The e-commerce giant introduced a good number of messages at the Amazon Devices & Services 2023 event, which usually takes place at the beginning of the fall season. Highlights include new own-brand devices, services and improved app capabilities like Alexa.

Amazon says that news in devices and services “reinforcing their commitment to creating a noticeably different experience in the home through increasingly personalised, proactive and intuitive technologies”. In addition to the devices, the highlight was the presentation of advances in artificial intelligence and conversational interfaces for its Alexa digital assistant, as well as new smart home products that use Amazon’s computer vision, artificial intelligence and facial recognition technologies.

Fire TV Stick

We’re kicking off the Amazon Devices showcase with an update to its streamers courtesy of Google’s Chromecast, the best (and best-selling) of its kind in terms of features/price. Amazon presented two new Fire products.

New Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd generation) It’s the first media player to feature ambient backgrounds for Fire TV and features an upgraded 2.0GHz quad-core processor, making it Amazon’s most advanced streamer yet. Amazon says it’s also the first Wi-Fi 6E-compatible streaming device, meaning customers with a compatible router in their home will be able to enjoy lower-latency, faster, larger streaming.

It supports cinematic-quality 4K Ultra HD content and is compatible with Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. It has 16 GB of storage capacity, which is double the space of the previous generation. It has its own remote control and is now available for pre-order at 79 euros.

He Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd generation) was the second player presented. It supports the Wi-Fi 6 wireless standard and has an improved processor
1.7 GHz, 30% more powerful than the previous generation. It also supports 4K Ultra HD video content and offers an immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos and support for Dolby Vision, HDR, HLG and HDR10+. It is now available for pre-order 69 euros.

eero Max 7

He new router ‘Max’ is the fastest in Amazon’s network offering yet. The first proprietary tri-band mesh router with the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, which combines eero’s patented TrueMesh mesh technology to dramatically increase speed, avoid interference from surrounding networks and improve mesh latency.

Like all eero mesh Wi-Fi systems, Max 7 uses patented TrueMesh technology to dynamically find the ideal path for data transmission, reducing interference and helping to achieve a fast and reliable connection. It also features an all-new form factor with an advanced passive thermal control design that delivers new levels of fanless range and performance.

eero Max 7 supports 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz radio bands and with a wireless connection offers a speed of up to 4.3 Gbps. It can also be connected by cable thanks to two 10 gigabit LAN ports, increasing the coverage of one device to 232 m². The eero Max 7 will be available soon on its Amazon page 699 euros.

Amazon Echo

Amazon also introduced two new Echo digital assistants that introduce new Alexa features that we will see later.

Echo Hub is a digital home dashboard with Alexa, created specifically for simple and intuitive control of compatible connected devices. Easy to install, it features an 8-inch touchscreen, customizable panel that allows users to group and manage Digital Home devices, set up a security system, run a routine, organize widgets, and view multiple images from compatible cameras simultaneously. at the same time.

The Echo Hub uses infrared technology to detect when a customer approaches the device. This new Echo can be wall-mounted or placed on a compatible desktop stand. It includes a Digital Home controller that allows easy synchronization of Zigbee, Thread, Bluetooth and Matter devices, and is also compatible with over 10,000 smart cameras, lights, locks, plugs, thermostats, speakers and more. The Echo Hub supports a wireless or wired Internet connection with a compatible Power-over-Ethernet adapter and will be available this year for 199 euros.

Echo Show 8 It has been renovated inside and out. It features a new industrial design, featuring a glass cover and subtle curves, while the improved processor offers faster screen responses than the previous generation. It also offers a better audio experience with greater clarity and enhanced bass, and adds space matching technology that automatically analyzes room acoustics and adjusts playback for optimal sound quality.

It incorporates Amazon’s spatial audio processing technology to create a wider and more immersive audio experience. Video calls have also been improved with a new 13-megapixel central camera and improved audio that reduces background noise. Like the Echo Hub, it integrates a digital home controller compatible with Zigbee, Bluetooth, Matter and Thread, allowing you to easily manage lights, locks or motion sensors. It will be available on Amazon from October 25 169 euros.

Alexa enhancements

Amazon’s digital assistant is considered the most advanced in the industry, and the company continues to introduce improvements and new features such as:

Call translation and call subtitles. Thanks to this functionality, your audio and video calls can be translated in real-time via Alexa, allowing participants to overcome language barriers and communicate more effectively. This new feature also allows deaf and hard of hearing customers to communicate more easily at a distance. It will support more than 10 languages, including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and German.

More ways to activate routines. At the end of this year routines can be activated in different ways. For example, you can activate a bedtime routine that turns off the lights, closes the blinds, and plays sleep sounds when you say “Alexa, goodnight,” or it does it automatically every day at a set time.

Main contacts. One of the most appreciated features of Alexa is the ability to call friends or join our family to stay in touch and make everyday management at home easier. To make it even easier to connect with those you care about most, a new widget may be added to the Echo Show later this year.

Widget for quick actions. Later this year, customers will be able to add quick access icons to the top of their device’s home screen, making it even easier to access content. Instead of scrolling from side to side or launching a panel to access a particular widget, this new icon located at the top will open the desired widget. It will be available on the Echo Show 8 and 10, and with this update it will also be available on the Echo Show 5.

More news from Amazon Devices 2023

Fire Kids Tablets. Amazon also introduced two new Fire HD 10 Kids tablets: a regular model for children under 7 and a new Pro model for older children. Amazon claims both are 25 percent faster than previous kids’ tablets, and they’re also lighter, so they’re easier to hold. The RAM has increased to 3GB and the screen has a 1080p resolution. Both models are priced 190 dollars and will be available in some regions next month.

Soundbar Fire TV. Amazon debuts in soundbars with a basic but economical model. It’s small rounded rectangular design makes it easy to mount under your TV and has HDMI ARC so your TV remote works properly. It will be worth it 120 dollars.

Camera blink. Blink Outdoor 4 is the next generation of the popular Blink camera used for home security. Outdoor 4, as its name suggests, will be installed outside your home and allow you to monitor your surroundings. It has a price 119 dollars and can be upgraded with a battery expansion kit ($29) or a Wi-Fi connectivity module, Sync Module Pro ($49).