This week, Amazon executives took center stage in Manhattan to announce significant updates across its diverse device lineup, including popular brands like Ring, Blink, Fire TV, Kindle, and Echo. Unlike February's event, which heavily focused on Alexa, this gathering was primarily hardware-oriented, showcasing the advancements in Amazon's technology. In the intervening eight months, Alexa+ has remained in its Early Access phase, with Amazon claiming that millions of users can access its features. Panos Panay, Amazon's Senior Vice President of Products and Services, emphasized the importance of integrating devices with Alexa+, stating, "Our products shine individually, but they truly excel when connected to Alexa+." His remarks underscored Amazon's ambition to create technology that seamlessly integrates into everyday life—a concept Panay referred to as ambient AI.
One of the standout products introduced was the upgraded Kindle Scribe. Panay expressed his enthusiasm for this super-slim, productivity-focused e-reader, which measures just 5.4mm in thickness. Achieving this slim profile required Amazon to miniaturize the LED lights and incorporate a whisper-thin antenna. The company has also worked diligently to eliminate the parallax effect—the gap between the screen, pen, and ink—resulting in a lag time of under 12 milliseconds. "The ink comes right out of the pen and onto the paper," Panay stated, highlighting Amazon's commitment to making the writing experience feel as authentic as writing on paper, complete with a satisfying tactile feedback.
In addition to the standard Kindle Scribe, Amazon unveiled the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which boasts a vibrant, colorful display. Panay explained that an improved color rendering engine ensures the pen produces the exact color selected by the user. While Kindles have traditionally been associated with reading, Amazon has reimagined the Scribe for productivity. New features include Quick Notes, a digital scratchpad, and a student-friendly capability to organize books, documents, and notebooks all in one file within Workspace. Furthermore, users will soon be able to import and export files directly from Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Microsoft OneNote within the Scribe. AI-powered features are also on the way, allowing users to send notes to Alexa+ and ask the assistant questions about their books in a spoiler-free manner. The new Kindle Scribe is set to launch later this year in the US, with prices starting at $499.99, while the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft will begin at $629.99.
Amazon also introduced nine new Ring cameras, now available for pre-order, excluding the $499.99 Wired Doorbell Elite. These new devices come equipped with improved image quality, AI-powered facial recognition, and a groundbreaking feature designed to help locate lost pets. Ring's expansion beyond just doorbells into comprehensive home security solutions is evident in these new offerings. The cameras now support 2K and 4K resolutions, with the 4K model featuring up to 10X zoom capabilities. Ring's new Retinal Vision technology utilizes AI to enhance image quality by learning the scene and customizing camera clarity based on specific locations. This includes the Familiar Faces feature, which recognizes known individuals and alerts users through the app.
In addition, Amazon is rolling out Alexa+ Greetings, an intelligent doorbell companion that interacts with visitors, offering instructions on package delivery or inquiring about their purpose. This feature will be available in December. Another exciting addition is the Search Party feature, launching on all outdoor cameras in November, which assists in locating lost pets. When a pet is reported missing, the app will scan images from nearby Ring cameras to help find the animal. Jamie Siminoff, Ring's founder, explained that the definition of "neighborhood" is flexible, encompassing a few-mile radius around the user's home.
Blink showcased three new cameras at the event, with the standout being the innovative Arc model. This unique camera features dual lenses mounted on a single mount, providing a 180-degree panoramic view by seamlessly combining the two feeds into one. Amy Widemann, head of marketing for Ring and Blink at Amazon, emphasized the advantages of this design, eliminating the need to switch between camera feeds and reducing blind spots. The Arc is priced at $99.99 and is available for pre-order, with a launch date set for October 22. Blink also introduced the Blink Outdoor 2K+ at $89.99, featuring 4x zoom, noise-cancellation technology, and enhanced low-light performance. Additionally, the new Blink Mini 2K+ for indoor use will be launched on October 15 for $49.99.
Amazon announced a new lineup of Fire TVs, set to ship next month with pre-orders available now. The flagship Fire TV Omni QLED Series kicks off at $479.99 and boasts a screen that is 60% brighter and a chip that is 40% more powerful than previous models. More budget-friendly options include the Fire TV 2-Series starting at $159.99 and the 4-Series starting at $329.99. While specific specifications were not disclosed, these TVs are known for their 4K resolution and are integrated with Alexa+ technology. Users can interact with their Fire TVs by asking for recommendations based on their viewing preferences, enhancing the user experience significantly.
A notable feature of the new Fire TVs is their capability to recognize live content. Users can request real-time sports updates, such as the score of last night's game, and even receive suggestions for recap videos. Amazon also introduced the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, touted as the fastest 4K streaming device under $40, featuring a new operating system, Vega OS, which allows app developers to create new applications on the platform.
Finally, Amazon unveiled a new range of Echo devices, all designed to work seamlessly with Alexa+. The highlight of this lineup is the Echo Dot Max, priced at $99.99, featuring a sleek 3D knit fabric exterior. Other additions include the Echo Studio at $219.99, Echo Show 8 at $179.99, and Echo Show 11 at $219.99. These devices are available for pre-order and will be shipping in the coming weeks. They run on upgraded chips, the AZ3 and AZ3 Pro, which offer increased speed and power along with built-in AI capabilities. The new Omnisense sensor platform detects when users enter the room, providing proactive alerts.
Users can connect multiple Echo Dot Max or Echo Studio devices for a surround sound experience, ideal for movie watching or enjoying immersive audiobooks, such as the upcoming Harry Potter series on Audible, launching on November 4. Rausch also noted that Alexa+ has seen a significant rise in smart home adoption, with users utilizing routines to automate tasks like locking doors at night. All new Echo devices will come equipped with Alexa+ straight out of the box, and Panay reassured users about the reliability of the technology, stating, "Don't worry, it's got great reliability. You're fine."
