The Amazon Echo just got a lot smarter

Smart speakers are very often shared devices, which limits the services they can provide without mixing up everyone’s data and appointments.

The solution, for these mostly blind devices, has been voice recognition, first seen on the Google Home, and today available on Amazon’s Echo range of smart speakers.

Via the Amazon Alexa app housemates can now set up voice recognition using the Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Show. Users are asked to read 10 phrases aloud,  with the information used to create a voice profile which will work across all your Echo devices and improve over time. .

“Once you set up the feature, Alexa will learn your voice (versus your spouse/partner/roommate’s voice) and be able to deliver a more personalized experience,” an Amazon spokesman said. “Today the feature is available for calling/messaging, flash briefing, shopping, and the Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan, and it’ll be rolling out to additional Alexa features in the future.”

The ultimate feature would of course be if Amazon’s camera equipped devices could recognise when you are in the room and offer you notifications and information. No word of when that privacy nightmare will arrive.

Via the verge