While Amazon has succeeded in getting people
to buy its voice-activated Echo speakers for their
living rooms or kitchen counters, it hasn’t found
that same success outside the home.
Rivals Apple and Google have smartphones,
watches and other devices that have their voice
assistants built in. But Amazon’s smartphone
failed to catch on and was discontinued several
years ago.
With the Echo Buds, which cost $130, users can
order an Uber ride or find the nearest coffee
shop as they stroll down the street. And later this
year, Whole Foods shoppers wearing the black
buds can ask Alexa what aisle they can find
canned tomatoes or other groceries.
Its Echo Frames eyeglasses and Echo Loop ring
can do similar tasks, but both have a button
that needs to be pressed before speaking to
Alexa. For now, Amazon said it will sell a limited
number of the glasses and rings to those
invited to buy them and provide feedback on
improving them.
The company also unveiled several other
products Wednesday. Among them: a $30 multi-
colored lamp that pairs with Alexa and a $
voice-controlled oven that can warm, cook or air
fry food.