs, such as Voice Commands, Voice Secretary and Assistant.
Peculiarities: Not much different from Siri, but can learn custom commands to activate a list of functions.
Flaws: Not as useful as the built-in assistant on your smartphone, and not as convenient.
Humanity Level: It sounds rather unnatural, but portrays himself as a human assistant whose gender and appearance can be changed.
Summary: Some of these Siri clones look like a relic of the past, when not all iPhone models could work with Apple's proprietary assistant and needed to be replaced. In any case, it seems that their creators are aware that this approach will not achieve success. For example, SpeakToIt moved to create a set of tools that other developers could use to make their own chatbots.
In the first week of 2017, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos became $3.8 billion richer. The reason for this was not record sales of goods on Amazon (although the company is the leader in this indicator), but thanks to the Alexa voice assistant. It was first presented at CES 2017 in Los Angeles.
Although the Alexa virtual assistant has become popular only in the last two years, its development has been going on since 2010, and the prototype of the model being replicated today appeared in 2014. Jeff Bezos brought the Amazon Echo, a smart speaker, to the tech show this year.
The device was a black speaker (cylinder), inside of which was a built-in microphone and a voice recognition system. In order to activate the assistant, it was necessary to say “Alexa”, and then only with the help of voice commands you can shop in the Amazon online store, order food at home, listen to music and surf the Internet.
And although Bezos’ company was the first to introduce a device with a virtual assistant not on a smartphone, the overall idea was not new. Users were already familiar with Apple's Siri and Google's Assistant. Amazon Echo price was $179. It is worth noting that the presentation and the technology itself left a mixed impression among users and critics. There were complaints about the assistant's poor response: the command was not carried out immediately, or was completely ignored.
New trend - home voice assistant
Over the past 4 years, the technology has undergone several changes, and its functionality has been expanded. Currently, the modern Alexa system has 15 thousand skills. This is despite the fact that in mid-2016 the system supported only 1000 functions.
This figure allowed it to take a leading position in the virtual assistant market, despite all attempts by Google Home, Microsoft and Apple to catch up with Alexa. While competitors are working to improve technology, Amazon is already talking about Alexa as the main operating system for the Internet of Things.
How to control the Alexa virtual assistant and what it can do
To activate the device, you still only need to say the assistant's name. In order for the system to accurately execute a command, you must speak clearly.
If you implement it into the “smart home” system or at least buy a special adapter (for an outlet or lamp), then using voice commands you can control the lights, turn off the outlets, adjust the sound of the music, etc.
Canceling any command must begin with the words “Alexa, off” or similar phrases.
If you install special video cameras, “smart locks” on the doors and a fire protection system, then Alexa will also protect your home from uninvited guests and fire. When the owners of the house are absent, the system will notify them via smartphone about a doorbell or attempts to enter (if necessary, it will turn on the siren).
Today, the most popular Alexa skills are updating and voicing news (“flash briefing”), the owner selects the categories of interest independently. But this is only a small part of the functions, and judging by the development of AI, even more functions await us in the future.
Alexa doesn't just do things, she thinks.
The virtual assistant Alexa is capable of not only executing a command, but also analyzing it, trying to predict the desires and moods of the owner. You can simply talk to the Amazon assistant, find out about his favorite color, exchange jokes and ask him to remind him of an important event.
Manufacturers of transport and equipment could not miss the new product. Thus, Volkswagen and Ford have already expressed a desire to integrate the Alexa system into new car models, and Whirlpool has released a whole line of large household appliances that can be controlled by a virtual assistant.
In addition, the developers plan to teach Alexa how to cook. This means that users will be able to get not only a companion in the kitchen, but also an assistant who can at least warm up food (if ovens and microwaves with Alexa support appear).
It is quite difficult to predict how developed AI systems similar to Alexa will be. This is explained by the endless possibilities that go beyond today’s understanding of the functionality of technology. However, it is safe to say that the voice assistant Alexa and its competitors will definitely be in demand in the future, and will move from the category of “fashionable gadget” to an urgent need. The secret of success is the incredible simplicity and naturalness of use, so “addiction” arises literally the first time.
