Amazon’s 2023 Devices and Services event announcements
Amazon's 2023 Devices and Services event announcements
Amazon Unveils New Hardware and Advanced AI Features at Fall Event
Amazon’s highly anticipated fall hardware event was a resounding success, featuring a plethora of updates and exciting announcements. One of the highlights of the event was the transformation of Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant, into a more versatile and conversational personal chatbot. Additionally, Amazon introduced several new hardware devices, including the Echo Show, Echo Frames, a 10-gigabit router, and more. Let’s dive into the details of what Amazon unveiled at the event.
Alexa’s Conversational Upgrade with Generative AI
As the popularity of generative AI continues to soar, traditional task-focused personal assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and even Alexa feel somewhat outdated. To bridge this gap, Amazon introduced a new chat feature for Alexa that leverages generative AI. By simply saying, “Alexa, let’s chat,” the assistant switches to a chatbot mode built on a large language model (LLM).
The new AI chat mode makes Alexa more expressive and conversational, eliminating the need to repeatedly use the wake word. Additionally, if you enroll in the Visual ID program, you can initiate a conversation just by facing the screen of any Echo device equipped with a camera. Alexa can now adjust its tone and “emotion” based on context, and it also accommodates pauses and hesitations, resulting in a more natural and fluid conversation. Although the live presentation experienced a couple of hiccups where Alexa forced the presenter to repeat himself, Amazon plans to further enhance Alexa’s conversational experience with an upcoming speech-to-speech update. This new model will unite various tasks involved in generating a conversational response, creating a remarkably immersive and richer experience for users.
Echo Show 8: Enhanced Display, Camera, and Audio
Amazon launched the new Echo Show 8, featuring significant upgrades to its display, camera, and microphones. One standout feature is proximity sensing, which allows the device to adjust its user interface (UI) based on the user’s distance. For instance, during a demo of the weather app, the font size increased as the person moved farther away and decreased when they came closer.
The Echo Show 8 also boasts spatial audio capabilities, delivering a more immersive sound experience. It features a centered camera, making video calls feel more natural and engaging. Additionally, the device employs upgraded audio technology to minimize background noise, ensuring crystal-clear communication. With a faster processor and a built-in smart home hub, the Echo Show 8 offers a seamless experience for users.
The new Echo Show 8 is available for pre-order at $150 and is expected to start shipping in October.
Echo Frames: Sleeker Design and Enhanced Audio
Amazon has updated its Echo Frames smart glasses, bringing forth improvements in both aesthetics and functionality. The new models are 15 percent slimmer, giving them a more stylish and contemporary look akin to regular glasses. The Echo Frames now offer a longer battery life of up to six hours for continuous media playback.
Furthermore, the redesigned audio experience includes enhanced sound balance, better audio clarity, and reduced distortion. The improved onboard speech processing ensures more reliable responses in various environments. The Echo Frames come in seven new styles, including both regular glasses and sunglasses variants. Additionally, Amazon has partnered with Carrera to introduce a more premium version called the “Carrera Smart Glasses.”
The Echo Frames are available for pre-order at $270, while the Carrera Smart Glasses variant will cost $390.
Eero Max 7: A High-Speed, Multifunctional Router
Amazon introduced the Eero Max 7, which serves as a combined router, range extender, and repeater. This device offers blazing-fast 10-gigabit Ethernet connections, enabling lightning-fast download speeds—for instance, downloading a 4K movie in just 10 seconds or a 50 GB game in less than a minute.
The Eero Max 7 supports various radio bands, including 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6 GHz, delivering wireless connections of up to 4.3 Gbps and ENBLE connections of up to 9.4 Gbps. With four Ethernet ports and coverage of 2,500 square feet, the Max 7 ensures excellent wireless coverage for your entire home. For more extensive coverage, you can create a mesh network by linking multiple devices together.
Although the pricing and availability of the Eero Max 7 are yet to be disclosed, it is already available for pre-order.
Echo Hub: Manage Your Smart Home Devices with Ease
Amazon unveiled the Echo Hub, a new device designed to manage various smart home gadgets seamlessly. Featuring an 8-inch display, the Echo Hub can be mounted on a wall or used with a stand accessory. Charlie French, Amazon’s smart home chief, emphasized the need for an affordable and easily upgradable smart home panel, as existing options are often costly and require professional installation.
With Alexa integration and support for major smart home protocols like Matter and Thread, the Echo Hub boasts compatibility with over 140,000 smart home devices. The device supports Wi-Fi by default and offers optional connectivity to Ethernet routers via a USB-C cable. Furthermore, the Echo Hub’s infrared sensors detect activity and automatically switch to a default clock mode when no one is present.
Equipped with the Echo Hub, users can conveniently arm their security systems, view multiple live camera feeds simultaneously, and control select smart home devices with increased response times. With its competitive price point, the Echo Hub is expected to gain significant popularity among smart home enthusiasts. The device will be available for $180 later this year, with pre-orders open now.
Ring and Blink Security Cameras: Enhanced Monitoring Features
Amazon’s home security camera units, Ring and Blink, received notable updates at the fall event. Starting with Ring, the company introduced the Stick Up Cam Pro, an indoor/outdoor camera equipped with intelligent tracking capabilities. This device incorporates 3D motion detection, similar to other Ring products, to provide refined and accurate motion alerts. Through the integration of radar technology, the Stick Up Cam Pro can track people’s movements within its field of view, offering a comprehensive understanding of their routes and destinations.
Blink, on the other hand, introduced several new accessories. The Sync Module Pro, priced at $50, extends the range of the Blink Outdoor 4, ensuring coverage even in the farthest corners of a property. The wireless floodlight mount, available for $160, blankets the yard with motion-triggered LEDs. Lastly, the battery extender for the Outdoor 4 claims to stretch battery life up to four years. These accessories are currently available for pre-order, with shipping commencing on October 17.
Fire TV Updates: Enhanced Audio and Visual Experiences
Amazon made significant updates to its Fire TV lineup, introducing the Fire TV Soundbar—a Bluetooth-enabled audio device compatible with all Fire TV streaming products and televisions. Offering an immersive sound experience, the soundbar is available for purchase immediately at $120.
The Fire TV 4K Max received an incremental update, increasing its processing power and upgrading its Wi-Fi from version 6 to 6E. The device supports HDR, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Vision. Priced at $60, the Fire TV 4K Max can be pre-ordered now and will start shipping on September 27. Amazon also updated the standard 4K Fire TV Stick, improving processing power, 4K support, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
Furthermore, Amazon introduced the Fire TV Ambient Experience, allowing users to view useful information like family calendars, reminders, and local forecasts. The company also expanded its selection of “gallery-quality” art options for TVs in standby mode, offering hundreds of new images for a visually captivating experience. With the integration of LLMs, Fire TV devices now provide a more natural and conversational search experience. Additionally, a unified Continue Watching row aggregates favorite content from various providers, ensuring a seamless experience across streaming services.
Accessibility Features: Empowering All Users
Amazon is introducing new accessibility features for its Echo devices. Eye Gaze on Alexa, a feature exclusive to the Fire Max 11 tablet, enables individuals with mobility or speech disabilities to perform preset actions using only their line of sight. By leveraging Eye Gaze, users can effortlessly play music and shows, control smart home devices, and call loved ones without the need for hands-on interaction. Eye Gaze is expected to launch later this year.
Another remarkable feature is Call Translation, designed for the Echo Show. This feature provides real-time transcriptions during video calls, accompanied by on-screen captions. Additionally, it offers translation services for over 10 languages, breaking communication barriers. Call Translation will be available later this year for Echo Show devices and in the Alexa app, catering to users in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
Map View: Simplifying Smart Home Device Management
To streamline the management of smart home devices, Amazon introduced Map View. This feature allows users to view and control their home devices using a digital floor plan. By creating an indoor map of your home using your phone (initially available on LiDar-enabled iOS devices), Map View provides an alternate and visually appealing way to access and control devices. The feature presents devices room-by-room, providing quick access, device control, and even live camera feed monitoring through the intuitive floor plan layout. Map View is expected to launch in the US later this year.
Alexa Features for Kids: Ensuring a Safe and Engaging Experience
In embracing generative AI, Amazon is extending its capabilities to kids’ devices. However, to prioritize children’s safety and well-being, Amazon ensures that this feature maintains strict filters to prevent exposure to inappropriate content. In instances where unsavory material may be encountered, the AI gracefully redirects kids back to the conversation at hand, ensuring a secure user experience.
As part of the kid-focused lineup, Amazon introduced the Echo Pop Kids—an exciting new smart speaker available in two variants: Avengers and Disney Princess. Priced at $50, the Echo Pop Kids includes a six-month subscription to the Amazon Kids+ service, providing a comprehensive and engaging experience for children. Pre-orders for the Echo Pop Kids are now open, and the devices are set to ship in October.
Alexa Emergency Assist: Rapid Response for Those in Need
As an innovative feature aimed at benefiting seniors and individuals with disabilities, Alexa Emergency Assist provides a swift way to contact first responders. By simply saying, “Alexa, call for help,” users can connect with dedicated and professionally trained agents who are available 24/7. During the setup process for Alexa Emergency Assist, essential user information such as home address, medications, allergies, and device details will be saved, eliminating the need to provide this information during an emergency call.
Alexa Emergency Assist is set to launch soon in the US, with a pricing structure of $6 per month or $59 annually.
In conclusion, Amazon’s fall hardware event showcased the company’s relentless pursuit of innovation and improved user experiences. With the integration of generative AI into Alexa, the introduction of exciting new devices like the Echo Show 8 and Echo Frames, and enhancements to existing product lines, Amazon continues to push the boundaries of technology. Additionally, the unveiling of advanced accessibility features, advanced security camera capabilities, and smart home management tools further solidify Amazon’s position as a leader in the tech industry.
