For the past several years, Amazon has dominated the smart speaker market with their Echo devices that house the virtual assistant, Alexa. Many people who are hesitant to shell out the money to get a physical device look to the Internet to see if they can find Amazon Echo online. While many users will run into a wall when doing research online, a few easy steps can be taken to access Amazon Echo online. While it is not a substitute for an actual Echo, it will give users an idea of whether or not to buy Amazon Alexa and Echo.
Amazon Echo Online
An online search for Amazon Echo online will lead users in a few different directions. The main search result that appears is to access Alexa online through the Amazon website. This is helpful for individuals who already have an Echo device but is a dead-end for others. For Echo owners, signing in with their Amazon account will reveal a host of different features and options which resembles the Alexa app.
On the left-hand side of the screen, menus can be accessed to: show what song is playing on the Echo; adjust settings; set up and control smart home devices; and view and edit lists. This is also a way to look at Alexa Skills that come in handy when users wish to expand their Echo’s capabilities. It should be noted that Echo users will still need to speak within range of their physical Echo device. Alexa will not be able to respond via the online webpage.
Echosim.io
While the Alexa webpage is well organized, it doesn’t help users who do not own a physical device. Luckily, there is a service that can be used that resemble Alexa’s capabilities. The webpage created by Amazon and is called Echosim.io.
To access the feature, individuals will first need to log into their Amazon account (it’s free and easy to setup). Next, they will be taken to a screen that asks if they are okay with Amazon recording and storing their voice commands in order to improve Alexa. Once users click Allow, a pop up will appear that asks if the site can use the computer’s or phone’s microphone. Once allowed, a visual picture of the Echo will appear with instructions to hold down the spacebar or click and hold down the microphone icon on the screen and speak.
Alexa can be asked a number of questions like “When was the Jurassic Period?”, to which she will respond. However, the webpage is largely designed for developers who are creating skills to test their skills with Alexa. Therefore, Alexa will not respond to many commands (like playing music or adding items to a shopping list) and others are inaccurate. When asked about the weather, Alexa does not take location into account, and asking about basketball games will have Alexa listing off times and dates from 2016.
Reverb
Echosim.io is not really a good indicator of what Alexa would be like on an Echo device. However, another Echo online app is a bit better, although it does require a physical Echo device to fully utilize all the features. Reverb is an app that can be downloaded onto a smart device or accessed from a webpage online. The setup is largely the same as with Echosim.io. Once users accept the privacy agreement and agree the app can use the microphone, they simply need to press and hold the circle on the app and speak. Alexa, in this case, is far more accurate with information and will give correct location-based information if users agree that the app can access their location.
While anyone can use Echo online through the app, some features request that the Alexa app can be downloaded for a full experience. The Alexa app alone without an Echo cannot do much. With this in mind, Reverb is largely a mobile extension of a physical Echo device for users who already own one. Between Echoism.io and Reverb, users can start to get a feel for Alexa’s capabilities and if they would like to purchase a device. But the full experience is hard to get from accessing Echo online.