Amazon's game-changing move: Empowering Alexa with cutting-edge generative AI

According to reports, Amazon has unveiled new devices and updated Alexa with generative AI to compete with chatbots like Google's Bard.

Alexa will now have more natural conversations, answering questions and even composing poems.

Despite launching in 2014, Amazon has struggled to make Alexa profitable and often uses it to drive shoppers to their website. Alexa provides spoken responses to user queries and can control smart home devices.

Coming to you live from our 2023 Devices & Services Event at Amazon’s HQ2 in Arlington, Virginia, where AI takes center stage. There's so much new, cool stuff we have to share – we're so excited for how these updates will improve our customers' everyday lives. Let’s get into it.… pic.twitter.com/6JBJIzYyTq

— Amazon (@amazon) September 20, 2023

Emergence of chatbots

Amazon, based in Seattle, has focused on enhancing Alexa, especially after OpenAI's ChatGPT gained attention for providing detailed responses to complex questions.

The emergence of chatbots like ChatGPT has generated significant investor interest in generative AI startups.

Dave Limp, Amazon's hardware chief, highlighted the improved conversational capabilities of Alexa, making it nearly human-like.

Amazon upgraded Alexa

Amazon's hardware division has faced challenges due to changing strategies and concerns about the popularity of its consumer devices.

Several upcoming products are designed to expand Alexa's presence in different areas of the home, including unconventional devices like a carbon monoxide detector alarm that has been integrated with Alexa.

Dave Limp demonstrated a new feature that allows users to ask multiple questions without repeatedly using the "Alexa" wake word. This feature is available on some Alexa devices, like the updated Echo Show 8 (2nd generation), which is an upgrade of Alexa.
 

Updated models make their way

Amazon also revealed updates to Echo Frames eyeglasses, integrating Alexa for hands-free convenience.

The company introduced refreshed models of its Blink outdoor security cameras, enhancing home security options.

Additionally, Amazon announced improvements to its Eero Wi-Fi extenders, aimed at enhancing home network connectivity.

Amazon's extensive product announcements signify the company's commitment to expanding its ecosystem and improving the functionality of its smart devices, emphasising convenience, connectivity, and security for users.

 

New Echo devices & prices

Echo Show 8 can now sense acoustics in a room and can adjust the sound output accordingly. It has got a new feature, proximity sensor, a front facing camera which has a physical switch to turn off the microphone. 

This brand new Echo Show 8 is available for pre orders starting today in the USA for $149.

Echo Frames audio glasses is the next generation frames that offers up to six hours of battery life, you can also pair and switch frames between two devices.

Echo Frame audio glass come in five new styles with its price starting at $269.99, these glasses look very natural and are designed in a way to give users full handsfree experience. 

 

 

New Fire TV Stick models

Amazon has launched Fire TV Stick 4k, Fire TV Stick 4k max, and a new Fire TV Soundbar. They are powered by upgraded processors and has promised faster performance compare to the previous generation models. 

Fire TV Stick 4K comes with a support for Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6, HDR10 and HDR 10 Plus. Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which is just $10 more expensive than the standard 4K stick, offers twice the amount of storage (16GB) and Wi-Fi 6E support.

 

 

Echo Hub smart home control panel

At its autumn devices event, Amazon unveiled the Echo Hub, a novel smart home controller resembling a touchscreen tablet rather than a typical smart display. This 8-inch tablet-like gadget, operating on the same system as the new Echo Show 5, lacks a camera but offers smart home control functionality. Its priced at $170.99 in the US.