Your Amazon Echo speaker is getting an update that matters

Date:
Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:38:08 +0000

Description:
Amazon will be updating its Echo speakers with Matter later this year,
joining other big tech companies on the open-source platform.

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Amazon will be updating its plug-in Echo speakers with open-source platform Matter later this year, joining other big tech companies like Samsung , Google, Philips Hue and more in a joint effort to simplify the smart home setup process.

As reported by The Verge , Amazon is the latest tech company to join the Matter initiative, and will be updating its Echo Studio , Echo Show , Echo Flex and Echo Plus speakers, as well as most speakers in the popular Echo Dot range. No release date for the update has been announced as of yet, with just a vague late 2021 to go off for now.

Not every Amazon Echo speaker will receive the update, unfortunately, with
the first-gen Echo and Echo Dot missing out alongside the Echo Tap. Thats understandable, given the age of these speakers compared to more recent models, so its likely these earlier devices dont meet the Matter standard. Google Assistant : here are all the phones and devices that use it Alexa vs Google Assistant : which voice assistant is best for you? 80 Amazon Alexa Easter Eggs : Fun tips and tricks for your Echo speaker Analysis: what's the Matter?

For the uninitiated, Matter is a joint open-source platform thats composed of tech companies that specialize in smart home tech, like the aforementioned Amazon, Samsung, Google and others. The concept stems from the desire to create a unified smart home brand thats compatible with the voice assistant
of your choice.

In theory, this should make the process of setting up a smart home easier
than ever, minimizing the amount of incompatibilities that might otherwise crop up. With Matter, for example, a user could keep their desired voice assistant (such as Alexa or Google Assistant ) and use it to control Matter branded devices like Philips Hue smart lights or wireless Bluetooth speakers.

Its an ambitious endeavor that will still rely on each individual tech
company to do their bit in updating their respective devices. Ultimately, though, were happy to see these companies working together to simplify the smart home process, which will potentially introduce the concept and its litany of useful perks to a wider audience. The first Alexa coffee maker lets you brew hands-free



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/your-amazon-echo-speaker-is-getting-an-update-t hat-matters/


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