May 9, 2017 - Technology

Amazon Echo is the preferred digital assistant

Kim Hart, author of Cities

AP

The use of voice-activated digital assistant devices will spike nearly 130% this year, with Amazon's Echo in the lead with 70.6% of the market, according to eMarketer. Google Home trails behind with 23.8% of users, while others (Lenovo, LG, Harmon Karon and Mattel) share the remaining 5.6% of users.

What's next: Today, Amazon announced EchoShow, a device that integrates a screen to show video from YouTube, security cameras, video calls, photos, etc. The use of the actual software inside the digital assistant devices (Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Now and Microsoft Cortana) is expected to jump 23% this year.

The race heats up: While still far from mass adoption, tech companies are racing to grow the user base of digital assistants as a way to own consumers' interaction with devices and functions at home, work and in the car.

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Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen
57 mins ago - Politics & Policy

America on edge as unrest rises

Louisville on Wednesday. Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images

Rarely have national security officials, governors, tech CEOs and activists agreed as broadly and fervently as they do about the possibility of historic civil unrest in America.

Why it matters: The ingredients are clear for all to see — epic fights over racism, abortion, elections, the virus and policing, stirred by misinformation and calls to action on social media, at a time of stress over the pandemic.

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Bryan Walsh, author of Future
1 hour ago - Health

The long-term pain of the mental health pandemic

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

A less visible but still massive trauma caused by the coronavirus is becoming clear: our mental health is suffering with potentially long-lasting consequences.

Why it matters: Mental health disorders that range from schizophrenia to depression and anxiety exert a severe cost on personal health and the economy. Addressing that challenge may require out-of-the-box solutions.

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Axios
2 hours ago - Axios on HBO

Preview: "Axios on HBO" interviews Bob Woodward

On the next episode of "Axios on HBO," journalist Bob Woodward tells Axios National Political Correspondent Jonathan Swan why he spoke out about President Trump being the "wrong man for the job."

  • "I did not want to join the ranks of the Senate Republicans who know that Trump is the wrong man for the job, but won't say it publicly," Woodward said.

Catch the full interview on Monday, Sept. 28 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on all HBO platforms.