New Amazon Echo devices have been unveiled, and they’re causing quite a stir among tech enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll delve into these cutting-edge gadgets and explore what they have in store for us!
Amazon is showing no signs of slowing down its innovation efforts. Despite some rumors swirling around its hardware division, the tech giant is charging ahead with its vision for the “ambient home.” Today, in an exciting live-streamed event from Virginia, Amazon has introduced a range of new products for its Echo lineup, including the debut of Alexa-enabled smart glasses. Furthermore, the company has shed light on its ongoing work to enhance Alexa’s conversational abilities, making controlling your smart home devices easier than ever before.
What are the new Amazon Echo devices?
The latest Amazon Echo devices are here, and they come bearing innovations that promise to simplify our lives. Amazon didn’t just reveal new devices; they also rolled out important updates to some of their existing products, all aimed at bringing smiles to loyal customers. So, without further ado, let’s meet the new Amazon Echo devices that stole the spotlight at the event:
Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 8 has received a much-anticipated update, featuring spatial audio capabilities that are on par with Sonos smart speakers. This enhancement ensures that your music sounds fantastic in any room. The new model sports a slightly more rounded shape and packs a 13-megapixel camera with improved background noise reduction for crystal-clear video calls.
In terms of connectivity, the Echo Show 8 has got you covered on all fronts for your smart home needs, supporting Matter, Zigbee, Bluetooth, Thread, and Sidewalk – Amazon’s internal mesh network that helps you keep tabs on your package deliveries
Echo Hub
At the heart of Amazon’s announcements is the Echo Hub, priced at $179.99. This sleek device has been designed with one clear purpose: to serve as your smart home controller. Resembling a more compact version of the Echo Show 8 or a trimmed-down Show 15, the Echo Hub effortlessly blends into your living space. You can mount it on your wall or place it on a table or shelf using a desktop stand.
Featuring an eight-inch touchscreen, the Echo Hub shares its DNA with the Echo Show smart display. However, it brings some unique features to the table. Although it runs on the same operating system as the new Show 5, it boasts a different processor and lacks a camera. Instead, the Echo Hub employs an infrared (IR) sensor that springs to life as you approach, eliminating the need for multiple taps to activate smart home widgets, such as turning on lights or checking security cameras.
The Echo Hub is soon available for pre-order and is scheduled to ship later this year. It includes a wall-mount bracket, a power adapter, and a generous six-foot cable (USB-A to C). For those looking to add a personal touch, Amazon offers decorative frames in wood, white (paintable), and metallic, priced at just $19.99 each, along with a tabletop stand for $29.99.
Eero Max 7
Eero, now part of Amazon’s family, introduces the Eero Max 7 – a Wi-Fi router built to meet the demands of today’s connected homes. With three wireless bands, including 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, this router delivers blazing fast wireless throughput, clocking in at up to 4.3 Gbps, and offers wired capability of up to 9.4 Gbps.
One standout feature of the Max 7 is its impressive array of ethernet ports – a first for Eero. It boasts two 10GB ethernet ports and two 2.5GB ethernet ports, providing connectivity for over 200 connected devices. The router also supports Matter and Zigbee, serving as a Thread border router for seamless smart home connectivity.
Echo Frames
Amazon’s latest iteration of Echo Frames is 15% thinner and boasts an improved battery life, offering up to six hours of continuous media playback or talk time. A standout feature here is the “multipoint” pairing, allowing wearers to connect these frames to multiple audio devices simultaneously, all without the need to fuss with their phones.
But the real showstopper is the revamped audio experience in the Frames, promising more balanced sound, enhanced audio clarity, and reduced distortion. With seven different styles and the option for prescription-ready frames, Echo Frames are poised to take your audio experience to new heights
In a fast-evolving tech landscape, Amazon’s unwavering commitment to innovation shines through with these exciting additions to the Echo lineup. From the Echo Hub’s mastery of smart home control to the sleek and improved Echo Frames, along with the enhanced Echo Show 8 featuring spatial audio, there’s something here for everyone.
