Some of our readers will remember Evi, a voice app for the iPhone which was similar to Apple’s Siri. It looks like Amazon has acquired Evi in a deal worth $26 million US dollars.
When Evi launched on the iPhone, Apple threatened to remove the app because of its similarities to Siri. Apple then changed their mind, and the app is still available in the app store today.
The Evolution of Voice Assistants
Voice assistants have become an integral part of our daily lives, offering convenience and efficiency in managing tasks, searching for information, and controlling smart home devices. Evi, developed by True Knowledge, was one of the early players in this space, providing a robust alternative to Apple’s Siri. Unlike Siri, which was deeply integrated into the iOS ecosystem, Evi was available as a standalone app, making it accessible to a broader audience.
Evi’s capabilities included understanding natural language queries, providing accurate answers, and even learning from user interactions to improve its responses over time. This made it a valuable tool for users who wanted a versatile and intelligent assistant on their iPhones.
Amazon’s Strategic Acquisition
There are no details on exactly what Amazon plans to do with Evi, and they have yet to confirm the purchase of the company. However, with all the rumors surrounding an Amazon smartphone, we suspect the app could be used for Amazon’s first smartphone. This acquisition aligns with Amazon’s broader strategy to enhance its ecosystem of services and devices.
Amazon has been steadily expanding its presence in the voice assistant market with Alexa, its own voice assistant. Alexa powers a range of Amazon devices, including the Echo smart speakers, Fire TV, and various smart home gadgets. By acquiring Evi, Amazon could potentially integrate Evi’s advanced natural language processing capabilities into Alexa, making it even more competitive against rivals like Siri, Google Assistant, and Microsoft’s Cortana.
Moreover, the acquisition could also signal Amazon’s ambitions to enter the smartphone market. An Amazon smartphone equipped with a powerful voice assistant like Evi could offer a unique selling point, differentiating it from other smartphones in the market. This move would not only diversify Amazon’s product lineup but also create new opportunities for integrating its services, such as Amazon Prime, Kindle, and its vast e-commerce platform, into a seamless mobile experience.
Potential Impact on the Market
The acquisition of Evi by Amazon could have significant implications for the voice assistant market. By leveraging Evi’s technology, Amazon could enhance Alexa’s ability to understand and respond to complex queries, making it more useful for users. This could lead to increased adoption of Alexa-powered devices and further solidify Amazon’s position as a leader in the smart home market.
Additionally, an Amazon smartphone with integrated Evi technology could disrupt the smartphone market, offering consumers a new and innovative option. This could potentially challenge established players like Apple and Google, forcing them to innovate further to maintain their market share.
In conclusion, while Amazon has yet to confirm the acquisition of Evi, the potential benefits of this deal are clear. By integrating Evi’s advanced voice assistant technology into its ecosystem, Amazon could enhance its existing products and potentially introduce new ones, further expanding its influence in the tech industry.
Source TechCrunch
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