Amazon reportedly has new tech in the works that could let you talk to anyone in any room in your house. Yes, Amazon just re-invented the intercom, only this time it's going to be built into the Echo.
Rumors surfaced last month that pointed to Amazon and Google's plans to bring home phone functionality to their smart hub assistants, the Echo and Home. It's a logical step for the household-based smart devices -- but it might not end there.
Multiple anonymous sources told Recodethat Amazon is moving forward with its telephony project and is also working to turn Echo devices into a smart intercom system for the home. The sources claim the devices, which are currently in beta testing within the company, could be announced in the coming months.
Any room in the house with an Echo product could conceivably be connected to the system -- and Amazon's voice-command tech means that all you have to do to strike up a conversation with, say, your mom in the kitchen, is ask Alexa. You won't even have to get up and walk over to a console, like old-school wall-based intercom systems from back in the day.
Just imagine how much easier asking Alexa could be than yelling up to her to whip up some dinner from your basement abode.
Amazon reps declined to comment on the reports.
An Alexa-based intercom system has more potential issues than making us all more lazy, though -- prosecutors recently requested Amazon hand over voice data collected by and Echo as evidence in a murder trial. Amazon has so far refused, but turning the Echo into a portal for real-world conversations brings up questions about what technology will be involved, and whether those conversations will be in any way stored, even locally.
TopicsAmazon AlexaAmazon Echo
(责任编辑：百科)
Snapchat is about to explode in popularity, report says
Samsung's new Notebook 7 Spin is a tablet and laptop
Brexit: British researchers worried about brain drain
Watch these FDNY EMTs get engaged at NYC Pride
There's a big piece of fake chicken stuck to this phone caseMashReads Podcast: What makes a good summer read?
Summer is coming to a close and that means one thing -- last-minute vacations! 。SEE ALSO:'Ice Cream B
...[详细]Astronaut in space snaps dramatic photo of the full moon caught in a sunset
NASA astronaut Jeff Williams captured an incredible photo of the full moon just above the horizon as
...[详细]Acceptance, regret and cheers: World leaders conflicted over Brexit
The Brexit vote is sure to have a ripple effect throughout Europe and beyond as nations struggle to
...[详细]Global coral bleaching event to hit U.S. hard, with no end in sight, scientists warn
The ongoing coral bleaching event that has killed or severely injured reefs from the Great Barrier R
...[详细]Dog elected for third term as mayor of Minnesota town
Hopefully he has a human chief of staff.
。Duke the Great Pyrenees is the only dog that's ever been el
...[详细]Commentator reacting to Iceland's winning goal is what pure happiness sounds like
This might be greatest piece of sports commentary you'll ever listen to -- even if you can't underst
...[详细]YouTube doubles down on original series, creator outreach
YouTube knows that the stars that emerged on its platform are key to its success.On Thursday, YouTub
...[详细]YouTube doubles down on original series, creator outreach
YouTube knows that the stars that emerged on its platform are key to its success.On Thursday, YouTub
...[详细]Nancy Pelosi warns colleagues after info hacked
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi warned fellow Democrats on Saturday to change their cellphone num
...[详细]This is why dogs, small children and nail polish don't mix well
LONDON -- If you leave your child alone with a dog and a pot of nail polish, you should be prepared
...[详细]