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Here are all the new Echo devices Amazon just announced
Amazon held its annual devices and services event on Wednesday, Sept. 28 (here's everything Amazon just announced and how to buy it). This comes just a few weeks before the e-commerce establishment's Prime Early Access sale, which is certain to draw in crowds of holiday shoppers.
We always go into this affair looking for Amazon's new updates to its Echo devices, if any. Echo speakers didn't get an upgrade in 2021's event, though we did get a new line of Echo Show smart displays. In 2022, however, Amazon is flaunting a fresh lineup of Echo devices.
Also: Trade in your old devices for Amazon gift cards. Here's how
Echo Dot: 5th Generation
The brand-new 5th Generation Echo Dot brings more powerful audio to Amazon's most popular smart speaker. Amazon hadn't released a new version of the Echo Dot in two years since the fourth-generation Echo Dot launched in September 2020.
While the 5th Gen Echo Dot is the same size as the previous generation, it features a completely redesigned internal structure for double the bass output and crisper audio. The Echo Dot with Clock display now goes beyond the time to show calendar events and media information, making it a helpful addition for anyone looking for a sleek and compact smart speaker for a bedside table or office.
The Echo Dot (5th Gen) now has both an accelerometer and temperature sensors, so now a tap on the top of the device can control media and calls. The temperature sensor can give you the room temperature or run automations through Alexa, so it can automatically run your HVAC system when triggered by a high or low temperature.
Amazon has also added Eero mesh Wi-FI functionality to the Echo Dot, making each one a Wi-Fi extender that can add up to 1,000 feet of coverage for existing Eero networks. This update is rolling out on Oct. 20 for the Echo Dot (4th Gen) as well.
The third-gen Echo Dot remains Amazon's most popular smart speaker, and has been since its 2018 launch, so the new 5th Gen Echo Dot has some big, yet compact, shoes to fill.
Echo Dot Kids: 5th Generation
Amazon unveiled two new characters for its Echo Dot Kids lineup: the Owl and Dragon. The new characters join the Echo Kids Tiger and Panda currently for sale. Kids can interact with these new characters complete with custom voices, as well as enjoy an Amazon Kids Plus subscription for one year. Each of the new Echo Dot Kids models starts at $59.99 and will be available for sale next month.
Also: The best smart speakers: Battle of the voice assistants
Echo Studio
The Echo Studio is getting a new color and upgraded spatial audio processing that builds on its already existing 3D audio, with deeper bass and crisper sounds to fill the room. The Echo Studio currently retails for $199.99, with the white option available for preorder today. Already-purchased Echo Studio devices will be able to get the update for the improved audio experience as well.
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Echo speaker devices are an interaction platform for Amazon's smart voice assistant Alexa, which you can also use with any of the Echo Dots and Echo Shows. But the biggest difference between the Echo, Echo Studio, and the rest of the lineup is that the Studio is Zigbee-enabled, so it can connect Zigbee gadgets in your house as a smart home hub.
Also: When is Amazon's Early Access Sale? Plus how to find the best deals
These are welcome Echo updates, though no upgrades were made to the Echo Show or the Echo Speaker. Amazon's older versions of the Echo Show include the Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15; the number in the name of each model indicates its screen size.