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Amazon Bringing Echo and Alexa To 80 Additional Countries in Major Global Expansion (geekwire.com)

Amazon is launching three of its Echo devices with Alexa in 80 additional countries starting today -- a major international expansion for the company's smart speakers and voice-based assistant. From a report: New markets for the Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus include Mexico, China, Russia and other countries in regions and continents including Europe, Africa, South America, the Middle East and Asia. Other Echo devices, such as the touch-screen Echo Show, are not included as part of the international expansion. Echo devices were previously only available in the US, UK, Germany, India, Japan, and Canada. Amazon earlier announced plans to bring Echo and Alexa to Australia and New Zealand next year. In addition, Amazon says its Music Unlimited subscription streaming service is available in 28 additional countries, including many of those where the Echo is now expanding, as well. Recommended reading: Don't buy anyone an Amazon Echo speaker.

4 of 38 comments (clear)

  1. But no more Youtube... by Kenja · · Score: 2

    I hate when mommy and daddy global monopoly fight...

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  2. In other Alexa news... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 2

    Amazon Alexa supports Black Lives Matter.

    https://www.vibe.com/2017/12/a...

    Waiting for the alt-white boycott.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
    1. Re:In other Alexa news... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 2

      Believing that black lives matter is not the same thing as supporting Black Lives Matter.

      Yeah, it is.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
  3. Re:Fad bet? by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 2

    We already have devices in our pockets that can speak and be spoken to

    My Echo is in the kitchen. I can ask it to do things when my hands are busy or dirty, or when I am across the room. The speaker is loud enough to hear over the blender or vent fan. Alexa can control the lights, warn me about motion on the porch, etc.

    A cell phone is not a substitute. When I am at home, my phone is on the charger in my office, not where I am, and it requires far more physical interaction. Why would I wash and dry my hands and then walk to my office and get my cell phone to turn off a light? It would be easier to just use the wall switch.

    I hear these devices even have task specific "apps" to do the things that echo does badly.

    The Echo also has 3rd party apps, but with a far better security model.