Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Amazon Echo 2019 speakers and devices: Here’s the huge new hardware lineup

2019 Echo family image with Dot and Show

The Amazon Echo 2019 lineup of smart products is getting a huge refresh for the fall shopping and holiday season. Today, Amazon revealed a long list of updated Echo speakers, along with all-new smart devices. All of them, of course, use Amazon's Alexa digital assistant. Let's take a look at the lineup!

Amazon Echo 2019 lineup

Amazon Echo third-generation speaker

Amazon Echo 2019 front profile shot

The latest version of the standard Echo speaker is part of the Amazon Echo 2019 lineup. It puts in the same audio hardware found on the older Echo Plus in this smaller form factor. That means it has a three-inch woofer inside, along with increased back volume. In short, the speaker should offer owners clearer sound in the mid and high audio range, along with stronger bass. In addition, the new Amazon Echo will have an improved outer fabric with a number of color choices, including Twilight Blue, Charcoal, Heather Grey, and Sandstone. It's available to preorder today for $99.99.

Amazon Echo Dot with clock

Echo dot with clock front profile

Amazon is selling a new version of the smaller Echo Dot smart speaker as part of the Amazon Echo 2019 lineup. The audio hardware is the same, but this version throws in an LED clock on the side. This makes the speaker a true replacement for your standard alarm clock. The LED display will automatically adjust its brightness based on the overall light in the room at the time. It's available to preorder today for $59.99, or $10 more than the standard Echo Dot.

Amazon Echo Studio

amazon echo studio

The Amazon Echo 2019 lineup of smart speakers is adding a higher-end product with the release of the Echo Studio. Inside, there are five directional speakers: a one-inch tweeter, three two-inch mid-range speakers and a 5.25-inch woofer. Combined with a 24-bit DAC and a power amplifier with 100kHz of bandwidth, the Echo Studio is supposed to offer a premium audio experience. It also supports 3D audio, via Dolby Atmos and Sony's 360 Reality Audio. You can sample what that sounds like by saying, "Alexa, play the best of 3D music."

The Echo Studio also has a built-in Zigbee smart home hub that can allow you to control other compatible smart home devices. It's available for pre-order at $199.99.

Echo Show 8

Echo Show 8 with drop in call

Another version of the Echo Show smart display product line is being launched. Think of it as a middle-of-the-road device, ahead of the Echo Show 5 and the standard 10-inch Echo Show. The Echo Show 8 includes an 8-inch HD display, along with a built-in camera for video calls. It's available for preorder today for $129.99.

Also read: The best smart displays you can buy

Echo Glow

echo glow

The Echo Glow is a bit of an odd addition. It is a smart lamp, which allows users to control it via Alexa voice commands. Kids might ask it to recreate a flickering campfire light for playtime and adults could use for a home dance party, as it generates the appropriate lights and patterns. You can even ask it to slowly dim out when it's time to go to bed. It's available for pre-order for just $29.99.

Echo Flex

Echo flex in wall socket

This product looks and even installs like a smart plug, but the Echo Flex has a small speaker inside that's designed to receive Alexa voice commands. You can plug it in your bathroom, closet, or any other place where a big speaker would look odd. It can give you the latest news or weather report, or help control other smart home devices. It also has a USB port where you can charge your smartphone. It can also be used for other accessories that are in development, like a nightlight or a motion sensor. The Echo Flex is available for preorder for $29.99, and the upcoming accessories will be priced at $14.99 each.

Echo Buds

amazon echo buds

Amazon enters the wireless earbud race with this product as part of the Amazon Echo 2019 lineup. The Amazon Echo Buds allow you to make Alexa commands while on the go. Each earbud has two outer microphones and one inner microphone to help cut down outside noise. The batteries are supposed to offer up to five hours of music playback or four hours of call time. They are also IPX4 rated, so they should last even if you sweat while wearing them or even if you get in a light rainfall. They are available for preorder for $129.99.

Invite only: Echo Frames and Echo Loop

echo frames

Amazon is also going to launch two more Echo devices as invite-only products as part of its Amazon Echo 2019 lineup. This will allow the company to test them out before they are sold to the masses. The first are Echo Frames. These smart glasses will have four beamforming micro-speakers that are designed to send sound directly to your ears. You can link them to your Android smartphone to make phone calls, get reminders on your calendar and more. If you get invited, you can get the Echo Frames for $179.99, but you will have to get an eyewear professional to add the lenses to the product.

amazon echo loop

The other invite-only device in the Amazon Echo 2019 product line is Echo Loop. This is a smart ring that has two microphones and the smallest speaker ever made for an Echo device. It will vibrate on your finger when you get a call or notification, and you can even make short phone calls with this ring. If you are invited, you can buy the Echo Loop for $129.99. Amazon will open up the signup proceed for these invite-only devices today, with the actual invites to be rolled out later this year.

That's the massive list of Amazon Echo 2019 products. Which one will you be buying this fall?



from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2mH2Qiu
via IFTTT

No comments:

Post a Comment