Amazon announced its plans last year to launch its Amazon Alexa and Amazon Echo devices in New Zealand, and now the company has started to take pre-orders on some devices.
Amazon is now taking pre-orders on the Amazon Echo, the Echo Plus, and the Echo Dot in Australia, and all three devices are available with a discount of $30. The Echo is available for $149 AUD, the Echo Plus $229 AUD, and the Echo Dot $79 AUD.
Regional Voice Customization
The devices will feature a regional voice from Australia and New Zealand, which means that Alexa will be able to understand and respond in the local accent and dialect. This is a significant step for Amazon as it aims to make its devices more user-friendly and relatable to the local population. Pre-orders are now available ahead of next month’s launch, allowing customers to be among the first to experience these tailored features.
Amazon Music Unlimited Launch
In addition to the hardware, Amazon is also launching their Amazon Music Unlimited service in New Zealand and Australia. This service costs $5 AUD per month and offers a vast library of songs, playlists, and radio stations. The integration of Amazon Music Unlimited with Alexa-enabled devices means users can easily request songs, albums, or playlists using voice commands, making it a seamless experience for music lovers.
Amazon’s Alexa-powered range of devices has been incredibly popular in a number of countries like the US, the UK, and Europe. The devices offer a wide range of functionalities, from controlling smart home devices to providing weather updates, news briefings, and even playing games. It will be interesting to see if the devices are also popular in Australia and New Zealand, where the market for smart home technology is still growing.
One of the key features of the Echo devices is their ability to control other smart home devices. For instance, users can control lights, thermostats, and even security systems using voice commands. This makes the Echo devices not just a smart speaker but a central hub for smart home automation. With the growing interest in smart home technology in Australia and New Zealand, the Echo devices could see significant adoption.
Another aspect to consider is the integration of third-party skills. Alexa supports thousands of skills developed by third-party developers, ranging from ordering food to booking a cab. This opens up a plethora of possibilities for users and makes the Echo devices highly versatile. Local developers in Australia and New Zealand can also create skills tailored to the needs and preferences of the local population, further enhancing the user experience.
Pre-orders for the three Alexa-enabled devices are now live, and they will start shipping in both countries in February. This gives Amazon a head start in capturing the market before other competitors can establish a strong presence. The discounted prices during the pre-order phase are likely to attract a significant number of early adopters, giving Amazon valuable insights into the local market’s preferences and needs.
In conclusion, Amazon’s launch of Alexa and Echo devices in New Zealand and Australia marks a significant expansion of its smart home ecosystem. With regional voice customization, the introduction of Amazon Music Unlimited, and a wide range of functionalities, the Echo devices are well-positioned to capture the interest of consumers in these countries. It remains to be seen how well these devices will be received, but the initial response during the pre-order phase looks promising.
Source TechCrunch
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