Today, Amazon has just rolled out a software update for its portable Amazon Tap that makes its voice-assistant Alexa work without even having to tap a button. This new hands-free mode is enabled via the Alexa mobile app and needs the Bluetooth-equipped Tap to be connected to a WiFi signal.
About Amazon's Tap Speaker
According to TheVerge, Amazon first introduced the Tap speaker last fall 2016, the very same day it also announced the Echo Dot, a smaller variant of its popular Echo speaker. But the Tap speaker actually doesn't have the same omnidirectional microphone array as the Echo and was built to go along with a physical button that would notify and wake up Alexa, leading some users to conclude that the Tap is somehow useless and was not as useful as the Echo.
The Tap was also designed to be a portable speaker, which means that it would eventually run out of battery life. On the other end, the Echo products are plugged in and are always able to support an always-ready virtual assistant.
Amazon's New Hands-free Voice Assitant
Even with a new hands-free function, the Tap should be getting about eight hours of continuous battery life, according to ZDNet, and it can also be put into sleep mode by simply pressing the power button. The speaker will also be supporting on what Amazon calls "echo spatial perception," which means you could have two or more Alexa-equipped devices in the same area range and the speaker closest to you will still be the one to respond.
A spokesperson who is also a representative for Amazon declined to answer questions on whether this update could eventually impact other Alexa-equipped devices that require physical interaction, which would be a very significant move, given the fact that the voice-controlled assistant loses some of its magic and appeal when it involves button-pushing.
