Amazon has announced new products in it’s Echo & Fire line:
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sep. 27, 2017– (NASDAQ: AMZN)–Three years ago, Amazon introduced Echo and Alexa, offering a new way to interact with technology using just your voice. Today, Amazon introduced the next generation of Echo: the all-new Echo with a new design and improved sound for just $99.99, and Echo Plus with a built-in smart home hub for just $149.99.
“Three years ago we introduced the first Echo, powered by Alexa, with a goal to fundamentally simplify and improve the way customers interact with their homes,” said Tom Taylor, Senior Vice President, Amazon Alexa. “Today, Alexa can make calls, play music in every room, turn on your lights, and even order you a pizza. But it’s still day one, and today we’re making Echo and Alexa even better. The all-new Echo and Echo Plus deliver better sound, all new far-field technology, and new features we think customers will love.”
All-New Echo–Now with a New Design and Improved Sound to Fit in Every Room–Just $99.99
New design
With an all-new compact design, Echo fits easily into any room in your home while delivering next generation far-field performance and improved room-filling sound. Pick from a variety of shell colors and finishes to fit into your home’s décor–choices include charcoal, sandstone, heather gray, oak veneer, walnut veneer, and silver.
Immersive sound
Echo combines an all-new speaker architecture, a dedicated tweeter, a 2.5″ down-firing woofer, and Dolby processing to deliver crisp vocals and dynamic bass throughout the room–all in a smaller design and at an even more affordable price. Alexa can play music from leading services like Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more. A stable internet connection (similar to DIRECTV stream) from somewhere like AT&T provides seamless tv and internet, and that is all you need now!
Second generation far-field technology
The new Echo uses Amazon’s second generation far-field technology, which features better wake word processing, improved beamforming technology, and enhanced noise cancellation. The Echo far-field technology works to detect the wake word from across the room even in the noisiest parts of your home.
All-New Echo Plus– Built-In Hub to Easily Set Up and Control Your Smart Home–Just $149.99
Set up your smart home in minutes
With its built-in smart home hub, Echo Plus makes connecting to compatible smart home devices easy. Just say, “Alexa, discover my devices,” and Echo Plus will automatically discover and set up compatible lights including your drum pendant light, or any lights for that matter, locks, plugs, switches, and more without the need for additional hubs or apps. This simple set-up works with a variety of ZigBee products from leading brands such as Philips Hue, GE, Kwikset, and more. To help get your smart home started, Amazon customers will receive a Philips Hue smart lightbulb with the purchase of an Echo Plus while supplies last.
The new Echo will fit nicely into your existing smart home ecosystem. If you’re looking to expand your smart home to include more devices, you may also want to consider the Verisure Smart Alarms so that you can protect your home against burglars and break-ins as well as monitor your home remotely from a smartphone. The two may even integrate well with each other.
More powerful audio and better performance
Echo Plus has enhanced 360-degree omni-directional audio, with Dolby processing, to provide deeper bass and crisper high notes for better audio clarity. You can play music from Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more. With Amazon Music, you can search for music by lyrics, time-period, or let Alexa pick the music for you. Like the new Echo, Echo Plus features second generation far-field technology for even better performance.
All new Alexa features
Alexa Routines
Routines allow you to automate a series of customizable actions using a single voice command of your choice. For example, say, “Alexa, good night,” and Alexa will turn off the lights, lock the door, and turn off the TV. You can also create Routines based on the time of day – for example, you can create a Routine that has Alexa turn on the kitchen lights, start the coffee maker, and read the weather forecast at 6 a.m. every weekday and at 9 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday. You could even sync it up to other electronics around the house via smart plugs, meaning that bright sign from Neon Filter that lights up the living room can shine when you’re in, and be turned off when you’re not with ease.
Routines are compatible with popular Works with Amazon Alexa lights, plugs, switches, and door locks from leading brands like TP Link, Philips Hue, Wemo, and August, and will be available for all Alexa devices including the all-new Echo, the previous generation Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, and Echo Plus starting next month.
Improved smart home groups
You no longer need to remember the specific name of a smart device or group of smart devices to control them. Now you can place your Echo and smart devices into smart home groups, which enables Alexa to act intelligently on your request, making your interactions with your smart home more natural and effortless. For example, when you walk into the kitchen, you can now say to your Echo “Alexa, turn on the lights” rather than “Alexa, turn on the kitchen overhead lamp.”
This feature will be available on the all-new Echo, the previous generation Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, and Echo Plus starting next month.
Call anyone with Alexa
Four months ago, Amazon introduced Alexa calling and messaging, and millions of customers have started using the feature. Now, Amazon is expanding this feature to include support for free outbound calling to phone numbers within the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Just say “Alexa, call Mary’s mobile,” and Alexa will call Mary’s mobile phone from your smartphone’s contact list. Alexa can also dial phone numbers that you speak to her so that you can reach people or businesses that aren’t in your contacts. Calls to 911 are not supported. This feature is available for all Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show customers starting today in the US.
Amazon also introduced Echo Connect, a new Alexa accessory that turns your Echo into a high quality, hands-free speakerphone for your home phone line. Echo Connect works with your existing home phone service – either landline or VoIP. Without touching a single button, ask Alexa to call anybody from your contact list – when you call, they will see your home phone number as the caller ID. When someone you know calls your home phone, Alexa will announce their name from your contacts list–just ask Alexa to answer to start the conversation.
Echo Connect is easy to set up–simply connect it to your home Wi-Fi network and home phone jack or VoIP adapter, and use the Alexa app on your mobile phone to set up Echo Connect. Echo Connect is just $34.99 and will be available later this year.
Echo Buttons introduce new gaming experience with Alexa
Echo Buttons are new devices that deliver ways for customers to play games with friends and family using Alexa. The buttons illuminate and can be pressed to trigger a variety of multiplayer and interactive game experiences. There will be a number of new Echo Button-compatible skills available this holiday season including Sounds Fun with Mike Epps, Buzzer Beater Basketball Trivia with Karl-Anthony Towns, Fourth Down Football Trivia with Philip Rivers, Full Count Baseball Trivia with Buster Posey from Ground Control, as well as Beat the Intro from Musicplode. Echo Buttons will come in a two-pack, priced at $19.99, and will arrive in time for the holidays in the US, UK, and Germany. Echo Buttons are the first of many Alexa Gadgets, a new collection of accessories that enable fun and playful Alexa experiences. Sign up at https://www.amazon.com/AlexaGadgets to receive notifications and updates when Echo Buttons are available for purchase.
Now over 25,000 Alexa skills and new multi-player games
Tens of thousands of developers are building skills for Alexa using the Alexa Skills Kit, and today there are over 25,000 third party skills available for Alexa. Skills add even more capabilities like ordering a pizza, requesting a ride, tracking your fitness, controlling your TV, and more.
Pricing and Availability
The all-new Echo is just $99.99. It is available for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.com/echo and will start shipping next month.
Echo Plus is just $149.99. It is available for pre-order starting today at www.amazon.com/echoplus and will start shipping next month. To help get your smart home started, Amazon customers will receive Philips Hue smart lightbulb with every purchase of an Echo Plus while supplies last.
Echo Connect is just $34.99 and will be available later this year. Learn more about Echo Connect at www.amazon.com/echoconnect .
Amazon also today introduced the all-new Echo Spot which features a stylish, compact design with a screen so Alexa can show you things for just $129.99; and the all-new Amazon Fire TV with 4K and HDR for just $69.99.
Today, Amazon announced the all-new Fire TV featuring 4K Ultra HD, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Alexa Voice Remote. Forty percent more powerful than Fire TV Stick, the next generation of Amazon Fire TV works seamlessly with 4K Ultra HD or HDR compatible TVs giving you true-to-life picture quality and sound with vivid colors, 60 fps, HDR, and Dolby Atmos audio–all for just $69.99.
With the most accurate voice search on a streaming media player, you can ask your Alexa Voice Remote to find, launch, and control content. Press the button on the Alexa Voice Remote and say, “Find dramas,” and Alexa will show you results from apps like Netflix, Hulu, SHOWTIME, Amazon Video, and more. Plus, you can pair Fire TV to any of your Echo devices to enjoy hands-free, far-field voice control, powered by Alexa.
“The all-new Fire TV delivers a great entertainment experience with the best picture quality on a Fire TV, 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and an unbeatable selection of content – all at an affordable price,” said Marc Whitten, Vice President, Amazon Fire TV. “With Alexa, the new Fire TV makes it easier to navigate content and discover great movies and TV shows, all by using your voice.”
At just $69.99, the new Fire TV is Amazon’s most affordable 4K enabled device ever. Fire TV is also the best place to enjoy Amazon Video’s expansive collection of movies and TV shows, including the largest selection of 4K/UHD content available to stream today. Enjoy hundreds of titles including Prime Exclusives like The Tick and The Grand Tour, and the lowest priced digital content of any over-the-top service across SD, HD, and UHD formats.
The all-new Amazon Fire TV is available for pre-order starting today from www.amazon.com/firetv and will begin shipping to U.S. customers on October 25.
Powerful performance in a compact size
Get smooth and responsive performance with a 1.5 Ghz quad-core processor and dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Plus, the all-new Fire TV comes with 2GB of memory and 8 GB of storage in a new design that fits seamlessly behind your TV.
Brilliant 4K picture quality
Experience true-to-life picture quality from thousands of immersive 4K Ultra HD titles from Amazon Video, Netflix, and more when connected to a 4K Ultra HD or HDR compatible TV.
Do more with your voice
Coming soon, customers will have an even better hands-free content experience on Fire TV. We’re continuing to work with partners like Hulu, SHOWTIME, Sony’s PlayStation Vue, CBS All Access, NBC, Bravo, CNBC, and NBC News to add increased app functionality that lets you use your voice to rewind, fast forward, and play content with commands like “Alexa, change the channel to NBC in Hulu” or “Alexa, play Ray Donovan in SHOWTIME.”
Access even more content
Fire TV connects you to a world of streaming entertainment, with access to tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills. You can watch over 500,000 TV episodes and movies from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Amazon Video, and more. In addition, enjoy live TV with subscriptions to Hulu, Sling TV, DIRECTV NOW, Sony’s PlayStation Vue, CBS All Access, and Amazon Video.
Easy to set up and use
Fire TV easily connects to your HDTV’s HDMI port. Simply plug it in, turn it on, and get ready to stream in 4K Ultra HD. Connect via Wi-Fi or directly from your router using the optional Amazon Ethernet Adapter and start streaming your favorite content. Fire TV is also working with leading partners to have single sign-on added to TV Everywhere apps like ESPN, NBC, ABC, Disney Channel, AMC, CNNGo, Food Network, E!, Freeform, USA, and more allowing you faster access to the content you love most.
Go beyond streaming
With Alexa, Amazon Fire TV can control smart home enabled lights, thermostats, and other compatible devices. Plus, play music, view camera feeds on your TV, check the weather, and more. Starting today, smart home camera support is available on all Fire TV devices and second-generation Fire TV Stick devices in the U.S. Simply say, “Alexa, show the nursery camera” to view the feed on your TV. Smart home camera support on Fire TV currently works on a range of devices from companies including Arlo, Ring, Nest, and August.
Availability
Amazon Fire TV is available for pre-order on Amazon in the U.S. for $69.99 and will start shipping on October 25. For a limited time, customers can get the all-new Fire TV and Echo Dot together for $79.99 or the Fire TV Stick and Echo Dot together for $59.99–a 33 percent savings. Eligible customers who purchase and activate the all-new Fire TV by November 15, 2017 will also receive two months of Hulu (Limited or No Commercials), a one month trial of SHOWTIME, and a $10 credit to rent or buy content from Amazon Video- a value of up to $45. For more information, please visit www.amazon.com/firetv.
Amazon also today introduced the all-new Echo with improved sound and a new design for just $99.99; the all-new Echo Plus with a built-in smart home hub for $149.99; and the all-new Echo Spot which features a stylish, compact design with a screen so Alexa can show you things for just $129.99.
Today, Amazon announced Echo Spot, the newest addition to the Echo family. Echo Spot delivers everything you love about Alexa with a smaller design and the added convenience of a circular screen so that Alexa can show you things. The all-new Echo Spot is $129.99 and is available for pre-order at www.amazon.com/echospot. It will begin shipping in December.
Echo Spot combines the popular small design of Echo Dot, the display of Echo Show, and the features you love about Alexa into an all-new, stylish and compact device,” said Tom Taylor, Senior Vice President, Amazon Alexa. “See the weather, watch video news briefings, glance at your alarm clock, check on your kids, and more–we think customers will find lots of places for Echo Spot in their homes.”
Designed for any room, with the added convenience of a screen
Echo Spot fits easily into any room of your home. The size and viewing angle of the screen make Echo Spot ideal for use on a nightstand or desk as a smart alarm clock that can also turn your lights on and off, watch a video flash briefing, show your commute time, get the weather, or show your calendar. Or use Echo Spot in the kitchen to easily set and view timers, call friends and family, see shopping and to do lists, and more.
New microphone array with second generation far-field technology
Echo Spot features second generation far-field technology with four microphones, acoustic beam-forming technology, and enhanced noise cancellation so it can hear you from across the room–even while music is playing. If you have more than one Echo, Alexa responds intelligently from the Echo you’re closest to with ESP (Echo Spatial Perception).
Front-facing camera and Alexa calling help you stay connected–call anyone hands free
Put an Echo Spot in each room so you can drop in on the kitchen to ask when dinner will be ready, or drop in on the family room to see how homework is going. Just like Echo Show, you can also use Echo Spot to start a voice or video call, or send a message–simply say, “Alexa, call dad,” or “Alexa, send a message to Mary.”
Built-in speaker, plus Bluetooth and audio-out to connect to your existing speaker systems
Alexa can talk to you and play music directly on Echo Spot through the built-in 2W speaker. Echo Spot can directly connect to speakers through Bluetooth or using a 3.5mm stereo cable, enabling you to add Alexa to your home entertainment system. Then, use just your voice to control Amazon Music, Prime Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more. Plus, with the new multi-room music feature, you can play your favorites throughout your home, with synchronized music across all of your Echo devices.
Easily control your smart home
Echo Spot integrates all of the smart home capabilities that customers love about Alexa–turn on the lights, view your live camera feed from the nursery, set up Routines, control the temperature, lock your doors with your voice when you’re heading to bed, and more.
Pricing and Availability
The all-new Echo Spot is available in black and white for $129.99 and will start shipping in the US this December. You can pre-order starting today at www.amazon.com/echospot.
Echo Spot will be available in the UK and Germany early next year.
Today, Amazon also introduced the all-new Echo with improved sound and a new design for just $99.99; the all-new Echo Plus with a built-in smart home hub for $149.99; and the all-new Amazon Fire TV with 4K and HDR for just $69.99.
