Amazon has announced several - and we do mean several - new Alexa devices for you to consider. Here's what you need to know, including what they can do and when you can buy them.
At a surprise event in Seattle, Amazon announced updates to a few Echo-branded devices and unveiled what seems like a dozen entirely new Alexa products.
From a new microwave to a wall clock (not joking), Amazon introduced basically everything but the kitchen sink during its event. Almost all these new devices come with built-in Alexa voice control, or they are designed to work with both existing and new Echo products.
Confused about the myriad of announcements? No worries. We've delved into all the details and have rounded up what matters most: Prices, features, and release dates. Enjoy!
Updated Amazon Echo Dot (2018)
The updates include the voice-controlled Echo Dot, Echo Show, and Echo Plus, all three of which now come with sound improvements, though the new Echo Dot also comes with a redesign.
The original, hockey puck-sized model launched in 2016 as a simple way to add Alexa to external speakers. But it had a tinny speaker hardly suitable for proper music playback. The new one not only looks different but is supposed to provide a more "full sound," though you can still pump tunes via your own speakers over Bluetooth or with a 3.5 mm audio cable.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON ECHO DOT (2018): It costs $49.99 in the US. It is available to pre-order on Amazon. It officially launches Oct. 11.
Updated Amazon Echo Show (2018)
As for the new Echo Show, it's being marketed by Amazon as "all-new" -- complete with "new speakers," a "new 10-inch HD screen," and a "new fabric design." Apart from the new cloth look, it primarily comes with more powerful stereo sound, thanks to dual 2-inch drivers, a passive bass radiator, and Dolby processing. It also has eight microphones with far-field technology, which means Alexa should be able to hear you even while music is playing, according to Amazon.
The new model is compatible with Zigbee devices and doesn't need a separate hub. Amazon noted you can use it to view security camera feeds with two-way audio and get notifications (this feature will be "coming soon"). The Alexa app is even adding Skype support.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON ECHO SHOW (2018): It costs $229.99 in the US. It is available to pre-order on Amazon and officially launches Oct. 11.
Updated Amazon Echo Plus (2018)
The last product update Amazon rolled out concerns the Echo Plus, which, like the others, is supposed to bring an improved sound experience. It has more premium speakers that are "powered by Dolby play 360-degree audio with crisp vocals and dynamic bass response," Amazon said. You can also adjust the speaker's equalizer settings within the Alexa app.
The new Echo Plus model further sports a built-in temperature sensor, as well as a built-in Zigbee hub, making it easier to set up and voice control your compatible Zigbee smart home devices, such as smart lights and plugs, without a separate hub.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON ECHO PLUS (2018): It costs $149.99 in the US. You can pre-order it now on Amazon. It officially launches Oct. 11.
Updated Ring Stick Up Cam (2018)
BUY THE NEW RING STICK UP CAM (2018): It costs $179.99 in the US. You can pre-order it now on Amazon. It officially launches on Oct. 18.
New Amazon Echo Input
In terms of new devices, the new Echo Input can plug it into any existing speaker to turn it into an Echo. It's like an Echo Dot with far-field microphones and no speaker. You can plug it into or pair with another speaker in order to add Alexa intelligence to your home audio equipment. It's similar to Google's Chromecast Audio, but this has mics and Alexa.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON ECHO INPUT: It will cost $34.99 in the US. It'll be available to buy later this year. When it launches, you can buy it on Amazon,
New Amazon Echo Sub
Amazon has announced an all-new, cloth-covered Echo Sub. It has a 6-inch, down-firing woofer that delivers 100W deep bass sound. You use the Alexa app to pair it to an Echo or Echo Plus (sold separately) to achieve more "dynamic music that fills the room," or a left/right stereo sound experience. It's supposed to be simple to set up and use, too. Just plug it in, open the Alexa app, wirelessly connect to your Echo devices, and control your music by voice.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON ECHO SUB: It costs $129.99 in the US. You can pre-order it now on Amazon. It officially launches Oct. 11.
New Amazon Echo Link Amp and Echo Link
Amazon announced two more audio products: the Echo Link Amp, which will connect to a receiver or an amplifier, and the Echo Link, which enables your Echo to pipe music to your stereo system. These are stereo amplifiers with multiple audio ins and audio outs and support Ethernet and coaxial cables, and the Link Amp features a built-in 60-watt dual-channel amplifier. They'll work with other Echo devices but do not have built-in Alexa voice capabilities.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON ECHO LINK AMP: It will cost $299.99 in the US. It'll be available to buy early next year. When it launches, you can buy it on Amazon.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON ECHO LINK: It will cost $199.99 in the US. It'll be available to buy early next year. When it launches, you can buy it on Amazon.
New Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon also rolled out the all-new Amazon Smart Plug, which adds Alexa voice control to an electrical socket. It primarily lets you schedule times to turn appliances on and off, use Alexa for voice control, and control devices when you're away from home. Just plug it in, head into the Alexa app, add your new Smart Plug, and start using Alexa voice commands -- no smart home hub required. You can also set up routines and schedules through the Alexa App.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON SMART PLUG: It costs $24.99 in the US. You can pre-order it now on Amazon. It officially launches Oct. 11.
New Amazon Echo Wall Clock
Not done yet, Amazon has a new Echo accessory that works with Alexa-enabled devices to display timers you've set with Alexa. The new Amazon Echo Wall Clock has no mics, but it does have a ring of LEDs that show your active timers. You'll see an LED for how long a timer is set, and if you add a second timer, and you'll see a second LED.
It will auto-change the time for Daylight Savings Time, as well.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON ECHO WALL CLOCK: It costs $29.99 in the US. It'll be available to buy later this year. When it launches, you can buy it on Amazon.
New AmazonBasics Microwave
Just when you thought Amazon was finished, it brings out a microwave with built-in Alexa and an integrated Dash replenishment service. That's right. You can order a replenishment, such as popcorn, with the "built-in Ask Alexa button". You can also control the company's new microwave using voice commands, naturally. So, if you say, "Alexa, one potato," it'll turn on with a timer. You can then ask Alexa to add more time or stop, all by voice.
BUY THE NEW AMAZONBASICS MICROWAVE: It costs $59.99 in the US. You can pre-order it now on Amazon. It officially launches Nov. 14.
New FireTV Recast
FireTV Recast is a DVR device that can stream shows from an antenna to your home, so you can watch over-the-air television. You just place the box in your home, and you can start streaming on your Echo Show, Echo Spot, Amazon Fire TV, or on mobile. You can watch local news and channels. It'll also send live TV recording to your Echo Show (four shows at a time, for streaming on multiple devices). You can delete or schedule recordings with Alexa voice commands.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON FIRE TV RECAST: It costs $229.99 in the US. You can pre-order it now on Amazon. It officially launches Nov. 14.
New Echo Auto
Last, but not least, is an in-car accessory that mounts to your dashboard and lets you integrate Alexa into your car. It comes with an eight-mic array and connects to your car through either Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, or a 3.5mm aux jack. It runs on a new Real Time OS from Amazon and uses your phone connectivity and to display in-car navigation through Google Maps.
The Echo Auto will cost $49.99, after an initial discounted invite price of $24.99. It's expected to start shipping for select invited users sometime later this year. Request an invite here.
BUY THE NEW AMAZON ECHO AUTO: It will cost $24.99 in the US. It'll be available to buy later this year. When it launches, you can buy it on Amazon.
SOURCE ZDNet:
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