Amazon's latest update to its Alexa voice assistant introduces a generative large language model (LLM) designed to elevate smart home interactions. Amazon says the new Alexa LLM brings enhanced contextual understanding, allowing for more natural conversations and streamlined device management. Continue Reading →
Amazon Prime Video is embarking on its second NFL season as the exclusive broadcaster of Thursday Night Football, introducing a suite of AI-powered features to immerse viewers in the strategic intricacies of the game. Continue Reading →
Seven AI tech giants – OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon, Anthropic, and Inflection – have committed to watermarking AI-generated content. The goal is to label the provenance of AI-generated text, video, audio, and images, thereby reducing the risk of misleading users about the content's origins. As Google's blog aptly puts it, "None of us can get AI right on our own." Continue Reading →
Amazon is testing a new feature that uses generative AI to summarize customer reviews. It will provide a brief overview of what shoppers liked and disliked about a product, with a disclaimer that the summary is "AI-generated from the text of customer reviews." This could be great for customers who find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of reviews on popular products… or not. Continue Reading →

Caution: Check Amazon Twice

Last night, I searched for a specific item on Amazon. There were several sellers for the item, and the listing with the lowest price was at the top. I was about to purchase the one with the lowest price when I noticed that it was not being shipped from the manufacturer or from a highly rated seller; both the "ships from" and the "sold by" transaction information were all in Chinese characters. For this particular item, that didn't make sense. Continue Reading →

Are you ready for networked TV?

With the debut of Thursday Night Football on Amazon last week, we passed by a major milestone on our journey from network to networked TV. Amazon enjoyed a record number of Prime signups (the actual number has not been disclosed), and they got their products and services in front of a gigantic audience. It was a big win for Amazon. Continue Reading →
Amazon is shutting down its telehealth service, Amazon Care. They are getting out of the business of telehealth. They're done with it. It's over. Amazon Care is no more. It has ceased to be… and the healthcare industry should be scared out of its wits. Continue Reading →
Amazon just bought iRobot, the company that makes Roomba, for $1.7 billion. Shelly Palmer speaks with Robert Moses and Tashanea Whitlow about what Amazon is going to do with the data -- and whether or not you should be worried. Continue Reading →

Amazon Mapping Your Life

iRobot, the company that makes Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners, has agreed to be acquired by Amazon for $1.7 billion, according to a joint statement. If the deal closes, Amazon will have access to the maps a Roomba makes of each room it cleans. Continue Reading →