Amazon Alexa just made its official debut on the iPhone, making iOS the first non-Amazon platform to get this service.
What is Amazon Alexa?
Alexa is Amazon’s virtual assistant. It’s like Siri for iOS, Cortana for Windows, Google Now for Android, or “M” for Facebook.
For some time now, the Alexa technology was only available on Amazon’s “Echo” range of products. Widely touted as a very accomplished virtual assistant, Alexa’s main job so far had been to read e-Books.
Many people were accessing the power of Amazon’s services using third-party apps on iOS. There was no data available on how many people actually prefer Amazon Alexa to other VAs.So this debut is essentially Amazon’s way of confirming that there’s quite some demand for their product, despite iOS coming pre-loaded with Siri.
Is it better than Siri?
Amazon Alexa is more or less the same as Siri in terms of overall functionality. While Siri has integrated access into the iOS, Alexa is special privileges over the Amazon app and its associated ecosystem of products.
So as of now, the two are evenly matched.
The service is not yet available in India.
To use Alexa, you’ve to simply update your Amazon app. However, it won’t work in India right now. The service has only been launched in the US and it will be some time before we lay our hands on it. However, it is a good start for Amazon who seems to be intent on making big in this virtual assistant game.
