Episode 69: Amazon opens up about the Echo

The Amazon Echo is the gateway drug to the smart home for many folks. They start with Alexa and move to shopping for connected lights or outlets. So we brought Charlie Kindel, director of Alexa Smart Home at Amazon, on the show to discuss the Echo’s history, its future and what voice can and cannot do in the home. So turn off your Echo mics for this one because we couldn’t avoid saying “Alexa” for this show. The Amazon Echo in my kitchen. Before we get to the Echo, Kevin and I discuss security challenges facing Osram light bulbs and security challenges from connected industries. We also explain why the Thread Group is teaming up with the OCF and what it means for developers. Finally, we discuss if companies should reimburse customers when their connected devices have outages or features are late. Hosts: Stacey Higginbotham and Kevin Tofel Guest: Charlie Kindel, director Alexa Home Services at Amazon Sponsors: Xively and The Smart Kitchen Summit Outages and security flaws abound The Thread Group and Intel’s Open Connectivity Foundation get together A modest proposal for connected devices You can command August locks from your Amazon Echo Charlie Kindel’s favorite Echo hacks (including one that works with Sonos) The post Episode 69: Amazon opens up about the Echo appeared first on IoT Podcast - Internet of Things.