As Amazon delves deeper into the world of smart devices, the Seattle e-commerce giant reportedly began hiring tech experts to make house calls in select West Coast markets.
Recode, citing multiple unnamed sources and Amazon job listings, reported that the new employees are primarily on hand to help set up "smart homes" with an array of connected devices that are able to talk to each other.
The Amazon experts aim to set up those devices and integrate them with other systems in hopes of bolstering the public's embrace of smart homes. The company eventually hopes that its Alexa virtual assistant will enable voice control of devices from Amazon's Echo speaker to home heating or lighting.
The report said Amazon offers free 45-minute consultations to interested homeowners and recently advertised a $99 installation fee for a smart thermometer that is controlled by Alexa.
The new hires quietly began in Seattle as well as Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and Orange County, Calif.
In addition, Recode reported that Amazon appears ready to expand the program as it seeks additional "field technicians" — preferably with experience working for Apple or Best Buy's Geek Squad — in markets in Florida, Texas, New Jersey and Nevada.
