Amazon.com is opening up the microphone technology used by its Echo home speaker to other hardware makers for free, a move that seeks to spread the reach of the companys artificial-intelligence assistant, Alexa.<\/p>\n
Seattle Times business reporter <\/p>\n
Amazon.com is opening up the microphone technology used by its Echo home speaker to other hardware makers for free, a move that seeks to spread the reach of the companys artificial-intelligence assistant, Alexa. <\/p>\n
Owners of Echo devices interact with the Alexa cloud-based software by speaking commands and questions. Hence the importance of the seven-microphone, circular array that Amazon puts in its Echo device. <\/p>\n
The mikes, and the software that controls them, are designed to hear instructions from afar and cut through domestic hubbub ranging from juice blenders to screaming children. <\/p>\n
Amazon will share this technology with other device makers via an invitation-only program. <\/p>\n
Amazons promotion of its Echo and Alexa technology comes amid stiffening competition in the voice-activated artificial-intelligence world from the likes of Microsoft, Apple and Google. <\/p>\n
Giving other manufacturers a free ride on its technology might undercut the sale of Amazons own Echo devices. But its a long game. Amazon might consider that its a risk worth taking to make Alexa the dominant voice interface, giving Amazon increased presence in every household. <\/p>\n
Analysts with RBC have estimated that Alexa could become a $10 billion business by the end of this decade. About half of that estimated revenue could come from the sale of Alexa-enabled devices, but also from consumers ordering products from Amazons site by talking to Alexa. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Read this article:<\/p>\n
Amazon sharing Echo's microphone technology with manufacturers - The Seattle Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Amazon.com is opening up the microphone technology used by its Echo home speaker to other hardware makers for free, a move that seeks to spread the reach of the companys artificial-intelligence assistant, Alexa. Seattle Times business reporter Amazon.com is opening up the microphone technology used by its Echo home speaker to other hardware makers for free, a move that seeks to spread the reach of the companys artificial-intelligence assistant, Alexa. Owners of Echo devices interact with the Alexa cloud-based software by speaking commands and questions. Continue reading