Amazon sells new Echo speakers and clocks, holds back large screen
The Echo Show 16 arrives in December with a $100 preorder discount, while the rest of the hardware line goes on sale immediately.
By Joseph Jenkins ·
Amazon released a new batch of Echo hardware on Wednesday. The lineup includes several speakers, a bedside clock, and a smart photo frame. The company shifted its strategy this year to launch products individually rather than presenting them all at one annual event. This approach gives each device more attention during its debut.
Most of the new gear is available for purchase now. The Echo Dot includes an extra microphone to better capture voices in a room. It also features 50 percent more bass and faster on-device processing for the Alexa Plus assistant. A new Omnisense feature combines temperature and presence detection to control smart home devices automatically.
The Echo Studio now includes a camera and the Alexa Plus assistant. Amazon renamed the device the Echo Studio with Home Camera. The company plans to add pairing capabilities with Fire TV devices after launch. This update will allow users to project video calls onto larger television screens.
The Echo Time is a bedside alarm clock designed to improve sleep quality. The device has no camera. It uses ultrasound technology to detect sleep stages. If a user enables the feature, the clock can set smart alarms that wake them during lighter sleep phases.
The Alexa Photo Frame features a 10-inch anti-glare touchscreen. It runs Alexa and functions as a smart speaker. The frame integrates with Amazon Photos, which offers unlimited storage for Prime members. Buyers can select from several design options for the device.
One item from the new group is not yet on sale. The Echo Show 16 launches on December 16. Amazon describes it as its most powerful and best-sounding smart display to date. The device includes eight woofers and two tweeters between the stand and the screen.
Shoppers can preorder the Echo Show 16 immediately. They will receive a $100 discount on the price. The display is VESA-compatible for wall mounting. Amazon also offers a pricier nanomatte screen option for buyers who want to reduce glare.
Source: The Verge
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