Amazon recently released the Echo Show, a new addition to its lineup of smart speakers. This device comes equipped with a screen, which makes it stand out from previous versions like the Echo. While the Echo Show offers more functionality than its predecessors, its capabilities remain significantly less comprehensive compared to traditional PCs or tablets. Amazon seems to have deliberately "de-computerized" the Echo Show, aligning it with the company's vision for future computing.
Back in the 1970s, Apple's visionary technologist Jef Raskin had a similar idea. He envisioned computers as household appliances—simple tools that require little to no learning curve or maintenance. Raskin believed that computers should function like a washing machine or vacuum cleaner, needing just one or two buttons to perform tasks efficiently. At Apple, Raskin led a team to develop this concept, calling it the Macintosh. However, his ideas clashed with those of Steve Jobs and others, leading to the project's demise. Jobs focused on creating general-purpose computers, which revolutionized the tech industry. Raskin eventually left Apple in 1982 to pursue his dream of intelligent appliances, passing away in 2005.
Despite Raskin's untimely death, Amazon's Echo Show appears to have realized his vision. The New York Times noted that the Echo Show is Amazon's latest voice-controlled smart speaker, but it isn't perfect. There are occasional errors, and it lacks a clear standout feature. Yet, regardless of its limitations, the Echo Show is an impressive piece of technology, showcasing Amazon's forward-thinking approach to computing.
Apple and Google are now struggling to replicate the success of the Echo. Turning computers into smart home appliances is an attractive proposition. While it remains unclear whether competitors can challenge Amazon's dominance, the company's business model has established formidable barriers to entry. Amazon views the Echo as a gateway to drive shopping, often pricing it affordably, even below cost. For instance, the lowest price for an Echo reaches $50, and the Echo Show costs $250. By contrast, Google Home arrived two years later and hasn't matched Echo's success. Apple's HomePod won’t debut until later this year. Given these factors, Amazon's influence could continue to grow, potentially becoming the default operating system for homes.
In Raskin's vision of smart home appliances, computers aren't meant to be all-encompassing solutions. This critique applies to the Echo, which is designed to be an assistant rather than a replacement for traditional computers. The Echo doesn't handle emails or gaming; instead, it excels at tasks like playing music, making video calls, delivering news updates, checking the weather, setting timers, and facilitating Amazon purchases. To achieve this, Amazon developed an innovative interface distinct from PCs and tablets. Initially, the Echo Show was supposed to share the same interface as Amazon's tablet PCs. However, research showed this wasn't practical due to the device's reliance on voice commands. Screens on the Echo Show are primarily used for displaying essential visuals, such as videos.
Another reason the tablet interface didn't fit was that it resembled a conventional computer too closely. One of the primary goals of the Echo and Echo Show was to eliminate anything resembling a traditional computing experience. Specifications like the operating system, memory, and storage are entirely absent. Instead of apps, Amazon refers to them as "skills." Users interact solely through Alexa, eliminating the need to load browsers or search for content manually. For example, ordering Alexa to play a video bypasses the usual steps of opening a browser or app.
Compared to smartphones and tablets, the Echo Show has an additional advantage: it remains stationary. Mobile devices like phones and tablets are frequently moved around, sometimes close to users and other times farther away. The Echo Show stays in one place, allowing users to know exactly where it is and how to interact with it. This fixed positioning also means the Echo Show can respond consistently when addressed.
Fixtures like the Echo Show are increasingly common in households, similar to how refrigerators, washing machines, and TVs occupy set locations. Dave Limp, Amazon's senior vice president for Echo devices, noted that these appliances inspired the Show's design. Some speculate that Amazon might eventually produce TVs resembling the Echo Show. After all, the largest screen in a home—on a TV—could serve as the ideal channel for integrating smart home technology.
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