chicks
Lunatic Member
Lots of new Alexa / Echo devices just announced.
https://blog.aboutamazon.com/devices/amazon-devices-event-september-2018
https://blog.aboutamazon.com/devices/amazon-devices-event-september-2018
That would be a nice setup. They say they improved the mics which was almost a necessity for these devices.Probably an Alexa Cast target, just like all Echo and Sonos devices are now. Works great. They’re also talking about Link protocol, maybe a new way to connect, haven’t dug in too deeply.
New Input is even cheaper than Dot, and smaller. No speaker.
I’m thinking the Show as command center, to call up music via voice and visualize, but playing through Link Amp to good speakers. Show can only do this today via Bluetooth, with all its limitations, so this would be great.
Though the Echo remains the leading smart speaker in the US, taking up 70 percent of the market, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, its lead could slip if people start drifting to other, more attractive options. The Google Home accounts for 24 percent, while the Apple HomePod takes just 6 percent. The number of smart speakers in use in the country hit 50 million in late June.
Comparing Apple to Amazon is like comparing Apples to Oranges, they aren't in the same market, even if they have a couple products/technologies that overlap to some extent. Amazon is a data collection company and an online store. They can sell you these devices at much lower price points because they make it back by selling you other products. I don't bet against their strategy because it enables them to sell you a deeply discounted Dot that isn't priced bad to begin with. It also gets them into your home where they can make it easy to buy groceries or any number of products. That being said, most of the stuff they announced this week are niche devices. The stand alone speaker is where they have their market share and I bet a vast majority of that market share is made up of sub-$50 devices (on average).Amazon has a commanding lead in the home, and is now looking to the car, as well. At work, Google and Microsoft still rule. My home is primarily Alexa, though I do have a Google Home for the few things Alexa doesn’t yet do as well. Alexa and Google in the car, too. Never could understand the Apple attraction, Apple is still far behind at just about everything, and greatly overpriced, IMO.
https://www.cnet.com/news/amazons-e...-get-redesign-on-the-way-to-world-domination/
It may take some of the Tivo client base because it appears there won't be a fee for the guide. I have a Tivo that I use with cableTV and I made sure it also had OTA capabilities in case I decide to go to a streaming service and supplement it with the Tivo and OTA. This would definitely be an interesting device from that perspective. I am no hurry, so I can wait it out until the price drops on this device down the road. As you mentioned, I am interested in the reviews.So, the 'peer to peer' communications between Alexa devices is a pretty interesting development, esp if can handle video (from their new DVR to a Fire Stick?).
I'm curious about what they are using for that 'mesh' network between Alexas (chatty things aren't they?) - anybody know?
I think it may open up an entire new range of applications (like their silly microwave thing, or AC outlets - brings back memories of RatShack X10!) & could be a real game changer.
And that DVR is by itself a dang clever solution - no HDMI, no TV needed, so you can place it 'hidden' and "up high' for best antenna placement. I'll be very curious to see reviews and get more tech info about it.
Sort of hope you can turn off the Alexa mics, though.
That might just be 'good enough' for me to finally give up on the Media Center DVR I'm running on Win7, and has prevented me from upgrading to Win10!!
Yay!
If I wasn't in Apple's ecosystem, I might favor Sonos or I would just stick with all Amazon devices. I am happy that I use iOS because it has given me a 360 degree speaker that has mics that can hear me over music and will control music my AppleTV/main system while I am sitting on the couch. As I said before, I and most likely plenty of other people, don't want to pair 2 of them. For my needs, I just need it to supply decent background music to three spaces and control other Airplay 2 devices. I would need at least 2 Sonos just to make up for the fact that they are directional.Lol, I saw that. VERY safe bet that Sonos has shipped far more Ones at just below that $200 "premium" threshold. Nearly every review I've read puts the One ahead of the HomePod in just about every category, and a pair of Ones well above a HomePod in SQ, at nearly the same price.
But, people trust the Apple brand, which is fine. My entire family loves them, mostly because they are technophobes. I've just never been a fan, and I have an iPhone and two iPads from work, but much prefer the superior offerings (IMO) from Samsung for personal use. But I spend much of my time at a 'nix prompt at work, so I'm not Apple's target customer.
I love the original Show, will probably get the new one once they are discounted. Or maybe the Google version. Both will integrate with all my Sonos gear via voice, and eventually via touchscreen. No walled gardens for me, thanks!
Apple also sell a lot of crap under the Beats brand, so not just premium offerings.