Amazon launches new Echo hardware line

Amazon introduced a new line of Echo devices on Tuesday, placing a strong emphasis on visual displays.

The announcement marks a shift in the company's product strategy for the fall season. Instead of holding one large showcase, Amazon spread its hardware reveals across October. Earlier in the month, the company launched new Fire TV devices, Kindles, and a tablet. This week, it hosted journalists in New York City's financial district to present the new Echo products.

The Echo Show 16 serves as the new flagship of the group. It carries a price tag of $499.99 and includes a wall mount. A version with a Nanomatte display costs $569.99. The device features eight woofers and allows users to control the full Fire TV experience through touch. Preorders are open with a $100 discount, but the device will not ship until December 16.

Amazon also released the Alexa Photo Frame, which Panos Panay, the company's devices chief, called the world's smartest photo frame. The device functions as a full Alexa speaker and displays family photos. It costs $199.99 in black or $229 with a birch or walnut wood frame. Unlike other Echo Show devices, the frame does not display ads. It pulls images from Amazon Photos, which offers unlimited storage for Prime members. The app supports backups from Android and Apple devices and imports from iCloud, though Google Photos support is not yet available.

The new Echo Time is a baseball-sized smart speaker with a 3.2-inch touchscreen. It lists for $199.99 and is available for order now. The device includes a sleep-sensing feature designed to wake users at an optimal point in their sleep cycle. A key difference from the older Echo Spot is that users can set alarms via the touchscreen, eliminating the need to speak aloud.

The Echo Studio with Home Camera adds a built-in camera to Amazon's premium smart speaker. The camera allows users to monitor rooms while away and show objects to Alexa. Video calls on Fire TV devices are planned for future updates. The speaker also features Advanced Room Adaptation, which continuously tunes sound to the specific space. An Adaptive Volume feature keeps music or audiobooks at a consistent volume as users move through a room.

Amazon also redesigned the Echo Dot and updated the Alexa Home Map. The new map provides an interactive 3D view of a home's interior and exterior. Using compatible Ring cameras, it offers a 360-degree view that animates nearby cars and people. This replaces the 2D map added to the Alexa app in 2023. The new interface shows the locations of Echo devices, Ring and Blink cameras, Fire TV, lights, locks, thermostats, and other connected devices.

All new products except the Echo Show 16 are available for purchase immediately. The Echo Dot, Echo Studio with Home Camera, Echo Time, and Alexa Photo Frame can be bought now. The Echo Show 16 remains in a preorder window until its December release date.