Amazon introduces several new Echo devices that give users more ways to add Alexa to their lives. The new Amazon Echo additions include new features, smart home experiences, developer tools, and much more.
New Amazon Echo devices include:
- Echo: Featuring an updated fabric design and sound improvements, $99.99
- Echo Flex: Add Alexa to any space, $24.99
- Echo Dot with clock: This new option for Echo Dot includes a bright LED display that shows the time, outdoor temperature, timers, and alarms, $59.99
- Echo Show 8: The latest addition to the Echo Show family with an 8-inch display and a built-in camera shutter, $129.99
- Echo Studio: Five directional speakers for immersive sound, room adaptation technology, and a built-in smart home hub, $199.99
- Echo Buds: Wireless earbuds with Bose Active Noise Reduction Technology and hands-free access to Alexa, $129.99
Day 1 Editions products include:
- Echo Frames: All-day glasses with hands-free access to Alexa, available by invitation for $179.99.
- Echo Loop: A smart ring that provides quick access to Alexa on-the-go, available by invitation for $129.99.
More details on Echo Studio, Echo Frames, and Echo Loop
One of these new Amazon Echo devices includes the Echo Studio, an immersive 3D audio device which pairs with select Fire TV devices and features a smart home hub — which very well may find applicability in the board room.
“With five built-in directional speakers, Echo Studio has been purposefully engineered to create premium sound with space, clarity, and depth,” says an Amazon press release.
“Its 5.25-inch woofer and 330W of peak power produce deep, rich bass by using the bass port at the bottom to maximize airflow and bass output from the woofer. Echo Studio has a 1-inch tweeter and three 2-inch midrange speakers delivering dynamic midranges and crisp, high frequencies. Plus, it has a 24-bit DAC and a power amplifier with 100 kHz of bandwidth for high-res, lossless music playback, available via Amazon Music HD.
“Echo Studio also automatically senses the acoustics of your space and fine-tunes audio playback to deliver optimal sound—no matter where you put the device in the room.”
Echo Frames, one of two invitation-only experimental designs, are prescription-ready glasses that offer hands-free access to Alexa.
“While wearing the frames, just ask to make phone calls, set a reminder to pick up dry cleaning when you leave work, add call the mechanic to your to-do list, listen to your favorite podcast, or control compatible smart home devices, says a company press release.
“Echo Frames have a VIP Filter, which allows you to select and hear only the phone notifications that matter most, while filtering out the rest. When an alert comes through, simply swipe on the temple to listen.”
Designed to look and feel like regular glasses, Echo Frames have no camera or display and are made from durable and lightweight materials for all-day wear.
The frames have four beamforming micro speakers that use Amazon open-ear audio technology to direct sound towards users’ ears, while minimizing the sound heard by those around them.
The first Alexa-enabled smart ring, Echo Loop, offers access to Alexa at users’ fingertips.
“Click the action button to ask for the right amount to tip at dinner, confirm you locked the front door, or announce you’re on your way home. Plus, Echo Loop can be used for short phone calls—just set a top contact and double click the action button to give them a call. When done speaking to Alexa or the person on the other end of the call, hold Echo Loop up to your ear to hear your phone call or Alexa’s response.”
Echo Loop has two microphones, the smallest speaker ever on an Echo device, says the company, and a piezo haptic that vibrates discreetly when users receive notifications or an incoming call.
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Echo Loop can last for an entire day of use with one charge, and the included charging cradle recharges it completely in 90 minutes. Echo Loop is scratch-resistant and water-resistant—meaning it can handle hand-washing and splashing.
It connects to Alexa through the Alexa app on smartphones and uses an existing device’s data plan.
To learn more about the new Echo devices, visit www.amazon.com/morealexa.
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