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The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

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Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#121

Post by JulianRaphael »

Very revealing discussion. Most of the participants just argue about Amazon vs. Google here, some fear surveillance, some consider the devices useless, a few want to understand if the HN crowd finds it useful. This is something I notice here on HN in product-related discussions more and more: people just say what THEY think about product X (typically a negative opinion or complaint), rather being creative, constructive or inquisitive.

Why do you think millions of people bought an Echo Dot or a Google Home? Not from YOUR perspective, but from the perspective of millions of people that seem to see value in this product?

Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#122

Post by bamboozled »

JulianRaphael wrote: post #121

Very revealing discussion. Most of the participants just argue about Amazon vs. Google here, some fear surveillance, some consider the devices useless, a few want to understand if the HN crowd finds it useful. This is something I notice here on HN in product-related discussions more and more: people just say what THEY think about product X (typically a negative opinion or complaint), rather being creative, constructi…

Might I suggest some simple reasons for the increase in sales for the Dot?

* Novelty value, it's a fun idea. It looks cool to buy an "edgy" product for your nephew / niece etc.

* The marketing team worked hard to direct prime customers to buy one for their family / friends as gifts.

* People are out of ideas and it's something new, novel and affordable.

I really don't think people put much thought into presents in general, if there is something new, kind of affordable and in your face, it's a given you're going to buy it.

Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#123

Post by dullgiulio »

icc97 wrote: post #107
daveFNbuck wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Google" is an extremely common word in casual conversation. Any human who tested a device that activated every time you said "Google" would quickly recommend a change to a less likely phrase.

I think the point is that Google shouldn't be in the name at all.

Why, people have been asking Google a lot of questions for a long time. I can imagine the marketing department in Google not loving the idea of another name for Google.

Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#124

Post by _Codemonkeyism »

dilap wrote: post #69
saalweachter wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you ever been in a room with an Alexa unit when people are trying to talk about it? It's like a comedy routine with the device activating spuriously over and over.

I have, and it's pretty funny. We quickly adapted to just saying "A." or "her". Probably in a few years this whole debate topic will seem quant, as devices will be much at figuring out when we're addressing them than the primitive idea of a wake-word. :-)

Exactly the same here.

Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#125

Post by seanwilson »

JulianRaphael wrote: post #121

Very revealing discussion. Most of the participants just argue about Amazon vs. Google here, some fear surveillance, some consider the devices useless, a few want to understand if the HN crowd finds it useful. This is something I notice here on HN in product-related discussions more and more: people just say what THEY think about product X (typically a negative opinion or complaint), rather being creative, constructi…

> Why do you think millions of people bought an Echo Dot or a Google Home? Not from YOUR perspective, but from the perspective of millions of people that seem to see value in this product?

I enjoy the discussions here but the reaction of this niche audience is not a good predictor of how the average person will act. Most people don't understand how internet ads work or care that much about the privacy of mundane activities. Try asking some non-technical friends how Google or Facebook make money and then once you explain how ask if they care.

People buy these products because they're useful. They don't know about or care what the vocal minority that know about tech say.

Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#126

Post by untog »

dilap wrote: post #50
fermienrico wrote: post #7

Google is miles ahead in terms of a conversational assistant. There is a lot of friction in using voice activated services. If I have a choice of typing "Weather in XXXXX zip" in the address bar vs. asking an assistant, I choose the former. Therefore, every time I use anything else but Google, I am afraid it won't recognize my command and I immediately feel like throwing that thing out of the window. I need to be 100…

Having to say "OK, Google" instead of just "Google" (or "Alexa") is a deal-breaker. Google's products don't feel like they are designed by humans.

I feel the exact opposite. "Alexa" feels like a very clunky attempt to humanise something that isn't human.

Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#127

Post by tjoff »

dilap wrote: post #69
saalweachter wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you ever been in a room with an Alexa unit when people are trying to talk about it? It's like a comedy routine with the device activating spuriously over and over.

I have, and it's pretty funny. We quickly adapted to just saying "A." or "her". Probably in a few years this whole debate topic will seem quant, as devices will be much at figuring out when we're addressing them than the primitive idea of a wake-word. :-)

You're assuming that these devices have anything to offer even if they worked.

Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#128

Post by thg »

CamperBob2 wrote: post #37
ferongr wrote: post #30

Who could imagine that people would install telescreens voluntarily, and pay for the privilege?

It's long been clear that Huxley's vision has won out over Orwell's.

It's more a mix of both than an either-or. In the western world we can see Huxley's vision much more dominantly, while in China / NK it's not far a stretch to full Orwellian.

However, Orwell's envisioned surveillance apparatus is ubiquitous all over the planet, no matter what nation you live in.

Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#129

Post by dustinmoris »

icc97 wrote: post #107
daveFNbuck wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Google" is an extremely common word in casual conversation. Any human who tested a device that activated every time you said "Google" would quickly recommend a change to a less likely phrase.

I think the point is that Google shouldn't be in the name at all.

You are missing the point. Even a random name wouldn't work when people talk about it. Alexa is the perfect example! Google did the right thing. Google home is what people talk about and "Ok Google" is what activities the device.

Re: The Echo Dot was the best-selling product on Amazon this holiday season

#130

Post by MikusR »

figgis wrote: post #39
lgas wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Out of curiosity, why Goole before Amazon?

Personally I resent the fact that Amazon has done everything in their power as a company to make it so I cannot stream amazon prime to my chromecast. That alone has tarnished my opinion of the company.

It's Google not Amazon.
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