PYMNTS-MonitorEdge-May-2024

Amazon Pushes Echo As The Replacement For Home Intercoms

Widely considered the most skilled voice-activated AI, Alexa is about to add a new talent to her impressive bank of skills. Coming soon, Alexa will be able to deliver voice or video messages to various rooms and devices throughout a customer’s home.  Instead of having to leave their desk, a user can simply say the name of the device they want to reach and start talking.

The feature is beginning rollout today — and will come in the form of an update for the app that controls Alexa.  Connectable through the upgrade — so far — will be the Amazon Echo, Echo Show, and Echo Dot. Intercom as a service is also making inroads in the world outside users’ homes. Calls and messaging with the Alexa app first debuted last month via “drop-in”  functionality.

The release seems timed to coincide with this week’s release of the $230 Echo Show, which will reportedly combine both voice and visual interfacing.

PYMNTS-MonitorEdge-May-2024