In the more decade since Amazon introduced its Echo smart speakers line, we have been using “Alexa” to address them. It is the word of predetermined vigil, and soon, as Alexa+, it will be the name that marks its most significant shine.
However, hardware is still officially known as Echo Dot, Echo Show, etc., but a new report is an indication that could change, and we could end up calling an Echo program and a Alexa show.
After a notice of a reader, the Verge was able to confirm that sometimes an Eco program that appears as a Alexa.com program on Amazon.com, as part of a test that the online retail giant is executing. I have tried without success to make Amazon.com show me such a result, but I really hope that the name change becomes something real.
The reality is that nobody thinks of its Amazon smart speakers as ‘Echo’ devices. We call them Alexas because that is the name they respond. We have never said: “Echo, what is the weather tomorrow?” Perhaps if Amazon had gone that route in 2015, we could be arguing that all these are really echo devices.
Echo has never been a great name. The Oxford dictionary defines echo how:
“A sound or series of sounds caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface to the listener.”
If all the various echo devices were simply speakers, this could make sense. But Echo’s smart speakers are not simply reflecting our voices and requests; They are listening, thinking, and are responding, and not simply recovering what we said.
In addition, the combination of names is not much better. “Echo Show” is not great. It ends up sounding like the “an echo that you can see.” Nothing in him says: “Intelligence plus a screen.”
Now, let’s try “Alexa Show”. We already know what Alexa means, and the combo instantly becomes “intelligence you can see.”
Just imagine
Although Amazon is implementing a much smarter and more intelligent Alexa with ia with Alexa+, I do not see the need to include a ‘+’ in the various products names. However, putting ‘Alexa’ products in the products is probably an intelligent way to encourage more Alexa+adoption.
It tickles imagine the entire Amazon line of Alexa’s best speakers, many of which are part of our best list of smart speakers, remodeled around the ideal of the ‘Alexa’ brand:
- Alexa Dot
- Alexa Spot (for more simplification, combines with above)
- Alexa Studio
- Alexa Pop
- Alexa Frames
- Alexa headphones
- etc.
He would even argue that the brand could be extended to other Native Amazon devices such as the Fire Stick (Alexa Fire Stick) and Fire Tables (Alexa Fire Tablet). Kindles would make sense only if Amazon decides to integrate some basic characteristics of Alexa (however, it is not likely, since most people read their Kindles out of line).
A dose of reality
As much as I want Amazon to adopt the Alexa brand completely on all these devices, it is not likely to happen. When I asked Amazon directly on the test, they threw a giant cube of cold water on the idea of an important product category that changes the name.
A Amazon spokesman told me: “I would not read too much in this. Customers love Echo and Alexa, and look for our products in several different ways: we are executing an experiment to better understand the discovery of products, but that does not mean that something will change.”
However, when I read that, the message is not “will never change.” Instead, they said: “… that does not mean that nothing will change.”
It’s like when I ask my wife if she thinks we will win the lottery and she says: “almost certainly not”, and I always answer: ‘Then, you are saying that there is a possibility … “
Leaving Alexa’s echo and adoption everywhere would be an intelligent movement, and I still hope Amazon takes it from the experiment to the strategic update. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
