What gadgets has Amazon introduced at its Hardware Event 2019

Amazon Hardware Event recently ended, a big presentation of new devices from Uncle Bezos. We have heard of few people about them, and in America these are some of the best-selling gadgets. More than a third of US households now have one version of Echo's smart speakers, for example.

This year, the company hosted an Apple-style event, with a bunch of journalists, only behind closed doors and without an online stream. In total, 15 of her own devices were announced to her, all with the support of "Alexa". At the same time, the lineup came out very varied. Each smart device is clearly tailored to its audience. Some of them are exclusive, others are just weird.

Consider the order of announcement. We will not touch on small updates (like the new version of Echo Dot with a built-in clock). Only the most delicious, only hardcore.

Third Generation Echo Column

The basic gadget from which it all began, Amazon introduced the first. Speaker with built-in Alex, allowing you to use all the functions of the voice assistant. It is already available for pre-order (sales will start on October 16). They say that this is the best option in terms of price / quality for listening and ordering music. The entire catalog of Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM is available. They talked a lot about the sound quality, neodymium speakers, the quality of the fabric coating and so on.

The most interesting thing for us is a rather ridiculous price. Amazon wants only $ 99 for a new “smart” speaker (even the second generation with such coverage is now more expensive). It is almost certainly below cost, or at least very close to it. Obviously, the company wants to squeeze competitors from the market in the form of Google and Apple, and there the product will be beaten off due to the integrated advertising.

Echo studio

The premium version of the speaker, 5 speakers, 3D Audio, Dolby Atmos, a built-in hub for a smart home (Alexa controls any other connected devices from here). Adapts to any room, understands how to make sound better. It takes into account the volume of the room, allows you to communicate with other smart speakers in the house.

Pre-order costs $ 199, shipments begin on November 7th.

Echo flex

On the contrary, the cheapest smart column of the company (and, probably, in general?). It costs only $ 24.99. A small gadget that can be attached anywhere (however, the outlet should be American). 8 x 6.6 x 5 cm. There is a USB-A port, a microphone for recording Alex's commands, and a speaker to answer. Also the basic control of a smart home: turning on the lights, closing doors, checking thermostats, setting up air conditioners, controlling a TV, stove, washing machine and anything else that works with Alex. For an additional $ 14 to the gadget, you can buy a nightlight and a motion sensor.

Echo show 8

Column with a screen. Amazon’s war with Google has ended, YouTube should show. In extreme cases, you can watch such a video from a browser. Well, all Amazon content is available. Ask Alex to include you a trailer, a film or a series, she finds it, shows it. All other features of a smart assistant are also, of course, available. One of the funniest “innovations” is the protective curtain, which can be used to close the video chat camera if it is not in use now. In general, Amazon in the presentation was very pressured that with its new gadgets, the personal information of users is completely safe, and no one will take it anywhere. And then in the last year with this, the company had a lot of scandals.

Also in the software added a new function "see everyone." The Echo Show contacts and starts video or audio chat with all family members who also have an Echo column.

The Echo Show 8 screen is 8 inches, the price is $ 129. You can take it with the little Echo Show 5, saving $ 50 on two gadgets.

Echo glow

Smart lamp for children. Changes colors, flickers and blinks in response, knows how to turn on the fire mode. Color and brightness can be adjusted by voice (but in the house you need a column with Alex, which will receive commands). The only gadget whose price, in comparison with the others, looks a little unjustified. For a color change they ask for $ 29.99.

New Eero Router

Amazon's updated Wi-Fi router, covering up to 140 m2. It helps to distribute the Internet in the house, it configures itself, helps to avoid overloads, buffering, crashes (TrueMesh technology). You can ask Alex to pause the distribution of Wi-Fi to certain devices, or, say, activate / deactivate the guest network. $ 99 (or $ 249 for three in a bunch).

Home Camera Ring

Amazon's Ring company is known for its call cameras that let you check from anywhere who’s standing in front of the door and whether your package arrived. And now they represent the camera inside the house. Connects to a wall outlet or lives on a battery. Enables / disables voice command recording (if given through Alex).

Checks if there are any uninvited guests in the house, and what your pet is doing now. There is a built-in microphone and a small speaker, you can talk with your pets. You can put several of these cameras in the house, and switch between them. The interaction takes place through the Ring application on iOS, Android, Windows or Mac.

The device costs $ 59.99, it is already available, but so far the entire stock has been sold out.

Amazon smart oven

Smart stove with Alex. Four in one: convection oven, microwave, food warmer and deep fat fryer. For all smart features to become available, Alex is needed in the house. Voice control from any Echo device, 30+ presets, reports the temperature, knows how to cook some things automatically. “Fire of Tuna,” “Make deep-fried potatoes.” True, it will probably be sad if, due to Alex’s accent, he doesn’t understand you correctly and starts preparing something else, rather than what you put there. Then you won’t wash it. It costs $ 249.

Echo buds

Smart headphones. For those who can’t tie their shoelaces without Alexa already. Now the assistant is available when leaving the house. Connect to a smartphone, allow you to control your voice with whatever you want. Including home electronics (and isn’t it dangerous? Suddenly you accidentally turn on the iron?). You can order food, change music, take Uber or check the route without getting a smartphone.

They work for five hours, and with a cover that comes with the kit, up to twenty. Great emphasis is placed on sound insulation, technologies from Bose are used. Then, by the way, Bose herself said that in her own new headphones, noise isolation is better - apparently, it makes sense to buy them, especially given that their price will be higher, and they do not support Alex. Amazon here again goes almost at cost. Surprisingly, they also support Google Assistant and Siri. Cost $ 129.99.

Echo frames

Yeah, it’s already reached this point. Smart glasses! Already without the “smart” tag there are almost no things left (and you still have to wait until the next paragraph!) To their credit - they look almost like ordinary glasses, they really cannot be distinguished. This is not an option from Google, which many were ashamed to wear.

Connect to a smartphone with Alex, allow you to use the full functionality of the assistant. Call, take notes, listen to podcasts, manage your smart home. All without connecting hands. Amazon says that only you will hear Alex, they somehow guide the sound very carefully. There is nothing visual in the glasses, all interaction with the device is only in audio, like in Echo Buds. In fact, we got the same headphones with Alex, only for those who do not want something to occupy their ears. Able to also work with Google Assistant.

The price starts at $ 179, after a while it will be $ 249. But you won’t be able to buy them, they are available in a limited number, only for invites. Not everyone has the privilege of paying Amazon, it must be achieved!

Echo loop

Thought there would be nothing more ingenious than smart glasses? No matter how! Here you have a smart ring! For those who don’t wear glasses, they don’t wear headphones, but always dreamed of being a James Bond villain, quietly giving commands to his hand. The ring looks noticeably thicker than a regular ring, it is noticeable that something is wrong here. It comes in three sizes, for different thicknesses of the fingers. Inside there is a small button that you can press (either with your thumb or your palm), and then the ring starts to listen to your commands. Almost like something forged by Sauron in the bowels of Orodruin, yeah.

To hear Alex back, you need to bring the ring to your ear. In the application on the smartphone, you can set your loved one, and by double-clicking the ring will call him. True, it will not be very convenient to communicate: in order for both to be heard well, you need to bring the ring in turn either to the ear or to the mouth. Journalists have already tried, from the side such a person looks ... well, let's say, a little strange. Also, the ring sends a vibration if you receive a message.

The battery holds about a day. Already for sale, it costs $ 129 (again, only to the elite). Then it will be available to everyone for $ 179.

How do you like it?

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