Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant can tell you the weather, operate home appliances, and video chat family members. Alexa aims to be the centerpiece of the “smart home” connected to the Internet. It can lull us with the convenience, but what’s the downside to letting Alexa run your entire home? And why is Amazon making a microwave oven powered by Alexa?
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Aug 2019
When Amazon Leaves Your Town
In 1999, Amazon opened one of its first warehouses in the small town of Coffeyville, Kansas. Fifteen years later, it closed. We visit Coffeyville to learn what Amazon can bring and what it can take away, and what lessons Coffeyville might have for a community that’s just getting ... Show More
40m 4s
Aug 2019
Why the Robot Revolution is Our Fault
In recent years Amazon has quietly become one of the leaders in automation, reshaping its workforce of nearly 600,000 workers, and the way humans work with robots. We fear robots taking over the world, but do we understand just how we as consumers are making that future happen? L ... Show More
37m 46s
Jun 2015
Hey Alexa, Tell Me What's Going On In the Smart Home
This week's podcast features Cameron Robertson, CEO of smart lock maker Lockitron. Mike and Cameron catch up on the smart home news, including: -Amazon Echo becoming available for all -Astro's smart lighting for apartment dwellers -Roost's smart Wi-Fi battery for smoke alarms -Fr ... Show More
48m 4s
Sep 2023
Alexa Gets an AI Makeover
Alexa was due for an upgrade, and now it has gotten one. This week, Amazon held its annual media event where it debuted a slate of new hardware, software, and services. The company reserved the spot at center stage for Alexa, the voice assistant powering all of Amazon’s smart hom ... Show More
32m 27s
Oct 2021
How Amazon runs Alexa, with Dave Limp
My guest today is Dave Limp, the senior vice president of devices and services at Amazon – or, more simply, the guy in charge of Alexa. Dave’s group at Amazon also includes the Kindle e-reader, the Ring and Blink security camera systems, the Eero wifi router, and a host of other ... Show More
1h 15m
Mar 2018
The Best Amazon Echo Speaker (2018)
Amazon's popular Echo family of devices keeps growing. From the first can-shaped Echo, to the big-screen Echo Show, and even the cute Echo Dot, you can get Alexa into your home any number of ways. These Echo products can answer your questions, help you order essentials for your h ... Show More
10m 30s