Alexa Goes Mobile On Huawei Smartphone

She’s had a successful and record-breaking holiday season, and now, Amazon’s Alexa seems to be encroaching on — and into — her competitors’ turf.

At CES 2017, Alexa popped up in more devices and products than ever. Some analysts say she “won” CES and was the “breakout star.” With integrations with Whirlpool, Ford, Hyundai, Phillips, Nest and others, Alexa showed that her “skills” may indeed be applicable to a variety of companies.

But the most surprising place she showed up? On her competitor Google’s Android system.

Smartphone manufacturer Huawei Technologies announced that its Android operating system will release a handset complete with an app allowing for access to Alexa. The Chinese firm also announced it will pre-load Alexa on its Mate 9. Earlier versions of the Mate 9 smartphone have already been released in European and Asian markets. The phone ran Android, featured a 5.9-inch screen, a 4,000mAh battery and 64 GB of built-in storage — but no Alexa functionality.

Analysts say that this likely means that Amazon could have a lead over Google when it comes to adding effective and useful digital assistants. Some even go so far to say that AI will supersede keyboards and touchscreens entirely in the coming years, as a main way of interacting with digital devices.

Experts say Google must act quickly, especially when it comes to working with its Android devices, to maintain power in the space. Speed is imperative, according to these experts, for not only keeping pace with competitors but also for the related advertising revenue that would accompany the technology.

Google has previously expressed intent to have AI technology on its Android devices, but experts say there may be turbulent relations with those related manufacturers.

Regardless, according to analysts, Alexa’s appearance on the Huawei smartphone does not preclude Google from catching up, especially due to its strong traction as an internet search platform.

Amazon has been boosting its partnerships for a while, even prior to CES announcements. Some of those partnerships include DISH Network, enabling Alexa to voice-control its Hopper DVR; Whirlpool, to connect Alexa to its smart appliances; and Samsung’s upcoming Roomba rival, POWERbot VR7000. Additionally, upcoming Westinghouse, Element and Seiki televisions will come built with Amazon Fire TV OS, thus being controllable by Amazon Echo.