Echo
In 2012, anything seemed possible. So, we create "Echo. The world is listening" a project capable of changing anyone’s life.
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The Challenge
In 2012, I traveled to London to build a voice-based social network. We developed the technology and interfaces from scratch to overcome the limitations of early smartphones, enabling content search, organization, and playback. It was a monumental challenge for a project that would define a lifetime.
The Solution
We built a team and pitched our project to Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. Ultimately, Google's technology, tools, and the personal support of leaders like Tom Grey convinced us to partner with them. With the team, a solid tech partner, and a clear vision, it was time to start creating.
The Team & Project:
We divided the project into stages, prioritizing a quick MVP launch within six months. The team, spread across Europe and America, collaborated remotely and asynchronously, with developers in Spain and Argentina and the design team in the UK.
The Partners:
We worked weekly at Google’s London Headquarters, collaborating with key figures like YouTube's Head of Development and Matias Duarte, Head of Design for Android. These meetings inspired innovative ideas about the future of app design and interaction.
We developed innovative technologies, collaborating with the "Hey Google" team to enable real-time transcription of "Echo" recordings, making audio fully searchable and indexable on the platform.
Key Technologies:
A key challenge was users' discomfort with their recorded voices, which sound higher-pitched due to differences in how we hear through our ears and jawbone vibrations.
We created an algorithm to adjust voice pitch, making it slightly deeper (calibrated for men and women), which reduced discomfort and improved the voice note experience.
My Role:
Founded the startup, driving the vision and global product concept.
Designed disruptive features and led design and development teams.
Managed investor relations, board meetings, legal, and financial aspects.
Solved daily challenges through continuous learning and adaptability.
Fully dedicated to the most impactful project of my professional career.
Results:
We launched the first MVP after five months during an event at Google’s offices. Around 500 people attended, including influencers from across the UK. Based on user feedback, we developed a polished first version with 80% of the initially planned features.
This process took nearly a year of development, during which the financial strain was almost as significant as the project itself. Eventually, a large tech company offered to buy Echo Limited and its intellectual property. After lengthy discussions with the board, we decided to sell and transition to the acquiring company.
Today, much of the technology we developed can be seen in products used by millions of people. However, we’ll never know what could have been if we had fully launched Echo. The world is listening.
** Some of the mockups have been modified to look current, below you can find images of the original deck from 2012.
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Images from a meeting at Google coordinating with the Spain and America teams.
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Images from the Echo original Deck, presented in 2011.
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Images from the "Echo" promo that we used in the brand's promotional material.
see also
