Amazon has announced a slew of new Echo devices,
including a new Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Show and Echo Auto.
The new Echo Dot moves away from the plasticky
design of the previous model to a new fabric design that comes in three colors.
The new model also includes a new speaker that is claimed to sound louder and
richer. Rest of the functionality remains the same, as does the price at US$ 49.99.
The new Echo Plus features similar upgrades, with a
new fabric design and an upgraded 3-inch speaker with stronger bass and clearer
mids and highs. The new model will be available at the same US$ 149.99 as before.
The new Echo Show is a significant upgrade over the
previous model. It has a new design with a massive 10-inch HD display, the
largest on any Echo device. With a new screen comes a new sound system
comprising of two 2-inch drivers with a passive radiator and Dolby audio
processing.
Like the Echo Plus, the Echo Show also includes a
built-in Zigbee hub for easily connecting to smart home devices that use the
Zigbee protocol. The new model also has a new 5MP front facing camera for HD
video calls. Alexa will soon support Skype audio and video calls, so you will
be able to make Skype calls from your Echo Show. It also includes Amazon's Silk
browser for browsing on that 10-inch display. The new Echo Show is priced at
the same US$ 229.99 as the previous model.
Finally, there's Echo Auto, an Echo device for your
car. Easily the cheapest Echo device so far, this US$ 24.99 accessory lets you
access Alexa in your car. It powers itself from your car's 12V power outlet or
a USB port and connects to the Internet via Bluetooth on your phone.
Echo Auto can pick up anyone's voice in the car and
can also hear your over music or engine noise. Using the Alexa app on your
phone, it can play music or give you turn by turn navigation. You can also ask
it pretty much anything you'd ask your Echo at home.
Echo Dot, Echo Plus and Echo show are up for
pre-order and will go on sale October 11. Echo Auto is up for pre-order by
request only for handful of people as of now.
