Amazon’s Fall Hardware Event: All the Key Announcements
▼ Summary
– Echo Show models now feature a 13-megapixel camera and improved audio for better video calls.
– Alexa+ is in early access in the US, prioritizing Echo Show device owners and offering faster, more conversational responses.
– Alexa+ is free for Amazon Prime subscribers but costs $20 per month for others and is being integrated into devices from brands like Sonos and BMW.
– Three new 11-inch Kindle Scribe models have been released, including the Colorsoft, all thinner than the iPhone Air and with reduced writing latency.
– All new Echo devices are available for preorder, and Alexa+ early access can be gained by purchasing one of these devices.
Amazon’s recent hardware showcase introduced several significant upgrades to its product ecosystem, focusing on enhanced user experience and expanded capabilities. The event highlighted improvements across Echo devices, the advanced Alexa+ assistant, and new iterations of the Kindle Scribe, reinforcing the company’s commitment to integrating smarter technology into daily life.
Echo Show models now feature a 13-megapixel camera, delivering sharper image quality for video calls alongside upgraded audio performance. Amazon emphasized growing third-party integrations with Alexa+, spotlighting a collaboration with Oura that enables users to inquire about their sleep patterns using data from Oura rings. Additional partnerships are in development, such as a forthcoming feature to purchase movie tickets through Fandango directly via voice commands. These updated Echo devices are currently open for preorder.
Alexa+ remains in its early access phase, having initially launched in limited release back in March. The rollout continues gradually across the United States, with priority access granted to owners of Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21 devices. Interested users can register for early access online, though purchasing one of the newly announced Echo products provides the quickest entry. This premium version of Alexa leverages a sophisticated large language model to enable more natural, conversational interactions and delivers faster, more accurate responses to complex or contextual queries, such as identifying a song by its description.
While Alexa+ is included at no extra cost for Amazon Prime members, it carries a $20 monthly fee for other users. Amazon has confirmed partnerships to embed Alexa+ into products from leading brands like Sonos, Bose, Samsung, LG, and BMW, broadening its ecosystem.
Turning to e-readers, the Kindle Scribe now enters its third generation with three distinct 11-inch models: the standard Kindle Scribe priced at $430, the Kindle Scribe With Frontlight for $550, and the high-end Kindle Scribe Colorsoft at $630. Each device measures just 5.4 millimeters in thickness, slimmer than the latest iPhone Air, and weighs 400 grams, crafted from precision-milled aluminum. Amazon claims these new models operate 40 percent faster than previous versions and offer a notably responsive writing experience with latency reduced to under 12 milliseconds.
(Source: Wired)