Amazon Introduces Upgraded Echo Devices Plus Improvements to Echo Studio Audio
Amazon today introduced the next generation of Echo Dot and Echo Dot with clock, giving you more ways to bring the convenience of Alexa to every room of the home. In addition, Amazon announced significant audio improvements to Echo Studio, and new features for Alexa—including a new Fire TV experience on Echo Show 15.
“A true ambient experience is there to simplify your day-to-day life when you need it and fades into the background when you don’t. This generation of Echo devices was designed with that vision in mind,” said Patrick Walker, country manager of Amazon Devices, Australia and New Zealand. “With the upgraded audio and compact form factors, each of these new devices give customers more ways to make Alexa a seamless part of their day. And, with the new sensors and technology built-in to Echo Dot and Echo Dot with clock, customers can have Alexa do even more on their behalf.”
New Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock—Even Better Audio, New Temperature Sensor, Tap Gesture Controls, and Upgraded Display
The all-new Echo Dot and Echo Dot with clock are Amazon’s most powerful yet. The redesigned audio architecture features a custom full-range driver and the highest excursion speaker of any Echo Dot, delivering clear vocals and up to double the bass of the previous generation—all within the same compact, spherical form factor.
Echo Dot and Echo Dot with clock have new sensors that enable more contextual Alexa experiences—like the ability to ask Alexa to automatically turn on your smart fan when it gets too warm inside. The new generation also adds an accelerometer to enable new tap gesture controls, so you can simply tap the top of the device to pause and resume music, dismiss timers, or end a call. Powered by the AZ2 Neural Edge processor, Echo Dot and Echo Dot with clock enable more experiences to be processed on the edge—resulting in even faster responses for tap gestures, ultrasound motion detection, and on-device execution for some of the most common requests to Alexa.
The new Echo Dot with clock includes improved LED display with upgraded high-density dot technology, offering a more vibrant and dynamic way to see information at a glance. Now, in addition to the time, you can view the name of a song title or artist, the weather, a calculation, calendar event times, and more features when you ask Alexa for information.
Echo Studio—Now with Enhanced Audio Technology
Echo Studio is already the best sounding Echo speaker—and now it’s getting even better with new spatial audio processing technology and frequency range extension. Our custom-built spatial audio processing technology is designed to enhance stereo sound, making music and movie soundtracks feel closer to the listener with greater width, clarity, and presence. It mirrors the performance of a hi-fi stereo system, so vocal performances are more present in the centre, while the stereo panned instruments are better defined on the side, creating a more immersive sound experience that reproduces the artist’s intent. Additionally, frequency range extension technology delivers better performance, improved mid-range clarity, and deeper bass. These upgrades are in addition to Echo Studio’s existing support of Dolby Atmos.
Fire TV is coming to Echo Show 15 When we launched Echo Show 15, our vision was to deliver a device that could also be like a kitchen TV—only much smarter. A majority of households already use Echo Show 15 to watch videos, and soon, we’re offering Fire TV on Echo Show 15. With this free update, existing Echo Show 15 customers across Australia will be able to access more of their favourite streaming services via Fire TV. For example, this will enable you to find and watch over 200,000 movies and TV episodes from providers like Netflix, Prime Video, and more.
Customers will be able to easily find a show by simply saying, “Alexa, play The Rings of Power.” Or, with the new Fire TV widget, view shortcuts to recently streamed apps, recently watched content, and your personal watchlist. To skim through entertainment options on Fire TV, you can either tap the screen, use the custom-built virtual remote, or pair the Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote with TV Controls | 2021 release.
Built with Privacy in Mind
Echo devices are designed with your privacy in mind and include multiple layers of privacy controls. Echo devices include a microphone on/off button and the ability to view and delete your voice recordings. With Amazon Kids, parents can view their child’s activity and manage parental controls in the Parent Dashboard.
To learn more about the features that provide transparency and control over your Alexa experience, visit the Alexa Privacy Hub: http://www.amazon.com.au/alexaprivacy.
Environmentally-conscious Inclusions
The new generation of Echo Dot is built with 95% post-consumer recycled fabric, and 99% of this device’s packaging is made of wood fibre-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources. In addition to using sustainable materials, these Echo devices have a Low Power Mode to intelligently conserve energy during periods of inactivity and deliver energy savings over the lifetime of the device.
Pricing and Availability
Echo Dot (5th Gen) is available in Charcoal, Glacier White and Deep Sea Blue for RRP AU$79. Echo Dot with clock is available in Cloud Blue and Glacier White for RRP AU$99. Echo Studio is available in the new Glacier White and the original Charcoal for RRP AU$329. Devices are available today for pre-order from Amazon.com.au, and will be available from JB Hi-Fi and other leading retailers. Echo Dot and Echo Dot with clock will begin shipping from October 20, with the new Echo Studio Glacier White shipping from November 17. To learn more, visit www.amazon.com.au/echodevices.
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
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