Amazon Unveils 16-Inch Echo Show and 3D Home Map
The new lineup includes a camera-equipped Echo Studio, a smart alarm clock, and a $499 display device.
By Javier Sanders ·
Amazon released six new smart home products on Wednesday, headlined by the Echo Show 16 and an interactive 3D map of the home. The new hardware lineup includes updated speakers, a digital photo frame, and a dedicated alarm clock. All devices are available for purchase immediately, with the mapping feature launching in preview later this year.
The Echo Show 16 features a 16-inch screen housed in an anodized aluminum frame. Amazon states the new casing is nearly 40 percent thinner than the previous model. The device includes a wide-angle 13-megapixel camera and a display option with a Nanomatte finish to reduce glare. It runs on an upgraded Omnisense fusion platform and has 20 percent more computing power. The standard model costs $499.99, while the Nanomatte version is priced at $569.99.
The company also introduced the Alexa Photo Frame, a 10-inch touchscreen device that syncs with Amazon Photos. It automatically displays images based on the people shown, the date taken, and sentiment. The frame costs $199.99 in black, $229 in birch, and $229 in walnut. The Echo Dot received an upgrade that includes a built-in smart home hub, removing the need for separate hardware to control other devices. It features an Eero Wi-Fi extender, four microphones, and a driver that produces 50 percent more bass than the last generation. The device sells for $99.99 in four colors.
Amazon added a camera to the Echo Studio, allowing users to livestream a room or ask Alexa about objects in view. The company cited holding up a board game to ask about rules or showing a cereal box to order a different flavor as use cases. The Echo Studio with Home Camera costs $249.99 in black, with an optional stand for $39.99. It will connect with compatible Fire TVs for video calls on larger screens.
The Echo Time is a smart alarm clock with a 3.2-inch circular touchscreen. It uses Omnisense technology to wake users during lighter sleep phases, 10 to 60 minutes before their set alarm time. The display brightens in the morning and dims at night. The clock is available for $199.99 in black, white, and pink. A Kids Echo Time starts at $209.99, and an adjustable stand costs $39.99.
The Alexa Home Map creates an interactive 3D model of a home's interior and exterior. Users can place devices such as Ring cameras, thermostats, and locks on the map to control them directly. Amazon says users can build the map by entering an address and scanning rooms with a compatible iPhone. The feature is rolling out in preview on iOS in the Alexa Home Map, Alexa, and Ring apps later this year. It will also appear on larger Echo Show devices, the Ember Artline Fire TV, and new Alexa Tablets.
