Some workers within Amazon’s once-storied hardware division – responsible for popular devices like the Kindle reader and Echo voice-assistant – say morale within the division has suffered amid staff cutbacks and a pipeline of devices in development that they fear are unlikely to prove hits. The division, known as Lab126, was a focus for Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos, who portrayed it as an engine for future projects, but more recently it has been buffeted by mass layoffs and key executive departures, including leader Dave Limp, a 13-year veteran who has announced plans to step down later this year. Reuters interviewed more than 15 current and former employees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to their employment terms, who described a hodgepodge of new devices in development, many of them aimed at encouraging customers to use the once ground-breaking Alexa voice service that now faces a stiff challenge in the age of generative AI and ChatGPT.
SAN FRANCISCO - Some workers within Amazon’s once-storied hardware division – responsible for popular devices like the Kindle reader and Echo voice-assistant – say morale within the division has suffered amid staff cutbacks and a pipeline of devices in development that they fear are unlikely to prove hits.
The news agency was able to identify five different new devices under development. These include a carbon monoxide detector and a household energy consumption monitor - both with Alexa built into them – as well as a home projector to make any surface a screen. Some of the sources mentioned other projects, the full details of which could not be confirmed.
The sources said the lab’s years of losses and shifting strategies have contributed to lowered morale. Many pointed to the Astro home monitoring robot launched in 2021 that, at $1,600, remains niche and was criticized for giving some consumers the creeps. Typically accessed through devices such as Amazon televisions and Echo speakers, Alexa provides spoken answers to questions and can be used for purchases from Amazon’s online store. The company has also worked to make Alexa a home automation hub to allow light bulbs and appliances to be voice controlled.“Amazon’s ability to infiltrate consumers’ lives is limited because they don’t have control of the smartphone,” said Avi Greengart, president of analysis firm Techsponential.
For years, Amazon has said it can sell devices for close to production cost and see a profit through services offered on them. That’s worked well with its Kindle group, as consumers who own an e-reader purchase e-books for years, with Amazon taking a cut of each sale.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Exclusive-EU may become as hooked on China batteries as it was on Russian energyBy Belén Carreño MADRID (Reuters) - The European Union could become as dependent on China for lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells by 2030 as it was on ...
Lire la suite »
NZ's A2 Milk to cancel Synlait's exclusive supply rights on infant milk formula(Reuters) - New Zealand's A2 Milk Company Ltd said on Monday it had given notice to Synlait Milk after market hours on Friday that it was canceling its ...
Lire la suite »
Exclusive-Novo Nordisk hires private U.S. firm to handle some Wegovy pen assembly -sourceBy Maggie Fick LONDON (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk has hired U.S. private contract manufacturer PCI Pharma Services to handle assembly and packaging of ...
Lire la suite »
Exclusive-Vietnam activists to seek US refuge after Biden administration deal -US officialsBy Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Vietnamese activists who the Biden administration believes were wrongly detained by the country's ...
Lire la suite »
Exclusive-Coal from Russian-annexed Ukraine sold in NATO member TurkeyAt least $14.3 million worth of coal produced in areas of Ukraine annexed by Russia has been exported to NATO member Turkey this year, according to Russian customs data reviewed by Reuters. Between February and July 2023, about 160,400 tonnes of coal from the annexed eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk arrived in Turkey, the data showed. Three producers listed in the customs data confirmed to Reuters they had shipped coal from the two regions to Turkey during that period.
Lire la suite »
Exclusive-Coal from Russian-annexed Ukraine sold in NATO member TurkeyBy Filipp Lebedev and Gleb Stolyarov (Reuters) - At least $14.3 million worth of coal produced in areas of Ukraine annexed by Russia has been exported ...
Lire la suite »