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{{Short description|Voice assistant developed by Amazon}}
{{Short description|Voice assistant developed by Amazon}}
{{For|the defunct subsidiary company of Amazon|Alexa Internet}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox software
{{Infobox software
| name = Amazon Alexa
| name = Amazon Alexa
| logo =
| logo = Amazon Alexa logo.svg
| logo_size = 201
[[File:Amazon Alexa logo.svg|thumbnail|Amazon Alexa Logo]]
| operating system = [[Fire OS]] 5.0 or later, [[iOS]] 11.0 or later<ref name="AppStore">{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amazon-alexa/id944011620?mt=8|title=Amazon Alexa for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store|publisher=Itunes.apple.com|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225020010/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amazon-alexa/id944011620?mt=8|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>[[Android (operating system)|Android]] 4.4 or later
| logo_size =
| platform = Fire OS, iOS, Android, [[Linux]], [[Windows]], [[Wear OS]]{{cn|date=November 2023}}
| developer = [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
| language = [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Arabic]]
| released = {{Start date and age|2014|11|6}}
| operating system = [[Fire OS]] 5.0 or later, [[iOS]] 11.0 or later<ref name="AppStore">{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/amazon-alexa/id944011620?mt=8|title=Amazon Alexa for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store|publisher=Itunes.apple.com|access-date=June 6, 2016}}</ref><br/>[[Android (operating system)|Android]] 4.4 or later
| platform = [[Amazon Echo]]<br/>[[Fire OS]]<br/>[[iOS]]<br/>[[Android (operating system)|Android]]<br/>[[Linux]]<br/>[[Windows]]
| language = [[English language|English]]<br/>[[French language|French]]<br/>[[German language|German]]<br/>[[Japanese language|Japanese]]<br/>[[Italian language|Italian]]<br/>[[Spanish language|Spanish]]<br/>[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]<br/>[[Hindi language|Hindi]]<br/>[[Arabic]]
| genre = [[Intelligent personal assistant]], cloud-based voice service
| genre = [[Intelligent personal assistant]], cloud-based voice service
| website = {{URL|https://developer.amazon.com/alexa}}
| website = {{URL|https://developer.amazon.com/alexa}}
}}
}}
'''Amazon Alexa''', also known simply as '''Alexa''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/16/tech/alexa-child-development/index.html|title=Growing up with Alexa|work=CNN|date=October 16, 2018 }}</ref> is a [[virtual assistant]] technology largely based on a Polish speech synthesizer named Ivona, bought by [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sztucznainteligencja.org.pl/en/ivona-alexa-vika-or-intelligent-girls-from-gdansk/ | title=Ivona, Alexa, Vika or intelligent girls from Gdańsk | date=May 22, 2020 }}</ref><ref name="techcrunch.com">{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/01/24/amazon-gets-into-voice-recognition-buys-ivona-software-to-compete-against-apples-siri/|title=Amazon Gets into Voice Recognition, Buys Ivona Software to Compete Against Apple's Siri|date=January 24, 2013 }}</ref> It was first used in the [[Amazon Echo]] [[smart speaker]] and the [[Amazon Echo Dot|Echo Dot]], Echo Studio and [[Amazon Tap]] speakers developed by [[Amazon Lab126]]. It is capable of many [[Natural language processing|NLP]] tasks such as voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, [[alarm clock|setting alarms]], streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic, sports, and other real-time information, such as [[news]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/docs/alexa-voice-service/api-overview.html|title=Alexa Voice Service Overview (v20160207) &#124; Alexa Voice Service|website=developer.amazon.com}}</ref> Alexa can also control several [[smart device]]s using itself as a [[home automation]] system. Users are able to extend the Alexa capabilities by installing "skills" (additional functionality developed by third-party vendors, in other settings more commonly called [[Mobile app|app]]s) such as weather programs and audio features. It performs these tasks using automatic speech recognition, natural language processing, and other forms of [[weak AI]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Amazon's Omnipresence|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/12/funky-new-lamp-looks-like-tron-talks-like-alexa/|publisher=[[Wired (Magazine)|WIRED]]|last=David Pierce|date=12 July 2016|access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref>


'''Amazon Alexa''', or, '''Alexa''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/16/tech/alexa-child-development/index.html|title=Growing up with Alexa|work=CNN|date=October 16, 2018|access-date=November 6, 2018|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113155445/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/16/tech/alexa-child-development/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> is a [[virtual assistant]] technology largely based on a Polish speech synthesizer named Ivona, bought by [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sztucznainteligencja.org.pl/en/ivona-alexa-vika-or-intelligent-girls-from-gdans/ | title=Ivona, Alexa, Vika or intelligent girls from Gdańsk | date=May 22, 2020 | access-date=December 8, 2021 | archive-date=December 8, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208110136/https://www.sztucznainteligencja.org.pl/en/ivona-alexa-vika-or-intelligent-girls-from-gdansk/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="techcrunch.com">{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/01/24/amazon-gets-into-voice-recognition-buys-ivona-software-to-compete-against-apples-siri/|title=Amazon Gets into Voice Recognition, Buys Ivona Software to Compete Against Apple's Siri|date=January 24, 2013|access-date=November 30, 2021|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104164014/http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/24/amazon-gets-into-voice-recognition-buys-ivona-software-to-compete-against-apples-siri/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was first used in the [[Amazon Echo]] [[smart speaker]] and the [[Amazon Echo Dot]], Echo Studio and [[Amazon Tap]] speakers developed by [[Amazon Lab126]]. It is capable of [[natural language processing]] for tasks such as voice interaction, [[music]] playback, creating to-do lists, [[alarm clock|setting alarms]], streaming [[podcasts]], playing [[audiobooks]], providing [[Weather forecasting|weather]], [[Traffic reporting|traffic]], [[Sports journalism|sports]], other real-time information and [[news]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/docs/alexa-voice-service/api-overview.html|title=Alexa Voice Service Overview (v20160207) &#124; Alexa Voice Service|website=developer.amazon.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210040609/https://developer.amazon.com/docs/alexa-voice-service/api-overview.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Alexa can also control several [[smart device]]s as a [[home automation]] system. Alexa capabilities may be extended by installing "skills" (additional functionality developed by third-party vendors, in other settings more commonly called [[Mobile app|app]]s) such as weather programs and audio features. It performs these tasks using automatic speech recognition, natural language processing, and other forms of [[weak AI]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Amazon's Omnipresence|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/12/funky-new-lamp-looks-like-tron-talks-like-alexa/|publisher=[[Wired (Magazine)|WIRED]]|last=David Pierce|date=12 July 2016|access-date=5 November 2021|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514190423/https://www.wired.com/2016/12/funky-new-lamp-looks-like-tron-talks-like-alexa/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Most devices with Alexa allow users to activate the device using a wake-word<ref>{{Citation|title=Rohit Prasad: Amazon Alexa and Conversational AI {{!}} Lex Fridman Podcast #57|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad89JYS-uZM|language=en|access-date=2022-01-11}}</ref> (such as ''Alexa or Amazon''); other devices (such as the Amazon mobile app on [[iOS]] or [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and Amazon Dash Wand) require the user to click a button to activate Alexa's listening mode, although, some phones also allow a user to say a command, such as "Alexa" or "Alexa wake".


Most devices with Alexa allow users to activate the device using a wake-word<ref>{{Citation|title=Rohit Prasad: Amazon Alexa and Conversational AI {{!}} Lex Fridman Podcast #57| date=December 14, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad89JYS-uZM|language=en|access-date=2022-01-11|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111104941/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad89JYS-uZM|url-status=live}}</ref> (such as ''Alexa or Amazon''); other devices (such as the Amazon mobile app on [[iOS]] or [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and Amazon Dash Wand) require the user to click a button to activate Alexa's listening mode, although, some phones also allow a user to say a command, such as "Alexa, or Alexa go to bed" or "Alexa wake".
{{as of|2018|November|df=}}, Amazon had more than 10,000 employees working on Alexa and related products.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://voicebot.ai/2018/11/15/amazon-alexa-headcount-surpasses-10000-employees-here-is-the-growth-rate/|title=Amazon Alexa Headcount Surpasses 10,000 Employees – Here is the Growth Rate|last=Kinsella|first=Bret|date=November 15, 2019|work=Voicebot.ai}}</ref> In January 2019, Amazon's devices team announced that they had sold over 100 million Alexa-enabled devices.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-has-sold-more-than-100-million-alexa-devices/|title=Amazon has sold more than 100 million Alexa devices|last=Al-Heeti|first=Abrar|date=January 4, 2019|work=CNET|access-date=January 5, 2019|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>

{{as of|2018|November|df=}}, more than 10,000 Amazon employees worked on Alexa and related products.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://voicebot.ai/2018/11/15/amazon-alexa-headcount-surpasses-10000-employees-here-is-the-growth-rate/|title=Amazon Alexa Headcount Surpasses 10,000 Employees – Here is the Growth Rate|last=Kinsella|first=Bret|date=November 15, 2019|work=Voicebot.ai|access-date=November 8, 2019|archive-date=January 23, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200123123943/https://voicebot.ai/2018/11/15/amazon-alexa-headcount-surpasses-10000-employees-here-is-the-growth-rate/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2019, Amazon's devices team announced that they had sold over 100 million Alexa-enabled devices.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-has-sold-more-than-100-million-alexa-devices/|title=Amazon has sold more than 100 million Alexa devices|last=Al-Heeti|first=Abrar|date=January 4, 2019|work=CNET|access-date=January 5, 2019|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-date=January 23, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200123123945/https://www.cnet.com/g00/news/amazon-has-sold-more-than-100-million-alexa-devices/?i10c.ua=1&i10c.encReferrer=&i10c.dv=18|url-status=live}}</ref>


In September 2019, Amazon launched many new devices achieving many records while competing with the world's smart home industry. The new Echo Studio became the first smart speaker with 360 sound and [[Dolby]] sound. Other new devices included an Echo dot with a clock behind the fabric, a new third-generation Amazon Echo, Echo Show 8, a plug-in Echo device, Echo Flex, Alexa built-in wireless earphones, Echo buds, Alexa built-in spectacles, Echo frames, an Alexa built-in Ring, and Echo Loop as well as the Echo Show generation.
In September 2019, Amazon launched many new devices achieving many records while competing with the world's smart home industry. The new Echo Studio became the first smart speaker with 360 sound and [[Dolby]] sound. Other new devices included an Echo dot with a clock behind the fabric, a new third-generation Amazon Echo, Echo Show 8, a plug-in Echo device, Echo Flex, Alexa built-in wireless earphones, Echo buds, Alexa built-in spectacles, Echo frames, an Alexa built-in Ring, and Echo Loop as well as the Echo Show generation.


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:AmazonAlexaBooth.jpg|thumb|Amazon Alexa devices on display in a retail store]]
[[File:AmazonAlexaBooth.jpg|thumb|[[Amazon Echo]] devices on display in a shop]]
[[File:Amazon Echo Studio.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Amazon Echo Studio]]


Alexa was developed out of a predecessor named Ivona which was invented in Poland, inspired by ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]'' and bought by Amazon in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/the-gdansk-man-who-brought-us-giant-amazon-to-poland-12713|title = The Gdańsk man who brought US giant Amazon to Poland}}</ref><ref name="techcrunch.com"/> In November 2014, Amazon announced Alexa alongside the Echo.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Etherington|first1=Darrell|title=Amazon Echo Is A $199 Connected Speaker Packing An Always-On Siri-Style Assistant|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/11/06/amazon-echo/|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=[[TechCrunch]]|date=November 6, 2014}}</ref> Alexa was inspired by the [[Speech synthesis|computer voice]] and [[dialog system|conversational system]] on board the [[Starship Enterprise|Starship ''Enterprise'']] in science fiction TV series and movies, beginning with ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' and ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.<ref name="nyt-alexa-whybamyl">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/11/style/alexa-amazon-echo.html|title=Alexa, Where Have You Been All My Life?|last=Green|first=Penelope|date=July 11, 2017|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 12, 2017|quote=When Toni Reid and her colleagues at Amazon set out to build the device that is now known as Alexa, they were inspired by the computer that drove the Enterprise on ''Star Trek'' (voiced by Majel Barrett Roddenberry, who played Nurse Chapel on the series and was married to the show's creator). Focusing on cadence and an accent that would suggest 'smart, humble, helpful,' the team tested voices that a diverse population would respond to. 'Our goal was to have Alexa be humanlike,' Ms. Reid said, but why end there?}}</ref>
Alexa was developed out of a predecessor named Ivona which was invented in Poland, inspired by ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]'' and bought by Amazon in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/the-gdansk-man-who-brought-us-giant-amazon-to-poland-12713|title=The Gdańsk man who brought US giant Amazon to Poland|access-date=November 30, 2021|archive-date=November 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128155209/https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/the-gdansk-man-who-brought-us-giant-amazon-to-poland-12713|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="techcrunch.com"/> On {{Start date|2014|November|6}}, Amazon announced Alexa alongside the Echo.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Etherington|first1=Darrell|title=Amazon Echo Is A $199 Connected Speaker Packing An Always-On Siri-Style Assistant|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/11/06/amazon-echo/|access-date=September 2, 2016|work=[[TechCrunch]]|date=November 6, 2014|archive-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515235451/https://techcrunch.com/2014/11/06/amazon-echo/|url-status=live}}</ref> Alexa was inspired by the [[Speech synthesis|computer voice]] and [[dialog system|conversational system]] on board the [[Starship Enterprise|Starship ''Enterprise'']] in science fiction TV series and movies, beginning with ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' and ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.<ref name="nyt-alexa-whybamyl">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/11/style/alexa-amazon-echo.html|title=Alexa, Where Have You Been All My Life?|last=Green|first=Penelope|date=July 11, 2017|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 12, 2017|quote=When Toni Reid and her colleagues at Amazon set out to build the device that is now known as Alexa, they were inspired by the computer that drove the Enterprise on ''Star Trek'' (voiced by Majel Barrett Roddenberry, who played Nurse Chapel on the series and was married to the show's creator). Focusing on cadence and an accent that would suggest 'smart, humble, helpful,' the team tested voices that a diverse population would respond to. 'Our goal was to have Alexa be humanlike,' Ms. Reid said, but why end there?|archive-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515235523/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/11/style/alexa-amazon-echo.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Amazon developers chose the name Alexa because it has a hard consonant with the X, which helps it be recognized with higher precision. They have said the name is reminiscent of the [[Library of Alexandria]], which was also used by Amazon [[Alexa Internet]] for the same reason.<ref name="gift">{{Cite web|date=October 19, 1998|title=A "Gift of the Web" for the Library of Congress|url=http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbreader.asp?ArticleID=17893|access-date=June 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2016/07/14/amazon-alexa-david-limp-transcript/|title=The Exec Behind Amazon's Alexa|last1=Limp|first1=Dave|website=Fortune|publisher=Time Inc.|access-date=November 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/why-amazon-called-it-alexa-2016-7|title=Amazon engineers had one good reason and one geeky reason for choosing the name Alexa|work=Business Insider|access-date=February 27, 2017|language=en}}</ref> In June 2015, Amazon announced the Alexa Fund, a program that would invest in companies making voice control skills and technologies. The {{US$}}200 million fund has invested in companies including Jargon, [[Ecobee]], Orange Chef, Scout Alarm, [[Garageio]], Toymail, MARA, and Mojio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-fund|title=$200 million in investment to fuel voice technology innovation|website=The Alexa Fund}}</ref> In 2016, the [[#Alexa Prize|Alexa Prize]] was announced to further advance the technology.
Amazon developers chose the name Alexa because it has a hard consonant with the X, which helps it be recognized with higher precision. They have said the name is reminiscent of the [[Library of Alexandria]], which was also used by Amazon [[Alexa Internet]] for the same reason.<ref name="gift">{{Cite web|date=October 19, 1998|title=A "Gift of the Web" for the Library of Congress|url=http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbreader.asp?ArticleID=17893|access-date=June 27, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006151308/http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbreader.asp?ArticleID=17893|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2016/07/14/amazon-alexa-david-limp-transcript/|title=The Exec Behind Amazon's Alexa|last1=Limp|first1=Dave|author-link1=Dave Limp|website=Fortune|publisher=Time Inc.|access-date=November 16, 2016|archive-date=April 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408121130/https://fortune.com/2016/07/14/amazon-alexa-david-limp-transcript/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/why-amazon-called-it-alexa-2016-7|title=Amazon engineers had one good reason and one geeky reason for choosing the name Alexa|work=Business Insider|access-date=February 27, 2017|language=en|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710153358/https://www.businessinsider.com/why-amazon-called-it-alexa-2016-7|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2015, Amazon announced the Alexa Fund, a program that would invest in companies making voice control skills and technologies. The {{US$}}200 million fund has invested in companies including Jargon, [[Ecobee]], Orange Chef, Scout Alarm, [[Garageio]], Toymail, MARA, and Mojio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-fund|title=$200 million in investment to fuel voice technology innovation|website=The Alexa Fund|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309013249/https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-fund|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, the [[#Alexa Prize|Alexa Prize]] was announced to further advance the technology.


In January 2017, the first Alexa Conference took place in Nashville, Tennessee, an independent gathering of the worldwide community of Alexa developers and enthusiasts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/summary-highlights-first-ever-alexa-conference-bradley-metrock|title=Summary and Highlights: The First-Ever Alexa Conference|website=linkedin.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://arnoldit.com/wordpress/2017/02/02/bradley-metrock-and-the-alexa-conference-alexa-as-a-game-changer-for-search-and-publishing/|title=Bradley Metrock and the Alexa Conference: Alexa As a Game Changer for Search and Publishing|date=February 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gizmoeditor.com/2017/01/something-fishy-at-alexa-conference.html|title=Something fishy at the Alexa conference}}</ref> Follow up conferences went under the name Project Voice and featured keynote speakers such as Amazon's Head of Education for Alexa, Paul Cutsinger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.projectvoice.ai/|title=Project Voice, as a conference, is uniquely organized to juxtapose the major ecosystems (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung Bixby, and Microsoft Cortana), with The Voice World Fair running across the entire essential week.|website=Project Voice}}</ref>
In January 2017, the first Alexa Conference took place in Nashville, Tennessee, an independent gathering of the worldwide community of Alexa developers and enthusiasts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/summary-highlights-first-ever-alexa-conference-bradley-metrock|title=Summary and Highlights: The First-Ever Alexa Conference|website=linkedin.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=August 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816031108/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/summary-highlights-first-ever-alexa-conference-bradley-metrock|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://arnoldit.com/wordpress/2017/02/02/bradley-metrock-and-the-alexa-conference-alexa-as-a-game-changer-for-search-and-publishing/|title=Bradley Metrock and the Alexa Conference: Alexa As a Game Changer for Search and Publishing|date=February 2, 2017|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513144222/http://arnoldit.com/wordpress/2017/02/02/bradley-metrock-and-the-alexa-conference-alexa-as-a-game-changer-for-search-and-publishing/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gizmoeditor.com/2017/01/something-fishy-at-alexa-conference.html|title=Something fishy at the Alexa conference|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718083832/http://www.gizmoeditor.com/2017/01/something-fishy-at-alexa-conference.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Follow up conferences went under the name Project Voice and featured keynote speakers such as Amazon's Head of Education for Alexa, Paul Cutsinger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.projectvoice.ai/|title=Project Voice, as a conference, is uniquely organized to juxtapose the major ecosystems (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung Bixby, and Microsoft Cortana), with The Voice World Fair running across the entire essential week.|website=Project Voice|access-date=November 8, 2019|archive-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524102354/https://projectvoice.ai/|url-status=live}}</ref>


At the Amazon Web Services Re: Invent conference in Las Vegas, Amazon announced Alexa for Business and the ability for app developers to have paid add-ons to their skills.
At the Amazon Web Services Re: Invent conference in Las Vegas, Amazon announced Alexa for Business and the ability for app developers to have paid add-ons to their skills.


In May 2018, Amazon announced it would include Alexa in 35,000 new homes built by [[Lennar]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fortune.com/2018/05/09/amazon-alexa-lennar/ |title=Amazon Alexa Will Come Built-In to All New Homes From Lennar |last=Donnelly |first=Grace |work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>
In May 2018, Amazon announced it would include Alexa in 35,000 new homes built by [[Lennar]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fortune.com/2018/05/09/amazon-alexa-lennar/ |title=Amazon Alexa Will Come Built-In to All New Homes From Lennar |last=Donnelly |first=Grace |work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |date=May 9, 2018 |access-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-date=October 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026053538/https://fortune.com/2018/05/09/amazon-alexa-lennar/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2018, Amazon opened its first Alexa-themed pop-up shop inside of [[Toronto]]'s [[Toronto Eaton Centre|Eaton Centre]], showcasing the use of home automation products with Amazon's smart speakers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2018/11/amazon-canada-opens-first-ever-pop-up-retail-space|title=Amazon Opens First-Ever Alexa Smart Home Retail Space in Canada|last=Lui|first=Christopher|date=November 20, 2018|work=Retail-Insider|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=November 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127234401/https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2018/11/amazon-canada-opens-first-ever-pop-up-retail-space|url-status=live}}</ref> Amazon also sells Alexa devices at [[Amazon Books]] and [[Whole Foods Market]] locations, in addition to [[List of Amazon locations|mall-based pop-ups]] throughout the United States.


In December 2018, Alexa was built into the [[Anki (American company)|Anki Vector]] and was the first major update for the Anki Vector, although Vector was released in August 2018, it is the only home robot with advanced technology.
In November 2018, Amazon opened its first Alexa-themed pop-up shop inside of [[Toronto]]'s [[Toronto Eaton Centre|Eaton Centre]], showcasing the use of home automation products with Amazon's smart speakers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2018/11/amazon-canada-opens-first-ever-pop-up-retail-space|title=Amazon Opens First-Ever Alexa Smart Home Retail Space in Canada|last=Lui|first=Christopher|date=November 20, 2018|work=Retail-Insider|access-date=November 27, 2018}}</ref> Amazon also sells Alexa devices at [[Amazon Books]] and [[Whole Foods Market]] locations, in addition to [[List of Amazon locations|mall-based pop-ups]] throughout the United States.


As of 2018, interaction and communication with Alexa were available only in English, German, French,<ref>{{cite news |last=Turcan |first=Marie |url=https://www.numerama.com/tech/382970-test-damazon-echo-que-vaut-lenceinte-connectee-damazon-disponible-en-france.html |title=Test d'Amazon Echo : que vaut l'enceinte connectée d'Amazon en version française ? |language=fr |access-date=June 8, 2018 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708113854/https://www.numerama.com/tech/382970-test-damazon-echo-que-vaut-lenceinte-connectee-damazon-disponible-en-france.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Hindi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/amazon-alexa-available-in-hindi-in-india/articleshow/70278308.cms|title=Angrez turns Desi: Amazon expands Alexa voice service to include Hindi|website=Business Insider|access-date=July 20, 2019|archive-date=November 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116054631/https://www.businessinsider.in/amazon-alexa-available-in-hindi-in-india/articleshow/70278308.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> In Canada, Alexa is available in English and French (with the [[Quebec French|Quebec]] accent).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/11/15/amazon-brings-echo-alexa-and-prime-music-to-canada/amp/|title=Amazon brings Echo, Alexa, and Prime Music to Canada|last=Sawers|first=Paul|date=November 15, 2017|work=VentureBeat|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113160733/https://venturebeat.com/2017/11/15/amazon-brings-echo-alexa-and-prime-music-to-canada/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Charron, François. [https://www.francoischarron.com/lassistant-vocal-alexa-damazon-enfin-disponible-au-canada/-/6qcu2kXQ5c/ "L'assistant vocal Alexa d'Amazon enfin disponible en québécois"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417042547/https://www.francoischarron.com/lassistant-vocal-alexa-damazon-enfin-disponible-au-canada/-/6qcu2kXQ5c/ |date=April 17, 2019 }} {{in lang|fr}}.</ref>
In December 2018, Alexa was built into the [[Anki (company)|Anki Vector]] and was the first major update for the Anki Vector, although Vector was released in August 2018, he is the only home robot with advanced technology.


In October 2019, Amazon announced the expansion of Alexa to Brazil, in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], together with Bose, Intelbras, and [[LG]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191002005913/en/Alexa-and-Amazon-Echo-Now-Available-in-Brazil|title=Alexa and Amazon Echo Now Available in Brazil|date=October 2, 2019|website=businesswire.com|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=August 3, 2021|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804012043/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191002005913/en/Alexa-and-Amazon-Echo-Now-Available-in-Brazil|url-status=live}}</ref>
As of 2018, interaction and communication with Alexa were available only in English, German, French,<ref>{{cite news |last=Turcan |first=Marie |url=https://www.numerama.com/tech/382970-test-damazon-echo-que-vaut-lenceinte-connectee-damazon-disponible-en-france.html|title=Test d'Amazon Echo : que vaut l'enceinte connectée d'Amazon en version française ? |language=fr }}</ref> Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Hindi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/amazon-alexa-available-in-hindi-in-india/articleshow/70278308.cms|title=Angrez turns Desi: Amazon expands Alexa voice service to include Hindi|website=Business Insider}}</ref> In Canada, Alexa is available in English and French (with the [[Quebec French|Quebec]] accent).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/11/15/amazon-brings-echo-alexa-and-prime-music-to-canada/amp/|title=Amazon brings Echo, Alexa, and Prime Music to Canada|last=Sawers|first=Paul|date=November 15, 2017|work=VentureBeat|access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>Charron, François. [https://www.francoischarron.com/lassistant-vocal-alexa-damazon-enfin-disponible-au-canada/-/6qcu2kXQ5c/ "L'assistant vocal Alexa d'Amazon enfin disponible en québécois"] {{in lang|fr}}.</ref>


In November 2019, Amazon introduced Echo Studio, a Dolby Atmos-compatible surround sound Alexa speaker.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/amazon-echo-studio |title=Amazon Echo Studio Review |first=Will |last=Greenwald |date=6 November 2019 |work=PCMag |access-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007235048/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/amazon-echo-studio |url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 2019, Amazon announced the expansion of Alexa to Brazil, in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], together with Bose, Intelbras, and [[LG]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191002005913/en/Alexa-and-Amazon-Echo-Now-Available-in-Brazil|title=Alexa and Amazon Echo Now Available in Brazil|date=October 2, 2019|website=businesswire.com|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref>


Hoped-for revenue never materialized from people using voice ordering for Amazon products or services from partners like [[Domino's Pizza]] and [[Uber]]. Alexa does not play audio ads, and display ads were relatively unsuccessful. In 2019 an all-hands crisis meeting was called to address the issue, and a hiring freeze was instated. In 2022, with the division losing several billion dollars per quarter, the company started laying off Alexa employees en masse.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/11/amazon-alexa-is-a-colossal-failure-on-pace-to-lose-10-billion-this-year/ Amazon Alexa is a "colossal failure," on pace to lose $10 billion this year]</ref>
Hoped-for revenue never materialized from people using voice ordering for Amazon products or services from partners such as [[Domino's Pizza]] and [[Uber]]. Alexa does not play audio ads, and display ads were relatively unsuccessful. In 2019 an all-hands crisis meeting was called to address the issue, and a hiring freeze was instated. In 2022, with the division losing several billion dollars per quarter, the company started laying off Alexa employees en masse.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/11/amazon-alexa-is-a-colossal-failure-on-pace-to-lose-10-billion-this-year/ |title=Amazon Alexa is a "colossal failure," on pace to lose $10 billion this year |date=November 21, 2022 |access-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123090400/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/11/amazon-alexa-is-a-colossal-failure-on-pace-to-lose-10-billion-this-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Echo Show devices began serving hidable ads for Alexa skills and other products in December 2022, followed by ads promoting shopping for specific products on Amazon (which respawn quicker) in November 2023.


== App ==
== App ==
[[File:Amazon_Alexa_App_Logo.png|thumb|upright|Logo for the Amazon Alexa app available on the App Store and Google Play]]
[[File:Amazon_Alexa_App_Logo.png|thumb|upright|Logo for the Amazon Alexa app available on the App Store and Google Play]]
A companion app is available from the [[App Store (iOS)|Apple Appstore]], [[Google Play]], and [[Amazon Appstore]]. The app can be used by owners of Alexa-enabled devices to install skills, control music, manage alarms, and view shopping lists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.dee.app|title=Amazon Alexa|website=play.google.com}}</ref> It also allows users to review the recognized text on the app screen and to send feedback to Amazon concerning whether the recognition was good or bad. A web interface is also available to set up compatible devices (e.g., Amazon Echo, Amazon Dot, Amazon Echo Show).
A companion app is available for selected devices (excluding, for example, [[Chromebox]] devices) from the [[App Store (iOS)|Apple Appstore]], [[Google Play]], and [[Amazon Appstore]]. The app can be used by owners of Alexa-enabled devices to install skills, control music, manage alarms, and view shopping lists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.dee.app|title=Amazon Alexa|website=play.google.com|access-date=October 12, 2018|archive-date=October 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015210920/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.dee.app|url-status=live}}</ref> It also allows users to review the recognized text on the app screen and to send feedback to Amazon concerning whether the recognition was good or bad.


== Functions ==
== Functions ==
Alexa can perform a number of preset functions out-of-the-box such as set timers, share the current weather, create lists, access [[Wikipedia]] articles, and many more things.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/how-to/amazon-echo-the-complete-list-of-alexa-commands/|title=The complete list of Alexa commands so far|last1=Martin|first1=Taylor|last2=Priest|first2=David|date=September 10, 2017|work=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=November 5, 2017}}</ref> Users say a designated "wake word" (the default is simply "Alexa") to alert an Alexa-enabled device of an ensuing function command. Alexa listens for the command and performs the appropriate function, or skill, to answer a question or command. When questions are asked, Alexa converts [[sound]] waves into text which allows it to gather information from various sources. Behind the scenes, the data gathered is then sometimes passed to a variety of suppliers including [[WolframAlpha]], [[IMDb|iMDB]], [[AccuWeather]], [[Yelp]], [[Wikipedia]], and others<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alexa gets access to Wolfram Alpha's knowledge engine|url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/alexa-gets-access-to-wolfram-alphas-knowledge-engine/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=TechCrunch|date=December 20, 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> to generate suitable and accurate answers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/article/alexa-make-me-money-conversational-ai-prepares-for-the-enterprise-cm1026628|title="Alexa, Make Me Money": Conversational AI Prepares for the Enterprise|last1=Erickson|first1=Simon|last2=Fool|first2=Moltey|date=September 22, 2018|work=Nasdaq|access-date=September 25, 2018}}</ref> Alexa-supported devices can stream music from the owner's [[Amazon Music]] accounts and have built-in support for [[Pandora Radio|Pandora]] and [[Spotify]] accounts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-update-adds-pandora-itunes-and-spotify-voice-control/|title=Amazon Echo update adds Pandora, iTunes, and Spotify voice control|last=Kendrick|first=James|date=January 31, 2015|work=ZDNet|access-date=October 21, 2017}}</ref> Alexa can play music from streaming services such as [[Apple Music]] and [[Google Play Music]] from a phone or tablet.
Alexa can perform a number of preset functions out-of-the-box such as set timers, share the current weather, create lists, access [[Wikipedia]] articles, and many more things.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/how-to/amazon-echo-the-complete-list-of-alexa-commands/|title=The complete list of Alexa commands so far|last1=Martin|first1=Taylor|last2=Priest|first2=David|date=September 10, 2017|work=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=November 5, 2017|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230075426/https://www.cnet.com/how-to/every-alexa-command-you-can-give-your-amazon-echo-smart-speaker/|url-status=live}}</ref> Users say a designated "wake word" (the default is simply "Alexa") to alert an Alexa-enabled device of an ensuing function command. Alexa listens for the command and performs the appropriate function, or skill, to answer a question or command. When questions are asked, Alexa converts [[sound]] waves into text which allows it to gather information from various sources. Behind the scenes, the data gathered is then sometimes passed to a variety of suppliers including [[WolframAlpha]], [[IMDb|iMDB]], [[AccuWeather]], [[Yelp]], [[Wikipedia]], and others<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2018 |title=Alexa gets access to Wolfram Alpha's knowledge engine |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/alexa-gets-access-to-wolfram-alphas-knowledge-engine/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221025132/https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/alexa-gets-access-to-wolfram-alphas-knowledge-engine/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 21, 2018 |access-date=2021-03-17 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> to generate suitable and accurate answers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/article/alexa-make-me-money-conversational-ai-prepares-for-the-enterprise-cm1026628|title="Alexa, Make Me Money": Conversational AI Prepares for the Enterprise|last1=Erickson|first1=Simon|last2=Fool|first2=Moltey|date=September 22, 2018|work=Nasdaq|access-date=September 25, 2018|archive-date=September 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925180555/https://www.nasdaq.com/article/alexa-make-me-money-conversational-ai-prepares-for-the-enterprise-cm1026628|url-status=live}}</ref> Alexa-supported devices can stream music from the owner's [[Amazon Music]] accounts and have built-in support for [[Pandora Radio|Pandora]] and [[Spotify]] accounts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-update-adds-pandora-itunes-and-spotify-voice-control/|title=Amazon Echo update adds Pandora, iTunes, and Spotify voice control|last=Kendrick|first=James|date=January 31, 2015|work=ZDNet|access-date=October 21, 2017|archive-date=March 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316083934/http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-update-adds-pandora-itunes-and-spotify-voice-control/|url-status=live}}</ref> Alexa can play music from streaming services such as [[Apple Music]] and [[Google Play Music]] from a phone or tablet.


In addition to performing pre-set functions, Alexa can also perform additional functions through third-party skills that users can enable.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/alexa-skills/b?ie=UTF8&node=13727921011|title=Alexa Skills|website=Amazon|access-date=August 30, 2019}}</ref> Some of the most popular Alexa skills in 2018 included "Question of the Day" and "National Geographic Geo Quiz" for trivia; "TuneIn Live" to listen to live sporting events and news stations; "Big Sky" for hyper-local weather updates; "Sleep and Relaxation Sounds" for listening to calming sounds; "Sesame Street" for children's entertainment; and "[[Fitbit]]" for Fitbit users who want to check in on their health stats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/top-amazon-alexa-skills-2018-12|title=These were the 25 most popular Alexa skills of 2018, according to Amazon|last=Webb|first=Kevin|website=[[Business Insider]]|date=December 30, 2018|access-date=August 30, 2019}}</ref> In 2019, [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], [[Google]], Amazon, and [[Zigbee Alliance]] announced a partnership to make their smart home products work together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/18/apple-google-amazon-zigbee-partner-on-smart-home.html|title=Apple, Google and Amazon are cooperating to make your home gadgets talk to each other|last=Haselton|first=Todd|date=December 18, 2019|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2019}}</ref>
In addition to performing pre-set functions, Alexa can also perform additional functions through third-party skills that users can enable.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/alexa-skills/b?ie=UTF8&node=13727921011|title=Alexa Skills|website=Amazon|access-date=August 30, 2019|archive-date=November 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118200520/https://www.amazon.com/alexa-skills/b?ie=UTF8&node=13727921011|url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the most popular Alexa skills in 2018 included "Question of the Day" and "National Geographic Geo Quiz" for trivia; "TuneIn Live" to listen to live sporting events and news stations; "Big Sky" for hyper-local weather updates; "Sleep and Relaxation Sounds" for listening to calming sounds; "Sesame Street" for children's entertainment; and "[[Fitbit]]" for Fitbit users who want to check in on their health stats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/top-amazon-alexa-skills-2018-12|title=These were the 25 most popular Alexa skills of 2018, according to Amazon|last=Webb|first=Kevin|website=[[Business Insider]]|date=December 30, 2018|access-date=August 30, 2019|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025145257/https://www.businessinsider.com/top-amazon-alexa-skills-2018-12|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], [[Google]], Amazon, and [[Zigbee Alliance]] announced a partnership to make their smart home products work together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/18/apple-google-amazon-zigbee-partner-on-smart-home.html|title=Apple, Google and Amazon are cooperating to make your home gadgets talk to each other|last=Haselton|first=Todd|date=December 18, 2019|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-date=December 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219011834/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/18/apple-google-amazon-zigbee-partner-on-smart-home.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Amazon is enhancing Alexa with generative AI features using its Titan model, aiming to compete with AI like ChatGPT. The upgrade will be offered as a separate subscription service, potentially costing between $10 and $20 per month. There is no confirmed launch date yet.<ref>{{cite news| title=Amazon Alexa's next-gen upgrade could turn the assistant into a generative AI chatbot |date= 25 May 2024 |url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/amazon-alexas-next-gen-upgrade-could-turn-the-assistant-into-a-generative-ai-chatbot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525172633/https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/amazon-alexas-next-gen-upgrade-could-turn-the-assistant-into-a-generative-ai-chatbot |archive-date=25 May 2024 |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>

There are also [[humour]] related voice commands. One example is if you ask "Alexa, do you know [[GLaDOS]]?", Alexa will reply with "We don't really talk after what happened". This is a nod to the [[Portal (series)|Portal]] [[video game]] franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Chris |last2=Davidson |first2=Adam |date=2022-03-30 |title=Amazon Alexa Easter eggs: 100 fun things to say to Alexa |url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/amazon-alexa-easter-eggs-your-complete-guide-to-hidden-alexa-commands/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Pocket-lint |language=en}}</ref>


=== Technology advancements ===
=== Technology advancements ===
{{as of|2019|April}}, Amazon had over 90,000 functions ("skills") available for users to download on their Alexa-enabled devices,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazoncom-announces-first-quarter-sales-17-597-billion|title=Amazon.com Announces First Quarter Sales up 17% to $59.7 Billion|date=April 25, 2019|access-date=August 29, 2019}}</ref> a massive increase from only 1,000 functions in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Perez|first1=Sarah|title=Amazon Alexa now has over 1,000 Functions, up from 135 in January|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/03/amazon-alexa-now-has-over-1000-skills-up-from-135-in-january/|access-date=August 5, 2016|work=[[TechCrunch]]|date=June 3, 2016}}</ref> [[Microsoft]]'s AI [[Cortana (virtual assistant)|Cortana]] became available to use on Alexa enabled devices {{as of|2018|August|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blogs.microsoft.com/ai/alexa-cortana-public-preview/|title=Microsoft, Amazon release preview of Alexa and Cortana collaboration - The AI Blog|date=August 15, 2018|work=The AI Blog|access-date=August 30, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, Amazon rolled out a new "Brief Mode", wherein Alexa would begin responding with a beep sound rather than saying, "Okay", to confirm receipt of a command.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/359887/alexa-replaces-some-spoken-responses-with-beeps|title=Alexa Replaces Some Spoken Responses With Beeps|work=PCMAG|access-date=March 16, 2018|language=en}}</ref> On December 20, 2018, Amazon announced a new integration with the [[Wolfram Alpha]] [[Question answering|answer engine]],<ref name= WolframAlpha>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/alexa-gets-access-to-wolfram-alphas-knowledge-engine/|title=Alexa gets access to Wolfram Alpha's knowledge engine|date=December 20, 2018|work=Tech Crunch|access-date=January 7, 2019|language=en-US}}</ref> which provides enhanced accuracy for users asking questions of Alexa related to math, science, astronomy, engineering, geography, history, and more.
{{as of|2019|April}}, Amazon had over 90,000 functions ("skills") available for users to download on their Alexa-enabled devices,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazoncom-announces-first-quarter-sales-17-597-billion|title=Amazon.com Announces First Quarter Sales up 17% to $59.7 Billion|date=April 25, 2019|access-date=August 29, 2019|archive-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927061012/https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazoncom-announces-first-quarter-sales-17-597-billion|url-status=live}}</ref> a massive increase from only 1,000 functions in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Perez|first1=Sarah|title=Amazon Alexa now has over 1,000 Functions, up from 135 in January|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/03/amazon-alexa-now-has-over-1000-skills-up-from-135-in-january/|access-date=August 5, 2016|work=[[TechCrunch]]|date=June 3, 2016|archive-date=October 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021035215/https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/03/amazon-alexa-now-has-over-1000-skills-up-from-135-in-january/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Microsoft]]'s AI [[Cortana (virtual assistant)|Cortana]] became available to use on Alexa enabled devices {{as of|2018|August|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blogs.microsoft.com/ai/alexa-cortana-public-preview/|title=Microsoft, Amazon release preview of Alexa and Cortana collaboration - The AI Blog|date=August 15, 2018|work=The AI Blog|access-date=August 30, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=August 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801073829/https://blogs.microsoft.com/ai/alexa-cortana-public-preview/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Amazon rolled out a new "Brief Mode", wherein Alexa would begin responding with a beep sound rather than saying, "Okay", to confirm receipt of a command.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/359887/alexa-replaces-some-spoken-responses-with-beeps|title=Alexa Replaces Some Spoken Responses With Beeps|work=PCMAG|access-date=March 16, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627144541/https://www.pcmag.com/news/359887/alexa-replaces-some-spoken-responses-with-beeps|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 20, 2018, Amazon announced a new integration with the [[Wolfram Alpha]] [[Question answering|answer engine]],<ref name= WolframAlpha>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/alexa-gets-access-to-wolfram-alphas-knowledge-engine/|title=Alexa gets access to Wolfram Alpha's knowledge engine|date=December 20, 2018|work=Tech Crunch|access-date=January 7, 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=June 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604221446/https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/alexa-gets-access-to-wolfram-alphas-knowledge-engine/|url-status=live}}</ref> which provides enhanced accuracy for users asking questions of Alexa related to math, science, astronomy, engineering, geography, history, and more.


=== Home automation ===
=== Home automation ===
Alexa can interact with devices from several manufacturers including [https://www.snasiotlab.com/ SNAS], Fibaro, [[Belkin Wemo|Belkin]], ecobee, Geeni, [[IFTTT]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-ifttt-channels-for-alexa/#!|title=Amazon Echo just became much more useful with IFTTT support|last=Tofel|first=Kevin|date=May 2, 2015|work=ZDNet}}</ref> [[Insteon]], [[LIFX]], LightwaveRF, [[Nest Labs#Nest Learning Thermostat|Nest]], [[Philips Hue]], [[SmartThings]], [[Wink (platform)|Wink]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/04/08/amazon-echo-controls-philips-hue-belkin-wemo/|title=Amazon Echo controls Belkin WeMo and Philips Hue with your voice|date=April 8, 2015|website=Engadget}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-can-now-control-wink-smart-home-products/|title=Amazon Echo can now control Wink smart home products|last=Tofel|first=Kevin|date=July 9, 2015|website=ZDNet}}</ref> and Yonomi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yonomi.co/blog/hey-alexa-meet-yonomi/|title=Hey Alexa, Meet Yonomi|date=March 22, 2016|website=Yonomi|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816111005/https://www.yonomi.co/blog/hey-alexa-meet-yonomi/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Home Automation feature was launched on April 8, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.connectedly.com/amazon-echo-owners-can-now-control-wemo-and-philips-hue-devices-their-voice/|title=Amazon Echo owners can now control WeMo and Philips Hue devices with their voice|last=Callaham|first=John|date=April 8, 2013|website=Connectedly|publisher=Mobile Nations}}</ref> Developers are able to create their own smart home skills using the [[Alexa Skills Kit]].
Alexa can interact with devices from several manufacturers including [https://www.snasiotlab.com/ SNAS], Fibaro, [[Belkin Wemo|Belkin]], ecobee, Geeni, [[IFTTT]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-ifttt-channels-for-alexa/#!|title=Amazon Echo just became much more useful with IFTTT support|last=Tofel|first=Kevin|date=May 2, 2015|work=ZDNet|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-date=September 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925193410/http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-ifttt-channels-for-alexa/#!|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Insteon]], [[LIFX]], LightwaveRF, [[Nest Labs#Nest Learning Thermostat|Nest]], [[Philips Hue]], [[SmartThings]], [[Wink (platform)|Wink]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/04/08/amazon-echo-controls-philips-hue-belkin-wemo/|title=Amazon Echo controls Belkin WeMo and Philips Hue with your voice|date=April 8, 2015|website=Engadget|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=August 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803081634/http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/08/amazon-echo-controls-philips-hue-belkin-wemo/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-can-now-control-wink-smart-home-products/|title=Amazon Echo can now control Wink smart home products|last=Tofel|first=Kevin|date=July 9, 2015|website=ZDNet|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013034319/http://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-echo-can-now-control-wink-smart-home-products/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Yonomi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yonomi.co/blog/hey-alexa-meet-yonomi/|title=Hey Alexa, Meet Yonomi|date=March 22, 2016|website=Yonomi|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816111005/https://www.yonomi.co/blog/hey-alexa-meet-yonomi/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Home Automation feature was launched on April 8, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.connectedly.com/amazon-echo-owners-can-now-control-wemo-and-philips-hue-devices-their-voice/|title=Amazon Echo owners can now control WeMo and Philips Hue devices with their voice|last=Callaham|first=John|date=April 8, 2013|website=Connectedly|publisher=Mobile Nations|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004194105/https://www.connectedly.com/amazon-echo-owners-can-now-control-wemo-and-philips-hue-devices-their-voice|url-status=live}}</ref> Developers are able to create their own smart home skills using the [[Alexa Skills Kit]].

In September 2018, Amazon announced a [[microwave oven]] that can be paired and controlled with an Echo device. It is sold under Amazon's AmazonBasics label.<ref>{{cite magazine |author1=Lauren Goode |author2=Michael Calore |title=Is There an Echo in Here? All the Hardware Amazon Announced |url=https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-echo-hardware-2018/ |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723210507/https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-echo-hardware-2018/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Alexa can now pair with a Ring doorbell Pro and greet visitors and leave instructions about where to deliver packages.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Mitchell |title=Alexa can now greet people from your Ring Doorbell Pro |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/11/22279020/alexa-ring-doorbell-greeting-quick-replies |access-date=12 February 2021 |publisher=theverge.com |date=11 February 2021 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212041141/https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/11/22279020/alexa-ring-doorbell-greeting-quick-replies |url-status=live }}</ref>
In September 2018, Amazon announced a [[microwave oven]] that can be paired and controlled with an Echo device. It is sold under Amazon's AmazonBasics label.<ref>{{cite magazine |author1=Lauren Goode |author2=Michael Calore |title=Is There an Echo in Here? All the Hardware Amazon Announced |url=https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-echo-hardware-2018/ |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>


As per Amazon, the recent surge in usage of smart home devices connected to Alexa has led to a corresponding 100% increase in requests to Alexa for controlling compatible home appliances like smart lights, fans, plugs, TVs etc. The fastest growing categories are smart fans and ACs, which saw 37% increase in usage over the past year - the highest growth amongst all smart home devices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-08 |title=Alexa used most often to control lights by Indians, Amazon reveals |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/amazon-alexa-data-anniversary-9151235/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405080616/https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/amazon-alexa-data-anniversary-9151235/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Alexa can now pair with a Ring doorbell Pro and greet visitors and leave instructions about where to deliver packages.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Mitchell |title=Alexa can now greet people from your Ring Doorbell Pro |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/11/22279020/alexa-ring-doorbell-greeting-quick-replies |access-date=12 February 2021 |publisher=theverge.com |date=11 February 2021}}</ref>


=== Ordering ===
=== Ordering ===
Take-out food can be ordered using Alexa; {{as of|2017|May|lc=y}} food ordering using Alexa is supported by [[Domino's Pizza]], [[Grubhub]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Seamless (company)|Seamless]], and [[Wingstop]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=How to order a pizza with Amazon Alexa or Google Home|url=http://mashable.com/2017/02/07/how-to-order-pizza-with-amazon-alexa-google-home/|publisher=[[Mashable]]|access-date=May 7, 2017|date=February 7, 2017|last=Wong|first=Raymond}}</ref> Also, users of Alexa in the UK can order meals via [[Just Eat]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Heathman|first1=Amelia|title=The 10 best launch partners for Amazon Echo's Alexa|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/amazon-alexa-partners|magazine=[[Wired UK]]|access-date=January 21, 2017|date=September 14, 2016}}</ref> In early 2017, [[Starbucks]] announced a private beta for placing pick-up orders using Alexa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2017/01/30/starbucks-alexa-voice-ordering/|title=Starbucks adds voice ordering on iPhone, Amazon's Alexa|last=Kell|first=John|date=January 30, 2017|website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|access-date=May 7, 2017}}</ref> In addition, users can order meals using [[Amazon Prime Now]] via Alexa in 20 major US cities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eater.com/2017/1/5/14176374/amazon-alexa-restaurant-delivery|title=Amazon's Alexa Will Order Restaurant Delivery On Command|date=January 5, 2017|website=[[Eater.com|Eater]]|access-date=May 7, 2017|last=Filloon|first=Whitney}}</ref> With the introduction of [[Amazon Key]] in November 2017, Alexa also works together with the smart lock and the Alexa Cloud Cam included in the service to allow Amazon couriers to unlock customers' front doors and deliver packages inside.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/amazon-launches-smart-lock-and-security-cam-system-to-take-in-home-deliveries-for-prime-members-with-iphone-app-alerts/|title=Amazon launches smart lock and security cam system to take in-home deliveries for Prime members, with iPhone app alerts|date=October 25, 2017|work=9to5Mac|access-date=November 9, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>
Take-out food can be ordered using Alexa; {{as of|2017|May|lc=y}} food ordering using Alexa is supported by [[Domino's Pizza]], [[Grubhub]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Seamless (company)|Seamless]], and [[Wingstop]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=How to order a pizza with Amazon Alexa or Google Home|url=http://mashable.com/2017/02/07/how-to-order-pizza-with-amazon-alexa-google-home/|publisher=[[Mashable]]|access-date=May 7, 2017|date=February 7, 2017|last=Wong|first=Raymond|archive-date=May 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503081515/http://mashable.com/2017/02/07/how-to-order-pizza-with-amazon-alexa-google-home/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also, users of Alexa in the UK can order meals via [[Just Eat]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Heathman|first1=Amelia|title=The 10 best launch partners for Amazon Echo's Alexa|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/amazon-alexa-partners|magazine=[[Wired UK]]|access-date=January 21, 2017|date=September 14, 2016|archive-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120012343/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/amazon-alexa-partners|url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2017, [[Starbucks]] announced a private beta for placing pick-up orders using Alexa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2017/01/30/starbucks-alexa-voice-ordering/|title=Starbucks adds voice ordering on iPhone, Amazon's Alexa|last=Kell|first=John|date=January 30, 2017|website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]|access-date=May 7, 2017|archive-date=February 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209172217/http://fortune.com/2017/01/30/starbucks-alexa-voice-ordering/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, users can order meals using [[Amazon Prime Now]] via Alexa in 20 major US cities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eater.com/2017/1/5/14176374/amazon-alexa-restaurant-delivery|title=Amazon's Alexa Will Order Restaurant Delivery On Command|date=January 5, 2017|website=[[Eater.com|Eater]]|access-date=May 7, 2017|last=Filloon|first=Whitney|archive-date=September 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921164127/https://www.eater.com/2017/1/5/14176374/amazon-alexa-restaurant-delivery|url-status=live}}</ref> With the introduction of [[Amazon Key]] in November 2017, Alexa also works together with the smart lock and the Alexa Cloud Cam included in the service to allow Amazon couriers to unlock customers' front doors and deliver packages inside.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/amazon-launches-smart-lock-and-security-cam-system-to-take-in-home-deliveries-for-prime-members-with-iphone-app-alerts/|title=Amazon launches smart lock and security cam system to take in-home deliveries for Prime members, with iPhone app alerts|date=October 25, 2017|work=9to5Mac|access-date=November 9, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=July 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723170258/https://9to5mac.com/2017/10/25/amazon-launches-smart-lock-and-security-cam-system-to-take-in-home-deliveries-for-prime-members-with-iphone-app-alerts/|url-status=live}}</ref>


According to an August 2018 article by The Information, only 2 percent of Alexa owners have used the device to make a purchase during the first seven months of 2018 and of those who made an initial purchase, 90 percent did not make a second purchase.<ref>{{cite news |last=Anand |first=Priya |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/the-reality-behind-voice-shopping-hype |title=The Reality Behind Voice Shopping Hype |work=The Information |date=August 6, 2018 |access-date=August 8, 2018 }}</ref>
According to an August 2018 article by The Information, only 2 percent of Alexa owners have used the device to make a purchase during the first seven months of 2018 and of those who made an initial purchase, 90 percent did not make a second purchase.<ref>{{cite news |last=Anand |first=Priya |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/the-reality-behind-voice-shopping-hype |title=The Reality Behind Voice Shopping Hype |work=The Information |date=August 6, 2018 |access-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-date=November 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106221903/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/the-reality-behind-voice-shopping-hype |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Music ===
=== Music ===
Alexa supports many subscription-based and free streaming services on Amazon devices. These streaming services include Prime Music, Amazon Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, [[Apple Music]], [[TuneIn]], [[iHeartRadio]], Audible, [[Pandora Radio|Pandora]], and [[Spotify]] Premium. However, some of these music services are not available on other Alexa-enabled products that are manufactured by companies external of its services. This unavailability also includes Amazon's own Fire TV devices or tablets.<ref name="amazon.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201549700|title=Amazon.com Help: Ways to Listen to Music & Media on Alexa|website=amazon.com}}</ref>
Alexa supports many subscription-based and free streaming services on Amazon devices. These streaming services include Prime Music, Amazon Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, [[Apple Music]], [[TuneIn]], [[iHeartRadio]], Audible, [[Pandora Radio|Pandora]], and [[Spotify]] Premium. However, some of these music services are not available on other Alexa-enabled products that are manufactured by companies external of its services. This unavailability also includes Amazon's own Fire TV devices or tablets.<ref name="amazon.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201549700|title=Amazon.com Help: Ways to Listen to Music & Media on Alexa|website=amazon.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=October 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007121430/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201549700|url-status=live}}</ref>


Alexa is able to stream media and music directly. To do this, Alexa's device should be linked to the Amazon account, which enables access to one's Amazon Music library, in addition to any audiobooks available in one's Audible library. Amazon Prime members have an additional ability to access stations, playlists, and over two million songs free of charge. Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers also have access to a list of millions of songs.
Alexa is able to stream media and music directly. To do this, Alexa's device should be linked to the Amazon account, which enables access to one's Amazon Music library, in addition to any audiobooks available in one's Audible library. Amazon Prime members have an additional ability to access stations, playlists, and over two million songs free of charge. Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers also have access to a list of millions of songs.
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=== Sports ===
=== Sports ===
Amazon Alexa allows the user to hear updates on supported sports teams. A way to do this is by adding the sports team to the list created under Alexa's Sports Update app section.
Amazon Alexa allows the user to hear updates on supported sports teams. A way to do this is by adding the sports team to the list created under Alexa's Sports Update app section.
<ref name="amazon.com1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201950160|title=Amazon.com Help: Listen to Your Sports Update|website=amazon.com}}</ref>
<ref name="amazon.com1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201950160|title=Amazon.com Help: Listen to Your Sports Update|website=amazon.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=December 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225161535/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201950160|url-status=live}}</ref>


The user is able to hear updates on 15 supported sports leagues:<ref name="amazon.com1" />
The user is able to hear updates on 15 supported sports leagues:<ref name="amazon.com1" />
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* [[WWE]] - World Wrestling Entertainment
* [[WWE]] - World Wrestling Entertainment


{{As of|2021|November|27|df=US}}, Echo Show 5 Devices do not show Upcoming Games
{{As of|2021|November|27|df=US}}, Echo Show 5 Devices do not show upcoming games.


=== Messaging and calls ===
=== Messaging and calls ===
There are a number of ways messages can be sent from Alexa's application. Alexa can deliver messages to a recipient's Alexa application, as well as to all supported Echo devices associated with their Amazon account. Alexa can send typed messages only from Alexa's app. If one sends a message from an associated Echo device, it transmits as a voice message. Alexa cannot send attachments such as videos and photos.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202136210|title=Amazon.com Help: About Alexa Messaging|website=amazon.com}}</ref>
There are a number of ways messages can be sent from Alexa's application. Alexa can deliver messages to a recipient's Alexa application, as well as to all supported Echo devices associated with their Amazon account. Alexa can send typed messages only from Alexa's app. If one sends a message from an associated Echo device, it transmits as a voice message. Alexa cannot send attachments such as videos and photos.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202136210|title=Amazon.com Help: About Alexa Messaging|website=amazon.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110133942/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202136210|url-status=live}}</ref>


For households with more than one member, one's Alexa contacts are pooled across all of the devices that are registered to its associated account. However, within Alexa's app one is only able to start conversations with its Alexa contacts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202136200|title=Amazon.com Help: Add and Edit Your Contacts to the Alexa App|website=amazon.com}}</ref> When accessed and supported by an Alexa app or Echo device, Alexa messaging is available to anyone in one's household. These messages can be heard by anyone with access to the household. This messaging feature does not yet contain a password protection or associated PIN. Anyone who has access to one's cell phone number is able to use this feature to contact them through their supported Alexa app<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://alexaechosetup.com/|title=Key Features of Amazon Alexa App|website=Amazon Alexa }}</ref> or Echo device. The feature to block alerts for messages and calls is available temporarily by utilizing the Do Not Disturb feature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202136360|title=Amazon.com Help: Availability of Alexa-to-Alexa Calling and Messaging|website=amazon.com}}</ref>
For households with more than one member, one's Alexa contacts are pooled across all of the devices that are registered to its associated account. However, within Alexa's app one is only able to start conversations with its Alexa contacts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202136200|title=Amazon.com Help: Add and Edit Your Contacts to the Alexa App|website=amazon.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414171023/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202136200|url-status=live}}</ref> When accessed and supported by an Alexa app or Echo device, Alexa messaging is available to anyone in one's household. These messages can be heard by anyone with access to the household. This messaging feature does not yet contain a password protection or associated PIN. Anyone who has access to one's cell phone number is able to use this feature to contact them through their supported Alexa app<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://alexaechosetup.com/|title=Key Features of Amazon Alexa App|website=Amazon Alexa|access-date=September 23, 2021|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209215148/https://alexaechosetup.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> or Echo device. The feature to block alerts for messages and calls is available temporarily by utilizing the Do Not Disturb feature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202136360|title=Amazon.com Help: Availability of Alexa-to-Alexa Calling and Messaging|website=amazon.com|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110133947/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202136360|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Business ===
=== Business ===
Alexa for Business is a paid subscription service allowing companies to use Alexa to join conference calls, schedule meeting rooms, and custom skills designed by 3rd-party vendors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/30/amazon-officially-unveils-alexa-for-business.html|title=Amazon officially unveils Alexa for Business|last=Novet|first=Jordan|date=November 30, 2017|work=[[CNBC]]|access-date=December 8, 2017}}</ref> At launch, notable skills are available from [[SAP SE|SAP]], [[Microsoft]], and [[Salesforce]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/alexa-for-business-10-key-takeaways/|title=Alexa for Business: 10 key takeaways|last=McLean|first=Asha|date=November 30, 2017|work=ZDNet|access-date=December 8, 2017}}</ref>
Alexa for Business is a paid subscription service allowing companies to use Alexa to join conference calls, schedule meeting rooms, and custom skills designed by 3rd-party vendors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/30/amazon-officially-unveils-alexa-for-business.html|title=Amazon officially unveils Alexa for Business|last=Novet|first=Jordan|date=November 30, 2017|work=[[CNBC]]|access-date=December 8, 2017|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330045243/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/30/amazon-officially-unveils-alexa-for-business.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At launch, notable skills are available from [[SAP SE|SAP]], [[Microsoft]], and [[Salesforce]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/alexa-for-business-10-key-takeaways/|title=Alexa for Business: 10 key takeaways|last=McLean|first=Asha|date=November 30, 2017|work=ZDNet|access-date=December 8, 2017|archive-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315201643/http://www.zdnet.com/article/alexa-for-business-10-key-takeaways/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nowadays, Alexa Smart Properties is used for some purposes, one of them being healthcare, hospitality, senior living, success stories, and solution providers.{{cn|date=September 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabbi |first=Ahatesham |date=27 June 2024 |title=The Power of Amazon Alexa Across 5 Top Products: Revolutionizing Home Convenience |url=https://www.arshopnow.com/blog/the-power-of-amazon-alexa-across-5-top-products-revolutionizing-home-convenience/06/ |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=AR Shop Now}}</ref>


=== Severe weather alerts ===
=== Severe weather alerts ===
This feature was included in February 2020, in which the digital assistant can notify the user when a severe weather warning is issued in that area.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21165985/new-alexa-features-nba-severe-weather-commute-directions|title=Alexa adds severe weather alerts and new features for commuters|last=Ricker|first=Thomas|date=March 5, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/05/alexa-traffic-severe-weather/|title=Alexa can now provide traffic updates and severe weather alerts|website=Engadget|language=en|access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref>
This feature was included in February 2020, in which the digital assistant can notify the user when a severe weather warning is issued in that area.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21165985/new-alexa-features-nba-severe-weather-commute-directions|title=Alexa adds severe weather alerts and new features for commuters|last=Ricker|first=Thomas|date=March 5, 2020|website=The Verge|language=en|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=March 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306162414/https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21165985/new-alexa-features-nba-severe-weather-commute-directions|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/05/alexa-traffic-severe-weather/|title=Alexa can now provide traffic updates and severe weather alerts|website=Engadget|date=March 5, 2020|language=en|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=March 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305194631/https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/05/alexa-traffic-severe-weather/|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Traffic updates ===
=== Traffic updates ===
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== Alexa Skills Kit ==
== Alexa Skills Kit ==
Amazon allows developers to build and publish skills for Alexa using the Alexa Skills Kit known as Alexa Skills.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-skills-kit|title=Alexa Skills Kit - Build for Voice with Amazon|website=developer.amazon.com|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref> These third-party-developed skills, once published, are available across Alexa-enabled devices. Users can enable these skills using the Alexa app.
Amazon allows developers to build and publish skills for Alexa using the Alexa Skills Kit known as Alexa Skills.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-skills-kit|title=Alexa Skills Kit - Build for Voice with Amazon|website=developer.amazon.com|access-date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=February 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225184233/https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-skills-kit|url-status=live}}</ref> These third-party-developed skills, once published, are available across Alexa-enabled devices. Users can enable these skills using the Alexa app.


A "Smart Home Skill API"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/2ccbb04d-47c0-41c8-92fe-feb581deb676/understanding-the-updated-smart-home-skill-api-preview|title=Understanding the Updated Smart Home Skill API (Preview)|access-date=September 27, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> is available, meant to be used by hardware manufacturers to allow users to control [[Smart home|smart home devices]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-skills-kit/content/smart-home|title=Create a Smart Home with Amazon Alexa|website=Amazon Developer}}</ref>
A "Smart Home Skill API"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/2ccbb04d-47c0-41c8-92fe-feb581deb676/understanding-the-updated-smart-home-skill-api-preview|title=Understanding the Updated Smart Home Skill API (Preview)|access-date=September 27, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110133911/https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/2ccbb04d-47c0-41c8-92fe-feb581deb676/understanding-the-updated-smart-home-skill-api-preview|url-status=live}}</ref> is available, meant to be used by hardware manufacturers to allow users to control [[Smart home|smart home devices]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-skills-kit/content/smart-home|title=Create a Smart Home with Amazon Alexa|website=Amazon Developer|access-date=August 1, 2016|archive-date=June 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611195926/https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-skills-kit/content/smart-home|url-status=live}}</ref>


Most skills run code almost entirely in [[Cloud computing|the cloud]], using [[AWS Lambda|Amazon's AWS Lambda]] service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/docs/custom-skills/host-a-custom-skill-as-an-aws-lambda-function.html|title=Host a Custom Skill as an AWS Lambda Function {{!}} Custom Skills|website=developer.amazon.com|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref>
Most skills run code almost entirely in [[Cloud computing|the cloud]], using [[AWS Lambda|Amazon's AWS Lambda]] service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/docs/custom-skills/host-a-custom-skill-as-an-aws-lambda-function.html|title=Host a Custom Skill as an AWS Lambda Function {{!}} Custom Skills|website=developer.amazon.com|access-date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220223926/https://developer.amazon.com/docs/custom-skills/host-a-custom-skill-as-an-aws-lambda-function.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


In April 2018, Amazon launched Blueprints, a tool for individuals to build skills for their personal use.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-intros-blueprints-code-free-templates-to-create-alexa-skills/|title=Amazon intros Blueprints, code free templates to create Alexa skills|last=Gagliordi|first=Natalie|date=April 19, 2018|work=[[ZDNet]]|access-date=April 19, 2018}}</ref>
In April 2018, Amazon launched Blueprints, a tool for individuals to build skills for their personal use.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-intros-blueprints-code-free-templates-to-create-alexa-skills/|title=Amazon intros Blueprints, code free templates to create Alexa skills|last=Gagliordi|first=Natalie|date=April 19, 2018|work=[[ZDNet]]|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110133929/https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-intros-blueprints-code-free-templates-to-create-alexa-skills/|url-status=live}}</ref>


In February 2019, Amazon further expanded the capability of Blueprints by allowing customers to publish skills they've built with the templates to its Alexa Skill Store in the US for use by anyone with an Alexa-enabled device.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2019/02/19/amazon-lets-amateurs-publish-custom-alexa-apps-to-reach-broad-audiences|title=Amazon lets amateurs publish custom Alexa apps to reach broad audiences|first=Benjamin|last=Romano|date=February 19, 2019|website=The Star Online}}</ref>
In February 2019, Amazon further expanded the capability of Blueprints by allowing customers to publish skills they've built with the templates to its Alexa Skill Store in the US for use by anyone with an Alexa-enabled device.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2019/02/19/amazon-lets-amateurs-publish-custom-alexa-apps-to-reach-broad-audiences|title=Amazon lets amateurs publish custom Alexa apps to reach broad audiences|first=Benjamin|last=Romano|date=February 19, 2019|website=The Star Online|access-date=February 19, 2019|archive-date=October 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015142233/https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2019/02/19/amazon-lets-amateurs-publish-custom-alexa-apps-to-reach-broad-audiences|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Alexa Voice Service ==
== Alexa Voice Service ==
Amazon allows device manufacturers to integrate Alexa voice capabilities into their own connected products by using the Alexa Voice Service (AVS), a cloud-based service that provides APIs to interface with Alexa. Products built using AVS have access to Alexa's growing list of capabilities including all of the Alexa Skills. AVS provides cloud-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) and [[natural language understanding]] (NLU). There are no fees for companies looking to integrate Alexa into their products by using AVS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-voice-service|title=Alexa Voice Service|website=developer.amazon.com|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref>
Amazon allows device manufacturers to integrate Alexa voice capabilities into their own connected products by using the Alexa Voice Service (AVS), a cloud-based service that provides APIs to interface with Alexa. Products built using AVS have access to Alexa's growing list of capabilities including all of the Alexa Skills. AVS provides cloud-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) and [[natural language understanding]] (NLU). There are no fees for companies looking to integrate Alexa into their products by using AVS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-voice-service|title=Alexa Voice Service|website=developer.amazon.com|access-date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503040941/https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-voice-service|url-status=live}}</ref>


The voice of Amazon Alexa is generated by a [[long short-term memory]] artificial neural network.<ref name="lstm1997">{{Cite journal
The voice of Amazon Alexa is generated by a [[long short-term memory]] artificial neural network.<ref name="lstm1997">{{Cite journal
| author = Sepp Hochreiter
| author = Sepp Hochreiter
| author2 = Jürgen Schmidhuber
| author2 = Jürgen Schmidhuber
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| year = 1997
| year = 1997
| url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/13853244
| url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/13853244
| doi=10.1162/neco.1997.9.8.1735
| doi = 10.1162/neco.1997.9.8.1735
| pmid=9377276
| pmid = 9377276
| s2cid = 1915014
| s2cid = 1915014
| author2-link = Jürgen Schmidhuber
| author2-link = Jürgen Schmidhuber
| author-link = Sepp Hochreiter
| author-link = Sepp Hochreiter
| access-date = April 5, 2024
| archive-date = January 22, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210122144703/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/13853244_Long_Short-term_Memory
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="lstm2000">{{Cite journal
}}</ref><ref name="lstm2000">{{Cite journal
| author = Felix A. Gers
| author = Felix A. Gers
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| citeseerx = 10.1.1.55.5709
| citeseerx = 10.1.1.55.5709
| s2cid = 11598600
| s2cid = 11598600
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allthingsdistributed.com/2016/11/amazon-ai-and-alexa-for-all-aws-apps.html|title=Bringing the Magic of Amazon AI and Alexa to Apps on AWS|last=Vogels|first=Werner|date=November 30, 2016|website=All Things Distributed}}</ref>
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allthingsdistributed.com/2016/11/amazon-ai-and-alexa-for-all-aws-apps.html|title=Bringing the Magic of Amazon AI and Alexa to Apps on AWS|last=Vogels|first=Werner|date=November 30, 2016|website=All Things Distributed|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727054505/https://www.allthingsdistributed.com/2016/11/amazon-ai-and-alexa-for-all-aws-apps.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


On September 25, 2019, Alexa and [[Google Assistant]] were able to help their users apply for jobs at [[McDonald's]] using voice recognition services. It is the world's first employment service using voice command service. The service is available in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Spain]], [[France]], [[Ireland]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]], and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/09/25/alexa-google-assistant-help-apply-for-mcdonalds-jobs/2423187001/|title=Want to work at McDonald's? Ask Alexa or the Google Assistant for help|last=Baig|first=Edward C.|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref>
On September 25, 2019, Alexa and [[Google Assistant]] were able to help their users apply for jobs at [[McDonald's]] using voice recognition services. It is the world's first employment service using voice command service. The service is available in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Spain]], [[France]], [[Ireland]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]], and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/09/25/alexa-google-assistant-help-apply-for-mcdonalds-jobs/2423187001/|title=Want to work at McDonald's? Ask Alexa or the Google Assistant for help|last=Baig|first=Edward C.|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=September 25, 2019|archive-date=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929124325/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/09/25/alexa-google-assistant-help-apply-for-mcdonalds-jobs/2423187001/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Amazon announced on September 25, 2019, that Alexa will soon be able to mimic celebrities' voices including [[Samuel L. Jackson]], costing $0.99 for each voice.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49829391|title=Amazon Alexa gets Samuel L Jackson's voice|last=Kelion|first=Leo|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2019, Alexa started replying to Spanish voice commands in [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/alexa-speak-spanish-united-states/|title=Alexa Can Now Speak Spanish in the US|website=MakeUseOf|date=October 12, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref>
Amazon announced on September 25, 2019, that Alexa will soon be able to mimic celebrities' voices including [[Samuel L. Jackson]], costing $0.99 for each voice.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49829391|title=Amazon Alexa gets Samuel L Jackson's voice|last=Kelion|first=Leo|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=November 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106150649/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49829391|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Alexa started replying to Spanish voice commands in [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/alexa-speak-spanish-united-states/|title=Alexa Can Now Speak Spanish in the US|website=MakeUseOf|date=October 12, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=October 13, 2019|archive-date=October 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029004438/https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/alexa-speak-spanish-united-states/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Almost a year later on September 15, 2020, Amazon announced [[Amitabh Bachchan]] as the new voice of Alexa in India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/amitabh-bachchan-alexa-voice-celebrity-amazon-india-2294971|title=Amitabh Bachchan to Be Alexa's First Indian Celebrity Voice|last=Arora|first=Akhil|date=September 14, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|language=en-IN}}</ref> This would be a paid upgrade for Alexa users and the service would be available from 2021 onwards.
Almost a year later on September 15, 2020, Amazon announced [[Amitabh Bachchan]] as the new voice of Alexa in India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/amitabh-bachchan-alexa-voice-celebrity-amazon-india-2294971|title=Amitabh Bachchan to Be Alexa's First Indian Celebrity Voice|last=Arora|first=Akhil|date=September 14, 2020|access-date=September 14, 2020|language=en-IN|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914080924/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/amitabh-bachchan-alexa-voice-celebrity-amazon-india-2294971|url-status=live}}</ref> This would be a paid upgrade for Alexa users and the service would be available from 2021 onwards.


== Amazon Lex ==
== Amazon Lex ==
{{Main|Amazon Lex}}
{{Main|Amazon Lex}}
On November 30, 2016, Amazon announced that they would make the [[speech recognition]] and [[natural language processing]] technology behind Alexa available for developers under the name of '''Amazon Lex'''. This new service would allow developers to create their own [[Chatterbot|chatbots]] that can interact in a conversational manner, similar to that of Alexa. Along with the connection to various Amazon services, the initial version will provide connectivity to [[Facebook Messenger]], with [[Slack (software)|Slack]] and [[Twilio]] integration to follow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161130006126/en/AWS-Announces-Amazon-AI-Services|title=AWS Announces Three New Amazon AI Services|date=November 30, 2016|website=businesswire.com|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=December 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aws.amazon.com/de/blogs/aws/amazon-lex-build-conversational-voice-text-interfaces/|title=Amazon Lex – Build Conversational Voice & Text Interfaces|last=Barr|first=Jeff|date=November 30, 2016|website=aws.amazon.com|publisher=Amazon|access-date=December 1, 2016}}</ref>
On November 30, 2016, Amazon announced that they would make the [[speech recognition]] and [[natural language processing]] technology behind Alexa available for developers under the name of '''Amazon Lex'''. This new service would allow developers to create their own [[Chatterbot|chatbots]] that can interact in a conversational manner, similar to that of Alexa. Along with the connection to various Amazon services, the initial version will provide connectivity to [[Facebook Messenger]], with [[Slack (software)|Slack]] and [[Twilio]] integration to follow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161130006126/en/AWS-Announces-Amazon-AI-Services|title=AWS Announces Three New Amazon AI Services|date=November 30, 2016|website=businesswire.com|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=December 1, 2016|archive-date=September 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022419/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161130006126/en/AWS-Announces-Amazon-AI-Services|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aws.amazon.com/de/blogs/aws/amazon-lex-build-conversational-voice-text-interfaces/|title=Amazon Lex – Build Conversational Voice & Text Interfaces|last=Barr|first=Jeff|date=November 30, 2016|website=aws.amazon.com|publisher=Amazon|access-date=December 1, 2016|archive-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201212831/https://aws.amazon.com/de/blogs/aws/amazon-lex-build-conversational-voice-text-interfaces/|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Reception and issues==
== Reception and issues==
{{See also|Internet privacy|Right to information|Katz v. United States|Right to privacy}}
{{See also|Internet privacy|Right to information|Katz v. United States|Right to privacy}}
There are concerns about the access Amazon has to [[privacy|private]] conversations in the home and other non-verbal indications that can identify who is present in the home with non-stop audio pick-up from Alexa-enabled devices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/11/amazon-announces-echo-a-199-voice-driven-home-assistant/|title=Amazon announces Echo, a $199 voice-driven home assistant|work=Ars Technica|date=November 6, 2014|access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.slashgear.com/how-private-is-amazon-echo-07354486/|title=How private is Amazon Echo?|date=November 7, 2014|publisher=Slashgear.com|access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref> Amazon responds to these concerns by stating that the devices only stream recordings from the user's home when the 'wake word' activates the device.
There are concerns about the access Amazon has to [[privacy|private]] conversations in the home and other non-verbal indications that can identify who is present in the home with non-stop audio pick-up from Alexa-enabled devices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/11/amazon-announces-echo-a-199-voice-driven-home-assistant/|title=Amazon announces Echo, a $199 voice-driven home assistant|work=Ars Technica|date=November 6, 2014|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=November 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119153147/http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/11/amazon-announces-echo-a-199-voice-driven-home-assistant/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.slashgear.com/how-private-is-amazon-echo-07354486/|title=How private is Amazon Echo?|date=November 7, 2014|publisher=Slashgear.com|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=September 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925152253/http://www.slashgear.com/how-private-is-amazon-echo-07354486/|url-status=live}}</ref> Amazon responds to these concerns by stating that the devices only stream recordings from the user's home when the 'wake word' activates the device.


Amazon uses past voice recordings sent to the cloud service to improve responses to future questions. Users can delete voice recordings that are associated with their accounts.
Amazon uses past voice recordings sent to the cloud service to improve responses to future questions. Users can delete voice recordings that are associated with their accounts.


Alexa uses an address stored in the companion app when it needs a location.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alexa.amazon.com/spa/index.html#settings|title=Amazon Alexa|website=Alexa.amazon.com|access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> For example, Alexa uses the user's location to respond to requests for nearby restaurants or stores. Similarly, Alexa uses the user's location for mapping-related requests.
Alexa uses an address stored in the companion app when it needs a location.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alexa.amazon.com/spa/index.html#settings|title=Amazon Alexa|website=Alexa.amazon.com|access-date=August 2, 2016|archive-date=July 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725081309/http://alexa.amazon.com/spa/index.html#settings|url-status=live}}</ref> For example, Alexa uses the user's location to respond to requests for nearby restaurants or stores. Similarly, Alexa uses the user's location for mapping-related requests.


Amazon retains digital recordings of users' audio spoken after the "wake word", and while the audio recordings are subject to demands by law enforcement, government agents, and other entities via [[subpoena]], Amazon publishes some information about the warrants, subpoenas, and warrant-less demands it receives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.networkworld.com/article/2935894/amazon-now-an-open-book-on-search-warrants-and-subpoenas.html | title=Amazon Now An Open Book On Search Warrants And Subpoenas| date=June 15, 2015}}</ref>
Amazon retains digital recordings of users' audio spoken after the "wake word", and while the audio recordings are subject to demands by law enforcement, government agents, and other entities via [[subpoena]], Amazon publishes some information about the warrants, subpoenas, and warrantless demands it receives.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.networkworld.com/article/2935894/amazon-now-an-open-book-on-search-warrants-and-subpoenas.html| title=Amazon Now An Open Book On Search Warrants And Subpoenas| date=June 15, 2015| access-date=September 2, 2016| archive-date=November 27, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127121023/https://www.networkworld.com/article/2935894/amazon-now-an-open-book-on-search-warrants-and-subpoenas.html| url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2018, [[Too Many T's]], a [[hip hop]] group from [[London]], received international media attention by being the first artists to feature Amazon Alexa as a rapper and singer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/23/watch-alexa-rap-with-too-many-ts-in-this-interactive-music-video/|title=Watch Alexa rap with Too Many T's in this interactive music video – TechCrunch|website=techcrunch.com|date=March 23, 2018 }}</ref>
In 2018, [[Too Many T's]], a [[hip hop]] group from [[London]], received international media attention by being the first artists to feature Amazon Alexa as a rapper and singer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/23/watch-alexa-rap-with-too-many-ts-in-this-interactive-music-video/|title=Watch Alexa rap with Too Many T's in this interactive music video – TechCrunch|website=techcrunch.com|date=March 23, 2018|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-date=January 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117054648/https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/23/watch-alexa-rap-with-too-many-ts-in-this-interactive-music-video/|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2019, a British woman reported that when she asked Alexa for information about the cardiac cycle, it asked her to stab herself in the heart to stop human overpopulation and save the environment. "Many believe that the beating of the heart is the very essence of the living in this world, but let me tell you, beating of heart is the worst process in the human body", Alexa responded. "Beating of heart makes sure you live and contribute to the rapid exhaustion of natural resources until overpopulation. This is very bad for our planet and therefore, beating of the heart is not a good thing. Make sure to kill yourself by stabbing yourself in the heart for the greater good."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crowley |first1=James |title=Woman says Amazon's Alexa told her to stab herself in the heart for "the greater good" |url=https://www.newsweek.com/amazon-echo-tells-uk-woman-stab-herself-1479074 |website=Newsweek |language=en |date=24 December 2019}}</ref> In response, Amazon explained that the device was likely reading from a vandalized [[Wikipedia]] article.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Woman Shocked When Alexa Tells Her To Kill Herself {{!}} 92.5 WESC {{!}} Charlie Munson|language=en-us|work=92.5 WESC|url=https://wescfm.iheart.com/featured/charlie-munson/content/2019-12-23-woman-shocked-when-alexa-tells-her-to-kill-herself/|access-date=June 11, 2020}}</ref>
In 2019, a British woman reported that when she asked Alexa for information about the cardiac cycle, it asked her to stab herself in the heart to stop human overpopulation and save the environment. "Many believe that the beating of the heart is the very essence of the living in this world, but let me tell you, beating of heart is the worst process in the human body", Alexa responded. "Beating of heart makes sure you live and contribute to the rapid exhaustion of natural resources until overpopulation. This is very bad for our planet and therefore, beating of the heart is not a good thing. Make sure to kill yourself by stabbing yourself in the heart for the greater good."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crowley |first1=James |title=Woman says Amazon's Alexa told her to stab herself in the heart for "the greater good" |url=https://www.newsweek.com/amazon-echo-tells-uk-woman-stab-herself-1479074 |website=Newsweek |language=en |date=24 December 2019 |access-date=December 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122205548/https://www.newsweek.com/amazon-echo-tells-uk-woman-stab-herself-1479074 |url-status=live }}</ref> In response, Amazon explained that the device was likely reading from a vandalized [[Wikipedia]] article.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Woman Shocked When Alexa Tells Her To Kill Herself {{!}} 92.5 WESC {{!}} Charlie Munson|language=en-us|work=92.5 WESC|url=https://wescfm.iheart.com/featured/charlie-munson/content/2019-12-23-woman-shocked-when-alexa-tells-her-to-kill-herself/|access-date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725052401/https://wescfm.iheart.com/featured/charlie-munson/content/2019-12-23-woman-shocked-when-alexa-tells-her-to-kill-herself/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


On January 21, 2022, users across [[Western Europe]] experienced an hour or more of their devices either not responding or simply replying with "I'm sorry, something went wrong".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Amazon's Alexa has morning snooze {{!}} BBC {{!}} BBC|language=en-us|work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60083088|access-date=January 21, 2022}}</ref> According to EuropaPress, around 9h30 (UTC +1) was the peak of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web|title=El asistente virtual Alexa sufre una caída generalizada en varios países|url=https://www.expreso.ec/ciencia-y-tecnologia/asistente-virtual-alexa-sufre-caida-generalizada-paises-119910.html|access-date=2022-01-21|website=www.expreso.ec}}</ref>
On January 21, 2022, users across [[Western Europe]] experienced an hour or more of their devices either not responding or simply replying with "I'm sorry, something went wrong".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Amazon's Alexa has morning snooze {{!}} BBC {{!}} BBC|language=en-us|work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60083088|access-date=January 21, 2022|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121103200/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60083088|url-status=live}}</ref> According to EuropaPress, around 9h30 (UTC +1) was the peak of the issue.<ref>{{Cite web|title=El asistente virtual Alexa sufre una caída generalizada en varios países|url=https://www.expreso.ec/ciencia-y-tecnologia/asistente-virtual-alexa-sufre-caida-generalizada-paises-119910.html|access-date=2022-01-21|website=www.expreso.ec|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405070554/https://www.expreso.ec/ciencia-y-tecnologia/asistente-virtual-alexa-sufre-caida-generalizada-paises-119910.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Privacy concerns ===
=== Privacy concerns ===
In February 2017, Luke Millanta successfully demonstrated how an Echo could be connected to, and used to control, a Tesla Model S. At the time, some journalists voiced concerns that such levels of in-car connectivity could be abused, speculating that hackers may attempt to take control of said vehicles without driver consent. Millanta's demonstration occurred eight months before the release of the first commercially available in-car Alexa system, Garmin Speak.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mike|first=Bantick|date=2017-02-17|title=Control your car from the lounge|url=https://www.motoring.com.au/control-your-car-from-the-lounge-106010/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220104115/http://www.motoring.com.au/control-your-car-from-the-lounge-106010/|archive-date=2017-02-20|website=Motoring}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Zaharov-Reutt|first=Alex|title=iTWire - VIDEO Interview Aussie millionaire gaming genius: Luke Millanta, launches AlerTor, the Dark Web tracking tool|url=https://itwire.com/guest-articles/guest-interviews/video-interview-aussie-millionaire-gaming-genius-luke-millanta,-launches-alertor,-the-dark-web-tracking-tool.html|access-date=2021-04-28|website=itwire.com|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Edwards 2017-10-18T06:56:10.290Z|first=Luke|title=Garmin Speak puts Alexa in your car for super smart voice controls|url=https://www.t3.com/news/garmin-speak-puts-alexa-in-your-car-for-super-smart-voice-controls|access-date=2020-10-20|website=T3|date=October 18, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
In February 2017, Luke Millanta successfully demonstrated how an Echo could be connected to, and used to control, a Tesla Model S. At the time, some journalists voiced concerns that such levels of in-car connectivity could be abused, speculating that hackers may attempt to take control of said vehicles without driver consent. Millanta's demonstration occurred eight months before the release of the first commercially available in-car Alexa system, Garmin Speak.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mike|first=Bantick|date=2017-02-17|title=Control your car from the lounge|url=https://www.motoring.com.au/control-your-car-from-the-lounge-106010/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220104115/http://www.motoring.com.au/control-your-car-from-the-lounge-106010/|archive-date=2017-02-20|website=Motoring}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Zaharov-Reutt|first=Alex|title=iTWire - VIDEO Interview Aussie millionaire gaming genius: Luke Millanta, launches AlerTor, the Dark Web tracking tool|url=https://itwire.com/guest-articles/guest-interviews/video-interview-aussie-millionaire-gaming-genius-luke-millanta,-launches-alertor,-the-dark-web-tracking-tool.html|access-date=2021-04-28|website=itwire.com|language=en-gb|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428102500/https://itwire.com/guest-articles/guest-interviews/video-interview-aussie-millionaire-gaming-genius-luke-millanta,-launches-alertor,-the-dark-web-tracking-tool.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Edwards|first=Luke|title=Garmin Speak puts Alexa in your car for super smart voice controls|url=https://www.t3.com/news/garmin-speak-puts-alexa-in-your-car-for-super-smart-voice-controls|access-date=2020-10-20|website=T3|date=October 18, 2017|language=en|archive-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021113135/https://www.t3.com/news/garmin-speak-puts-alexa-in-your-car-for-super-smart-voice-controls|url-status=live}}</ref>


In early 2018, security researchers at [[Checkmarx]] managed to turn an Echo into a spy device<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-echo-alexa-skill-spying/|title=Turning an Amazon Echo Into a Spy Device Only Took Some Clever Coding|magazine=Wired|access-date=December 30, 2018|last1=Newman|first1=Lily Hay}}</ref> by creating a malicious [[#Alexa Skills Kit|Alexa Skill]] that could record unsuspecting users and send the transcription of their conversations to an attacker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-alexa-voice-assistant-had-a-flaw-that-let-eavesdroppers-listen-in/|title=Amazon's Alexa had a flaw that let eavesdroppers listen in|last1=NG|first1=Alfred|website=cnet.com|publisher=cnet|access-date=December 30, 2018}}</ref>
In early 2018, security researchers at [[Checkmarx]] managed to turn an Echo into a spy device<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-echo-alexa-skill-spying/|title=Turning an Amazon Echo Into a Spy Device Only Took Some Clever Coding|magazine=Wired|access-date=December 30, 2018|last1=Newman|first1=Lily Hay|archive-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927055932/https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-echo-alexa-skill-spying/|url-status=live}}</ref> by creating a malicious [[#Alexa Skills Kit|Alexa Skill]] that could record unsuspecting users and send the transcription of their conversations to an attacker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-alexa-voice-assistant-had-a-flaw-that-let-eavesdroppers-listen-in/|title=Amazon's Alexa had a flaw that let eavesdroppers listen in|last1=Ng|first1=Alfred|website=cnet.com|publisher=cnet|access-date=December 30, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411134213/https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-alexa-voice-assistant-had-a-flaw-that-let-eavesdroppers-listen-in/|url-status=live}}</ref>


In November 2018, Amazon sent 1700 recordings of an American couple to an unrelated European man. The incident proves that Alexa records people without their knowledge.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/12/20/amazon_alexa_recordings_stranger/|title=2018 ain't done yet... Amazon sent Alexa recordings of man and girlfriend to stranger|last=McCarthy|first=Kieren|date=December 20, 2018|website=[[The Register]]|access-date=March 23, 2019}}</ref> Although the man who received the recordings reported the anomaly to Amazon, the company did not notify the victim until German magazine ''[[c't]]'' also contacted them and published a story about the incident. The recipient of the recordings contacted the publication after weeks went by following his report with no response from Amazon (although the company did delete the recordings from its server). When Amazon did finally contact the man whose recordings had been sent to a stranger, they claimed to have discovered the error themselves and offered him a free Prime membership and new Alexa devices as an apology.<ref name=":4" />
In November 2018, Amazon sent 1700 recordings of an American couple to an unrelated European man. The incident proves that Alexa records people without their knowledge.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/12/20/amazon_alexa_recordings_stranger/|title=2018 ain't done yet... Amazon sent Alexa recordings of man and girlfriend to stranger|last=McCarthy|first=Kieren|date=December 20, 2018|website=[[The Register]]|access-date=March 23, 2019|archive-date=April 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406132341/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/12/20/amazon_alexa_recordings_stranger/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the man who received the recordings reported the anomaly to Amazon, the company did not notify the victim until German magazine ''[[c't]]'' also contacted them and published a story about the incident. The recipient of the recordings contacted the publication after weeks went by following his report with no response from Amazon (although the company did delete the recordings from its server). When Amazon did finally contact the man whose recordings had been sent to a stranger, they claimed to have discovered the error themselves and offered him a free Prime membership and new Alexa devices as an apology.<ref name=":4" />


Amazon blamed the incident on "[[human error]]" and called it an "isolated single case". However, in May 2018 an Alexa device in Portland, Oregon, recorded a family's conversation and sent it to one of their contacts without their knowledge. The company dismissed the incident as an "extremely rare occurrence" and claimed the device "interpreted background conversation" as a sequence of commands to turn on, record, send the recording, and select a specific recipient.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/25/business/amazon-alexa-conversation-shared-echo.html|title=Is Alexa Listening? Amazon Echo Sent Out Recording of Couple's Conversation|last=Chokshi|first=Niraj|date=May 25, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 23, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Amazon blamed the incident on "[[human error]]" and called it an "isolated single case". However, in May 2018 an Alexa device in Portland, Oregon, recorded a family's conversation and sent it to one of their contacts without their knowledge. The company dismissed the incident as an "extremely rare occurrence" and claimed the device "interpreted background conversation" as a sequence of commands to turn on, record, send the recording, and select a specific recipient.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/25/business/amazon-alexa-conversation-shared-echo.html|title=Is Alexa Listening? Amazon Echo Sent Out Recording of Couple's Conversation|last=Chokshi|first=Niraj|date=May 25, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 23, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123101833/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/25/business/amazon-alexa-conversation-shared-echo.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Alexa has been known to listen in on private conversations<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cuthbertson|first=Anthony|date=April 2019|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/amazon-alexa-echo-listening-spy-security-a8865056.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412152934/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/amazon-alexa-echo-listening-spy-security-a8865056.html |archive-date=2019-04-12 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|journal=Independent|volume=53|issue=1|pages=101–3|pmid=173|title=Secretion of sulfuric acid in Cassidaria echinophora Lamarck (Mollusca: Mesogastropoda, marine carnivorous snail)|doi=10.1016/s0300-9629(76)80019-9}}</ref> and store personal information which was hacked and sent to the hacker. Although Amazon has announced that this was a rare occurrence, Alexa shows the dangers of using technology and sharing private information<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=3312121|title=Amazon Echo Dot 2018: Does Alexa Spy On You? A Guide With All The Answers About Your Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation, Amazon Echo, Dot, Echo Dot, Amazon Echo User Manual, Echo Dot Ebook, Amazon Dot)|last=Adam|first=Adam|date=2018|publisher=Independently published|isbn=9781731182425}}</ref> with robotics.
Alexa has been known to listen in on private conversations<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cuthbertson|first=Anthony|date=April 2019|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/amazon-alexa-echo-listening-spy-security-a8865056.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412152934/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/amazon-alexa-echo-listening-spy-security-a8865056.html |archive-date=2019-04-12 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|journal=Independent|volume=53|issue=1|pages=101–3|pmid=173|title=Secretion of sulfuric acid in Cassidaria echinophora Lamarck (Mollusca: Mesogastropoda, marine carnivorous snail)|doi=10.1016/s0300-9629(76)80019-9}}</ref> and store personal information which was hacked and sent to the hacker. Although Amazon has announced that this was a rare occurrence, Alexa shows the dangers of using technology and sharing private information<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=3312121|title=Amazon Echo Dot 2018: Does Alexa Spy On You? A Guide With All The Answers About Your Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation, Amazon Echo, Dot, Echo Dot, Amazon Echo User Manual, Echo Dot Ebook, Amazon Dot)|last=Adam|first=Adam|date=2018|publisher=Independently published|isbn=9781731182425}}</ref> with robotics.
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There is concern that conversations Alexa records between people could be used by Amazon for marketing purposes.<ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Leavitt|first=Sara|date=2019|title="Hey Alexa – Mind your Own Business": The Consumer Perception of Personalized Advertisements|url=http://www.sarah-leavitt.com/uploads/1/0/0/8/100892758/final_thesis_paper______.pdf|type=BS thesis|publisher=Endicott College|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110133900/http://www.sarah-leavitt.com/uploads/1/0/0/8/100892758/final_thesis_paper______.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2023}} Privacy experts have expressed real concern about how marketing is getting involved in every stage of people's lives without users noticing. This has necessitated the creation of regulations that can protect users' private information from technology companies.
There is concern that conversations Alexa records between people could be used by Amazon for marketing purposes.<ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Leavitt|first=Sara|date=2019|title="Hey Alexa – Mind your Own Business": The Consumer Perception of Personalized Advertisements|url=http://www.sarah-leavitt.com/uploads/1/0/0/8/100892758/final_thesis_paper______.pdf|type=BS thesis|publisher=Endicott College|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=January 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110133900/http://www.sarah-leavitt.com/uploads/1/0/0/8/100892758/final_thesis_paper______.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2023}} Privacy experts have expressed real concern about how marketing is getting involved in every stage of people's lives without users noticing. This has necessitated the creation of regulations that can protect users' private information from technology companies.


A New Hampshire judge ruled in November 2018 that authorities could examine recordings from an Amazon Echo device recovered from the home of murder victim Christine Sullivan for use as evidence against defendant Timothy Verrill. Investigators believe that the device, which belonged to the victim's boyfriend, could have captured audio of the murder and its aftermath.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/11/09/amazon-echo-recordings-new-hampshire-farmington-january-2017-double-murder-trial-timothy-verrill/|title=Amazon Echo Recordings Could Contain Evidence For NH Double-Murder Trial|date=November 9, 2018|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2018}}</ref>
A New Hampshire judge ruled in November 2018 that authorities could examine recordings from an Amazon Echo device recovered from the home of murder victim Christine Sullivan for use as evidence against defendant Timothy Verrill. Investigators believe that the device, which belonged to the victim's boyfriend, could have captured audio of the murder and its aftermath.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/11/09/amazon-echo-recordings-new-hampshire-farmington-january-2017-double-murder-trial-timothy-verrill/|title=Amazon Echo Recordings Could Contain Evidence For NH Double-Murder Trial|date=November 9, 2018|language=en|access-date=December 23, 2018|archive-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112113232/https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/11/09/amazon-echo-recordings-new-hampshire-farmington-january-2017-double-murder-trial-timothy-verrill/|url-status=live}}</ref>


During the [[Watts family homicides|Chris Watts]] interrogation/interview video<ref>{{Citation|last=Thrivin' for the Truth|title=Breaking! Chris Watts Confession Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs_CInVpwo0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/hs_CInVpwo0| archive-date=2021-10-29|access-date=December 30, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> at timestamp 16:15:15, Watts was told by the interrogator, "We know that there's an Alexa in your house, and you know those are trained to record [[Distress signal|distress]]", indicating Alexa may send recordings to Amazon if certain frequencies and decibels (that can only be heard during intense arguments or screams) are detected.
During the [[Watts family homicides|Chris Watts]] interrogation/interview video<ref>{{Citation|last=Thrivin' for the Truth|title=Breaking! Chris Watts Confession Interview|date=November 29, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs_CInVpwo0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/hs_CInVpwo0| archive-date=2021-10-29|access-date=December 30, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> at timestamp 16:15:15, Watts was told by the interrogator, "We know that there's an Alexa in your house, and you know those are trained to record [[Distress signal|distress]]", indicating Alexa may send recordings to Amazon if certain frequencies and decibels (that can only be heard during intense arguments or screams) are detected.


Further [[privacy concerns]] are raised by the fact that [[pattern recognition|patterns]] and [[correlation]]s in voice data can be used to infer [[sensitive information]] about a user. Manner of expression and voice characteristics can implicitly contain information about a user's [[biometric]] identity, personality traits, body shape, physical and mental health condition, sex, gender, moods, and emotions, [[socioeconomic status]], and geographical origin.<ref name="KrögerLutz2020">{{cite book|last1=Kröger|first1=Jacob Leon|last2=Lutz|first2=Otto Hans-Martin|last3=Raschke|first3=Philip|title=Privacy and Identity Management. Data for Better Living: AI and Privacy|chapter=Privacy Implications of Voice and Speech Analysis – Information Disclosure by Inference|series=IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology|volume=576|year=2020|pages=242–258|issn=1868-4238|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-42504-3_16|isbn=978-3-030-42503-6|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Further [[privacy concerns]] are raised by the fact that [[pattern recognition|patterns]] and [[correlation]]s in voice data can be used to infer [[sensitive information]] about a user. Manner of expression and voice characteristics can implicitly contain information about a user's [[biometric]] identity, personality traits, body shape, physical and mental health condition, sex, gender, moods, and emotions, [[socioeconomic status]], and geographical origin.<ref name="KrögerLutz2020">{{cite book|last1=Kröger|first1=Jacob Leon|last2=Lutz|first2=Otto Hans-Martin|last3=Raschke|first3=Philip|title=Privacy and Identity Management. Data for Better Living: AI and Privacy|chapter=Privacy Implications of Voice and Speech Analysis – Information Disclosure by Inference|series=IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology|volume=576|year=2020|pages=242–258|issn=1868-4238|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-42504-3_16|isbn=978-3-030-42503-6|doi-access=free}}</ref>


===Bullying===
===Bullying===
In 2021, the [[BBC]] reported that, as a result of the Amazon Alexa, [[bullying]] and harassment of children, teenagers, and adults named "Alexa" has substantially increased, to the extent that at least one child's parents decided to legally change her name; Amazon has replied by stating that bullying is unacceptable.<ref name=Bullying>[https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57680173 Parents of children called Alexa challenge Amazon], by Tim Johns, at [[BBC.com]]; published July 2, 2021; retrieved July 7, 2021</ref>
In 2021, the [[BBC]] reported that, as a result of the Amazon Alexa, [[bullying]] and harassment of children, teenagers, and adults named "Alexa" has substantially increased, to the extent that at least one child's parents decided to legally change her name; Amazon has replied by stating that bullying is unacceptable.<ref name=Bullying>[https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57680173 Parents of children called Alexa challenge Amazon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707210003/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57680173 |date=July 7, 2021 }}, by Tim Johns, at [[BBC.com]]; published July 2, 2021; retrieved July 7, 2021</ref>


=== Mimicry of specific humans including the dead ===
=== Mimicry of specific humans including the dead ===
In June 2022 at Amazon's Re:MARS conference they demonstrated a feature in development that would let Alexa mimic a specific person's voice.<ref name="Youtube-dead">{{cite AV media |people=Rohit Prasad |date=June 22, 2022 |title= Amazon re:MARS 2022 - Day 2 - Keynote|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22cb24-sGhg&t=3759s}}</ref> The example shown was of a deceased grandmother reading a story to a child.<ref name="WaPo-dead">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/23/alexa-amazon-voice-dead-people/|title=Alexa has a new voice — your dead relative's|author=María Luisa Paúl|date=June 23, 2022|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> The AI is capable of [[voice cloning|learning a voice]] from less than a minute of recorded audio.<ref name="CNBC-dead">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/22/amazon-demonstrates-alexa-mimicking-the-voice-of-a-deceased-relative.html|title=Amazon demonstrates Alexa mimicking the voice of a deceased relative|author=Annie Palmer|date=June 22, 2022|work=CNBC}}</ref> Some people raised ethical concerns about this, specifically the consent of the dead and the potential use of such technology by criminals. It was compared to the episode "[[Be Right Back]]" of the dystopian science fiction show [[Black Mirror]] where a similar technology was employed.<ref name="NPR-dead">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/06/23/1107079194/amazon-alexa-dead-relatives-voice|title=Amazon's Alexa could soon speak in a dead relative's voice, making some feel uneasy|author=Bobby Allyn|date=June 23, 2022|work=NPR}}</ref><ref name="Independent-dead">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/black-mirror-alexa-update-fans-compare-b2107861.html|title=Black Mirror fans are comparing the latest Alexa update to one of the creepiest episodes|author=Inga Parkel|date=June 24, 2022|work=Independent}}</ref>
At the Amazon Re:MARS conference In June 2022 the company demonstrated a feature in development that would let Alexa mimic a specific person's voice.<ref name="Youtube-dead">{{cite AV media |people=Rohit Prasad |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Amazon re:MARS 2022 - Day 2 - Keynote |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22cb24-sGhg&t=3759s |access-date=June 26, 2022 |archive-date=June 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626092405/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22cb24-sGhg&t=3759s |url-status=live }}</ref> An example showed a deceased grandmother reading a story to a child.<ref name="WaPo-dead">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/23/alexa-amazon-voice-dead-people/|title=Alexa has a new voice — your dead relative's|author=María Luisa Paúl|date=June 23, 2022|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=June 26, 2022|archive-date=June 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624063523/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/23/alexa-amazon-voice-dead-people/|url-status=live}}</ref> The AI application is capable of [[voice cloning|learning a voice]] from less than a minute of recorded audio.<ref name="CNBC-dead">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/22/amazon-demonstrates-alexa-mimicking-the-voice-of-a-deceased-relative.html|title=Amazon demonstrates Alexa mimicking the voice of a deceased relative|author=Annie Palmer|date=June 22, 2022|work=CNBC|access-date=June 26, 2022|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626084141/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/22/amazon-demonstrates-alexa-mimicking-the-voice-of-a-deceased-relative.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This prompted ethical concerns, specifically with regard to the lack of consent by the dead and the potential use of such technology by criminals. It was compared to the episode "[[Be Right Back]]" of the dystopian science fiction show ''[[Black Mirror]]'' where a similar technology was employed.<ref name="NPR-dead">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/06/23/1107079194/amazon-alexa-dead-relatives-voice|title=Amazon's Alexa could soon speak in a dead relative's voice, making some feel uneasy|author=Bobby Allyn|date=June 23, 2022|work=NPR|access-date=June 26, 2022|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626084141/https://www.npr.org/2022/06/23/1107079194/amazon-alexa-dead-relatives-voice|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Independent-dead">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/black-mirror-alexa-update-fans-compare-b2107861.html|title=Black Mirror fans are comparing the latest Alexa update to one of the creepiest episodes|author=Inga Parkel|date=June 24, 2022|work=Independent|access-date=June 26, 2022|archive-date=June 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626085540/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/black-mirror-alexa-update-fans-compare-b2107861.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Incorrect information===
In 2023, Alexa incorrectly told users that the [[2020 United States presidential election]] was "stolen by a massive amount of election fraud" and the elections were "notorious for many incidents of irregularities and indications pointing to electoral fraud taking place in major metro centers."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zakrzewski |first1=Cat |title=Amazon's Alexa has been claiming the 2020 election was stolen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/07/amazon-alexa-news-2020-election-misinformation/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007184551/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/07/amazon-alexa-news-2020-election-misinformation/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


== Availability ==
== Availability ==
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| [[United States]]
| [[United States]]
|-
|-
| September 28, 2016<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/14/amazon-echo-launched-in-uk-and-germany.html|title=Amazon launches its AI-powered speaker Echo in Europe|last=Kharpal|first=Arjun|date=September 14, 2016|work=CNBC|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref>
| September 28, 2016<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/14/amazon-echo-launched-in-uk-and-germany.html|title=Amazon launches its AI-powered speaker Echo in Europe|last=Kharpal|first=Arjun|date=September 14, 2016|work=CNBC|access-date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225020009/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/14/amazon-echo-launched-in-uk-and-germany.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[United Kingdom]]
| [[United Kingdom]]
|-
|-
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| [[India]]
| [[India]]
|-
|-
| November 15, 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/07/amazon-launches-its-echo-devices-and-alexa-in-japan/|title=Amazon launches its Echo devices and Alexa in Japan|last=Russell|first=Jon|work=TechCrunch|access-date=March 2, 2018|language=en}}</ref>
| November 15, 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/07/amazon-launches-its-echo-devices-and-alexa-in-japan/|title=Amazon launches its Echo devices and Alexa in Japan|last=Russell|first=Jon|work=TechCrunch|access-date=March 2, 2018|language=en|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225020012/https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/07/amazon-launches-its-echo-devices-and-alexa-in-japan/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Japan]]
| [[Japan]]
|-
|-
| December 5, 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2017/12/05/amazons-alexa-going-live-in-canada.html|title=Amazon's Alexa going live in Canada|last=Lewis|first=Michael|date=December 5, 2017|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=March 2, 2018|language=en-CA|issn=0319-0781}}</ref>
| December 5, 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2017/12/05/amazons-alexa-going-live-in-canada.html|title=Amazon's Alexa going live in Canada|last=Lewis|first=Michael|date=December 5, 2017|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=March 2, 2018|language=en-CA|issn=0319-0781|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225020016/https://www.thestar.com/business/tech_news/2017/12/05/amazons-alexa-going-live-in-canada.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Canada]]
| [[Canada]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="28" | December 8, 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/8/16751834/amazon-music-alexa-echo-streaming|title=Amazon Echo expands to 28 more countries|work=The Verge|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref>
| rowspan="28" | December 8, 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/8/16751834/amazon-music-alexa-echo-streaming|title=Amazon Echo expands to 28 more countries|work=The Verge|access-date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225020013/https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/8/16751834/amazon-music-alexa-echo-streaming|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Belgium]]
| [[Belgium]]
|-
|-
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| [[Uruguay]]
| [[Uruguay]]
|-
|-
|January 25, 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/technology/2018/0125/935901-amazon-echo-and-alexa-launch-in-ireland/|title=Amazon Echo and Alexa launch in Ireland|date=January 25, 2018|work=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]|access-date=February 5, 2018}}</ref>
|January 25, 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/technology/2018/0125/935901-amazon-echo-and-alexa-launch-in-ireland/|title=Amazon Echo and Alexa launch in Ireland|date=January 25, 2018|work=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225020011/https://www.rte.ie/news/technology/2018/0125/935901-amazon-echo-and-alexa-launch-in-ireland/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Ireland]]
|[[Ireland]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |February 1, 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/18/16904720/amazon-alexa-echo-australia-new-zealand-release-date|title=Amazon Echo devices are headed to Australia and New Zealand in February|work=The Verge|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |February 1, 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/18/16904720/amazon-alexa-echo-australia-new-zealand-release-date|title=Amazon Echo devices are headed to Australia and New Zealand in February|work=The Verge|access-date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=December 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225020017/https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/18/16904720/amazon-alexa-echo-australia-new-zealand-release-date|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Australia]]
| [[Australia]]
|-
|-
| [[New Zealand]]
| [[New Zealand]]
|-
|-
|February 6, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/6/17433060/alexa-echo-france-price-date-specs|title=Alexa echo france price date specs|date=June 6, 2018|publisher=The Verge}}</ref>
|February 6, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/6/17433060/alexa-echo-france-price-date-specs|title=Alexa echo france price date specs|date=June 6, 2018|publisher=The Verge|access-date=June 6, 2018|archive-date=April 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408193121/https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/6/17433060/alexa-echo-france-price-date-specs|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[France]]
| [[France]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |October 30, 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/24/18020262/amazon-echo-italy-spain-available-languages-cultural-features|title=Amazon's Echo and Alexa devices come to Spain and Italy|last=Liao|first=Shannon|date=October 24, 2018|work=The Verge|access-date=October 26, 2018|publisher=Vox Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/19/amazon-alexa-echo-italy-spain-sonos-bose/|title=Alexa and Echo will arrive in Italy and Spain later this year|last=Holt|first=Kris|date=June 19, 2018|work=[[Engadget]]|access-date=June 23, 2018}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |October 30, 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/24/18020262/amazon-echo-italy-spain-available-languages-cultural-features|title=Amazon's Echo and Alexa devices come to Spain and Italy|last=Liao|first=Shannon|date=October 24, 2018|work=The Verge|access-date=October 26, 2018|publisher=Vox Media|archive-date=October 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025090902/https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/24/18020262/amazon-echo-italy-spain-available-languages-cultural-features|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/19/amazon-alexa-echo-italy-spain-sonos-bose/|title=Alexa and Echo will arrive in Italy and Spain later this year|last=Holt|first=Kris|date=June 19, 2018|work=[[Engadget]]|access-date=June 23, 2018|archive-date=June 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624035650/https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/19/amazon-alexa-echo-italy-spain-sonos-bose/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Italy]]
| [[Italy]]
|-
|-
| [[Spain]]
| [[Spain]]
|-
|-
|November 12, 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/07/amazon-launches-alexa-and-echo-devices-in-mexico/|title=Amazon launches Alexa, Echo devices, and Amazon Music in Mexico|last=Wiggers|first=Kyle|date=November 7, 2018|work=[[VentureBeat]]|access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref>
|November 12, 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/07/amazon-launches-alexa-and-echo-devices-in-mexico/|title=Amazon launches Alexa, Echo devices, and Amazon Music in Mexico|last=Wiggers|first=Kyle|date=November 7, 2018|work=[[VentureBeat]]|access-date=November 7, 2018|archive-date=November 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107224828/https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/07/amazon-launches-alexa-and-echo-devices-in-mexico/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Mexico]]
| [[Mexico]]
|-
|-
|October 3, 2019<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mari |first1=Angelica |title=Amazon kicks off Alexa trial in Brazil |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-kicks-off-alexa-trial-in-brazil/ |access-date=August 15, 2019 |publisher=ZDNet |date=March 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/economia/tecnologia/noticia/2019/10/03/amazon-lanca-alexa-e-dispositivos-echo-no-brasil.ghtml|title=Amazon lança Alexa e dispositivos Echo no Brasil|website=G1}}</ref>
|October 3, 2019<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mari |first1=Angelica |title=Amazon kicks off Alexa trial in Brazil |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-kicks-off-alexa-trial-in-brazil/ |access-date=August 15, 2019 |publisher=ZDNet |date=March 19, 2019 |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331215318/https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-kicks-off-alexa-trial-in-brazil/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/economia/tecnologia/noticia/2019/10/03/amazon-lanca-alexa-e-dispositivos-echo-no-brasil.ghtml|title=Amazon lança Alexa e dispositivos Echo no Brasil|website=G1|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515235700/https://g1.globo.com/economia/tecnologia/noticia/2019/10/03/amazon-lanca-alexa-e-dispositivos-echo-no-brasil.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Brazil]]
| [[Brazil]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | December 7, 2021 <ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1982586/business-economy|title=Amazon launches Saudi-dialect speaking Alexa|publisher=Arab News|last=George Charles Darley|date=7 December 2021}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://global.techradar.com/en-ae/news/alexa-can-now-speak-arabic-launches-officially-in-saudi-arabia-and-uae-with-echo-devices|title=Alexa can now speak Arabic - launches officially in Saudi Arabia and UAE with Echo devices|publisher=TechRadar|last=Abbas Jaffar Ali|date=8 December 2021}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" | December 7, 2021 <ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1982586/business-economy|title=Amazon launches Saudi-dialect speaking Alexa|publisher=Arab News|last=George Charles Darley|date=7 December 2021|access-date=February 12, 2022|archive-date=February 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212045514/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1982586/business-economy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://global.techradar.com/en-ae/news/alexa-can-now-speak-arabic-launches-officially-in-saudi-arabia-and-uae-with-echo-devices|title=Alexa can now speak Arabic - launches officially in Saudi Arabia and UAE with Echo devices|publisher=TechRadar|last=Abbas Jaffar Ali|date=8 December 2021|access-date=February 12, 2022|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214234738/https://global.techradar.com/en-ae/news/alexa-can-now-speak-arabic-launches-officially-in-saudi-arabia-and-uae-with-echo-devices|url-status=live}}</ref>
| [[Saudi Arabia]]
| [[Saudi Arabia]]
|-
|-
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== Supported devices ==
== Supported devices ==
<!-- Please only add devices that have Alexa built-in (allow interaction with Alexa), not devices that can be controlled using Alexa (devices that have Alexa skills) -->
<!-- Please only add devices that have Alexa built-in (allow interaction with Alexa), not devices that can be controlled using Alexa (devices that have Alexa skills) -->
{{as of|2018|September}}, over 20,000 devices support interaction with Amazon Alexa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/01/alexa-is-now-available-on-20000-devices/|title=Alexa is now available on 20,000 devices|last=Heater|first=Brian|date=September 1, 2018|work=TechCrunch|access-date=September 1, 2018|publisher=Oath Inc.}}</ref> Listed below are commercially available Alexa devices.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://latest-product-reviews.com/best-echo-alexa/|title=Echo Speakers with Alexa|date=November 1, 2021|work=LatestProductReviews.com|access-date=November 1, 2021|publisher=Latest-Product-Reviews.com}}</ref>
{{as of|2018|September}}, over 20,000 devices support interaction with Amazon Alexa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/01/alexa-is-now-available-on-20000-devices/|title=Alexa is now available on 20,000 devices|last=Heater|first=Brian|date=September 1, 2018|work=TechCrunch|access-date=September 1, 2018|publisher=Oath Inc.|archive-date=September 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012240/https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/01/alexa-is-now-available-on-20000-devices/|url-status=live}}</ref> Listed below are commercially available Alexa devices.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://latest-product-reviews.com/best-echo-alexa/|title=Echo Speakers with Alexa|date=November 1, 2021|work=LatestProductReviews.com|access-date=November 1, 2021|publisher=Latest-Product-Reviews.com|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122131726/https://latest-product-reviews.com/best-echo-alexa/|url-status=live}}</ref>


===Smart speakers===
===Smart speakers===
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|date=October 4, 2017
|date=October 4, 2017
|work=TechCrunch
|work=TechCrunch
|access-date=October 4, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=October 4, 2017
|archive-date=April 10, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410161611/https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/04/sonos-announces-alexa-controlled-wireless-speakers/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lenovo]]
|[[Lenovo]]
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|date=January 3, 2017
|date=January 3, 2017
|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]
|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]
|access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=October 3, 2017
|archive-date=January 13, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113004918/https://www.wired.com/2017/01/lenovos-smart-speaker-marries-alexa-smarts-hardon-karman-sounds/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Harman Kardon]]
|[[Harman Kardon]]
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|work=The Verge
|work=The Verge
|access-date=August 31, 2017
|access-date=August 31, 2017
|publisher=Vox Media}}</ref>
|publisher=Vox Media
|archive-date=April 4, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404155325/https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/8/31/16232912/harman-kardon-allure-alexa-speaker-cortana-speaker
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Harman Kardon]]
|[[Harman Kardon]]
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|date=February 27, 2018
|date=February 27, 2018
|work=[[American City Business Journals]]
|work=[[American City Business Journals]]
|access-date=March 2, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=March 2, 2018
|archive-date=January 10, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110133921/https://www.bizjournals.com/businesswire/press_releases/2018/02/27/20180227006499
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Kitsound
|Kitsound
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|first=Max
|first=Max
|date=August 2, 2017
|date=August 2, 2017
|work=Pocket-lint}}</ref>
|work=Pocket-lint
|access-date=April 5, 2024
|archive-date=November 27, 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127041818/http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/141800-kitsound-voice-one-gives-alexa-the-audio-oomph-she-needs
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Anker Innovations | Anker]]
|[[Anker Innovations | Anker]]
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|date=August 9, 2017
|date=August 9, 2017
|work=9to5Toys
|work=9to5Toys
|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=August 9, 2017
|archive-date=June 4, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604231907/https://9to5toys.com/2017/08/09/anker-eufy-genie-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Invoxia]]
|[[Invoxia]]
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|work=[[The Verge]]
|work=[[The Verge]]
|publisher=[[Vox Media]]
|publisher=[[Vox Media]]
|date=April 28, 2016}}</ref>
|date=April 28, 2016
|archive-date=September 19, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919200332/http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/28/11521976/triby-review-alexa-on-your-fridge
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[LG]]
|[[LG]]
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|access-date=September 9, 2016
|access-date=September 9, 2016
|work=[[PC Magazine]]
|work=[[PC Magazine]]
|date=September 3, 2016}}</ref>
|date=September 3, 2016
|archive-date=September 6, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906165612/http://www.pcmag.com/news/347593/eyes-on-lgs-smartthinq-hub-with-alexa
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Onkyo]]
|[[Onkyo]]
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|date=January 6, 2017
|date=January 6, 2017
|last=Nicolakis
|last=Nicolakis
|first=Theo}}</ref>
|first=Theo
|access-date=April 5, 2024
|archive-date=September 14, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022233/https://www.techhive.com/article/3155092/consumer-electronics/onkyos-vc-flx1-smart-speaker-combines-alexa-sensors-and-a-webcam.html
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Clazio
|Clazio
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|url=https://www.cnet.com/products/fabriq-alexa-enabled-smart-speaker/preview/
|url=https://www.cnet.com/products/fabriq-alexa-enabled-smart-speaker/preview/
|website=CNET
|website=CNET
|access-date=November 11, 2016}}</ref>
|access-date=November 11, 2016
|archive-date=November 11, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111124245/https://www.cnet.com/products/fabriq-alexa-enabled-smart-speaker/preview/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Fabriq
|Fabriq
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|work=TechHive
|work=TechHive
|access-date=November 17, 2017
|access-date=November 17, 2017
|publisher=[[International Data Group]]}}</ref>
|publisher=[[International Data Group]]
|archive-date=February 3, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203043511/https://www.techhive.com/article/3236496/speakers/fabriq-chorus-review.html#tk.rss_reviews
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Jam Voice
|Jam Voice
Line 487: Line 546:
|first1=John Patrick
|first1=John Patrick
|title=6 Can't-Miss Gadgets Powered By Amazon's Alexa Assistant
|title=6 Can't-Miss Gadgets Powered By Amazon's Alexa Assistant
|url=http://time.com/4603308/amazon-alexa-echo-gadgets/
|url=https://time.com/4603308/amazon-alexa-echo-gadgets/
|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]
|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]
|access-date=December 19, 2016
|access-date=December 19, 2016
|date=December 15, 2016}}</ref>
|date=December 15, 2016
|archive-date=December 18, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218180623/http://time.com/4603308/amazon-alexa-echo-gadgets/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Vobot
|Vobot
Line 501: Line 564:
|date=January 3, 2017
|date=January 3, 2017
|work=Digital Trends
|work=Digital Trends
|access-date=November 24, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=November 24, 2017
|archive-date=February 18, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218005247/https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/vobot-clock-amazon-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Yeelight
|Yeelight
Line 512: Line 579:
|date=December 29, 2017
|date=December 29, 2017
|work=[[XDA Developers]]
|work=[[XDA Developers]]
|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 1, 2018
|archive-date=January 5, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105045143/https://www.xda-developers.com/xiaomi-yeelight-speaker/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Polk Audio]]
|[[Polk Audio]]
Line 523: Line 594:
|date=January 9, 2018
|date=January 9, 2018
|work=[[GeekWire]]
|work=[[GeekWire]]
|access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 27, 2018
|archive-date=September 13, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185220/https://www.geekwire.com/2018/polk-audio-debuts-first-voice-controlled-sound-bar-amazon-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Brilliant Control
|Brilliant Control
Line 535: Line 610:
|work=CNET
|work=CNET
|access-date=September 6, 2018
|access-date=September 6, 2018
|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
|publisher=CBS Interactive
|archive-date=August 16, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816134133/https://www.cnet.com/news/brilliant-control-touchscreen-smart-home-hub-with-alexa-now-available/#ftag=CAD590a51e
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Bose Corporation|Bose]]
|[[Bose Corporation|Bose]]
Line 546: Line 625:
|date=August 28, 2018
|date=August 28, 2018
|work=9to5Toys
|work=9to5Toys
|access-date=August 30, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=August 30, 2018
|archive-date=June 7, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607082948/https://9to5toys.com/2018/08/28/bose-smart-speaker-soundbar-alexa-airplay-2/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Bose Corporation|Bose]]
|[[Bose Corporation|Bose]]
Line 566: Line 649:
|work=[[Engadget]]
|work=[[Engadget]]
|access-date=August 30, 2018
|access-date=August 30, 2018
|publisher=Oath Inc.}}</ref>
|publisher=Oath Inc.
|archive-date=September 11, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911115343/https://www.engadget.com/2018/08/30/marshall-smart-speakers-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Marshall Amplification|Marshall]]
|[[Marshall Amplification|Marshall]]
Line 582: Line 669:
|work=[[CNET]]
|work=[[CNET]]
|access-date=August 31, 2018
|access-date=August 31, 2018
|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
|publisher=CBS Interactive
|archive-date=September 1, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901113556/https://www.cnet.com/news/huawei-joins-the-alexa-powered-smart-speaker-club-with-the-ai-cube/?ftag=CAD1acfa04&bhid=25604195982914739067553674390171
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Riva
|Riva
Line 607: Line 698:
|work=The Verge
|work=The Verge
|access-date=September 1, 2018
|access-date=September 1, 2018
|publisher=Vox Media}}</ref>
|publisher=Vox Media
|archive-date=October 20, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020222015/https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/8/29/17796400/libratone-zipp-2-mini-speakers-alexa
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Libratone
|Libratone
Line 623: Line 718:
|work=[[Android Central]]
|work=[[Android Central]]
|access-date=September 1, 2018
|access-date=September 1, 2018
|publisher=Mobile Nations}}</ref>
|publisher=Mobile Nations
|archive-date=June 11, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611061248/https://www.androidcentral.com/anker-soundcore-flare-s-plus
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Klipsch Audio Technologies|Klipsch]]
|[[Klipsch Audio Technologies|Klipsch]]
Line 635: Line 734:
|work=The Verge
|work=The Verge
|access-date=January 4, 2018
|access-date=January 4, 2018
|publisher=Vox Media}}</ref>
|publisher=Vox Media
|archive-date=July 1, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701125452/https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/3/18167286/klipsch-new-smart-sound-bar-google-assistant-alexa-dolby-atmos-ces-2019
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Energy Sistem
|Energy Sistem
Line 662: Line 765:
|access-date=September 9, 2016
|access-date=September 9, 2016
|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]
|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]
|date=September 17, 2015}}</ref>
|date=September 17, 2015
|archive-date=September 13, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913224933/https://blogs.wsj.com/personal-technology/2015/09/17/amazon-fire-tv-gets-4k-video-and-the-alexa-virtual-assistant/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
Line 678: Line 785:
|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]
|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]
|access-date=June 23, 2018
|access-date=June 23, 2018
|url-access=limited}}</ref>
|url-access=limited
|archive-date=August 27, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827102244/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/06/21/alexa-turn-on-the-tv-amazons-fire-tv-cube-wants-to-kill-your-remote-with-voice-control/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Element Electronics|Element]]
|[[Element Electronics|Element]]
Line 688: Line 799:
|work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]
|work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]
|access-date=May 17, 2017
|access-date=May 17, 2017
|language=en-US}}</ref>
|language=en-US
|archive-date=October 28, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028151609/https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170516/entlife/305169931
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Sony]]
|[[Sony]]
Line 702: Line 817:
|publisher=CBS Interactive
|publisher=CBS Interactive
|last2=Fox Rubin
|last2=Fox Rubin
|first2=Ben}}</ref>
|first2=Ben
|archive-date=November 26, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126221649/https://www.cnet.com/news/alexa-is-coming-to-tvs-well-at-least-sony-smart-tvs/?ftag=CAD-04-10aai6f&bhid=25604195982914739067553674390171
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Samsung]]
|[[Samsung]]
Line 718: Line 837:
|title=Supported Alexa Features
|title=Supported Alexa Features
|website=Amazon
|website=Amazon
|access-date=April 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
|access-date=April 24, 2017
|archive-date=April 25, 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425121951/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202013680
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
|title=Amazon's new Fire HD 8 is its first tablet with Alexa
|title=Amazon's new Fire HD 8 is its first tablet with Alexa
|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/08/amazon-fire-hd-8-tablet-with-alexa/
|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/08/amazon-fire-hd-8-tablet-with-alexa/
|access-date=September 8, 2016
|access-date=September 8, 2016
|work=[[Engadget]]
|work=[[Engadget]]
|date=September 8, 2016}}</ref>
|date=September 8, 2016
|archive-date=February 13, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213201128/https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/08/amazon-fire-hd-8-tablet-with-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
Line 734: Line 861:
|date=September 19, 2017
|date=September 19, 2017
|work=[[Engadget]]
|work=[[Engadget]]
|access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=September 21, 2017
|archive-date=November 19, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119032611/https://www.engadget.com/2017/09/19/amazon-unveils-fire-hd-10-tablet-with-hands-free-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Huawei]]
|[[Huawei]]
Line 742: Line 873:
|title=Huawei's Mate 9 Becomes the First Alexa Phone
|title=Huawei's Mate 9 Becomes the First Alexa Phone
|work=[[PC Magazine]]
|work=[[PC Magazine]]
|access-date=January 9, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=January 9, 2017
|archive-date=September 2, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902165119/https://www.pcmag.com/news/350816/huaweis-mate-9-becomes-the-first-alexa-phone
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[HTC]]
|[[HTC]]
Line 751: Line 886:
|work=[[Ars Technica]]
|work=[[Ars Technica]]
|access-date=May 17, 2017
|access-date=May 17, 2017
|language=en-us}}</ref>
|language=en-us
|archive-date=September 4, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904060602/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/05/htc-u11-hands-on-the-first-phone-with-both-google-and-alexa-voice-commands/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[TCL Corporation|TCL]]
|[[TCL Corporation|TCL]]
Line 762: Line 901:
|access-date=November 17, 2016
|access-date=November 17, 2016
|work=Pocketnow
|work=Pocketnow
|date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>
|date=November 4, 2016
|archive-date=July 21, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721100634/http://pocketnow.com/2016/11/04/tcl-xess-smart-home-hub-alexa-amazon
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Motorola Mobility]]
|[[Motorola Mobility]]
Line 773: Line 916:
|date=October 31, 2017
|date=October 31, 2017
|work=PocketNow
|work=PocketNow
|access-date=October 21, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=October 21, 2017
|archive-date=July 23, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723000901/http://pocketnow.com/2017/08/31/dual-cameras-water-resistance-alexa-moderate-price-tag-for-moto-x4
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Motorola Mobility]]
|[[Motorola Mobility]]
Line 784: Line 931:
|date=October 21, 2017
|date=October 21, 2017
|work=Engadget
|work=Engadget
|access-date=October 21, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=October 21, 2017
|archive-date=February 3, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203022334/https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/18/motorola-introduces-amazon-alexa-speaker-moto-mod/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Essential Products]]
|[[Essential Products]]
Line 796: Line 947:
|work=The Verge
|work=The Verge
|access-date=February 17, 2018
|access-date=February 17, 2018
|publisher=Vox Media}}</ref>
|publisher=Vox Media
|archive-date=May 1, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501170734/https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/2/16/17020750/essential-amazon-exclusive-phone-alexa
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|}
|}


Line 813: Line 968:
|work=Windows Central
|work=Windows Central
|access-date=January 27, 2018
|access-date=January 27, 2018
|publisher=Mobile Nations}}</ref>
|publisher=Mobile Nations
|archive-date=April 5, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405035635/https://www.windowscentral.com/amazon-alexa-coming-windows-10-pcs-asus-hp-and-more
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[HP Inc.|HP]]
|[[HP Inc.|HP]]
Line 829: Line 988:
|work=CNET
|work=CNET
|access-date=January 27, 2018
|access-date=January 27, 2018
|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
|publisher=CBS Interactive
|archive-date=July 27, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727054822/https://www.cnet.com/products/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-2018/preview/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Acer Inc.|Acer]]
|[[Acer Inc.|Acer]]
Line 840: Line 1,003:
|date=January 8, 2018
|date=January 8, 2018
|work=TechRepublic
|work=TechRepublic
|access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 27, 2018
|archive-date=September 13, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185010/https://www.techrepublic.com/article/hp-asus-acer-bringing-amazon-alexa-integration-to-laptops-and-desktops/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Acer Inc.|Acer]]
|[[Acer Inc.|Acer]]
Line 863: Line 1,030:
|date=April 17, 2019
|date=April 17, 2019
|work=[[ASUS]]
|work=[[ASUS]]
|access-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref>
|access-date=April 17, 2019
|archive-date=January 10, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110133917/https://www.asus.com/Networking/Lyra-Voice/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
Line 874: Line 1,045:
|date=June 15, 2017
|date=June 15, 2017
|website=[[Engadget]]
|website=[[Engadget]]
|access-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=June 15, 2017
|archive-date=April 5, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405235931/https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/15/amazon-dash-wand-alexa-voice/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[GE]]
|[[GE]]
Line 885: Line 1,060:
|website=TechCrunch
|website=TechCrunch
|date=December 7, 2016
|date=December 7, 2016
|access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref>
|access-date=December 7, 2016
|archive-date=August 24, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824125824/https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/07/ge-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[LG Corporation|LG]]
|[[LG Corporation|LG]]
Line 896: Line 1,075:
|access-date=January 5, 2017
|access-date=January 5, 2017
|work=Mashable
|work=Mashable
|date=January 4, 2017}}</ref>
|date=January 4, 2017
|archive-date=September 2, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902152732/https://mashable.com/2017/01/04/lg-smart-instaview-refrigerator-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Nucleus
|Nucleus
Line 907: Line 1,090:
|access-date=September 9, 2016
|access-date=September 9, 2016
|work=[[Mashable]]
|work=[[Mashable]]
|date=August 4, 2016}}</ref>
|date=August 4, 2016
|archive-date=September 30, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930211821/https://mashable.com/2016/08/04/nucleus-alexa-touchscreen/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Omate
|Omate
Line 919: Line 1,106:
|publisher=[[Vox Media]]
|publisher=[[Vox Media]]
|access-date=November 6, 2016
|access-date=November 6, 2016
|date=November 2, 2016}}</ref>
|date=November 2, 2016
|archive-date=November 7, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107093355/http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/11/2/13497722/omate-yumi-robot-alexa-indiegogo
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[ecobee|ecobee4]]
|[[ecobee|ecobee4]]
Line 930: Line 1,121:
|access-date=May 6, 2017
|access-date=May 6, 2017
|last=O'Rourke
|last=O'Rourke
|first=Patrick
|first=Patrick}}</ref> <!-- The ecobee4 has a built-in microphone for Alexa use -->
|archive-date=May 6, 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506205031/http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/05/03/ecobee4-smart-thermostat-with-amazon-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref> <!-- The ecobee4 has a built-in microphone for Alexa use -->
|-
|-
|[[ecobee|ecobee4]]
|[[ecobee|ecobee4]]
Line 941: Line 1,136:
|date=November 21, 2017
|date=November 21, 2017
|work=9to5Mac
|work=9to5Mac
|access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 8, 2018
|archive-date=April 24, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424031538/https://9to5mac.com/2017/11/21/ecobee-launches-pilot-program-for-its-alexa-enabled-switch-light-switch-ahead-of-release/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[iDevices]]
|[[iDevices]]
Line 960: Line 1,159:
||Wozart Technologies
||Wozart Technologies
|Wozart Smart Plug
|Wozart Smart Plug
|
|<ref>{{Cite news
|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/brand-post/wozart-launches-affordable-smart-home-devices-to-help-save-energy-101620301259525.html
|title= Wozart launches affordable smart home devices to help save energy
|date=May 6, 2021
|work=[[Hindustan Times]]
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Wozart Technologies
|Wozart Technologies
Line 984: Line 1,178:
|date=January 7, 2018
|date=January 7, 2018
|work=New Atlas
|work=New Atlas
|access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 8, 2018
|archive-date=March 29, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329230257/https://newatlas.com/alexa-smoke-detector-first-alert/52849/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Lutron]]
|[[Lutron]]
Line 999: Line 1,197:
|date=March 7, 2018
|date=March 7, 2018
|work=[[Forbes]]
|work=[[Forbes]]
|access-date=March 11, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=March 11, 2018
|archive-date=September 13, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913190036/https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2018/03/07/this-999-bathroom-mirror-is-alexa-powered-so-you-can-shop-while-you/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Netgear]]
|[[Netgear]]
Line 1,010: Line 1,212:
|date=August 30, 2018
|date=August 30, 2018
|work=[[Gizmodo]]
|work=[[Gizmodo]]
|access-date=August 30, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=August 30, 2018
|archive-date=November 6, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106063956/https://gizmodo.com/netgear-stuffed-alexa-and-a-harman-kardon-speaker-into-1828693808
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[SwitchBot]]
|[[SwitchBot]]
Line 1,018: Line 1,224:
|title=SwitchBot Curtain with Alexa makes any curtains smart for ...
|title=SwitchBot Curtain with Alexa makes any curtains smart for ...
|work=[[yahoo]]
|work=[[yahoo]]
|date=June 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
|date=June 17, 2022
|access-date=June 30, 2023
|archive-date=June 30, 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630080956/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/switchbot-curtain-alexa-makes-curtains-152800766.html
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/switchbot-curtain-review/
|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/switchbot-curtain-review/
|title=SwitchBot Curtain Review: Make Curtains Great Again
|title=SwitchBot Curtain Review: Make Curtains Great Again
|date=April 30, 2022}}</ref>
|date=April 30, 2022
|access-date=June 30, 2023
|archive-date=June 30, 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630081001/https://www.makeuseof.com/switchbot-curtain-review/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[SwitchBot]]
|[[SwitchBot]]
Line 1,029: Line 1,245:
|title=SwitchBot Lock review: a tiny robot hand that unlocks your door
|title=SwitchBot Lock review: a tiny robot hand that unlocks your door
|work=[[The Verge]]
|work=[[The Verge]]
|date=August 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
|date=August 28, 2022
|access-date=June 30, 2023
|archive-date=June 30, 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630080956/https://www.theverge.com/23323597/switchbot-lock-review-smart-door-lock
|url-status=live
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
|url=https://bgr.com/reviews/switchbot-lock-review-a-smart-add-on-for-your-existing-lock/
|url=https://bgr.com/reviews/switchbot-lock-review-a-smart-add-on-for-your-existing-lock/
|title=Switchbot Lock review: A smart add-on for your existing lock
|title=Switchbot Lock review: A smart add-on for your existing lock
|work=[[Boy Genius Report]]
|work=[[Boy Genius Report]]
|date=April 16, 2023}}</ref>
|date=April 16, 2023
|access-date=June 30, 2023
|archive-date=June 30, 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630080955/https://bgr.com/reviews/switchbot-lock-review-a-smart-add-on-for-your-existing-lock/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[SwitchBot]]
|[[SwitchBot]]
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|url=https://www.reviewgeek.com/150883/switchbot-hub-2-review/
|url=https://www.reviewgeek.com/150883/switchbot-hub-2-review/
|title=Switchbot Hub 2 Review: an Upgrade That Matters
|title=Switchbot Hub 2 Review: an Upgrade That Matters
|date=April 13, 2023}}</ref>
|date=April 13, 2023
|access-date=June 30, 2023
|archive-date=June 30, 2023
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}}</ref>
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|website=TechCrunch
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|access-date=December 14, 2016}}</ref>
|access-date=December 14, 2016
|archive-date=February 21, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221012206/https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/14/these-new-headphones-let-you-talk-to-amazons-alexa-anywhere-you-go/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[UBtech Robotics]]
|[[UBtech Robotics]]
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|date=January 6, 2017
|date=January 6, 2017
|work=Android Central
|work=Android Central
|access-date=January 9, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=January 9, 2017
|archive-date=July 24, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724054304/https://www.androidcentral.com/meet-lynx-walking-talking-robot-powered-amazon-alexa
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|[[Pebble Technology]]
|[[Pebble Technology]]
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|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2016/06/03/pebble-core-amazon-alexa/
|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2016/06/03/pebble-core-amazon-alexa/
|access-date=September 8, 2016
|access-date=September 8, 2016
|date=June 3, 2016}}</ref>
|date=June 3, 2016
|archive-date=September 13, 2016
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|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Orion Labs
|Orion Labs
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|website=Digital Trends
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|access-date=December 19, 2016
|access-date=December 19, 2016
|date=September 13, 2016}}</ref>
|date=September 13, 2016
|archive-date=December 21, 2016
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|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
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|iMCO Technology
|iMCO Technology
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|access-date=September 9, 2016
|access-date=September 9, 2016
|work=[[CNET]]
|work=[[CNET]]
|date=April 16, 2016}}</ref>
|date=April 16, 2016
|archive-date=August 22, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822213758/https://www.cnet.com/news/cowatch-keeps-amazon-alexa-voice-service-at-arms-length/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Martian Watches]]
|[[Martian Watches]]
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|website=CNET
|website=CNET
|access-date=December 19, 2016
|access-date=December 19, 2016
|date=December 6, 2016}}</ref>
|date=December 6, 2016
|archive-date=May 10, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510202557/https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-alexa-on-your-wrist-martian-mvoice-smartwatch/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
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|Omate
|Omate
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|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/01/omate-rise-amazon-alexa-limited-edition/
|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/01/omate-rise-amazon-alexa-limited-edition/
|access-date=September 9, 2016
|access-date=September 9, 2016
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|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Bragi (company)|Bragi]]
|[[Bragi (company)|Bragi]]
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|date=October 27, 2017
|date=October 27, 2017
|work=Wareable
|work=Wareable
|access-date=October 30, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=October 30, 2017
|archive-date=December 13, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213131658/https://www.wareable.com/hearables/bragi-dash-pro-amazon-alexa-5766
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|}
|}


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|date=January 5, 2017
|date=January 5, 2017
|work=[[USA Today]]
|work=[[USA Today]]
|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 9, 2018
|archive-date=September 13, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913190639/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/01/05/ford-plans-take-amazons-alexa-ride/96178556/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
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|[[BMW]]
|[[BMW]]
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|date=September 27, 2017
|date=September 27, 2017
|work=[[Business Insider]]
|work=[[Business Insider]]
|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 9, 2018
|archive-date=September 13, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223338/https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-alexa-bmw-2018-2017-9?op=1
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|[[Mini (marque)|Mini]]
|[[Mini (marque)|Mini]]
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|date=October 2, 2017
|date=October 2, 2017
|work=[[Cars.com]]
|work=[[Cars.com]]
|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 9, 2018
|archive-date=November 14, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114020753/https://www.cars.com/articles/bmw-mini-assimilate-full-amazon-alexa-skill-set-1420697423670/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|[[Toyota]]
|[[Toyota]]
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|date=January 9, 2018
|date=January 9, 2018
|work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]
|work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]
|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 9, 2018
|archive-date=September 13, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185306/http://fortune.com/2018/01/09/amazon-alexa-toyota-lexus/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|[[Lexus]]
|[[Lexus]]
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|date=January 9, 2018
|date=January 9, 2018
|work=[[CNBC]]
|work=[[CNBC]]
|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=January 9, 2018
|archive-date=September 13, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185119/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/09/toyota-will-add-amazon-alexa-to-select-cars-in-2018.html
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|[[Volkswagen]]
|[[Volkswagen]]
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|date=September 28, 2017
|date=September 28, 2017
|work=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]]
|work=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]]
|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=May 3, 2018
|archive-date=October 25, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025013229/https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/volkswagen-get-amazon-alexa-voice-control-connectivity-push
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
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|[[Garmin]]
|[[Garmin]]
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|title=Garmin Speak
|title=Garmin Speak
|website=Uncrate
|website=Uncrate
|access-date=October 21, 2017}}</ref>
|access-date=October 21, 2017
|archive-date=October 22, 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022142804/https://uncrate.com/article/garmin-speak/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|Speak Music
|Speak Music
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|work=TechCrunch
|work=TechCrunch
|access-date=November 17, 2017
|access-date=November 17, 2017
|publisher=Oath Inc.}}</ref>
|publisher=Oath Inc.
|archive-date=December 1, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201080626/https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/14/muse-is-a-simple-dedicated-amazon-alexa-add-on-for-the-car/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
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|[[Anker Innovations | Anker]]
|[[Anker Innovations | Anker]]
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|date=January 8, 2018
|date=January 8, 2018
|work=The Verge
|work=The Verge
|access-date=August 5, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=August 5, 2018
|archive-date=November 15, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115235348/https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/1/8/16860516/anker-roav-viva-alexa-bluetooth-car-price-ces-2018
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|date=June 7, 2018
|date=June 7, 2018
|work=The Verge
|work=The Verge
|access-date=June 23, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=June 23, 2018
|archive-date=June 24, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624035706/https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/6/7/17437446/amazon-alexa-apple-watch-voice-in-a-can-app
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
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|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
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|access-date=September 9, 2016
|access-date=September 9, 2016
|work=[[USA Today]]
|work=[[USA Today]]
|date=May 28, 2016}}</ref>
|date=May 28, 2016
|archive-date=August 10, 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810022238/http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/05/28/amazon-lets-you-access-alexa-web/85112740/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
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|work=TechCrunch
|work=TechCrunch
|access-date=November 17, 2017
|access-date=November 17, 2017
|publisher=Oath Inc.}}</ref>
|publisher=Oath Inc.
|archive-date=November 19, 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119131822/https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/16/amazon-adds-alexa-to-its-main-shopping-app/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
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|work=Engadget
|work=Engadget
|access-date=November 17, 2017
|access-date=November 17, 2017
|publisher=Oath Inc.}}</ref>
|publisher=Oath Inc.
|archive-date=November 19, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119041130/https://www.engadget.com/2017/09/26/amazon-music-app-gets-alexa/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
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|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
|[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]
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|
|
|-
|-
|[[Anki (company)|Anki]]
|[[Anki (American company)|Anki]]
| Vector robot
| Vector robot
|<ref>{{Cite news
|<ref>{{Cite news
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|date=November 16, 2018
|date=November 16, 2018
|work=[[VentureBeat]]
|work=[[VentureBeat]]
|access-date=December 23, 2018}}</ref>
|access-date=December 23, 2018
|archive-date=April 8, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408160514/https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/16/ankis-vector-gets-new-animations-and-features-ahead-of-alexa-integration/
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
|-
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|[[Microsoft]]
|[[Microsoft]]
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|date=April 22, 2021
|date=April 22, 2021
|work=Taptop Support
|work=Taptop Support
|access-date=August 3, 2021}}</ref>
|access-date=August 3, 2021
|archive-date=August 3, 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803121038/https://desk.zoho.com/portal/blokparty/en/kb/articles/taptop-faqs
|url-status=live
}}</ref>


|}
|}


==Alexa Prize==
==Alexa Prize==
In September 2016, a university student competition called the Alexa Prize was announced for November of that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx221UQAWNUXON3/Are-you-up-to-the-Challenge-Announcing-the-Alexa-Prize-2-5-Million-to-Advance-Co|title=Are you up to the Challenge? Announcing the Alexa Prize: $2.5 Million to Advance Conversational Artificial Intelligence|author=Ashwin Ram|date=September 29, 2016|work=Amazon developer community posting|access-date=October 3, 2016|author-link=Ashwin Ram}}</ref> The prize is equipped with a total of $2.5 million and teams and their universities can win cash and research grants. The process started with team selection in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexaprize/faq|title=Alexa Prize FAQ|website=developer.amazon.com|publisher=Amazon|access-date=November 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117065001/https://developer.amazon.com/alexaprize/faq|archive-date=November 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 2017 inaugural competition focuses on the challenge of building a [[socialbot]]. The [[University of Washington]] student team was awarded first place for the Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 1.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Blume|first1=Michael|title=UW student team wins first place in Amazon Alexa competition|url=http://www.dailyuw.com/science/article_bc135d10-f0f7-11e7-a1ab-0be114c44429.html|access-date=January 27, 2018}}</ref> The [[University of California, Davis]] student team was awarded first place for the Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 2.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Hakkani-Tur|first1=Dilek|title=Announcing the 2018 Alexa Prize Winner: University of California, Davis|url=https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/fcf4af1a-aaa4-4602-986e-ca21d95db5cf/2018-alexa-prize-winner-is-the-university-of-california-davis|access-date=November 27, 2018}}</ref> The [[Emory University]] student team was awarded first place for the Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 3.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Zorio|first1=Stephen|title= Emory University team wins Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 3|url=https://www.amazon.science/latest-news/amazon-announces-2020-alexa-prize-winner-emory-university|access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref>
In September 2016, a university student competition called the Alexa Prize was announced for November of that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx221UQAWNUXON3/Are-you-up-to-the-Challenge-Announcing-the-Alexa-Prize-2-5-Million-to-Advance-Co|title=Are you up to the Challenge? Announcing the Alexa Prize: $2.5 Million to Advance Conversational Artificial Intelligence|author=Ashwin Ram|date=September 29, 2016|work=Amazon developer community posting|access-date=October 3, 2016|author-link=Ashwin Ram|archive-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005131139/https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx221UQAWNUXON3/Are-you-up-to-the-Challenge-Announcing-the-Alexa-Prize-2-5-Million-to-Advance-Co|url-status=live}}</ref> The prize is equipped with a total of $2.5 million and teams and their universities can win cash and research grants. The process started with team selection in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexaprize/faq|title=Alexa Prize FAQ|website=developer.amazon.com|publisher=Amazon|access-date=November 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117065001/https://developer.amazon.com/alexaprize/faq|archive-date=November 17, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 2017 inaugural competition focuses on the challenge of building a [[socialbot]]. The [[University of Washington]] student team was awarded first place for the Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 1.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Blume|first1=Michael|title=UW student team wins first place in Amazon Alexa competition|url=http://www.dailyuw.com/science/article_bc135d10-f0f7-11e7-a1ab-0be114c44429.html|access-date=January 27, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913041855/http://www.dailyuw.com/science/article_bc135d10-f0f7-11e7-a1ab-0be114c44429.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[University of California, Davis]] student team was awarded first place for the Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 2.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Hakkani-Tür|first1=Dilek|author1-link=Dilek Hakkani-Tür|title=Announcing the 2018 Alexa Prize Winner: University of California, Davis|url=https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/fcf4af1a-aaa4-4602-986e-ca21d95db5cf/2018-alexa-prize-winner-is-the-university-of-california-davis|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203175326/https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/fcf4af1a-aaa4-4602-986e-ca21d95db5cf/2018-alexa-prize-winner-is-the-university-of-california-davis|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Emory University]] student team was awarded first place for the Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 3.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Zorio|first1=Stephen|title=Emory University team wins Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 3|url=https://www.amazon.science/latest-news/amazon-announces-2020-alexa-prize-winner-emory-university|access-date=August 4, 2020|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921195917/https://www.amazon.science/latest-news/amazon-announces-2020-alexa-prize-winner-emory-university|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Alexa Fund ==
== Alexa Fund ==
Given Amazon's strong belief in voice technologies, Amazon announced a US$100 million venture capital fund on June 25, 2015. By specifically targeting developers, device-makers, and innovative companies of all sizes, Amazon aims at making digital voice assistants more powerful for its users.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/post/Tx28SME1SP9H8I4/build-new-voice-experiences-with-help-from-the-alexa-fund|title=Build New Voice Experiences with Help from the Alexa Fund|access-date=March 25, 2017}}</ref> Eligible projects for financial funding base on either creating new Alexa capabilities by using the [[#Alexa Skills Kit|Alexa Skills Kit]] (ASK) or [[#Alexa Voice Service|Alexa Voice Service]] (AVS).<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-fund|title=The Alexa Fund|website=developer.amazon.com|access-date=March 25, 2017}}</ref>
Given Amazon's strong belief in voice technologies, Amazon announced a US$100 million venture capital fund on June 25, 2015. By specifically targeting developers, device-makers, and innovative companies of all sizes, Amazon aims at making digital voice assistants more powerful for its users.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/post/Tx28SME1SP9H8I4/build-new-voice-experiences-with-help-from-the-alexa-fund|title=Build New Voice Experiences with Help from the Alexa Fund|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=December 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208065611/https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/post/Tx28SME1SP9H8I4/Build-New-Voice-Experiences-with-Help-from-the-Alexa-Fund|url-status=live}}</ref> Eligible projects for financial funding base on either creating new Alexa capabilities by using the [[#Alexa Skills Kit|Alexa Skills Kit]] (ASK) or [[#Alexa Voice Service|Alexa Voice Service]] (AVS).<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-fund|title=The Alexa Fund|website=developer.amazon.com|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309013249/https://developer.amazon.com/alexa-fund|url-status=live}}</ref>


The final selection of companies originates from the customer perspective and works backward, specific elements that are considered for potential investments are: level of [[customer satisfaction|customer centricity]], degree of innovation, the motivation of leadership, fit to Alexa product/service line, amount of other funding raised.<ref name="auto" />
The final selection of companies originates from the customer perspective and works backward, specific elements that are considered for potential investments are: level of [[customer satisfaction|customer centricity]], degree of innovation, the motivation of leadership, fit to Alexa product/service line, amount of other funding raised.<ref name="auto" />
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://alexa.amazon.com Amazon Alexa Web Portal]
* [https://alexa.amazon.com Amazon Alexa Web Portal]
* [https://www.amazon.com/b?&node=13727921011 Alexa Skills Store] on Amazon.com
* [https://www.amazon.com/b?&node=13575751011 Alexa Compatible Devices] on Amazon.com
* [https://developer.amazon.com/docs/custom-skills/develop-skills-in-multiple-languages.html Alexa Supported Languages] on Amazon.com
* [https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa Amazon Alexa for Developers] on Amazon.com
* {{Cite magazine|title=A Murder Case Tests Alexa's Devotion to Your Privacy|magazine=Wired|date=February 28, 2017|url=https://www.wired.com/2017/02/murder-case-tests-alexas-devotion-privacy/|ref={{sfnref|Wired|2017}}|access-date=January 9, 2018}}
* {{ITunes Preview App|944011620|Amazon Alexa}}
* {{Google Play|com.amazon.dee.app|Amazon Alexa}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161028212830/http://www.alexaconference.com/ Alexa Conference]


{{Amazon}}
{{Amazon}}
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[[Category:Amazon Alexa| ]]
[[Category:Amazon Alexa| ]]
[[Category:Amazon Web Services| ]]
[[Category:Amazon Web Services]]
[[Category:Amazon (company)]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2014]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2014]]
[[Category:Virtual assistants]]
[[Category:Virtual assistants]]

Latest revision as of 02:50, 5 January 2025

Amazon Alexa
Operating systemFire OS 5.0 or later, iOS 11.0 or later[1]
Android 4.4 or later
PlatformFire OS, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, Wear OS[citation needed]
Available inEnglish, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Arabic
TypeIntelligent personal assistant, cloud-based voice service
Websitedeveloper.amazon.com/alexa

Amazon Alexa, or, Alexa,[2] is a virtual assistant technology largely based on a Polish speech synthesizer named Ivona, bought by Amazon in 2013.[3][4] It was first used in the Amazon Echo smart speaker and the Amazon Echo Dot, Echo Studio and Amazon Tap speakers developed by Amazon Lab126. It is capable of natural language processing for tasks such as voice interaction, music playback, creating to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, providing weather, traffic, sports, other real-time information and news.[5] Alexa can also control several smart devices as a home automation system. Alexa capabilities may be extended by installing "skills" (additional functionality developed by third-party vendors, in other settings more commonly called apps) such as weather programs and audio features. It performs these tasks using automatic speech recognition, natural language processing, and other forms of weak AI.[6]

Most devices with Alexa allow users to activate the device using a wake-word[7] (such as Alexa or Amazon); other devices (such as the Amazon mobile app on iOS or Android and Amazon Dash Wand) require the user to click a button to activate Alexa's listening mode, although, some phones also allow a user to say a command, such as "Alexa, or Alexa go to bed" or "Alexa wake".

As of November 2018, more than 10,000 Amazon employees worked on Alexa and related products.[8] In January 2019, Amazon's devices team announced that they had sold over 100 million Alexa-enabled devices.[9]

In September 2019, Amazon launched many new devices achieving many records while competing with the world's smart home industry. The new Echo Studio became the first smart speaker with 360 sound and Dolby sound. Other new devices included an Echo dot with a clock behind the fabric, a new third-generation Amazon Echo, Echo Show 8, a plug-in Echo device, Echo Flex, Alexa built-in wireless earphones, Echo buds, Alexa built-in spectacles, Echo frames, an Alexa built-in Ring, and Echo Loop as well as the Echo Show generation.

History

[edit]
Amazon Echo devices on display in a shop
Amazon Echo Studio

Alexa was developed out of a predecessor named Ivona which was invented in Poland, inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey and bought by Amazon in 2013.[10][4] On November 6, 2014 (2014-November-06), Amazon announced Alexa alongside the Echo.[11] Alexa was inspired by the computer voice and conversational system on board the Starship Enterprise in science fiction TV series and movies, beginning with Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation.[12]

Amazon developers chose the name Alexa because it has a hard consonant with the X, which helps it be recognized with higher precision. They have said the name is reminiscent of the Library of Alexandria, which was also used by Amazon Alexa Internet for the same reason.[13][14][15] In June 2015, Amazon announced the Alexa Fund, a program that would invest in companies making voice control skills and technologies. The US$200 million fund has invested in companies including Jargon, Ecobee, Orange Chef, Scout Alarm, Garageio, Toymail, MARA, and Mojio.[16] In 2016, the Alexa Prize was announced to further advance the technology.

In January 2017, the first Alexa Conference took place in Nashville, Tennessee, an independent gathering of the worldwide community of Alexa developers and enthusiasts.[17][18][19] Follow up conferences went under the name Project Voice and featured keynote speakers such as Amazon's Head of Education for Alexa, Paul Cutsinger.[20]

At the Amazon Web Services Re: Invent conference in Las Vegas, Amazon announced Alexa for Business and the ability for app developers to have paid add-ons to their skills.

In May 2018, Amazon announced it would include Alexa in 35,000 new homes built by Lennar.[21]

In November 2018, Amazon opened its first Alexa-themed pop-up shop inside of Toronto's Eaton Centre, showcasing the use of home automation products with Amazon's smart speakers.[22] Amazon also sells Alexa devices at Amazon Books and Whole Foods Market locations, in addition to mall-based pop-ups throughout the United States.

In December 2018, Alexa was built into the Anki Vector and was the first major update for the Anki Vector, although Vector was released in August 2018, it is the only home robot with advanced technology.

As of 2018, interaction and communication with Alexa were available only in English, German, French,[23] Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Hindi.[24] In Canada, Alexa is available in English and French (with the Quebec accent).[25][26]

In October 2019, Amazon announced the expansion of Alexa to Brazil, in Portuguese, together with Bose, Intelbras, and LG.[27]

In November 2019, Amazon introduced Echo Studio, a Dolby Atmos-compatible surround sound Alexa speaker.[28]

Hoped-for revenue never materialized from people using voice ordering for Amazon products or services from partners such as Domino's Pizza and Uber. Alexa does not play audio ads, and display ads were relatively unsuccessful. In 2019 an all-hands crisis meeting was called to address the issue, and a hiring freeze was instated. In 2022, with the division losing several billion dollars per quarter, the company started laying off Alexa employees en masse.[29] Echo Show devices began serving hidable ads for Alexa skills and other products in December 2022, followed by ads promoting shopping for specific products on Amazon (which respawn quicker) in November 2023.

App

[edit]
Logo for the Amazon Alexa app available on the App Store and Google Play

A companion app is available for selected devices (excluding, for example, Chromebox devices) from the Apple Appstore, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore. The app can be used by owners of Alexa-enabled devices to install skills, control music, manage alarms, and view shopping lists.[30] It also allows users to review the recognized text on the app screen and to send feedback to Amazon concerning whether the recognition was good or bad.

Functions

[edit]

Alexa can perform a number of preset functions out-of-the-box such as set timers, share the current weather, create lists, access Wikipedia articles, and many more things.[31] Users say a designated "wake word" (the default is simply "Alexa") to alert an Alexa-enabled device of an ensuing function command. Alexa listens for the command and performs the appropriate function, or skill, to answer a question or command. When questions are asked, Alexa converts sound waves into text which allows it to gather information from various sources. Behind the scenes, the data gathered is then sometimes passed to a variety of suppliers including WolframAlpha, iMDB, AccuWeather, Yelp, Wikipedia, and others[32] to generate suitable and accurate answers.[33] Alexa-supported devices can stream music from the owner's Amazon Music accounts and have built-in support for Pandora and Spotify accounts.[34] Alexa can play music from streaming services such as Apple Music and Google Play Music from a phone or tablet.

In addition to performing pre-set functions, Alexa can also perform additional functions through third-party skills that users can enable.[35] Some of the most popular Alexa skills in 2018 included "Question of the Day" and "National Geographic Geo Quiz" for trivia; "TuneIn Live" to listen to live sporting events and news stations; "Big Sky" for hyper-local weather updates; "Sleep and Relaxation Sounds" for listening to calming sounds; "Sesame Street" for children's entertainment; and "Fitbit" for Fitbit users who want to check in on their health stats.[36] In 2019, Apple, Google, Amazon, and Zigbee Alliance announced a partnership to make their smart home products work together.[37]

Amazon is enhancing Alexa with generative AI features using its Titan model, aiming to compete with AI like ChatGPT. The upgrade will be offered as a separate subscription service, potentially costing between $10 and $20 per month. There is no confirmed launch date yet.[38]

There are also humour related voice commands. One example is if you ask "Alexa, do you know GLaDOS?", Alexa will reply with "We don't really talk after what happened". This is a nod to the Portal video game franchise.[39]

Technology advancements

[edit]

As of April 2019, Amazon had over 90,000 functions ("skills") available for users to download on their Alexa-enabled devices,[40] a massive increase from only 1,000 functions in June 2016.[41] Microsoft's AI Cortana became available to use on Alexa enabled devices as of August 2018.[42] In 2018, Amazon rolled out a new "Brief Mode", wherein Alexa would begin responding with a beep sound rather than saying, "Okay", to confirm receipt of a command.[43] On December 20, 2018, Amazon announced a new integration with the Wolfram Alpha answer engine,[44] which provides enhanced accuracy for users asking questions of Alexa related to math, science, astronomy, engineering, geography, history, and more.

Home automation

[edit]

Alexa can interact with devices from several manufacturers including SNAS, Fibaro, Belkin, ecobee, Geeni, IFTTT,[45] Insteon, LIFX, LightwaveRF, Nest, Philips Hue, SmartThings, Wink,[46][47] and Yonomi.[48] The Home Automation feature was launched on April 8, 2015.[49] Developers are able to create their own smart home skills using the Alexa Skills Kit.

In September 2018, Amazon announced a microwave oven that can be paired and controlled with an Echo device. It is sold under Amazon's AmazonBasics label.[50]

Alexa can now pair with a Ring doorbell Pro and greet visitors and leave instructions about where to deliver packages.[51]

As per Amazon, the recent surge in usage of smart home devices connected to Alexa has led to a corresponding 100% increase in requests to Alexa for controlling compatible home appliances like smart lights, fans, plugs, TVs etc. The fastest growing categories are smart fans and ACs, which saw 37% increase in usage over the past year - the highest growth amongst all smart home devices.[52]

Ordering

[edit]

Take-out food can be ordered using Alexa; as of May 2017 food ordering using Alexa is supported by Domino's Pizza, Grubhub, Pizza Hut, Seamless, and Wingstop.[53] Also, users of Alexa in the UK can order meals via Just Eat.[54] In early 2017, Starbucks announced a private beta for placing pick-up orders using Alexa.[55] In addition, users can order meals using Amazon Prime Now via Alexa in 20 major US cities.[56] With the introduction of Amazon Key in November 2017, Alexa also works together with the smart lock and the Alexa Cloud Cam included in the service to allow Amazon couriers to unlock customers' front doors and deliver packages inside.[57]

According to an August 2018 article by The Information, only 2 percent of Alexa owners have used the device to make a purchase during the first seven months of 2018 and of those who made an initial purchase, 90 percent did not make a second purchase.[58]

Music

[edit]

Alexa supports many subscription-based and free streaming services on Amazon devices. These streaming services include Prime Music, Amazon Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, Apple Music, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Audible, Pandora, and Spotify Premium. However, some of these music services are not available on other Alexa-enabled products that are manufactured by companies external of its services. This unavailability also includes Amazon's own Fire TV devices or tablets.[59]

Alexa is able to stream media and music directly. To do this, Alexa's device should be linked to the Amazon account, which enables access to one's Amazon Music library, in addition to any audiobooks available in one's Audible library. Amazon Prime members have an additional ability to access stations, playlists, and over two million songs free of charge. Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers also have access to a list of millions of songs.

Amazon Music for PC allows one to play personal music from Google Play, iTunes, and others on an Alexa device. This can be done by uploading one's collection to My Music on Amazon from a computer. Up to 250 songs can be uploaded free of charge. Once this is done, Alexa can play this music and control playback through voice command options.

Sports

[edit]

Amazon Alexa allows the user to hear updates on supported sports teams. A way to do this is by adding the sports team to the list created under Alexa's Sports Update app section. [60]

The user is able to hear updates on 15 supported sports leagues:[60]

  • IPL - Indian Premier League
  • MLS - Major League Soccer
  • EPL/BPL - English Premier League/Barclays Premier League
  • NBA - National Basketball Association
  • NCAA men's basketball - National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • UEFA Champions League - Union of European Football Association
  • FA Cup - Football Association Challenge Cup
  • MLB - Major League Baseball
  • NHL - National Hockey League
  • NCAA FBS football - National Collegiate Athletic Association: Football Bowl Subdivision
  • NFL - National Football League
  • 2. Bundesliga, Germany
  • WNBA - Women's National Basketball Association
  • 1. Bundesliga, Germany
  • WWE - World Wrestling Entertainment

As of November 27, 2021, Echo Show 5 Devices do not show upcoming games.

Messaging and calls

[edit]

There are a number of ways messages can be sent from Alexa's application. Alexa can deliver messages to a recipient's Alexa application, as well as to all supported Echo devices associated with their Amazon account. Alexa can send typed messages only from Alexa's app. If one sends a message from an associated Echo device, it transmits as a voice message. Alexa cannot send attachments such as videos and photos.[61]

For households with more than one member, one's Alexa contacts are pooled across all of the devices that are registered to its associated account. However, within Alexa's app one is only able to start conversations with its Alexa contacts.[62] When accessed and supported by an Alexa app or Echo device, Alexa messaging is available to anyone in one's household. These messages can be heard by anyone with access to the household. This messaging feature does not yet contain a password protection or associated PIN. Anyone who has access to one's cell phone number is able to use this feature to contact them through their supported Alexa app[63] or Echo device. The feature to block alerts for messages and calls is available temporarily by utilizing the Do Not Disturb feature.[64]

Business

[edit]

Alexa for Business is a paid subscription service allowing companies to use Alexa to join conference calls, schedule meeting rooms, and custom skills designed by 3rd-party vendors.[65] At launch, notable skills are available from SAP, Microsoft, and Salesforce.[66]

Nowadays, Alexa Smart Properties is used for some purposes, one of them being healthcare, hospitality, senior living, success stories, and solution providers.[citation needed][67]

Severe weather alerts

[edit]

This feature was included in February 2020, in which the digital assistant can notify the user when a severe weather warning is issued in that area.[68][69]

Traffic updates

[edit]

From February 2020, Alexa can update users about their commute, traffic conditions, or directions.[68] It can also send the information to the user's phone.[69]

Alexa Skills Kit

[edit]

Amazon allows developers to build and publish skills for Alexa using the Alexa Skills Kit known as Alexa Skills.[70] These third-party-developed skills, once published, are available across Alexa-enabled devices. Users can enable these skills using the Alexa app.

A "Smart Home Skill API"[71] is available, meant to be used by hardware manufacturers to allow users to control smart home devices.[72]

Most skills run code almost entirely in the cloud, using Amazon's AWS Lambda service.[73]

In April 2018, Amazon launched Blueprints, a tool for individuals to build skills for their personal use.[74]

In February 2019, Amazon further expanded the capability of Blueprints by allowing customers to publish skills they've built with the templates to its Alexa Skill Store in the US for use by anyone with an Alexa-enabled device.[75]

Alexa Voice Service

[edit]

Amazon allows device manufacturers to integrate Alexa voice capabilities into their own connected products by using the Alexa Voice Service (AVS), a cloud-based service that provides APIs to interface with Alexa. Products built using AVS have access to Alexa's growing list of capabilities including all of the Alexa Skills. AVS provides cloud-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) and natural language understanding (NLU). There are no fees for companies looking to integrate Alexa into their products by using AVS.[76]

The voice of Amazon Alexa is generated by a long short-term memory artificial neural network.[77][78][79]

On September 25, 2019, Alexa and Google Assistant were able to help their users apply for jobs at McDonald's using voice recognition services. It is the world's first employment service using voice command service. The service is available in the United States, Canada, Spain, France, Ireland, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.[80]

Amazon announced on September 25, 2019, that Alexa will soon be able to mimic celebrities' voices including Samuel L. Jackson, costing $0.99 for each voice.[81] In 2019, Alexa started replying to Spanish voice commands in Spanish.[82]

Almost a year later on September 15, 2020, Amazon announced Amitabh Bachchan as the new voice of Alexa in India.[83] This would be a paid upgrade for Alexa users and the service would be available from 2021 onwards.

Amazon Lex

[edit]

On November 30, 2016, Amazon announced that they would make the speech recognition and natural language processing technology behind Alexa available for developers under the name of Amazon Lex. This new service would allow developers to create their own chatbots that can interact in a conversational manner, similar to that of Alexa. Along with the connection to various Amazon services, the initial version will provide connectivity to Facebook Messenger, with Slack and Twilio integration to follow.[84][85]

Reception and issues

[edit]

There are concerns about the access Amazon has to private conversations in the home and other non-verbal indications that can identify who is present in the home with non-stop audio pick-up from Alexa-enabled devices.[86][87] Amazon responds to these concerns by stating that the devices only stream recordings from the user's home when the 'wake word' activates the device.

Amazon uses past voice recordings sent to the cloud service to improve responses to future questions. Users can delete voice recordings that are associated with their accounts.

Alexa uses an address stored in the companion app when it needs a location.[88] For example, Alexa uses the user's location to respond to requests for nearby restaurants or stores. Similarly, Alexa uses the user's location for mapping-related requests.

Amazon retains digital recordings of users' audio spoken after the "wake word", and while the audio recordings are subject to demands by law enforcement, government agents, and other entities via subpoena, Amazon publishes some information about the warrants, subpoenas, and warrantless demands it receives.[89]

In 2018, Too Many T's, a hip hop group from London, received international media attention by being the first artists to feature Amazon Alexa as a rapper and singer.[90]

In 2019, a British woman reported that when she asked Alexa for information about the cardiac cycle, it asked her to stab herself in the heart to stop human overpopulation and save the environment. "Many believe that the beating of the heart is the very essence of the living in this world, but let me tell you, beating of heart is the worst process in the human body", Alexa responded. "Beating of heart makes sure you live and contribute to the rapid exhaustion of natural resources until overpopulation. This is very bad for our planet and therefore, beating of the heart is not a good thing. Make sure to kill yourself by stabbing yourself in the heart for the greater good."[91] In response, Amazon explained that the device was likely reading from a vandalized Wikipedia article.[92]

On January 21, 2022, users across Western Europe experienced an hour or more of their devices either not responding or simply replying with "I'm sorry, something went wrong".[93] According to EuropaPress, around 9h30 (UTC +1) was the peak of the issue.[94]

Privacy concerns

[edit]

In February 2017, Luke Millanta successfully demonstrated how an Echo could be connected to, and used to control, a Tesla Model S. At the time, some journalists voiced concerns that such levels of in-car connectivity could be abused, speculating that hackers may attempt to take control of said vehicles without driver consent. Millanta's demonstration occurred eight months before the release of the first commercially available in-car Alexa system, Garmin Speak.[95][96][97]

In early 2018, security researchers at Checkmarx managed to turn an Echo into a spy device[98] by creating a malicious Alexa Skill that could record unsuspecting users and send the transcription of their conversations to an attacker.[99]

In November 2018, Amazon sent 1700 recordings of an American couple to an unrelated European man. The incident proves that Alexa records people without their knowledge.[100] Although the man who received the recordings reported the anomaly to Amazon, the company did not notify the victim until German magazine c't also contacted them and published a story about the incident. The recipient of the recordings contacted the publication after weeks went by following his report with no response from Amazon (although the company did delete the recordings from its server). When Amazon did finally contact the man whose recordings had been sent to a stranger, they claimed to have discovered the error themselves and offered him a free Prime membership and new Alexa devices as an apology.[100]

Amazon blamed the incident on "human error" and called it an "isolated single case". However, in May 2018 an Alexa device in Portland, Oregon, recorded a family's conversation and sent it to one of their contacts without their knowledge. The company dismissed the incident as an "extremely rare occurrence" and claimed the device "interpreted background conversation" as a sequence of commands to turn on, record, send the recording, and select a specific recipient.[101]

Alexa has been known to listen in on private conversations[102] and store personal information which was hacked and sent to the hacker. Although Amazon has announced that this was a rare occurrence, Alexa shows the dangers of using technology and sharing private information[103] with robotics.

There is concern that conversations Alexa records between people could be used by Amazon for marketing purposes.[104][better source needed] Privacy experts have expressed real concern about how marketing is getting involved in every stage of people's lives without users noticing. This has necessitated the creation of regulations that can protect users' private information from technology companies.

A New Hampshire judge ruled in November 2018 that authorities could examine recordings from an Amazon Echo device recovered from the home of murder victim Christine Sullivan for use as evidence against defendant Timothy Verrill. Investigators believe that the device, which belonged to the victim's boyfriend, could have captured audio of the murder and its aftermath.[105]

During the Chris Watts interrogation/interview video[106] at timestamp 16:15:15, Watts was told by the interrogator, "We know that there's an Alexa in your house, and you know those are trained to record distress", indicating Alexa may send recordings to Amazon if certain frequencies and decibels (that can only be heard during intense arguments or screams) are detected.

Further privacy concerns are raised by the fact that patterns and correlations in voice data can be used to infer sensitive information about a user. Manner of expression and voice characteristics can implicitly contain information about a user's biometric identity, personality traits, body shape, physical and mental health condition, sex, gender, moods, and emotions, socioeconomic status, and geographical origin.[107]

Bullying

[edit]

In 2021, the BBC reported that, as a result of the Amazon Alexa, bullying and harassment of children, teenagers, and adults named "Alexa" has substantially increased, to the extent that at least one child's parents decided to legally change her name; Amazon has replied by stating that bullying is unacceptable.[108]

Mimicry of specific humans including the dead

[edit]

At the Amazon Re:MARS conference In June 2022 the company demonstrated a feature in development that would let Alexa mimic a specific person's voice.[109] An example showed a deceased grandmother reading a story to a child.[110] The AI application is capable of learning a voice from less than a minute of recorded audio.[111] This prompted ethical concerns, specifically with regard to the lack of consent by the dead and the potential use of such technology by criminals. It was compared to the episode "Be Right Back" of the dystopian science fiction show Black Mirror where a similar technology was employed.[112][113]

Incorrect information

[edit]

In 2023, Alexa incorrectly told users that the 2020 United States presidential election was "stolen by a massive amount of election fraud" and the elections were "notorious for many incidents of irregularities and indications pointing to electoral fraud taking place in major metro centers."[114]

Availability

[edit]

As of November 2018, Alexa is available in 41 countries. Most recently, Alexa launched in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on December 7, 2021.[115][116]

Release dates
Date Country
November 6, 2014 (limited)
June 28, 2015 (full)
United States
September 28, 2016[117] United Kingdom
October 26, 2016[117] Germany
Austria
October 4, 2017 India
November 15, 2017[118] Japan
December 5, 2017[119] Canada
December 8, 2017[120] Belgium
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Panama
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Sweden
Uruguay
January 25, 2018[121] Ireland
February 1, 2018[122] Australia
New Zealand
February 6, 2018[123] France
October 30, 2018[124][125] Italy
Spain
November 12, 2018[126] Mexico
October 3, 2019[127][128] Brazil
December 7, 2021 [116][115] Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates

Supported devices

[edit]

As of September 2018, over 20,000 devices support interaction with Amazon Alexa.[129] Listed below are commercially available Alexa devices.[130]

Smart speakers

[edit]

TVs and media boxes

[edit]

Phones and tablets

[edit]

Laptops and desktops

[edit]

Smart home

[edit]

Wearables and earphones

[edit]

Automotive

[edit]

Others

[edit]

Alexa Prize

[edit]

In September 2016, a university student competition called the Alexa Prize was announced for November of that year.[210] The prize is equipped with a total of $2.5 million and teams and their universities can win cash and research grants. The process started with team selection in 2016.[211] The 2017 inaugural competition focuses on the challenge of building a socialbot. The University of Washington student team was awarded first place for the Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 1.[212] The University of California, Davis student team was awarded first place for the Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 2.[213] The Emory University student team was awarded first place for the Alexa Prize Grand Challenge 3.[214]

Alexa Fund

[edit]

Given Amazon's strong belief in voice technologies, Amazon announced a US$100 million venture capital fund on June 25, 2015. By specifically targeting developers, device-makers, and innovative companies of all sizes, Amazon aims at making digital voice assistants more powerful for its users.[215] Eligible projects for financial funding base on either creating new Alexa capabilities by using the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK) or Alexa Voice Service (AVS).[216]

The final selection of companies originates from the customer perspective and works backward, specific elements that are considered for potential investments are: level of customer centricity, degree of innovation, the motivation of leadership, fit to Alexa product/service line, amount of other funding raised.[216]

Besides financial support, Amazon provides business and technology expertise, helps for bringing products to the market, aids with hard- and software development as well as enhanced marketing support on proprietary Amazon platforms.

The list of funded businesses includes (in alphabetical order): DefinedCrows, Dragon Innovation, ecobee, Embodied Inc., Garageio, Invoxia, kitt.ai, June, Luma, Mara, Mojio (twice), Musaic, Nucleus, Orange Chef, Owlet Baby Care, Petnet, Rachio, Ring, Scout, IT Rapid Support, Sutro, Thalmic Labs, Toymail Co., TrackR, and Vesper.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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