Amazon has unveiled a new Alexa lineup featuring the Echo Show 16, Echo Time smart clock, and Alexa Photo Frame. Two speakers join them: an upgraded Echo Dot with a built-in smart home hub and the Echo Studio with Home Camera, which lets Alexa+ see its surroundings. Both are available now for $99.99 and $249.99, respectively.
The Echo Dot does more than play music
The Echo Dot still looks like the familiar fabric-wrapped ball. But Amazon has added a built-in smart home hub supporting Zigbee, Matter, and Thread, allowing you to connect compatible lights, locks, and thermostats without buying a separate hub. Coming just weeks after Apple unveiled the HomePod mini 2 and HomeView, it certainly looks like Amazon is stepping up its efforts to compete for control of your smart home.
Speaking of audio, Amazon claims 50% more bass than before. There’s also an AZ3 chip for Alexa+, a fourth microphone to better pick up commands, and Omnisense technology that detects room temperature and presence. Alexa could turn on the lights when you walk in or adjust the thermostat when the room gets cold. The built-in eero extender can add up to 1,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage, provided you already use an eero network. A Kids edition of the new Echo Dot starts at $109.99.
The Echo Studio can now see what you’re showing it
The other upgrade is a little stranger. Amazon has put a camera in the Echo Studio, so Alexa+ can recognize objects you hold in front of it. You can show it a board game box and ask about the rules, or hold up a cereal box to help reorder it.
The camera supports Live View through the Alexa app, and video calls through compatible Fire TV devices are coming later. The speaker retains its high-excursion woofer, three full-range drivers, and Dolby Atmos, alongside automatic room tuning.
Of course, not everyone wants a camera in their speaker. Amazon includes a button to disable the camera and microphones, plus an LED that lights up when images or video are streamed to the cloud. The camera-free Echo Studio remains available for $219.99. Some features require Alexa+, which is included with Prime.
