The Amazon Echo

And out of nowhere Amazon comes in with the ‘Echo’. The Amazon Echo is the ideal virtual companion. The Echo uses cloud technology to give you up-to-date information within a reasonable distance. A unique characteristic is that you can place this device anywhere in the room and it is always listening for your voice. You just have to set a keyword for it to act on your following sentence. The Echo can provide you with information, music, news, weather, and much more.

This may sound just like another version of Siri or Google Now but it isn’t. This deivce can be placed anywhere throughout your home and can be used in many different ways. The Echo includes a 360-degree speaker, for example, along with a 2.5-inch subwoofer. This can play music throughout the entire room evenly whenever you desire. You also don’t have to turn anything on or push any buttons. You simply blur out the keyword you have chosen and it’s listening just like that.

This may not be a very grounding-breaking device but it is solidifying the use of automated products. Cars are using voice technology to communicate with the driver as well as phones using voice-to-text features. The interactions and communication between humans and technology is becoming so close and seamless that you can almost develop a personal relationship with a device such as the Echo. The Amazon Echo is "shipping in the coming weeks" and is only available on an invite-only basis. Also for a limited time, Amazon is offering users half off their purchase if the are an Amazon Prime user. 

-Brady Feldman (Extra Credit)