# Alexa joins the fray

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2016-06-24
- Length: 1h 13m
- Episode: 304
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-06-24-alexa-joins-the-fray
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/304-alexa-joins-the-fray/

## Summary

Hosts Chris Gammell and Dave Jones discuss the reliability of Wi-Fi versus wired connections while recording from an Airbnb with an Amazon Echo device. They review Dave Jones' detailed teardown of the Siglent Spectrum Analyzer, noting its RF design and the time-intensive nature of high-quality documentation. The conversation shifts to industry news, including Arrow's acquisition of UBM publications and Detweiler's purchase of Element14, before analyzing Intel's marketing strategy and the potential of VR/AR technologies like the HTC Vive and Cast AR for engineering education.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-06-24-alexa-joins-the-fray#t=0) Wi-Fi Reliability and the Amazon Echo
- [10:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-06-24-alexa-joins-the-fray#t=605) Siglent Spectrum Analyzer Teardown and Documentation
- [33:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-06-24-alexa-joins-the-fray#t=1993) Industry M&A: Arrow Buys UBM and Detweiler Buys Element14
- [46:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-06-24-alexa-joins-the-fray#t=2793) Intel's Marketing Strategy and Low-Power Chip Market
- [55:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-06-24-alexa-joins-the-fray#t=3349) VR/AR in Engineering and Bob Widlar History
- [1:05:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-06-24-alexa-joins-the-fray#t=3954) Niche Tools and Contest Winner

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Amazon Echo (product)
- Alexa (product)
- Siglent Spectrum Analyzer (product)
- HTC Vive (product)
- Cast AR (product)
- Arrow (company)
- UBM (company)
- Element14 (company)
- Detweiler (company)
- Intel (company)
- National Semiconductor (company)
- Bob Widlar (other)
- EEV Blog (product)
- Rigol (company)
- Oculus Rift (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [177: Boba Fett Fell Down](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-11-22-177-boba-fett-fell-down) (Embedded.fm)
- [197: Smell the Transistor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-04-26-197-smell-the-transistor) (Embedded.fm)
- [200: Oops](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-05-17-200-oops) (Embedded.fm)
- [422: It's Not a Bug, It's a Feature](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-07-28-422-its-not-a-bug-its-a-feature) (Embedded.fm)
- [391: He’s the depressed, mean one](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-03-10-391-hes-the-depressed-mean-one) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-06-24-alexa-joins-the-fray. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.