Amazon's Alexa is finally coming to wearable devices for the first time (AMZN)

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Wireless accessory manufacturer Bragi is introducing support for Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant directly into its Dash and Dash Pro wireless headphones, reports TechCrunch.

Manufacturers have thus far incorporated the voice assistant into speakers, phones, thermostats, and more — but being incorporated into a wearable device is a first for Alexa.

The headphones will let users tap a button to launch the voice assistant, which will connect to the device through the user’s mobile phone and the Bragi app. They will let a wearer engage with the voice assistant while on the go, searching for basic information, shopping for goods on Amazon, or calling for a vehicle from ride-hailing services like Uber, among other possibilities. While all of these capabilities are already possible using a phone, enabling hands-free voice control brings a new level of convenience.

This is just the first instance where Alexa is being incorporated into a wearable device. Apple gives users similar functionality with its AirPod headphones, which users can tap to activate Siri. Expanding Alexa to wearable form factors makes it far more versatile, opening the door to potential enterprise applications. Companies can, for instance, look into developing proprietary Alexa skills that workers can use in manufacturing facilities or on retail floors, keeping both hands-free to complete tasks while still getting instructions or information. Voice assistants are versatile tools, and though they’ve primarily been used in consumer devices so far, they have the potential to create widespread transformation.

Jessica Smith, research analyst for BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has compiled a detailed report on the voice assistant landscape that:

Identifies the major changes in technology and user behavior that have created the voice assistant market that exists today.
Presents the major players in today's market and discusses their major weaknesses and strengths.
Explores the impact this nascent market poses to other key digital industries.
Identifies the major hurdles that need to be overcome before intelligent voice assistants will see mass adoption.

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