Amazon aims to make Alexa assistant bigger part of users' lives
- by Cathy Guerrero
- in IT&Software
- — Sep 23, 2018
Amazon held a "secret" hardware event in Seattle earlier this week, where they officially unveiled redesigned Echo smart speakers and introduced some all-new smart products that integrate with their Alexa voice assistant. Created to accompany these products is a new line called Echo Companions that comprise of the Echo Link, Echo Link Amp, Echo Input and Echo Sub. If you're not happy with the bass output from your Echo speaker/s, you can hook it up to the Echo Sub to give it the thump it needs for US$130.
An overhauled Echo Dot smart speaker boasts much-improved sound and design while keeping the $50 price tag of the original. Both are available for pre-order now and will start shipping on October 11.
Echo Input is a new device that can turn any other speaker into an Echo smart speaker device - well, sort of. However, this marked improvement should see it overcome Google's offering and reclaim the ground that it has lost to the Google Home Mini in the last couple of months.
The Microwave, however, doesn't interact with the user directly and will need an Echo Dot in your kitchen to take commands from. It is incredibly slim with a 12.5mm thickness and will be up on sale later this year at $34.99.
It follows the 2017-2018 design language of the Echo family with a fabric covering.
Still, the market for voice-activated speakers pales in comparison with smartphones, where most people interact, according to Strategy Analytics. It will let you play music, watch video, view recipes and look at news briefs.
One of numerous products announced at Amazon's massive hardware event is a device called Echo Auto that brings Alexa into your vehicle.
2-pack Echo Show (2nd-Gen) for $357.98 (was $458) Must add two to apply discount. The four new gadgets all adopt affordable price tags and have as their main feature, the Alexa smart virtual assistant which is integrated with all four products. On detection of specific sounds, it can alert you or your security provider.
This is Amazon Echo Sub, a sign that Amazon is starting to get serious about the sound quality of its Echo devices. This microwave includes an Amazon Dash replenishment function that can auto-order popcorn kernels, so you don't run out, for example.
It doesn't have built-in voice controls, but it can communicate with a nearby Echo.
The AmazonBasics Microwave won't ship until November 14th, but it's already (apparently) the number 1 best seller on Amazon for microwaves.
Even though the likes of Apple, Google and Samsung - which make a number of smart appliances - support a growing number of smart devices, its Amazon's Alexa which the company claims can now control over "20,000 smart home products from more than 3,5000 brands".
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