Amazon Launches Echo Dot, Alexa to Arrive in UK and Germany
With the Amazon Echo at a hefty $180, thriftier fans of the audio service are eyeing the new Echo Dot that comes at almost a third of its predecessor at $50. This will surely open up new markets for Amazon to more completely make its way through to more of the public. In fact, according to Seattle Times, it's a bold move by Amazon to muscle its way as a prominent figure in voice interface home technology. Other notable voice interface systems are Apple's Siri, Google Now and Microsoft's Cortana.
The Echo Dot is more portable than its predecessor, looking like a white or black Hockey puck, whichever color takes your fancy. It's capable of playing music on its own what with having its own speaker and microphones, but also comes with an auxiliary cable just in case you want to connect it to actual speakers.
There are also bundles just in case you have other friends who are interested - or need that many yourself. At a purchase of a 6-pack, one is free, while a 12-pack will have two freebies. Also, according to Android Police, buyers of the first-gen Amazon Echo will earn a $10 Alexa shopping credit, but can't be used for the purchase itself.
Amazon has also expanded its horizons with the Alexa system, having also launched this product in the United Kingdom and Germany. According to Tech Crunch, this will also be Amazon's first foray into a non-English language. Localisation is also a new feature for those living outside the US. For the UK version, it will speak in a British accent and connect with apps meant specifically for the UK. In the German version, one can connect to cab services and even pay bills with Deutsche Telekom.
More on the Alexa system itself, Tech Hive has published an article regarding its features, boasting over a thousand skills. After opening itself to third party systems, the voice interface makes things even more convenient. There are systems and products that allow the user to do many things, from checking the news, fiddling with the entertainment systems, light systems and even locking systems, to controlling the thermostat and ordering more paper towels!
For more information on this, check out Amazon's Echo website.
