Alexa is Amazon’s cloud-based voice service (streamed through devices like an Echo or Echo Dot), and to me, it’s always felt like a gimmick to get people to buy more products from the mega online retailer. That includes beer. Since last year, Amazon Prime customers were able to use an Alexa-powered device to order beer, wine and spirits in cities from Seattle to Cincinnati. Large beer companies also use it to market. For example: Last year, Michelob Ultra launched a free, dedicated skill on Alexa called Ultra 95, delivering 12 customized fitness workouts to beer drinkers who enjoy staying active and drinking low-calorie Big Beer.
In an attempt to make Alexa more interactive, Amazon is now giving its voice service opinions — like we needed more of those — and that includes opinions on beer. From TechCrunch.com:
Alexa is starting to think for herself. The personal assistant that’s built into Amazon devices like Echo smart speakers and Fire TV may better distinguish itself from competitors like Google Assistant in the future by offering up not just facts or recommendations, but by having her own opinions on things that weren’t explicitly added to her programming.
This will come into play, in particular, in the living room and in home entertainment scenarios, where Alexa will start to offer consumers more than just information on what’s popular on TV tonight, for example, or what she thinks you might like to watch. She will also be able to offer what she personally recommends.
For instance, ask Alexa what’s her favorite beer? The answer is definitely Budweiser. Definitely!
Such nonsense. Thank goodness we struck down net neutrality. Now market dominant corporations like Amazon and AB InBev can think of new, devious ways to market and sell their products to us. Alexa! Set yourself for self-destruct.
