Amazon Echo Device

References

(Wikipedia, 2016) ⇒ http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Echo Retrieved:2016-2-9.
- Amazon Echo is a wireless speaker and voice command device from Amazon.com. The device consists of a 9.25-inch (23.5 cm) tall cylinder speaker with a seven-piece microphone array. The device responds to the name "Alexa"; this "wake word" can be changed by the user (to also "Amazon" or "Echo" at present.). The device is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic and other real time information. It can also control several smart devices. Amazon had been developing Echo inside its Lab126 offices in Silicon Valley and Cambridge, Mass. since at least 2010. The device, codenamed 'Doppler' or 'Project D', was part of Amazon’s first attempts to expand its device portfolio beyond the original Kindle Ereader. The Echo (initially limited to Amazon Prime members or by invitation) became widely available on June 23, 2015. ^[1] Additionally, the service behind it (Alexa Voice Service) is available to be added to other devices and other companies’ devices and services are encouraged to connect to it (using the Alexa Skills Kit). ^[2]

https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa
- QUOTE: If you’re a hardware maker and your connected device has a microphone and a speaker, the new Alexa Voice Service (AVS) developer preview enables you to add voice-powered experiences to your connected devices. Your customers can simply speak to Alexa through the microphone on your device and Alexa will respond through your device's speakers. This gives your customers access to Alexa's skills and capabilities, including built-in skills and those created by your or other developers using the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK). Examples of Alexa skills include the ability to answer general knowledge questions, provide weather forecasts, query Wikipedia and much more.

http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo/dp/B00X4WHP5E
- QUOTE: Amazon Echo is designed around your voice. It's hands-free and always on. With seven microphones and beam-forming technology, Echo can hear you from across the room — even while music is playing. Echo is also an expertly tuned speaker that can fill any room with immersive sound.
  Echo connects to Alexa, a cloud-based voice service, to provide information, answer questions, play music, read the news, check sports scores or the weather, and more — instantly. All you have to do is ask. Echo begins working as soon as it detects the wake word. You can pick Alexa or Amazon as your wake word.