Amazon Alexa: News
Alexa is Amazon's cloud-based voice service available on several devices made by Amazon and third-party device manufacturers. The e-commerce giant claims that "with Alexa, you can build natural voice experiences that offer a customer more intuitive ways to interact with the technology they use every day." Alexa broadly comes under the classification of an artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant. Similar solutions include Google Assistant and Apple's Siri. Alexa was first introduced in 2013 and featured for the first time on the Amazon Echo smart speaker. Today, Alexa is available on the Amazon Echo platform, Fire OS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Windows. Alexa's capabilities include voice interactions, music playback, podcast streaming, playing audiobooks, providing weather traffic sports, and other real-time information including news, and making to-do lists. The voice assistant can be activated for listening to commands using the "Alexa" hotword. This hotword can be changed for every Alexa device you have. Additionally, Amazon offers a variety of voices including male, female, and celebrity voices on a regular basis. You can choose any of these voices for the Alexa service. Alexa's capabilities can be expanded by installing "skills" developed by third-party vendors for compatibility with their offerings.
08 Jan 2024
Latest Gadget LaunchNow, you can ask Alexa to clean your lazy butt
Kohler, a top-tier plumbing and sanitaryware brand, has unveiled an innovative voice-activated bidet seat, the PureWash E930, which is compatible with standard toilets.
29 Nov 2023
AmazonAmazon's new smart glasses offer improved performance but no AR
Amazon has unveiled the third generation of its Echo Frames, sporting a lighter design and enhanced audio quality. It costs $270 (around Rs. 22,500).
18 Nov 2023
AmazonWhy Amazon is eliminating hundreds of positions within Alexa division
Amazon is cutting hundreds of jobs in the Alexa voice assistant division, as revealed by an email from Daniel Rausch, the vice president of Alexa and Fire TV, reported Reuters.
14 Nov 2023
Latest Gadget LaunchNuki launches world's first Matter-over-Thread smart lock: Check features
Austrian smart lock manufacturer Nuki has unveiled the Nuki Smart Lock 4.0, the "world's first smart lock to fully integrate Matter."
19 Oct 2023
Tata Motors LtdTata's latest cars come with Alexa voice support: Check features
Tata Motors is teaming up with Amazon to bring Alexa to its latest vehicles. This includes the Nexon, Nexon.ev, Harrier, and Safari SUVs.
20 Sep 2023
AmazonAmazon's 2023 Devices and Services Event: Here are key announcements
US tech giant Amazon held its annual 'Devices and Services' event at its recently opened office in Arlington, Virginia today.
01 Jun 2023
AmazonAmazon will pay $30mn to settle Alexa, Ring privacy violations
Amazon was at the receiving end of two lawsuits by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over privacy violations. However, the regulator has decided not to proceed further against the tech giant.
05 May 2023
AmazonHow Amazon plans to revamp Alexa with AI chatbot technology
Voice assistants were once considered futuristic. However, in a world of ChatGPT and Bard, they have become redundant.
16 Mar 2023
Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningHow will voice assistants fare against AI chatbots in future
Generative AI is the talk of the town. AI chatbots that can answer questions and complete tasks with alacrity have caught the imagination of everyone.
08 Nov 2022
AmazfitAmazfit Band 7 goes on sale: Should you buy?
Amazfit's latest smart band in India, the Amazfit Band 7, is now up for grabs via the brand's official website for Rs. 2,999. It also goes on sale through Amazon later today.
21 Sep 2022
Latest Gadget LaunchSony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones launched at Rs. 27,000: Check features
Sony has introduced the WH-1000XM5 as its latest wireless noise-canceling headphones in India.
07 Aug 2022
AndroidGizmore GIZFIT 910 Ultra smartwatch debuts with 15-day battery life
Homegrown Gizmore has launched a new budget-range smartwatch in India dubbed the "GIZFIT 910 Ultra."
31 Jul 2022
Google AssistantPTron Tangent Duo neckband, with 24-hour playback, launched in India
PTron has introduced the new Tangent Duo wireless Bluetooth neckband in India. The earphones are up for grabs via Amazon.
21 Jul 2022
Android#DealOfTheDay: Echo Buds (2nd Gen) available at Rs. 6,500 discount
Amazon has made its Echo devices available for purchase with steep discounts, ahead of its upcoming Prime Day sale.
19 Jul 2022
AmazonAmazon Prime Day sale: Deals on Fire TV, Echo devices
The two-day Amazon Prime Day sale is all set to go live from July 23. The e-commerce giant has revealed some of the offers, including amazing deals on Fire TV as well as Echo devices.
11 Jul 2022
Technology#DealOfTheDay: This robotic vacuum cleaner is cheaper by Rs. 45,000
Amazon's best-seller ECOVACS DEEBOT U2 PRO robotic vacuum cleaner is currently available for purchase with a massive discount. In fact, with this deal, you can get one for under Rs. 20,000.
03 Jul 2022
Wear OSFossil Gen 6 Venture Edition smartwatch goes official in India
Fossil has introduced a new Gen 6 series smartwatch in India, called the Gen 6 Venture Edition.
26 Jun 2022
FossilFossil Gen 6 Hybrid smartwatch debuts with Amazon Alexa support
Fossil has unveiled its Gen 6 Hybrid smartwatch. In the US, it carries a starting price tag of $229 (around Rs. 17,900) and will go on sale tomorrow i.e. June 27 via the company's official website and other retail outlets.
21 Jun 2022
Hyundai2022 Hyundai VENUE SUV: Top features and highlights explained
Hyundai's 2022 VENUE is up for grabs in India at an introductory price of Rs. 7.53 lakh (ex-showroom). The company has already received over 15,000 bookings for the facelifted model.
14 Jun 2022
Mahindra & MahindraMahindra Scorpio-N's interiors revealed: Sony audio, built-in Alexa, leather seats
Mahindra is gearing up to launch the new-generation Scorpio-N in India on June 27.
13 Jun 2022
SamsungSamsung Smart Monitor M8, with 4K display, launched: Check price
Samsung has launched the Smart Monitor M8 in India. The device features a 32-inch 4K display, a detachable wireless SlimFit Camera, and two built-in 5W speakers.
24 Oct 2021
AmazonTikTok star discovers the shocking things Alexa records about you
A TikTok star who goes by "my.data.not.yours" shared a video documenting her surprise when she discovered how much data Amazon has collected about her from smart speakers and smart bulbs.
08 Oct 2021
AmazonAmazon takes another step to improve Alexa's accessibility
Your human companions may zone out during conversations but that shouldn't be the case with programmatically controlled voice assistants, right?
29 Sep 2021
AmazonHere's everything Amazon unveiled at its event
Last night, e-commerce major Amazon wrapped up its fall product launch event in style. The company announced new gadgets including a home robot named Astro, the company's first smart thermostat to rival Google Nest, and the wall-mountable Echo Show 15 smart speaker.
20 Aug 2021
AmazonHave Alexa? Ask Amitabh Bachchan to tell you a joke!
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan's voice is something any Indian can recognize.
24 Jul 2021
TechnologyAmazon quietly introduces Alexa's male voice, gender-neutral wake word 'Ziggy'
AI (Artificial Intelligence) powered voice assistants have long drawn users' ire for using a female voice by default.
20 Jun 2021
AmazonIndian Alexa-enabled devices get free access to Audible's 'Sleep' selection
Amazon-owned online audiobook and podcast platform, Audible, is beginning to make its presence felt in the Indian subcontinent. The company has now introduced five audio series focused on sleep and relaxation to help people sleep better amid the pandemic.
01 Jun 2021
AmazonAmazon will soon share your internet with neighbors (US only)
If you use Alexa or Echo devices, Amazon's newest experiment gives you a week to opt-out before the e-commerce giant hands a slice of your network bandwidth to your neighborhood.
15 Oct 2020
XHow Blogchatter is helping bloggers blog better
A Google search of 'blogging in India' will show various hacks of becoming a blogger.
08 Oct 2020
SonyNow, Amazon Fire TV offers 'Live TV' with Alexa integration
In a bid to upgrade the streaming experience of its customers, Amazon has launched a new 'Live TV' feature for Fire TV devices in India.
25 Sep 2020
IndiaThis smart speaker by Amazon can follow you around
At its mega hardware event last night, Amazon made a flurry of tempting announcements.
25 Sep 2020
MicrosoftNewsBytes Briefing: Amazon announces ball-shaped Echo products, and more
Last night, Amazon made major headlines by showcasing plenty of products.
14 Sep 2020
BollywoodSoon, you will hear Amitabh Bachchan speak on Alexa devices
In a bid to grow its footprint in the Indian market, Amazon is bringing a way to hear Amitabh Bachchan speak on Alexa-powered Echo devices.
25 Jun 2020
HondaHonda opens bookings for its 2020 City in India
Honda has started accepting bookings for both the diesel and petrol variants of the upcoming 2020 City.
18 Jun 2020
HondaAhead of launch, 2020 Honda City's key specifications revealed
Honda has revealed the key features and specifications of its all-new fifth-generation City that is likely to be launched in India next month.
03 Jun 2020
IndiaCourtesy coronavirus, hotel industry stares at oblivion; recovery unlikely soon
In the months to come, nations are bound to ease restrictions. Some, like India, have already started. But it will be long before the hotel industry bounces back to the pre-coronavirus days.
21 Apr 2020
AudiIndia-bound 2021 Audi A3 breaks cover: Details here
German automaker Audi has pulled the covers off the 2021 edition of its premium sedan, the A3. The next-generation model comes with a revamped and sportier design, updated interiors, and new mild-hybrid engines.
21 Apr 2020
Jeep CompassHere's what the Jeep Compass (facelift) will offer
Jeep India is working to launch the facelifted version of one of its popular SUVs, the Compass, in the country by the end of this year.
28 Mar 2020
AmazonAmazon's Alexa can help with preliminary coronavirus diagnosis: Here's how
In a bid to allay all your concerns regarding the novel coronavirus disease, Amazon has built a new triage tool in Alexa.
25 Feb 2020
AmazonHere's what different ring colors on your Amazon Echo mean
Amazon's Echo devices, known for their handy Alexa-powered features, sport fancy light rings.
06 Feb 2020
AmazonIndians told Alexa 'I love you' once every minute
Alexa's ability to handle day-to-day tasks is appreciated globally. But according to Amazon, no one loves the assistant more than Indians, who, surprisingly enough, have been confessing their feelings to the AI.
04 Jan 2020
Samsung#CES2020: Samsung to showcase robots capable of reading facial expressions
In a matter of days, Samsung plans to host an event at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
29 Dec 2019
WhatsApp#NewsBytesWeeklyRecap: Alexa suggests suicide, messaging app spying, WhatsApp fraud, more
Even as the world celebrated Christmas this week, there were some interesting developments in the sphere of technology.
26 Dec 2019
Amazon#TechBytes: Some fun tricks you can try on Echo speaker
Amazon's Alexa-powered Echo device can be a really powerful digital aide - if you know how to use it.
24 Dec 2019
AmazonAmazon Alexa tells user to kill herself for 'greater good'
Recently, a paramedic student in the United Kingdom was left horrified after seeking the help of Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa to study.
23 Dec 2019
GoogleApple, Google, Amazon teaming up to build open smart home
In a major move, Apple, Google, and Amazon are teaming up for a project to create open smart homes.
19 Dec 2019
SonyBest gadgets to start your 2020 on a 'tech' note
If we can look past the innumerable data leaks, the year 2019 has been great in the tech world. Over the past 11.5 months, we have seen impressive smartphones, laptops, wearables, and other essential tech gadgets.
13 Dec 2019
AmazonNow, hear Samuel L. Jackson's voice on your Echo device
If you are tired of listening to the usual voice of Alexa on your Echo device, there is now an alternative - Samuel L. Jackson.
11 Dec 2019
IndiaAmazon's Fire TV-based Onida smart TVs launched in India
Amazon has partnered with Onida to launch its Fire TV-based smart televisions in India.
04 Dec 2019
IndiaAmazon launches its first-ever portable Echo smart speaker in India
In a major surprise, Amazon has added another member into its smart speaker family in India - a new avatar of Echo Input.
28 Nov 2019
AmazonNow, Amazon's Alexa will talk with emotions. Scary times ahead!
A virtual assistant with emotions? Are we in Black Mirror-esque dystopian world?
26 Nov 2019
XiaomiMi Smart LED Desk Lamp 1S launched via Mi Crowdfunding
As the latest addition to its portfolio of smart home products, Xiaomi has launched the Mi Smart LED Desk Lamp 1S in India today via the company's crowdfunding platform.
21 Nov 2019
BMW2019 BMW 3-Series v/s Mercedes C-Class: Which one is better?
The latest editions of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class are out there waiting for your money. But with both models offering newer, sportier designs, improved performance, better safety features, and several new hi-tech stuff in the cabin, which one should you invest in?
10 Nov 2019
TechCrunchBrowser bug exploited to hack Amazon Alexa: Details here
When it comes to smart assistants, Amazon's Alexa is one of the undisputed winners.
09 Nov 2019
GoogleHow Alexa, Google Assistant can be hacked using lasers/flashlight
Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple's Siri have long drawn flak, primarily due to concerns around how they store/use our intimate user conversations.
22 Oct 2019
GoogleHackers can spy on you via Alexa, Google Assistant
Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa dominate as two incredibly impressive AI-powered voice assistants.
18 Sep 2019
IndiaNow, you can talk to Alexa in Hindi: Details here
Amazon's Alexa voice assistant can now take and answer commands in Hindi.
11 Aug 2019
FoxconnApparently, Chinese kids work nights to build Amazon's Alexa devices
Amazon's Alexa devices are very popular, but over the last few months, the internet giant has been facing a lot of flak because of them.
04 Aug 2019
GoogleNow, you can stop Amazon employees from hearing Alexa conversations
If you use AI assistants (Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant), you probably know that the companies behind them hear your conversations.
17 Jul 2019
IndiaSoon, Amazon's Alexa will start talking in Hindi
Alexa, the AI powering Amazon's Echo line of smart speakers, will soon start talking in Hindi, one of the most spoken languages in India.
06 Jul 2019
IndiaBest home security cameras available in India
Over the last couple of years, security cameras have become rather mainstream tech tools for keeping our homes safe and sound.
29 Jun 2019
AmazonMan cancels Amazon Prime subscription, Alexa calls him 'shithead'
In a strange albeit hilarious case, Amazon's voice assistant Alexa called a man "shithead".
29 Jun 2019
IndiaAmazon Dot v/s Echo: Which one should you buy?
It feels so futuristic to summon Alexa and have her do things for you - play music or read news or set reminders or simply turn on/off the lights.
22 Jun 2019
HBOToshiba joins hands with Amazon, launches budget-friendly Fire TV
Leading electronics maker Toshiba has added a budget-friendly 4k TV into its expansive line of appliances.
20 Jun 2019
BloombergSoon, Alexa could detect heart attacks: Here's how
Alexa can handle plenty of queries, but scientists think that the device could soon have the power to detect heart attacks.
16 Jun 2019
AmazonBaby thinks her name is 'Alexa', thanks to Amazon Echo
Smart assistants, like Amazon Alexa, have become a part of our daily lives.
09 Jun 2019
AmazonAlexa records conversations: Here's how you can delete them
Amazon's Alexa AI can handle most of your queries, but in case you don't know, it also records the same conversations.
30 May 2019
AmazonNow, you can ask Alexa to forget conversations: Here's how
Alexa, the digital voice assistant from Amazon, is getting a handy new privacy feature, one you can use to delete your voice recordings instantly.
24 May 2019
Amazon#ScareAlert: Amazon to record even before you say "Alexa"
AI-powered smart Assistants have been making quite an impression with their ability to understand/handle queries.
10 May 2019
SecurityAmazon accused of spying on children via Echo Dot Kids
Just last month, Amazon drew major criticism when it was revealed that the company's employees had access to Alexa voice recordings of many users and the power to track their locations.
25 Apr 2019
Google MapsApparently, Amazon's Alexa employees can find out where you live
Amazon Alexa is great at handling queries - be it ordering food, getting a cab, or keeping you entertained.
16 Apr 2019
GoogleHere's how tech giants handle data captured by voice assistants
From phones to speakers, everything is turning smart thanks to the power of voice recognition and artificial intelligence.
24 Mar 2019
Amazon#TechBytes: 5 bizarre Alexa skills you should check out
Amazon's Alexa speakers have grown immensely popular in the Indian market, thanks to their ginormous collection of third-party skills.
16 Mar 2019
IndiaMake your house a smart home with these products
The idea of a smart home is no longer a dream stuck in a sci-fi movie. Nor is it a costly affair that you should re-think before upgrading to a smarter lifestyle.
12 Mar 2019
India#FinancialBytes: 5 apps to help homemakers manage finances better
Financial management, planning, and budgeting are essential skills homemakers should have in order to run their household smoothly.
08 Jan 2019
GoogleCES 2019: Alexa interrupts Qualcomm's executive, says that's not true
If CES 2019 is anything to go by, we can be sure that Alexa and Google Assistant will power the future of smart homes.
27 Dec 2018
XAmazon Alexa went down on Christmas Day: Details here
Amazon's Alexa is pretty handy for day-to-day tasks, but on Christmas, the smart assistant served a nasty surprise - it went down.