Everyday Encounters: Amazon Echo

With the Echo listening constantly for the wake word (e.g., "Alexa"), it is conscious of everything you are saying. Nothing is actually recorded and sent to the Amazon cloud until the wake word has been heard, then recording starts (including a clip that spans a few seconds before the wake word was spoken). This is set up so that Echo can be continually learning how you are using Alexa. Becoming familiar with the ways you are interacting with the device is the most effective way to improve the product over time.