September 25th, 2018 | Updated on November 9th, 2020
Amazon, the tech giant, has unveiled a brand new version of its Echo Dot, which features big boosts to its sound quality – broadcasting sounds at 70 percent louder volumes.
The revamped Echo Dot, which the firm said is it’s best-selling speaker ever, is expected to begin shipping next month and costs the same as prior versions at $49.99.
Amazon also revealed an Alexa-powered microwave, which lets users heat up their food hands-free. The microwave is priced at $60 and will start shipping later this year. The microwave is compact and can fit right on your counter-top, according to Amazon.
Users simply press an Alexa button on the microwave and give it a cooking command, such as ‘two minutes and 30 seconds on medium.’ The microwave will then start cooking.
‘The AmazonBasics Microwave includes dozens of quick-cook voice presets, so you can cook just by asking Alexa,’ the firm explained.
Amazon has announced five new Echo products at its Alexa-focused pop-up event at its Seattle headquarters. Three of these — Echo Dot, Echo Plus, and Echo Sub — are already up for pre-orders on the Amazon India website, while two others — Echo Show and Echo Input — are coming to India early next year.
Three other Echo products — Echo Auto, Echo Link, Echo Link Amp — were also launched but they aren’t coming to India just yet.
Three other Echo products — Echo Auto, Echo Link, Echo Link Amp — were also launched but they aren’t coming to India just yet.
The Echo Dot (3rd generation) has a new fabric finish and is available in three colours — Charcoal, Heather Gray, and Sandstone. As with the previous generation Echo Dot, the new speaker can be connected to other speaker systems via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable.
The new Echo Plus is the same as the previous generation device. This product is now powered by Dolby with a 3-inch (6.35 cm) neodymium woofer, a 0.8” (2 cm) tweeter, and is louder than before.
The Echo Plus is available in three colours — Heather, Charcoal Gray, and Sandstone. Echo Plus has a seven-microphone beamforming array, which cancels background noise so it can hear you better.
The Echo Sub is a sub-woofer that can pair with any Echo speaker. It pairs with Echo speakers for either a 1.1 speaker setup (one speaker, one woofer) or a 2.1 setup (two speakers, one woofer).
Two other devices announced at the event in Seattle are coming to India — Echo Show and Echo Input.
The Echo Input allows you to turn any speaker into an Alexa-powered smart speaker. The Echo Input does not have a speaker but it adds a microphone that hooks up your existing speaker with Alexa. It’s the cheapest in the line of Echo devices focused on Alexa and will be coming to India early next year.
Echo Show is a device with a 10-inch screen that has a decent speaker, a front camera, and is connected to Alexa. Think of it as an Echo speaker with a display. The redesigned Echo Show also lets users explore the web with Firefox and Amazon’s Silk browser.
Amazon is bringing internet connectivity with the new Smart Plug. It allows users to plug items directly into it and automatically syncs with an Echo device. From there, users can control a variety of gadgets using just their voice.
Another new product, called Fire TV Recast, lets users watch cable TV channels like ABC, CNN, PBS, Fox and more on the Echo Show, Echo Spot, Fire TV, iOS, Android and even when users are on the go.
Alexa is also coming to the clock with Amazon’s new Echo wall clock.
The device can be used to set timers, with LED lights that tick down as time runs out and flashes when the timer expires.
Amazon is also bringing Alexa to the car with the launch of Echo Auto. The firm explained that it has an ‘eight-microphone array’ that enables the device to cut through ambient noise and pick up your voice.
The Echo Link connects to either an amplifier or a receiver, as well as your existing stereo equipment and lets users control their music selection, volume, multi-room playback and more.
The Echo Link Amp will be available for $199 later this year, while the Echo Link costs $299 and ships early next year.
Adding to its lineup of speaker accessories, Amazon announced a six-inch subwoofer, called the Echo Sub, which adds additional bass when you play music from an Echo device. The Echo Sub costs $130 and you can pre-order here.
Alexa is already linked up with several devices in the smart home market, ranging from voice-controlled thermostats, coffee makers, light bulbs and many more items.
But Amazon has signaled that it wants Alexa to be in more places than just your bedroom or living room.
Source: Gadgets360, MailOnline
