It's been six years since Amazon out of nowhere unveiled Echo, its first smart speaker. Today, estimates say that global sales of Echo devices hover around 130 million, making the device a household item.
In late 2019, Amazon announced that they are introducing a new feature for the device, celebrity voices. American users gained access to the option via a purchasable upgrade. Hollywood actor Samuel L. Jackson was the first to join up with the company in the US, and Amazon is utilizing the same strategy in India.
Amitabh Bachchan, the 77-year-old Bollywood star, released a statement saying that he is excited to strike a voice partnership with Amazon, as he becomes the first Indian celebrity to lend his voice to Alexa. The feature should become available to Indian users in 2021, who will be able to converse with the speaker while it mimics Bachchan's voice via text-to-speech technology.
Older generations may remember Amitabh Bachchan for his roles in classic films such as Zanjeer, Deewaar, Sholay, or Anand. However, newer cinemagoers likely associate him with some of his more modern movies, including his 2010 remake of the American film 21. While Teen Patti may not have set box office records, it became known for introducing people to the magic of the game and helping it grow both in the country and outside its borders.
There is no doubt that card games are a significant part of Indian culture, and India's version of Poker, Teen Patti, is at the top of everyone's list. According to statistics, around 80% of Indians bet at least once per year, and the number of people that play casino games at offshore sites is constantly growing. These digital platforms offer all kinds of games, including many traditional card games against real dealers. If you're not familiar with the rules, you can check out one of many online tutorials, like the SevenJackpots how to play Teen Patti guide. Then, you can consider if laying down real money bets online is right for you.
Amazon Alexa Now Available in Hindi on Smartphones
In September of 2019, at a press conference in New Delhi, Amazon announced that Alexa now supports Hindi. An expected move, seeing as the company has been making efforts to expand its reach in the country for years. Support for local languages drives business, and Amazon knows this, as they saw a six-fold increase in usage once they introduced Hindi support on their website and apps.
Now, a year later, Amazon announced that its smart assistant is available on both iOS and Android phones in India. Customers can converse with Alexa in Hindi on their mobile devices. Since the introduction of Hindi to the smart speaker, many Indians have purchased the device for their parents, seeing as the older generations are more comfortable speaking to it in their native tongue. The company is banking that Alexa's smartphone presence will rise due to this occurrence. On top of the Amitabh Bachchan deal, Amazon sent out a press release to say that Alexa now features six new original poems and songs, along with twenty new stories in Hindi.
Amazon Preview Launches in India as OTT Services Gain Traction
As the e-commerce giant's conquest of South Asia unfolds, the technology company quietly rolled out its service titled Amazon Preview in India. It allows subscribers to have a look at shows that have yet to make it onto Prime and provide feedback. Amazon Prime user numbers are climbing in India, so management wants to know what people like and do not like, so they can mold content that fits the targeted audience. Available since 2013 in the US, now Indian's also have an opportunity to shape the entertainment they consume.
Bollywood movies and TV shows have been the cornerstone of entertainment in the country for decades. Amidst the current global situation, Previews entry in India comes at a time when OTT platforms are seeing record traction. The number of Amazon Prime video downloads in India hit an all-time high in June, with almost 30% of the world's market share. Nowadays, more and more Bollywood movies are available on the platform, and its growing in popularity.
