Amazon announced a slew of new updates for its product portfolio at its Fall 2023 launch event on September 21. Here are the biggest announcements from the launch.
Amazon Echo Show 8
The new Echo Show 8 smart display has been redesigned to be more minimalistic with a front-facing camera and a physical mute button for the microphone.
The device can now automatically adjust acoustics and sound according to the size of the room and has a proximity sensor which will change the size of images and text, based on how far or close you are to the screen.
The device is available for pre-order in the US, starting at $149.
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Alexa's new Generative AI features
Amazon is using a custom Large Language Model (LLM) to integrate generative AI capabilities in Alexa. The company says the LLM is optimised for voice interactions.
Alexa can now hold conversations while taking into account body gestures and eye contact. It can combine multiple requests into one interaction. It can continue conversations without using wake words and has a more natural-sounding voice.
Amazon says that it will release the new features soon through a preview for existing Echo owners in the US.
On Fire TV Max 11 tablets, Alexa now supports Eye Gaze, which allows users to play music, take calls and access settings by glancing at the screen. It will be available later this year in US, UK, Germany and Japan.
The company has a new emergency service for Alexa called Emergency Assist, which will cost $5.99 per month in the US.
Alexa can now caption audio and video calls in real-time with support for 10 languages at launch, including English, Spanish, German, Portuguese and French. The feature will come to the Alexa mobile app in US, UK, Germany, Canada, Mexico, France, Italy and Spain.
Also read: Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta probed by lawmakers on use of AI ‘Ghost’ staff
Amazon Echo Hub
An all-in-one smart home management hub that features Alexa. Echo Hub allows you to control all your smart devices from one place as well as security systems, support for widgets and multiple live views of camera feeds simultaneously. It can be pre-ordered in the US for $179.
Fire TV Stick updates
Amazon announced the Fire TV Stick 4K and TV Stick 4K Max at the event. The second generation stick has support for Wi-Fi 6 and houses a 1.7 GHz quad-core processor. The 4K Max adds an updated 2.0 GHz quad-core processor, along with Amazon's TV Ambient Experience, which turns your TV into a smart display.
The Fire TV Stick will also use generative AI to recommend content. Users can now ask Alexa to recommend shows and movies based on certain actors, genres, scenes etc.
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