Amazon embraces the internet's worst impulses and brings Alexa to Big Mouth Billy Bass

Amazon will bring Alexa functionality to Big Mouth Billy Bass toys starting next year.  

You read that right: Amazon allowed Alexa, one of the most sophisticated AI assistants on the market, to be compatible with an 18-year-old fad novelty toy whose main appeal is that it's an animatronic fish. That sings. 

Amazon announced the new Alexa-fish onstage at its big Alexa event, at which other partner brands included the likes of BMW.   

The AI won't be integrated directly into Billy Bass — instead, as Amazon SVP Dave Limp explained, a Bluetooth connection will bring Alexa to the fish. The connection will allow users to interact with the fish as a vessel for Alexa, and the AI will control the animatronics, too.  Read more...