Last year Amazon launched a new device called Amazon Echo, it’s a voice assistant that can perform a variety of tasks based only on voice commands from the user. At that time the company only sold Echo through invitations though it did say that at some point it will start selling the device for everybody. Today is that day. Amazon Echo is now finally available for purchase, you don’t need an invitation or anything, just head on over to Amazon and pick one up.
Amazon announced today that the Echo is now being sold to everyone, pre-orders start today and the device will start shipping from July 14th.
Vice president for Amazon Echo Greg Hart said that “We’re excited to get Echo into the hands of even more customers and continue to invent new features and experiences.”
This personal assistant is different from the likes of Siri or Google Now which reside in mobile devices, Echo has to be plugged in and you can’t take it around with you, but it also doubles as a hub for connected smart objects in the home such as smart switches or bulbs. It’s even capable of streaming music from services like Spotify and Pandora.
Customers can even call out to Echo to order kitchen supplies on Amazon.com, all they need to do is call out the assistant’s name, which is Alexa, to wake it up.
Amazon Echo can be pre-ordered today and it will start shipping next month, customers have to pay $180 for this device.
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