Amazon's Alexa now accepts voice commands to buy stuff for you
If there was any doubt that Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is a Trojan horse designed to get people to buy more things from Amazon, let those doubts be dispelled.
The online retail giant announced on Friday that Alexa, which is supported by the Echo, Echo Dot, Tap and Fire TV, will now let you order "tens of millions" of Amazon Prime products, even if you've never ordered the item from Amazon before.
To place an order, all you have to do is say "Alexa, order ____." (For example, "Alexa, order AAA batteries" or "Alexa, order Old Spice deodorant.")
Just say "Alexa, order AAA batteries" or "Alexa, order Old Spice deodorant."
According to Amazon, Alexa will then suggest a product that ships with Prime, apply any discounts, and calculate your total. Say "yes" to confirm, and you've completed the purchase.
With more competition on the way from Google Home by the end of 2016 -- and Apple rumored to be working on an Echo-like device powered by Siri -- Amazon is not letting up on new uses for Alexa and its Echo products.
The company also recently gave Alexa the ability to call you a Lyft car. (Alexa could already call an Uber.)
The future is now. What a time to be alive!
Bonus: Amazon Echo review
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Topics Alexa Amazon Amazon Echo
Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
