Amazon's Alexa on PC gets off to a rough start and is not that impressive (yet)

I recently wrote an editorial laying out two potential possibilities for why Amazon'due south Alexa app for PC is non a widely available download for all users. One reason is information technology requires unique hardware (or firmware) to make it work even on a basic level. The other is but nonsense "exclusive" deals in a lame attempt to sell new laptops.

I now accept my answer. The reason you can't just download the Amazon Alexa app is that they don't want y'all to have it. That'south it. Amazon (and Acer and Lenovo) think you lot'll want to purchase their laptop because of Alexa and you lot shouldn't.

Fifty-fifty on supported hardware, information technology's not supported (withal)?

The Lenovo X1 Carbon (sixth gen) is i of the officially supported laptops for Amazon Alexa. Every bit such, the app became available at the finish of May to download and employ.

Interestingly, i of its master features – 'wake word' where y'all call upon Alexa with just your voice – does non work. Lenovo did release a specific BIOS/firmware to enable the option, but it does not work. Lenovo and Amazon are investigating.

This custom firmware to enable the wake word is presumably why this app is exclusive, but that seems a bit of a cop-out. The app works fine without information technology. You can install Alexa on any PC and utilize it in transmission mode – that is, yous launch the app and click the blue push button. This ability works on desktop PCs like my HP Omen gaming desktop or the Surface Book ii.

Alexa's 'wake work' doesn't work yet even on some supported PCs. It also ways any PC tin run this app.

Even more worrisome is that for Alexa to be useful on Windows 10 it will require manufacturers to work on, compile, and release custom firmware and BIOS updates to enable it. That'southward never a good thing if you are looking for marketplace penetration. That'south not entirely Amazon'due south mistake either every bit even Android phones have this issue (see Cortana and using voice control there).

Is Alexa even useful on PC? It depends.

I'll let you judge whether you find Amazon Alexa for PC a necessary component of your work routine. I think the experience volition exist like Cortana if you have a corresponding Invoke speaker: you'll ask Alexa to do something only to have a avalanche of Echo speakers chime in at your house offering to assist.

On the road with your laptop, asking Alexa for the electric current conditions, cycling your Philips Hue lights, or ordering some garbage bags may exist useful, just across that, the assistant does non touch your email, contacts, calendar, or anything in Windows 10 (so no app launching, or volume controls).

This weakness can exist overcome, at least a little bit, through Alexa app updates and general improvements to Alexa's backend, e.g., those skillz, but outside of answering trivia, or finding out some necessary information, Alexa on PC yet feels half-baked.

Merely a band-aid

I think the whole "Cortana vs. Alexa" thing is a bit overplayed. Amazon'due south Alexa is very expert at knowing yous as a shopper and working with third-political party apps (then long equally you remember the trigger phrases).

Cortana is (or will exist) better at knowing you through electronic mail, contacts, web and search history, and deep integration into Windows 10 across your devices.

For those looking for Alexa to be some Cortana substitute, I think you'll exist sorely disappointed. Call up, Alexa is slightly worse than Cortana for local availability. For instance, officially the app is simply supported in the United States with a promise of "stay tuned" for additional availability.

Related, Alexa but supports English Uk, English US, and High german. Cortana, for all its faults and limitations, is at least available in Australia (English language), Brazil (Portuguese), Canada (English/French), People's republic of china (Chinese Simplified), France (French), Germany (German), India (English), Italy (Italian), Japan (Japanese), Mexico (Spanish), Spain (Spanish), Britain (English), United States (English).

Long-term the real solution here is the all-time of both worlds: making Cortana and Alexa interoperable. That is the electric current project set forth between Amazon and Microsoft and if they can make it natural to apply information technology could be the ultimate solution for consumers versus the current model. Both services have their strengths and weaknesses but combined the two assistants could span your PC to your shopping life to your connected dwelling in one fell swoop.

Merely if you lot were thinking near buying a PC just for this Alexa app, well, you'd exist crazy to practice so.

Where to get Amazon Alexa for PC right now

If you want to install Amazon Alexa for your laptop or desktop PC y'all can now do that. Just read our tutorial on where to get information technology and what works and what doesn't for more information!

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Oh Dear

New study reveals Microsoft'southward time to come AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Business Insider has today published a follow-up report with more details almost Microsoft's canceled HoloLens 3 augmented reality headset. The partnership with Samsung is said to include a headset with a ready of screens within, powered by a Samsung phone in your pocket.

Keeping it affordable

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for K-viii Windows PCs

Starting at simply $250, Microsoft'southward first foray into affordable laptops for the education market is a winner. With a gorgeous design, fantabulous thermals, and a fantastic typing experience, Microsoft would do correct to sell this directly to consumers besides. Allow'south just hope Intel tin make a better CPU.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/amazons-alexa-pc-gets-rough-start

Posted by: garnertropers.blogspot.com

Share this post