Is It Time to Hire Alexa as Your Assistant?

Alexa, the voice of Amazon's Echo products, is everywhere.
She started out as a feature of Echo, a smart speaker that could also control other internet- connected devices in the house or office. Then she spawned Echo Dot, which can fit almost anywhere.
For lawyers who have been waiting for Alexa to come to life, the Echo Show also has a face. It might be time to meet your next digital assistant.
Echo Show
Echo Show, a voice-controlled tablet with a 7-inch screen, has been around for a few months. It is one of half-a-dozen new Alexa-powered gadgets to come out this year.
Like the original Echo, it can control smart gadgets in your office through voice commands. It is your local hub for internet-based devices, making research, writing, and even billing easier.
The device also doubles as a video phone, which is not so new in the tech age but can you say, "free?" Unlike a cell phone or landline call, there is no extra charge for plugging Echo Show into your internet service.
If you thought about cutting the telephone cord to go Voice Over Internet Protocol, here's your chance. Everybody is doing it -- even lawyers.
The Home Office
Apple and Samsung still own the smartphone market . Meanwhile, Amazon pretty much owns the smart-home market.
Google, Apple, and others are making a run for it with their own smart assistants, but Alexa seems to be in charge.
It may be time to let her run things in your office, especially if it's a home office. You can tell her to order a pizza, make a bank deposit, and play your favorite show while you multi-task.
Related Resources:
- Here's Everything Amazon Announced at its Big Echo Launch Event (Business Insider)
- Tips for Using Echo in the Law Office (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Forget Virtual Law Offices; Say Hello to Virtual Reality Law Offices (FindLaw's Technologist)