Amazon’s Alexa is the operating system of the future, so you better get used to it

When tech devices may provide evidence to solve a murder mystery the media explodes over privacy issues...which the Amazon Echo is experiencing for the first time.

While privacy is a huge concern involving a device that is always listening but not necessarily recording, there is a much bigger implication of the Amazon Echo that everyone seems to be missing.

The smart home we’ve all been dreaming of is a lot closer than we think!

Amazon is fulfilling this mission by building the operating system of the future. They call it Alexa and it’s an Artificial Intelligence assistant.

Don’t believe this is their mission?

Well, these plans are already in motion. Right before 2016 ended, Samsung announced their latest robotic vacuum can be prompted to clean by an Amazon Echo (so did Neato). Yesterday at CES 2017, Amazon released a series of 4K sets with Fire TV technology built-in which include a wide range of Alexa voice commands thanks to a microphone-equipped remote. Also announced at CES 2017, Ford and Amazon teamed up to begin rolling out cars with Alexa capabilities next month.

So, while Apple is bringing us the “Internet of You” by putting computers in ordinary objects, Amazon plans to be the underlying software which augments our daily routines.

As a general consumer, I hate Amazon’s move because, in order to reap their rewards, I currently need to buy an Echo speaker. That means I have to add yet another device to my never-ending pile of tech and figure out the best way to bridge its functionality into my life.

But, as a tech nerd, I love Amazon’s move because their eventual plan is to power most of our daily devices with Alexa. This means as soon as I wake up in the morning I can politely ask Alexa to start brewing my coffee, pop down the toast I pre-loaded, and play soft music to gently wake me up.

Yes, this is a hopeful assumption that the vacuum, TV, and Ford cars are the first few dominos in the long line of devices to be powered by Alexa. But, realistically, Alexa could be installed on any device. From refilling refrigerators to reading bedtime stories, turning off lights to checking your locks, Alexa is the operating system of the future--granting you more control over your productivity, lifestyle, and environment.

You may be thinking that this actually sounds terrifying. Amazon could have all that data about our daily routine, really granting them the power. And I would agree, it’s scary. But, it’s an inevitable future.

We are heading toward a future where mindless tasks will be automated. To stay ahead means to embrace this technology into your life and spend the time you saved on creative endeavors that can’t be automated. That’s why I created Quick Theories--a brief, weekly newsletter filled with creative insights to inspire your next idea. If you feel you aren’t living up to your creative potential, then sign-up here: quicktheories.com