Amazon’s new line of Echo units, launched at its occasion in New York Metropolis, will characteristic Alexa Plus integration, upgraded performance and sound high quality.
The lineup consists of 4 audio system: the Echo Dot Max ($100), Echo Studio ($220), Echo Present 8 ($180), and Echo Present 11 ($220).
The brand new vary is designed for use with Alexa Plus, the corporate’s AI improve to Alexa. The audio system embody the brand new AZ3 Professional chips, whereas the Dot Max makes use of the AZ3, which allows the brand new “AI Accelerator” for compatibility with future AI fashions.
Additionally learn: All the things Introduced at Amazon’s Product-Packed September Occasion
Echo Studio and Echo Dot Max
The largest shock within the new vary is the Echo Studio, an replace to 2019’s flagship good speaker. Amazon says its new Echo Studio is 40% smaller than the unique, however it’s additionally very comparable in dimension to the 2020 Echo. The brand new Studio boasts “premium audio,” together with Dolby Atmos functionality, and is available in a spherical design with a 3D knitted cowl for higher sound.
In the meantime, the Echo Dot Max ($100) comes with an improved microphone array and might now detect the chosen wake-word as much as 50% higher.
On the occasion, the corporate confirmed off the brand new Alexa House Theater mode, which helps you to join as much as 5 Echo Dot Max or Echo Studio to your Hearth TV for encompass sound. Apparently, the system can add a subwoofer, however the current Echo Sub is now not out there.
Echo Present
The brand new Echo Present 8 and Echo Present 11 characteristic Omnisense — additionally out there on the brand new Hearth TVs — for detecting if you’re within the room and displaying related content material.
Amazon says the brand new shows use “detrimental liquid crystal design” and enhance readability in vibrant and dimly lit rooms. The Present screens include a 13-megapixel digicam onboard, front-facing stereo audio system and a customized woofer for spatial audio.
The screens will allow you to scan your Ring and Blink cameras, in addition to watch curated “highlights” of previous video feeds. The demo that CNET noticed included a “Wildlife” feed of deer enjoying in entrance of the digicam, in addition to others like “Halloween” and “Summer time.”
The brand new Echo units can be found for pre-order at this time, and US clients will obtain Alexa Plus Early Entry. The Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio might be out there on Oct. 29, whereas the brand new Echo Present 8 and Echo Present 11 will go on sale on Nov. 12.
It has been some time since we have seen a brand new Echo speaker with out a display (since 2023’s Echo Dot), so look out for critiques of the brand new vary quickly.
