![]() ![]() Or you can do it yourself by using Voice Training in the Echo app. We didn't have trouble with Alexa misunderstanding anything, and the voice services should get even better over time, as the Echo uses your own voice recordings to improve its results. Out of the box, voice recognition is pretty fantastic. The Echo uses on-device keyword spotting to detect a wake word, so as soon as you say "Alexa," or one of three other words you can choose from, the light turns on and the Echo springs into action. You can't change the voice, but it's fairly agreeable. ![]() It sounds less robotic than Apple's Siri, but nowhere near as fluid and natural as the OS voiced by Scarlett Johansson in Her. Once you're set up, you can start talking to Alexa. Alexa command history tracks across all linked devices, including the Echo. The menu also lets you change Alexa settings and check all Alexa devices currently linked to your account. Tapping the menu icon on the top left opens the sidebar, which lets you access specific Alexa functions like Music & Books, Shopping & To-do Lists, Timers & Alarms, Smart Home, and Skills (third-party Alexa features you can individually activate). It looks and feels similar to the Google Now screen on stock Android phones. You can tap on the results of any request to get more information, like a detailed weather report from AccuWeather or a Bing search for additional answers to your question. The app displays a history of all of the questions you ask Alexa, letting you scroll down through weather reports, music, measurement conversions, and anything else you throw at it. That device is still in its infancy, and may not be worth the extra $50 to you right now, but it'll be interesting to see where it goes. It also has a 5-megapixel camera for video chat. The Show features a 7-inch touch screen that can display search results and play movies. You won't find a display, like you get with the new Echo Show. Without the remote, the Echo's built-in microphone works very well for far-field voice recognition, even when music is playing. It comes with a magnetic holster that lets you securely attach it wherever you think you'll use it the most. The remote also lets you control volume and playback on any music you're listening to through the Echo companion app with physical buttons. If you're in a noisy environment, you can hold down the Microphone button at the top of remote and speak to the Echo, rather than shouting across the room. It measures 5.5 by 1.5 by 0.5 inches (HWD) and has a rubberized, grippy feel. You can purchase an optional microphone-equipped remote ($29.99) similar to the one that comes with the Fire TV Stick. ![]() As such, the Amazon Echo earns our Editors' Choice. And even up against the Google Assistant-powered Google Home, Alexa remains the voice assistant to beat. It's a better product today than it was a couple of years ago, and the same is likely to be true of it next year. ![]() But what's more compelling is that Amazon is continually expanding Alexa's abilities with new features being added all the time, both with first-party services as well as third-party " skills." Because Alexa is always getting better, so is the Echo. The original $179.99 Amazon Echo speaker, however, is still going strong.Īs a speaker, The Echo isn't perfect, but it's perfectly functional. We've seen new Alexa-powered devices from Amazon, and Alexa is being added to everything from driving assistant apps to smart light switches. Amazon released its Echo Bluetooth speaker/ smart home hybrid over two years ago, and since then both it and the Alexa voice assistant that powers it have taken the world by storm.
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