We currently live in a generation where smart technologies are running the world. For example, with smart tv’s you can stream any tv show/movie/sporting event from the click of a button. Smart light bulbs allow the consumer to control the lights of his/her home from a smartphone. The list of smart technology goes on and on. But now, the Smart Speaker is taking over. Specifically, Amazon’s “Alexa.” Amazon’s smart speaker technology allows customers to play music, tv shows, control their lights, etc. just from talking to the friendly, and obedient, Alexa. Today, a whole new line of smart speakers has been released by Amazon, promising deeper bass and higher quality voice recognition technology. The Amazon Echo Spot is basically a tiny alarm clock with a touch screen that contains the same capabilities as Alexa. In addition, this device contains a front-facing camera which enables customers to make video calls anywhere in the United States and Canada. The Echo Plus is is the same size as the original Echo, but can operate as a smart home hub, being able to connect to smart appliances throughout the house.
Link to article used: https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/27/16374254/amazon-event-2017-news-recap-echo-spot-fire-tv-hardware
Link to picture: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-41417928
Amazon itself is becoming a tycoon of the modern world. With the release of the Echo, Amazon was able to connect a variety of things together to make life about less hassle and more relaxation. The Echo simple does that; connecting various technologies together, in one place. Such a concept was explained in class as the Internet of Things. At the root, the Internet of Things is essentially an interconnection of technology (devices) that can communicate information and data between one another. The Echo uses this very concept by allowing multiple devices to connect via the Echo.
A while back, I read an article about the Amazon Echo and how the Internet of Things can create problems. In the Article, police obtain a search warrant for an Amazon Echo and “asked Amazon to hand over a history of voice recordings related to the device.” This sparks an interesting conversation for the technology and how it’s used in our society. The article posts a question of “how and when ‘always on’ devices can be used to testify against us.” I think this is an important concept to question because it can ultimately put someone’s life in jail. Can we, as a human race, rely on the technology in our very homes? In Amazon’s case, the Echo is always searching for “Alexa,” but what else is it picking up?
Article: http://fortune.com/2016/12/27/amazon-echo-murder/
One aspect of the increase in smart technologies like these speakers is their impact on us is. Yes, these devices certainly make controlling certain technologies much easier by converging them into one device, but they may also have negative impacts on who we are. These devices are ushering in an age of effortlessness like never before, and this is causing us to expect instant gratification with less energy input on our end. While some may say this is a positive change, it is important that we notice that the values of patience and dedication may be disappearing from our society. People have to wait for far fewer aspects of their lives now, and that means that when they do wait, they get agitated and frustrated that they cannot simply attain what they are waiting for in an instant. Amazon offers free two-day shipping to it’s Prime users, and now shipping that takes longer seems like it takes forever. It’s the same with these smart speakers: we will get used to being able to say three words and have our favorite show turn on, and tasks we actually have to spend time on will seem difficult and frustrating. Technological advancements absolutely have many positive impacts: they make our lives simpler, give us more time to do other, more important tasks, and open doors to new opportunities. However, it is always very important to consider how these devices are changing the way we think and act.
Smart devices like these are definitely becoming more and more relevant in our everyday lives. Smart Speakers specifically soon won’t only be limited to the household, as Smart Speakers may be making appearances in our cars in the near future. Data from the summer of 2017 showed that 67% of audio listening on Amazon Echo devices came from live radio, while on demand listening services such as Spotify and Pandora only accounted for 27%. This translates very well to the automotive industry as radio is still the primary form entertainment in vehicles and as vehicles are incorporating more voice assistants in digital dashboards, radio and smart speaker systems seem to go hand in hand. It will be interesting to see how smart speaker devices may soon be integrated in are everyday at home and on the go.
http://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/0002/xappmedia-says-advantages-of-smart-speaker-technology-extend-to-the-car/340502