Hueblog: Voice control with Alexa: Four new Echo speakers unveiled

Voice control with Alexa: Four new Echo speakers unveiled

Available from the end of October

Philips Hue and voice control with Alexa have been around for what feels like forever. Okay, except for those times when the Hue skill isn’t working properly again. As far as I know, the problems from the summer have now been resolved. And who knows, maybe you’re in the market for a new speaker? Amazon unveiled four new Echo models at an event in New York today. My colleague Frederick was there live and gathered some impressions for you. The video is in German, but you can watch it with English dubbing.

Minor upgrade for the Echo Show

The Echo Show gets a minor visual upgrade with screen sizes of 8 and 11 inches. Both models feature high-resolution displays with more than 1 million pixels, using in-cell touch technology and negative liquid crystal design to reduce lamination layers and improve viewing angles. The visible screen area has been enlarged to display more content, and the displays are easy to read in both bright and low light conditions. The devices are equipped with a 13-megapixel camera that enables high-quality video calls. A new audio architecture is used for sound: front-facing stereo speakers below the display and a woofer provide room-filling, spatial audio.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), Vibrant HD 8.7" display with spatial...
  • Powerfully smart, beautifully built. The redesigned 8.7" smart display features a vibrant HD touchscreen, built-in smart home hub, AZ3 Pro chip for...
  • Alexa+ Early Access is now on Echo Show 8. Get access to a smarter, more useful Alexa when you set up this device.

Amazon Echo Show 11 (newest model), Vibrant Full-HD 11" display with more...
  • New size, more viewing area. The 11“ smart display features a vibrant Full-HD touchscreen, built-in smart home hub, AZ3 Pro chip for powerful...
  • Alexa+ Early Access is now on Echo Show 11. Get access to a smarter, more useful Alexa when you set up this device.

Same name, new look: the Echo Studio

The new Echo Studio is more compact than its predecessor—around 40 percent smaller—yet still delivers one of the best sound qualities for a smart speaker of its size. It combines a powerful high-performance woofer with three strategically placed broadband drivers, supports 3D audio and Dolby Atmos, and thus produces room-filling, immersive sound.

The design is modern and spherical, and high-quality materials such as acoustically transparent 3D fabrics are used. The light ring now also indicates whether Alexa is listening, thinking, or responding, making operation clearer.

Amazon Echo Studio (newest model), our best Echo Studio yet, with immersive...
  • Our best Echo Studio yet. Redesigned to deliver immersive spatial sound while Dolby Atmos adds space, clarity, and depth to make your entertainment...
  • Alexa+ Early Access is now on Echo Studio. Get access to a smarter, more useful Alexa when you set up this device.

Brand new: The Echo Dot Max

The new Echo Dot Max delivers almost three times as much bass as the 5th generation Echo Dot. Its two-way speaker system with high-performance woofer and tweeter delivers rich bass and clear highs. The speaker is now integrated directly into the housing and automatically adjusts its sound to the room acoustics, so that the compact speaker offers impressive, room-filling sound.

Amazon Echo Dot Max (newest model), Alexa speaker with room-filling sound...
  • Meet Echo Dot Max. Designed to deliver rich room-filling sound that automatically adapts to your space and fine-tunes playback. Features a built-in...
  • Alexa+ Early Access is now on Echo Dot Max. Get access to a smarter, more useful Alexa when you set up this device.

The new Echo lineup features advanced hardware capabilities that already enable smoother interactions and, once Alexa+ is available in Germany and Austria, will enable new generative AI-based experiences. Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio will ship starting October 29, Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 starting November 12.

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Over the last few years, I've become a real expert when it comes to Hue & HomeKit. I now have over 50 lamps and numerous switches in use. I'm happy to share my experiences with you in my little blog.

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