Amazon Alexa will soon be available on any Connected device
Amazon doesn’t fail to surprise. After having a huge success with Echo devices, Amazon now wants to break free Alexa from speakers and make it available wireless devices i.e. Wearables, and Headphones to start. The company recently introduced a new set of API bundle called “Alexa Mobile Accessory Kit” which will help OEM to integrate Alexa in their devices irrespective of its type.
There are two things to notice here. First, it’s an Accessory kit. Meaning devices will be able to connect with Alexa services over the internet without worrying much about processing power on their devices. That’s how basically Echo devices work as well. This means an OEM who makes Bluetooth enabled headphones or earphones will be able to use their mic to send commands to Alexa and get back the response.
Second, Alexa is finally device free. You need to invest in an Echo device to manage your smart home if Amazon opens up the interface where you can set up your smart home and routines. This is a bit stretched, but I am guessing this will happen sooner or later. An OEM can build a Smart screen which is powered by Alexa, and it acts as the visual interface for everything. You don’t even need it on your phone.
That said, Amazon also reviled that they are working with some top companies including Bose, Jabra, and others. I personally use a Jabra headphone, and it has dedicated Google Assistant key, and it can very well be changed to invoke Alexa. You will be able to manage everything including playing music right from your headphone.
The next big announcement Amazon made was its “Amazon Alexa Premium Voice”. This is for the OEMs who want to build EchoDot like devices, which now supports both 7-mic circular or 8- mic rectangular array boards. This module also comes with the native integration of Amazon’s proprietary algorithm for Alexa.
I think its pretty safe to bet, that Alexa will be the first digital assistant to reach every home, much faster than Google Assistant, and the hiding Cortana.
