If you’re wondering what happened to Amazon’s new and improved version of its Alexa voice assistant, you’re not alone. Bloomberg reports that the new Alexa is still stuck in its developmental phase and Amazon has cut off access to its beta phase including its new “Let’s Chat” phase. As a result, a planned late 2024 launch has been pushed back to next year. The problem seems to be with its large language models (LLMs). The new Alexa is designed to understand more complicated questions from users but it’s also more likely to fail doing some of the most basic things the old version could do quite easily like create a timer or operate smart lights, according to a follow up report from The Verge. Amazon originally planned to unveil its new version of Alexa AI in October but now the timeline has been extended into next year. (As you might have noticed, October has come and gone.) The original timeline planned to premiere the next evolutionary step in Alexa’s advancement on October 17 but Amazon decided to pivot and used the date to show off its new line of Kindle ereaders. Then in August, news surfaced that the new Alexa would be powered by Anthropic’s Claude AI and come with a monthly subscription fee. As ChatGPT began to rise in popularity in the summer of 2023, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy wanted to see if Alexa could compete if it had an AI upgrade. Jassy reportedly started peppering Alexa with sports questions “like an ESPN reporter at a playoff press conference” and its answers... Continue reading at 'Engadget'
[ Engadget | 2024-11-01 21:50:42 UTC ]
Amazon has launched a Kindle for children, in its first ever dedicated reading experience built for youngsters. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-07 01:02:07 UTC ]
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HarperCollins has begun selling a "limited number" of backlist e-books via Amazon’s £7.99 a month subscription e-book service Kindle Unlimited in the UK and Australia in a major shift from one of the big publishers. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-30 20:49:12 UTC ]
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The very name of Amazon's “All-new Kindle Oasis” would seem to herald a radical overhaul. Thankfully, the changes to Amazon’s top-shelf e-reader are far less dramatic. Beyond the introduction of a new color-adjustable front light that can warm or cool the screen’s illumination, the All-new... Continue reading at PC World
[ PC World | 2019-09-25 10:30:00 UTC ]
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David Cameron's For the Record (William Collins) has risen to the top of the Amazon Charts Most-Sold: Non-Fiction list, with more Audible listeners than Kindle readers in the past week. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-24 20:53:57 UTC ]
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Amazon is clearing out Kindles, and there are some deep discounts on some iPhone alternatives this weekend. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2019-09-21 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon's next big hardware event is just days away, and it appears the tech giant is using that as an opportunity to provide hefty discounts for Fire tablet and Kindle models for Prime subscribers. Most notably, Prime members get $40 off the Kindle P... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2019-09-16 14:27:00 UTC ]
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MP David Lammy’s book on tribalism is being pushed back to the new year due to the looming prospect of a general election. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-13 07:51:32 UTC ]
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Amazon has revealed the third annual UK Kindle Storyteller Award shortlist after receiving more entries than ever before. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-12 14:05:43 UTC ]
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This year's Kindle refresh gave Managing Editor James Trew a lot to like, including an illuminated display and a smaller design with smoother edges. Although the 2019 Kindle has only a single storage option and its recessed display tends to attract d... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2019-08-29 15:00:00 UTC ]
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Because little fingers love shiny buttons: how to lock down your Kindle so kids don't buy all the books. And how to get your money back when they do. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2019-08-21 10:33:14 UTC ]
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In a world of companies competing to make phones that all look the same, I miss products that truly feel innovative. “Are they completely nuts?” read the review from the New York Times of Amazon’s original Kindle e-reader back in 2007.Read Full Story Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2019-08-14 09:00:37 UTC ]
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All of J.D. Salinger’s works will be available as e-books starting this week. Disaffected youth can finally read Catcher in the Rye on their Kindle Paperwhites, just like J.D. Salinger intended.Read Full Story Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2019-08-12 10:34:36 UTC ]
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In an era of smartphone addiction, a single-purpose device like an e-reader may help you unplug and focus on content that will bring you joy. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2019-08-01 09:03:32 UTC ]
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Inquiry told leaks to media can have ‘catastrophic’ consequences and federal police’s independence and press freedom are not ‘inherently in conflict’The Australian federal police has pushed back against calls for greater safeguards on the issue of warrants that interfere with press freedom,... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2019-07-31 07:30:13 UTC ]
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The retail giant offers a way to share your Prime benefits—including Kindle titles, audiobooks, and free Prime shipping—with others in your home. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2019-07-23 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon announced today that it inked best-selling author Dean Koontz to a five-book deal. The agreement will also include a short story collection called Nameless that will be available for free to Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited customers on Novem... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2019-07-22 15:24:00 UTC ]
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You don't need Kindle Unlimited to get free ebooks on Amazon — all you need is a Prime subscription. Here are the best Amazon Prime books on Prime Reading. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2019-07-18 10:35:34 UTC ]
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Tired of boring Kindle covers? I have some good news for you! These bookish Kindle covers from Amazon are here to help you live your best literary life. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2019-07-17 10:33:49 UTC ]
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We're big fans of Amazon's Kindles, and all three are on sale for Prime Day: Standard, Paperwhite, and Oasis. They're as cheap as we've seen them. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2019-07-16 14:30:00 UTC ]
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Read on for 50 of the best Kindle Unlimited audiobooks you can listen to right now with a subcription, from memoirs to nonfiction to kid's lit and more. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2019-07-16 10:34:41 UTC ]
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