Amazon has just announced a bevy of devices at the at the company's HQ in Seattle expanding the reach of Alexa well beyond what we've seen before as well as updating some of the company's perennial favourites with new features.
Some are available today, some are concepts that will come shortly and others are merely software updates to current products to make them even better.
Here is everything the company announced in one handy place:
Amazon Echo Dot with Clock
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Amazon has updated its hugely popular Echo Dot for 2019 by adding a clock hidden under the fabric covering. The Echo Dot with clock should appeal to those keen to turn it into an alarm clock on their night stand / bedside table. Besides telling you the time, the LED display can also display the temperature outside as well. It will cost £59.99 in the UK and $59.99 in the US. Pre-orders are open now.
Amazon Echo Studio
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This is a new beefier Echo Speaker, called the Echo Studio, looks to take on the Apple HomePod, and Sonos speakers. It features 5 speakers and is promising both Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio support. Those keen to really boost the sound quality will be able to pair it with second Echo Studio and the Echo Sub launched last year. Available to pre-order from today, it will cost $199.99 in the US and £189.99 in the UK.
Amazon Echo
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A new year and a new Amazon Echo for 2019. This time around the popular speaker will now look like the 2018 Echo Plus. This new Echo doesn't just look like the previous Echo Plus – it basically is and will come with the same speaker set up. There's new colours and fabrics and it costs $99 in the US or £89.99 in the UK.
Amazon Echo Show 8
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An 8-inch screen version of its Echo Show device this enlarges the experience from the Show 5 that was launched in 2018. Designed to be used in your kitchen, the Echo Show 8 will come with a cover for the camera (for your privacy) and costs $129.99 in the US or £189.99 in the UK.
Amazon Echo Glow
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This is a completely new product and is a night light designed for kids. The Echo Glow will link up with Alexa and allow you to change the colour or flicker like a campfire just like the Philips Hue Go lamp, but for half the price. The Echo Glow will cost $29.99 and is currently only available in the US.
Amazon Echo Flex
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This is an Alexa-equipped wall plug that doubles as a speaker and is probably the quickest and easiest way to get Alexa in a room because you don't have to find a table to put anything on. The Echo Flex will come with a built-in USB port so you can charge your phone and optional accessories like a Smart Night Light or Motion Sensor to expand your options. It's super cheap too at £24.99 in the UK or $24.99 in the US.
Amazon Echo Buds
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Apple has the AirPods, Amazon now has the Echo Buds turning to headphone maker Bose to build and make them. The headphone will come with active noise reduction, Alexa support, but will also support Google Assistant and Siri. No launch date yet apart from "in time for the holidays" they will cost $129 in the States, $119.99 in the UK.
Amazon Smart Oven
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The follow up to 2018's Amazon Smart Microwave, this year Amazon has released an Alexa Smart Oven. The toaster oven-like countertop appliance will work as a microwave, convection cooker, air fryer, and a food warmer. Where it is trying to be clever is that you'll be able to scan your food and the accompanying app will give you the right temperature and cooking instructions.
Day 1 Editions: Amazon Echo Frames
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Experimenting with the "future", Amazon has revealed two new beta products as part of what it is calling its "Day 1 Editions". The Amazon Echo Frames are similar to the Bose Frames launched over the summer and will feature a speakers and microphones and connect to your smartphone. Invite only you'll be able to use them to talk to Alexa when you're out and about. The Echo Frames will cost $179.99 in the US. Thre's no word on UK pricing yet.
Day 1 Editions: Amazon Echo Loop
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The Echo Loop is a titanium smart ring that you wear on your finger and houses two microphones and a small speaker so you can talk to Alexa. It will pair with your phone for connectivity and come with a button to activate Alexa rather than you having to talk to it to activate it. It will be available for $129.99 in the US.
Amazon Fetch
Amazon promoted this as a tracker that you can put on your dog's collar so you know whether they've run off down the road chasing the neighbour cat. But it's actually the demo device of something much bigger Amazon is announcing called Sidewalk that is a new secure wireless standard designed that will connect devices over long distances similar to Tile or Apple's rumoured Tag system. No word on pricing or a release date as yet.
Eero router
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Following the acquisition of Eero, Amazon has now announced its first products since the buyout. The new product will be a $99 mesh router that it says you'll be able to set up in less than 10 minutes. It will of course come with Alexa voice control support allowing you to turn off Wi-Fi to a specific device with a voice command. The new Eero router will cost $99 for a single device, or $249 for a three pack in the US today and will be coming to Europe soon.
Ring Indoor Cam and Ring Stick-Up Cam
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New new cameras for Amazon's security/doorbell company Ring have also been announced. The 2019 Ring Stick-Up Cam will work indoors and outdoors while the new Indoor Cam will become the company's cheapest home security camera. In terms of pricing, the Ring Stick-Up Cam will start at $99.99, or £89 in the UK. The Ring Indoor Cam will cost $59.99, or £49 in the UK.
Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit
The Ring Retrofit Alarm Kit looks to allow you to bring many of Ring's security features to an existing alarm installation. Retrofit Kit can use the existing sensors in your house, rather than you having to install a complete new range of sensors to get a Ring Alarm. You'll be able to get the Ring Alarm Hub and Retrofit Kit for $375.99 – or the Retrofit Kit on its own for $199.99.
Software announcements
Amazon announced that you can now opt to You can now choose to auto-delete your Alexa recordings after 3 or 18 months.
Amazon has also said that Ring hardware will be getting new privacy features as well, adding to the existing choice to turn off audio and Ring Privacy Zones, while Ring Home mode will let you turn off the recording of audio and video when you're at home.
Finally, Samuel L Jackson amongst other celebrities will be lending their voice to Alexa. Users keen to hear the Pulp Fiction and Snakes on a Plane actor will be able to pay $0.99 or 80p for the privilege.
