Alexa Use Without Internet

[ChiroVette]

AWS so local control(none internet control) is not possible currently.

I am aware it isn't possible now, but as Alexa and Google Home evolve, I am sure that a ton of stuff is going to become possible over the next few months and years, not just home automation without Internet. I believe its just a matter of time, particularly since the two big platforms are becoming mainstream and popularized, and Apple will soon be as well, knowing their marketing and R&D. I think that people who say it won't happen may be forgetting just how insanely fast things move in the current tech age. And all that has to happen is one of the three has to do it, and the others will follow suit.

I was aware of some home automation before Alexa, but I never got involved with any of it. Good information, though.

[tuicemen]

Actually Microsoft has/had a very good Voice recognition software engine included in Windows.
It wasn't until they got into the Phone market and Window 8 that they moved to Cloud based Voice recognition with Cortana.
Microsoft and Amazon were to work together merging Alexa and Cortana capabilities but that seems to have been put on the back burner for now.
If they get back to working together we may see some sort of combined online/offline voice recognition as a result.
Current voice assistant devices won't be able to do Off line recognition, they just don't have the processing power yet that the cloud provides.

[ChiroVette]

Actually Microsoft has/had a very good Voice recognition software engine included in Windows.
It wasn't until they got into the Phone market and Window 8 that they moved to Cloud based Voice recognition with Cortana.
Microsoft and Amazon were to work together merging Alexa and Cortana capabilities but that seems to have been put on the back burner for now.
If they get back to working together we may see some sort of combined online/offline voice recognition as a result.
Current voice assistant devices won't be able to do Off line recognition, they just don't have the processing power yet that the cloud provides.

I wasn't aware of MS's work in this area, nor their potential merge of Cortana with Alexa. I would also agree with you about the current devices, like the Echo and Echo Dot, not being able to handle offline recognition. I am pretty much assuming that it would be the next generation of these devices (whether Google, Amazon, Apple, etc.) that would have to be purchased when they come out.

[mike27oct]

Microsoft has their own version of the Amazon "Echo"  they look very similar, and last week I saw it at the Microsoft Store.  It came out in Dec and it was on sale for half price ($99) this past week.  I was told they have integrated Cortana with Alexa, but since I could have cared less, I didn't ask how.  I don't even remember the name of their Echo knock-off. 
I use Windows OS, but as for how the rest of Microsoft gadgets go, they ALL have been failures except for the XBOX.  It's disappointing they are so incapable at innovation anymore; and I live in the heart of Microsoft and Amazon country.

[tuicemen]

The MS Cortana, (Alexa Echo equivalent) is the Harmon Kardon Invoke.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/d/harman-kardon-invoke-with-cortana-by-microsoft/8rl7xlnwn95v/9H91?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab

[scottrods]

Here... check this one out - A startup that is going to do what you want...

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mixtile-upgrade-to-secure-smart-home-in-5-minutes?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=32dsa.fnd.to#/

[ChiroVette]

Here... check this one out - A startup that is going to do what you want...

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mixtile-upgrade-to-secure-smart-home-in-5-minutes?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=32dsa.fnd.to#/

Wow I didn't even know about Mixtile. Good read and great info, thanks!

[asianrocker]

I guess I'm one of the ultimate geeks!

LOL, I actually was specifically referring to you. Never heard of x10 either. I just read all your posts here about it.