Would you connect your movements and actions directly to Amazon? In some ways, you may be doing that already if your smartphone is loaded with Amazon’s apps, but now Amazon is developing its own wearable technologies that will connect to its Alexa artificial intelligence.
The first piece of technology Amazon is working on is a pair of eyeglasses equipped with a “bone-conduction audio system” that will allow the wearer to hear Alexa without earphones or speakers.
Tim Bradshaw and Leslie Hook explain the new tech in the Financial Times:
The glasses are not Amazon’s only upcoming Alexa product launch. The Seattle-based group is also said to be expanding its “smart home” hardware line-up with a new home security camera system. The internet-connected camera would tie into its Echo products, for instance allowing people to view the video feed on Echo Show’s screen, and letting Amazon customers see when their orders from the site have been delivered to their doorstep.
One or both of these products could be launched before the end of the year, alongside updates to existing Echo devices, according to the people with knowledge of Amazon’s plans.
Amazon declined to comment.
While Amazon has had its fair share of failures — including the Fire phone, whose high-profile flop ended in a $170m writedown — the success of the Alexa devices has emboldened Amazon’s push into the home.
Proximity to customers, and the ability to listen to them and respond to their needs, makes the Echo devices a key portal for Amazon. The company has sold “tens of millions” of Alexa-enabled devices worldwide.
Its plans for Alexa show Amazon is willing to take risks in new technologies and double down on areas of proven success.
The question remains though, would you connect yourself directly to Amazon? Read more here.
