29 June, 2017
You'll be able to converse with Alexa in three regional languages. The Echo Show combines a 7-inch touch screen with a voice-controlled smart speaker, offering all of the same features as the classic Amazon Echo combined with the ability to display photos and video.
As with most Echo Show functions, the "play" feature is enabled via voice, all you need to say is "Alexa, what's my Flash Briefing", or "What's the news?"
CNBC also has a vast portfolio of digital products which deliver real-time financial market news and information across a variety of platforms including: CNBC.com; CNBC PRO, the premium, integrated desktop/mobile service that provides live access to CNBC programming, exclusive video content and global market data and analysis; a suite of CNBC mobile products including the CNBC Apps for iOS, Android and Windows devices; and additional products such as the CNBC App for the Apple Watch and Apple TV.
The sources say that Amazon is now developing a multilingual interface for the Echo smart speaker at its facility in Chennai, eastern India. The report cites factors such as large family culture and two-factor payment authentications as main hurdles.
ET quotes a senior executive at Amazon as saying,"We will work around these barriers using passphrases and other India-specific innovations".
Amazon has distributed its Echo speakers to select company executives, business professionals and analysts in India for testing. Nevertheless, the report does mention that some of those upcoming special offers will be associated with existing Amazon accounts in India, which should make the product more appealing to customers who already make use of Amazon's services in the country. Now it looks like Amazon may bring its Echo lineup to India by the end of the year. The news comes from a couple of anonymous industry insiders cited by India's Economic Times (ET), who claim to have knowledge of Amazon's plans in regards to the smart speaker's availability in the region.
"However, when connected to your home WiFi you can get Alexa to draft and send work emails, text messages, help children with their homework ranging from mat hematics to history lessons, set up re minders, check food recipes, play music or a movie on Amazon Prime Video, and even do your shopping from Amazon", this person said. How will they shop? The basic Echo Dot version costs $50 in the United States, and the high-end version, $179.
