Is there an Echo in here?
ANOTHER week, another rash of new Echo devices from Amazon…
The strategy seems clear – Amazon wants you to be able to access its AI assistant Alexa anywhere you are – in the home or away from it.
This week we have no fewer than six new Echo devices to preview, as well as two other more experimental devices that Amazon is testing.
ECHO
THERE’S a brand new Echo that more or or less matches the specs of the current high-end Echo Plus. That means better audio than the model it replaces. The price, remarkably remains at £89.99. Available to order now, released on October 16.
ECHO FLEX
THE cheapest Alexa-enabled device yet, the Flex has no cables and plugs into a wall socket. It has a small speaker optimised for Alexa’s voice. Useful in places where space is tight, or cables would be in the way. It costs £24.99. Available to order now, released on November 14.
ECHO STUDIO
THIS is the top of the line music speaker for Amazon, with five speakers to produce immersive sound – it includes Dolby Atmos technology for simulated surround-sound. Built-in mics also sense the acoustics of the room and optimise output accordingly. It costs £189.99. Available to order now, released on November 7.
ECHO SHOW 8
A BIG brother for the Show 5, the Show 8 offers the same features in a device with a bigger 8in screen. The bigger screen makes the Show 8 better for watching video – useful in the kitchen if you’re following along with a recipe video. It will cost £119.99. Available to order now, released on November 21.
ECHO DOT WITH CLOCK
IT’S A fairly simple addition, but one that will prove very useful – the former entry-level Alexa device, the Dot, is now available with an LED display built into the side, so it’s able to display info like the time, outside temperature, and the amount left on any timers. It costs a tenner more than a regular Dot at £59.99. Available for pre-order now, released on October 16.
ECHO BUDS
AMAZON has finally taken the plunge and made some Alexa-enabled earbuds, so you need never be away from your personal assistant.
Amazon is promising great audio with Bose Active Noise Reduction technology.
You can double tap to switch that off and enter pass-through mode, so you can hear what’s going on around you.
The Buds work hands-free with Alexa, but a neat feature is that you can also access other voice assistants – Google or Apple’s Siri – via your smartphone. A full charge gives five hours of playback, with the charging case offering up to four full recharges. The Buds will cost £119.99. No release date yet, but Amazon says they’ll be available “soon”.
EXPERIMENTAL DEVICES
AMAZON also showed off a couple of new things that are not yet ready for public consumption.
The Echo Frames are a pair of glasses with Alexa built in. There is no heads-up display or camera, and everything is done via audio. You can’t actually buy them yet (they are “invitation only”, whatever that means, and only then in the US), but there’s no doubt
Amazon aims to make the finished product available more widely.
The Echo Loop is a space-aged ring that allows access to Alexa from your finger. You can make calls and ask questions, and audio feedback is given via a tiny built-in speaker – yes, you hold the ring up to your ear when making a call. Living in the future indeed.
Like the Frames, there’s no release date for the Loop, but it should hit the mainstream market eventually.