When Facebook’s smart display was released last year, it received mixed-to-positive reviews. However, a substantial number of them also digressed into the privacy and personal data controversies that have recently surrounded Facebook. A review from The Verge offers a representative example: It’s not often that a new gadget gets announced and I don’t immediately want […]
Facebook is rumored to be working on a voice assistant similar to Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Siri, reports CNBC. Two former Facebook employees confirmed to CNBC that efforts to build a new AI assistant has been led by a team in Redmond, Washington and managed by Facebook’s director of AR/VR and Facebook Assistant Ira Snyder.
A Facebook voice assistant may have buy-in from marketers – but will users want it? Read More »
The latest smart audio report from NPR and Edison Research estimates that there are now nearly 120 million smart speakers in U.S. homes, representing 78 percent year-over-year growth. However, the survey also found that nearly 70 percent of survey respondents were “not at all likely” to buy another device. Almost 120 million devices. Late last week Amazon
Survey: 118 million smart speakers in US, but expectation is low for future demand Read More »
Amazon customers used Alexa — and ordered voice-enabled devices — more than ever before this holiday season, signaling that the age of voice tech has truly arrived. The company announced Thursday that customers used Alexa to order gifts three times more than last year. It also reported that shoppers bought “millions more Amazon devices” than they
Alexa’s stellar holiday season bodes well for smart speakers, connected technology Read More »
Voice technology and voice search have, arguably, been adopted faster than any other technology in history. Analyst estimates on smart speaker penetration in the U.S. range from 40 to almost 80 million devices by the end of this year. Despite lots of hype and anticipation, these devices have not emerged yet as a viable marketing
Why one marketer thinks smart speakers have their work cut out for them Read More »
The base of Amazon Echo, a smart speaker home of voice agent Alexa Some marketers might think Amazon wants to turn devices featuring its Alexa intelligent voice agent into vehicles for advertising. Nope, says an Amazon VP. ‘No plans for advertising.’ At Fortune magazine’s conference last week in California on “Most Powerful Women Next Gen,”
Amazon VP reaffirms: ‘No plans’ for ads on Alexa devices Read More »
Ever wanted to check your email on an Alexa device? Now you can. On Monday, Amazon announced some new Alexa capabilities. Chief among them was the ability to read and delete email. The company also is enabling location-based reminders and routines (tied to the smartphone Alexa app) and other incremental local search improvements. However the
What email marketers should know about Alexa’s latest feature Read More »
Analyst firm Canalys says that global smart speaker shipments grew 137 percent year over year in the third quarter, reaching 19.7 million units. That was up from less than half that figure (8.3 million) a year ago. Roughly 75 million devices by year-end. The firm has projected 75 million devices “for the whole of 2018.”
Analyst: Amazon Echo owns 75 percent of global smart speaker market Read More »
Perhaps the novelty is fading. Smart speaker growth had been on a tear, but Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) now reports that growth is leveling off. Now 53 million devices. The firm’s latest survey and analysis argues there were 53 million smart speakers in US homes at the end of September. That’s up from 50 million in
Report: As Facebook portal goes on sale, smart speaker growth is slowing Read More »
At a hardware event yesterday, Amazon introduced a number of updated or new Echo devices and a range of appliances with Alexa integrated. There are three categories of devices now: Echo devices, Echo companion devices and new Alexa-powered smart appliances. The latter include wall clocks, smart plugs, security cameras, an in-car audio device and more.
Amazon launches a dozen new devices to put ‘Alexa everywhere’ Read More »
