Amazon today released five new Alexa devices, including two new hardware products: the Alexa Photo Frame smart photo frame and the Echo Time smart alarm clock.
The Alexa Photo Frame is Amazon's entry into the digital photo display market. This category has evolved from bulky, temporary holiday gifts into a more refined and attractive way to browse photo albums.
Aura played a significant role in the growth of this category, so it’s no surprise that the Alexa Photo Frame shares a similar aesthetic: its screen is softer than the harsh, outdated photo frames of years past. The device is reportedly calibrated specifically for photo sharing, featuring a semi-matte, anti-glare display that resembles Samsung’s The Frame TV more than a laptop screen.
Like Aura, this photo frame’s 10-inch screen resembles a matte photograph, making it easy to blend in with other artwork on your wall.
However, Amazon’s new device also adds value by integrating with users’ existing Amazon accounts. Prime members receive unlimited storage on Amazon Photos, and Alexa+ intelligently selects when to display which photos.
Amazon stated in its press release: "It knows to select photos where you're smiling and the lighting is appropriate, and matches them seasonally—so in October, you'll see last year's family Halloween costumes, not pictures from mid-spring. It also knows what to skip, such as screenshots and receipts." Users can also add voice notes to photos, and images are automatically synced after capture.
The Alexa Photo Frame is now available, starting at $199.99 for the black model and $229 for the birch or walnut models.
Meanwhile, the Echo Time clock appears to be a response to a growing sentiment: people no longer want to rely on their phones to serve as alarms, set morning reminders, or check the weather.
Amazon writes: "Millions of customers start and end their day with Alexa—checking the weather or turning on lights in bed in the morning, or relaxing to white noise before sleep at night. But the needs for devices in the bedroom differ from those in the kitchen or living room, so we designed an Echo specifically for the bedroom."
Amazon states that the Echo Time is priced at $199.99, and the children’s version is priced at $209.99, featuring an optional sleep-sensing tool. Users can set the smart alarm to wake them at any time between 10 and 60 minutes before their set alarm, ideally during a lighter sleep phase detected by the device, to reduce morning grogginess.
Amazon also showcased updates to its existing product line. New products include the Echo Show 16, the new Echo Dot, and the Echo Studio with Home Camera.
The biggest upgrade to the Echo Dot is its built-in smart home hub, along with an eero Wi-Fi extender that extends coverage by up to 1,000 square feet, helping it connect to lights, locks, and thermostats throughout your home. The new Echo Dot also features Amazon’s custom AZ3 chip, which is said to enhance on-device processing and speed up interactions with its AI, Alexa+.
Amazon states that its most advanced speaker is the Echo Studio with Home Camera. This speaker also functions as a camera, allowing users to check on their home while away, and features visual intelligence capabilities.
Amazon explains: "Alexa can also see and understand what’s in front of the camera and assist you in real time. Pull out a board game and let Alexa+ explain the rules, or hold up a box of cereal—Alexa will recognize it and help you reorder more flavors."
The Echo Dot costs $99.99, and the Echo Studio with Home Camera costs $249.99.
Finally, Amazon has released the new Echo Show 16 with a 16-inch display. Amazon says the device offers 10% more viewing area than its predecessor, while reducing the bezel size by 40%. It features built-in Fire TV and includes smart home tools like Family Organizer, and can also function as a digital photo frame.
The Echo Show 16 is now available for pre-order at $499.99.