Verizon is likely to roll out a new smart display based on Amazon’s Alexa, The Verge reported, citing a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The filing depicts an Amazon Echo-looking device with an 8-inch display and a front facing camera. It will be called LVD1 and will come with a feature to come alive whenever a user says “Hi, Verizon.”
According to The Verge, this means the Verizon device is likely part of the Amazon Alexa Custom Assistant program, which lets companies make their own versions of Alexa for their own brands. Companies can make Alexa-esque devices for different types of skills.
The device will have 4GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and connectivity with Bluetooth, WiFi and 4G, The Verge reported. It will come with the BlueJeans video-conferencing platform.
“BlueJeans will be deeply integrated into Verizon’s 5G product roadmap, providing secure and real-time engagement solutions for high growth areas such as telemedicine, distance learning and field service work,” Verizon said about the product, according to The Verge.
Amazon has been expanding its partnerships as of late, with one upgrade to the Echo device being tailored for children.
PYMNTS reported that the Echo Show 5 will come with a 5.5-inch display and a new model for kids that will have a slightly higher price tag. Users will gain new kid-exclusive themes and support for new video calls from contacts approved by parents. The service will also come with a trial membership for Amazon Kids+.
In addition, another Alexa update involves Ford, which originally occurred several years ago in 2017, albeit with a troubled rollout involving the need to install Ford’s AppLink system. That will now be fixed — an upgrade to the Alexa Sync-4 system will not require that app, and it will make Alexa access more hands-free and frictionless.
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