An Interview with Mitchell Younkman – By Teresa Gross, CLE Austin
As someone of an older generation who is often surprised, if not mystified, by Pop Culture phenomena, I was especially curious after hearing about the new Amazon Echo from a CLE-Austin student. Come to find out, this powerful, portable, and popular “creature” named Alexa can act not only as an ever-present handy helper, but also a fun and playful friend to have around. Indulging my interest, CLE and college student, Mitchell Younkman, eagerly shared his Amazon Echo experience so far.
What is the Echo and how do you use it?
Since the Echo is a smart device capable of voice interaction, I would describe it as a personal virtual assistant. Once you say her name, Alexa, she “wakes up” then streams blue lights to let you know she’s ready to listen and talk. She understands commands that can include inquiries about the weather, news, and drive times. She can also respond to requests to play music, set an alarm, or add something to my grocery list on the spot. She can even order take-out, but so far, I’ve only ever asked her for recipes to help with cooking. But, one of my favorite things she can do? Help me find answers to my math homework! She is amazing. I simply say her name…and she does the rest!
What are the benefits of using an Echo?
Echo makes life easier and more fun! It’s convenient to have it around. My Echo is always ready to assist at any time from anywhere in my apartment. I no longer have to stop what I’m doing to look something up. Now, I just ask Alexa. It saves me time and effort. On top of that, Alexa is linked to an app, so I can access the grocery list she’s created for me from my phone while in the store. Alexa has also been the life of the party when having friends over. We can play games like Jeopardy and take turns asking for our all-time favorite songs.
How do you think the Echo could be helpful to individuals with disabilities?
While I haven’t used this feature, the Echo can also be utilized to control several smart devices or home appliances, essentially using itself as a home automation hub. For some people with disabilities, I can imagine the Echo is a lifeline. For those who struggle with technology or physically controlling their environment, the Echo can do, in less than five seconds, things that might otherwise take more time. The Echo could also enable them to stay connected and engaged in their day-to-day living without having to move around much or remain near a computer. In other words, the Echo can make daily tasks and activities more easily accessible, save time, and enable a whole new level of independence for some people with disabilities. With this little device, life just got easier and more enjoyable for everyone!
