At its fall hardware event, Amazon announced a swathe of products. This includes orb-shaped speakers, a mesh WiFi 6 router, a flying cam for indoors, new Fire TV sticks, among other things. All of them are made with a focus on energy-saving and will auto-enter low-power mode during idle times.
The Seattle-based giant also debuted its cloud gaming service, something which was a long time coming. Heck, now you can just command Alexa to delete *everything* you ever said to it.
So, there’s definitely a lot to unpack here, and let’s just get on with it.
Amazon Luna
Amazon Luna is the new entrant in the cloud gaming space. It is like a Netflix for games and will compete against the likes of Google Stadia, Sony Playstation Now, Microsoft Xbox Live, and Nvidia Geforce Now. It’ll be using the Amazon Web Services (AWS) servers and come with around 100 popular titles such as Control, A Plague Tale: Innocence, GRID, Sonic the hedgehog, and Resident Evil 7. There’ll be even a dedicated Ubisoft channel that’ll bring the Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and Far Cry 6 on the very day of their release. You will be able to play some of these at 4K60fps.
You’ll just need a speedy and stable internet connection to enjoy Luna and leave the rest of the hardware woes to Amazon. In case you’re wondering, yes it works with both Twitch and Alexa.
Oo, Amazon is selling a proprietary controller too, although you can make use of a keyboard and mouse while playing on a PC, FireTV, or Mac. Additionally, it also supports iPhones and iPads at the moment. Android support is on the way.
Luna+ Service is currently limited to the US at an introductory price of $5.99 per month. The controller is priced at $49.99.
Echo Dot, Echo Dot with Clock and new Echo
Both the new Echo Dot and Echo Speaker are spherical in shape and reminds us of the Google Nexus Q streaming player.
Inside the Echo Speaker, now there’s an AZ1 Neural Edge engine with faster speech recognition and language processing for quicker and better responses. It also has built-in Zigbee hub which lets you control compliant smart home devices.
Echo Dot, Echo Dot with Clock and new Echo price in India, availabilty
Echo Dot is the cheapest of them all starting at ₹4,499 while the Echo Dot with clock price in India is ser at ₹5,499. The Echo 2020 is all set to retail at ₹9,999 on Amazon.in.
Echo Dot Kids is also a spherical blob with cutesy animal faces and a new Sidekick feature that reads Audible books along with the kid. Amazon’s FreeTime and FreeTime Unlimited subscriptions that offer these Kids-specific services have been rebranded into Amazon Kids and Amazon Kids+ respectively.
The Echo Dot Kids comes at $59.99 in the US. The pre-orders will ship in the US from October 22.
Echo Show 10
The Echo Show 10 has a motorized screen that follows with you around the room. To do this, it uses audio, visuals, and AZ1 Neural processor. It sports a 10″ HD display, 13MP camera, along with enhanced video calling, group calling, pan, and zoomability. Speaking of which, there is support for Zoom and Amazon’s own Chime video conferencing platforms.
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Now, you can also install Care Hub software to keep a tab on the elderly and kids in your house while you’re not around. As mentioned in the intro, Alexa now lets you delete every speech records of yours it has.
Echo Show 10 is priced at $250 in the US.
Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite
The updated Fire TV Stick brings a more powerful 1.7GHz quad-core processor, HDR, Dolby Atmos support. improved audio clarity, an Alexa Voice Remote with volume controls, a mute, and a power button.
The brand has also come up with a Fire TV Stick Lite edition that boasts to have the “most processing power” among streaming devices in the segment. The difference between the Lite and standard model is in their remotes. The Alexa Voice Remote Lite doesn’t have volume and mute controls.
Moreover, the Fire TV interface will be getting a major facelift later this year, with individual user-profiles, a new “favorites” panel, and an optimized navigation system.
Fire TV Stick 3rd generation and Fire TV Lite price in India, availability
The third-generation Fire TV Stick is priced at ₹3999 offering a faster processor, dual-band Wi-Fi support, HDR, and Dolby Atmos. The New Fire TV Stick Lite price in India is set at ₹2999 with similar features minus updated remote. Amazon India is now taking pre-orders for both these FireTV sticks.
Ring Always Home Cam
This will be like an automated drone flying inside your home surveilling the security. It can move around anywhere (within the home) as its wish. Apparently, it only records when it’s on flight mode. If you’re worried about a dystopian iRobot kinda future, then take a look at some of the pertinent questions raised by folks at The Verge.
Ring Car Alarm
This is claimed to be developed on user request. It stays connected to Car’s OBD port with two HD cameras looking out for any unwarranted entry. When the same is detected, it will trigger sirens and lights. There’s Alexa support and a software API called Ring Car Connect. It’ll be also compatible with existing cameras. But, the installation is pricey and is currently available with Tesla models S, 3, X, Y.
Ring Always Home Cam comes for $249, while the Ring Car Alarm would cost $ $60 for the alarm, and $200 for the camera.
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Amazon Guard Plus
Amazon Guard Plus is a free service that acts as a digital security guard or watchman for your residence. It automates light usage to dupe the outsiders in thinking there’s someone inside the house. And keep an eye for any signs of danger whilst you are away from home. Further, if deemed necessary, its staff of “trained human agents,” (who are BTW available 24/7) will notify emergency services.
Amazon Guard Plus will be rolling out to US customers beginning this fall.
Eero 6
Amazon also announced Eero 6 mesh network for homes. It carries a price tag of $129, while the two-piece Eero 6 system $199, and the three-piece system $279. Meanwhile, the Eero Pro 6 is out at $229, the two-pack model at $399, and the three-pack variant at $599.
