Amazon has introduced a new line of devices, including several new Echo smart speakers, new Fire TV streaming devices, and new eero Wi-Fi mesh systems.
Here’s a breakdown of everything new coming from Amazon.
New Echo Smart Speaker
With a spherical design and fabric finish, the new Echo smart speaker also includes Dolby stereo sound and a built-in Zigbee Hub. It effectively combines the best of the previous generation with the best of the Echo Plus. A bright LED light ring is at the base, reflecting off surfaces for added visibility. Audio is improved thanks to a 3″ woofer, dual-firing tweeters, and Dolby processing that delivers stereo sound. As with Echo Studio, the new Echo automatically senses the acoustics of your space and fine-tunes audio playback. It will sell for $130 and come in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Twilight Blue. Pre-order starts today, and they will start shipping later this year.
Echo Dot & Echo Dot With Clock
Also employing the new spherical shape and fabric finish, these new smaller devices contain a 1.6″ front-firing speaker along with LED display that shows the time, temperature, timers, and alarms. The tap-to-snooze feature will now also be available on both the standard Dot as well as the Dot with clock, and the full-sized Echo speaker. The Echo Dot is $70 and will comesin the same finish options as the Echo when available later this year. Available in either Glacier White or Twilight Blue later this year as well, the version with the clock is $10 more, at $80.
Echo Show 10
The newest version of Amazon’s smart display comes equipped with a 10″ adaptive HD display that automatically stays in view when you interact with Alexa, no matter where you are in the room. A new brushless motor is completely silent, meaning you won’t hear anything as Echo Show 10 rotates. Ask Alexa to make a video call without worrying about being out of frame – as you move, the screen does too, thanks to the 13MP wide-angle camera that pans and zooms to keep you at the centre of the frame. The dual, front-firing tweeters and powerful woofer also move in kind, providing directional sound that automatically adapts to your space. It will also rotate as you watch the news, flash briefings, or TV shows from Prime Video. Coming soon, you will also be able to watch Netflix by asking Alexa, with the ability to search, browse, and stream the entire catalog, by voice. Securely access a live feed on Echo Show 10 from another Echo Show device, or through the Alexa app, with the ability to remotely zoom or pan the display and camera to see the entire room. You can turn motion off at any time by sliding the built-in camera shutter closed, adjusting settings on-device or in the Alexa app, or by saying “Alexa, turn off motion.” It will sell for $330 once available, and come in Charcoal or Glacier White.
All new Echo devices are made with 100% post-consumer recycled die-cast aluminum and post-consumer recycled plastic, while all wood fibre-based materials in the packaging are made from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources. They also feature a Low Power Mode that will intelligently conserve energy during periods of inactivity.
eero 6 Series Mesh Wifi Systems
Amazon says its new eero Pro 6 and eero 6 mesh Wi-Fi systems deliver Wi-Fi 6, delivering fast speeds, better performance, and better support for simultaneously connected devices. Eero 6 series offers Wi-Fi 6 coverage for more than 75 devices simultaneously, says Amazon.
Featuring a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, the eero 6 series connects compatible devices on your network so you don’t need a separate Zigbee hub. eero Pro 6 and eero 6 work with your existing internet service and are backward compatible with all eero generations, making it easy to expand or upgrade your network.
You can mix and match eero devices to create a custom system that’s right for your home.
The eero Pro 6 is designed for homes with Gigabit internet connections. A single eero Pro 6 is a tri-band, high-performance mesh Wi-Fi 6 router with two Ethernet ports and a built-in Zigbee smart home hub. A single eero Pro 6 covers up to 190 square meters. A two-pack includes two eero Pro 6 routers, covering up to 320 square meters. An eero Pro 6 three-pack includes three eero Pro 6 routers that connect wired or wirelessly to cover up to 560 square meters.
The eero 6, ideal for homes with internet connections up to 500 Mbps, is a dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 router with two Ethernet ports and a built-in Zigbee smart home hub. A single eero 6 covers up to 140 square meters. An eero 6 two-pack covers up to 280 square meters and includes an eero 6 mesh router and the all-new eero 6 mesh wifi extender. An eero 6 three-pack, which provides up to 460 square meters of coverage, includes an eero 6 and two eero 6 mesh wifi extenders.
All eero devices use TrueMesh technology to intelligently route network traffic to avoid congestion, buffering, and drop-offs so customers can stream in 4K, play games, and video conference with ease.
Set up is simple, says Amazon, using the in-app instructions. Unplug your old router, connect your eero 6 series router to your modem, sign in to the app, and you’re ready to go. Once eero is up and running, you can connect smart home devices to the Wi-Fi network in fewer steps with Amazon’s Frustration Free Setup. After linking your eero account with your Amazon account, compatible devices join the network instantly and stay connected when you change your network name or password.
With a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, the eero 6 series eliminates the need for additional Zigbee hubs. After you link your eero and Amazon account, Zigbee devices like smart lights, locks, plugs, and other compatible devices can connect directly to your eero network. You can use the eero app to manage your network, pause the internet, share your network with friends or guests, and more. With the eero skill for Alexa, you can use an Alexa-enabled device or the Alexa app to manage features with their voice using commands like, “Alexa, turn on the guest network.”
Automatic software updates provide the latest security patches, bug fixes, and feature upgrades. You can also add advanced security and privacy features and parental controls with eero Secure. Or sign up for eero Secure+, which provides the additional protection of security apps like 1Password for password management, Malwarebytes for malware protection, and Encrypt.me for VPN for all your devices.
The eero 6 family of devices are available for pre-order and will be available at leading retailers later this year at the following prices: eero Pro 6: $299 (one-pack), $539 (two-pack), $799 (three-pack); eero 6: $179 (one-pack), $279 (two-pack), $399 (three-pack); eero Secure or eero Secure+: $3.99/mo. and $12.99/mo. The new eero 6 series will also be available to customers later this year through participating internet service providers, custom installation professionals, and homebuilders.
Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick Lite
Amazon has also added two new models to its Fire TV Stick line, the Fire TV which boasts 50% more power with HDR and Dolby Atmos support, Alexa Voice Remote, and AV device control, and the Fire TV Stick Lite, which Amazon says is its most affordable Fire TV device ever featuring full HD streaming, HDR support, and Alexa Voice Remote Lite.
Fire TV Stick
The new Fire TV Stick features an enhanced 1.7 GHz quad-core processor that makes it 50% more powerful than the previous generation, delivering fast streaming in 1,080p at 60fps with HDR support. The dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi supports 5 GHz networks for more stable streaming and fewer dropped connections. Fire TV Stick also supports Dolby Atmos for immersive sound with compatible content and speakers, and an Alexa Voice Remote with dedicated power, volume, and mute buttons for easy control of compatible TVs, soundbars, and A/V receivers. For $60, it will begin shipping at the end of September.
Fire TV Stick Lite
For $50, also available at the end of September, the Fire TV Stick Lite is also 50% more powerful than the previous-generation Fire TV Stick and features HDR support and the Alexa Voice Remote Lite, a new remote that allows you to use voice to find, launch, and control content.
New Fire TV Experience
Amazon has also updated the Fire TV experience to make it more intuitive, simple, and customized. The Main Menu is at the centre of your screen and makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. You can now jump into your favourite streaming service directly or scroll over supported apps to quickly peek at what’s inside and begin playback. A new Find experience makes it easy to discover movies, TV shows, and more.
Alexa is at the core of the new Fire TV experience, featuring improved voice controls that give you greater control of your entertainment. Say “Alexa, go to Live” to jump to the Live TV guide, or “Alexa, go to Find” to browse shows. With user profiles, Fire TV now delivers a personalized experience for up to six members of a household, providing individualized content recommendations, viewing history, watch lists, preferred settings, and more. Changing user profiles is simple by saying “Alexa, switch to my profile.” After initial set up, Alexa will automatically recognize the voice and switch to your profile.
The redesigned Fire TV experience features a dedicated Alexa Explore destination, which displays popular Alexa features, helps you check the weather, view stocks, and more. You can also see and control connected smart devices in your home and multi-task while viewing a picture-in-picture feed of your Ring security camera.
Fire TV Cube users can make video calls with Alexa. Connect a compatible Logitech webcam to stay in touch with friends and family on the biggest screen in your home. Alexa video calling on Fire TV Cube will be available later this year.