There are new products being announced recently by Amazon such as the Echo Show 15, Echo Buds, Astro, and eero Pro 6. Then, there are also new Alexa features such as Household calendar (a widget that makes it easier for your family members to manage the family’s schedule) and Sticky Notes (create and display digital sticky notes).
Lastly, a new Custom Event Alerts feature for Ring owners like the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 I have was announced too: a refined, computer vision-based custom smart alerts that can let you know when a package arrives or whether the garage door is open on eligible Echo devices.
Amazon Echo Show 15
Sure, we already have the Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 10 (make sure to check my reviews out on those devices) but I wouldn’t expect Amazon to release a 15.6-inch Echo Show device. I mean, how big do you want this to get on the table? But hey, why not!
Apparently, this is a big 1080p Full HD display that you’d want to mount on the wall but can also be placed on a counter (the stand is sold separately). It actually makes sense to have an Alexa-supported big display on the kitchen wall where you can take a glance of your family’s schedule for the day, put on a quick-and-sticky notes, and to watch some videos while having a snack together on the kitchen bench.
A new feature called Visual ID offers personalisation features when a family member walks in front of the camera’s field of view. The Echo Show 10 can detect your presence and rotate itself to follow you around, but the Visual ID will take things further as it can show you your personalised home screen, along with your personal calendar and stuff.
Thankfully, this feature is optional and all processing happens locally on the device.
The Echo Show 15 is available for pre-order now for AU$399 RRP.
Amazon Echo Buds 2nd Generation
The new Echo Buds features an all-new design with ANC, fast-charging, wireless charging options, and quality microphones.
It has 5 hours of music playback on a single charge but you can place them inside the charging case for up to 15 hours of music playback.
The Echo Buds 2nd Gen are launching for the first time in Australia for AU$169 RRP and also AU$199 RRP for the wireless charging model. Both will be available from 27 October.
Amazon eero Pro 6
Amazon’s latest tri-band Wi-Fi 6, eero Pro 6, is the most powerful eero yet with a built-in Zigbee smart home hub. The single eero Pro 6 can cover up to 190 m2 whilst the 3-pack can cover up to 560m2.
Eero 6 one pack retails for AU$349 and the three-pack retails for AU$799. These are promotion prices until 12th of October 2021. The one pack will retail for AU$439 and three-pack will retail for AU$999 after.
Amazon Astro
Probably the most interesting product launch of the bunch, Amazon Astro is actually a robot that uses intelligent motion to navigate your home and help check-in on your home while you’re away, look out for the people you most care about, and bring Alexa to you.
The Astro basically is like a smart security camera and an Echo Show on steroids. It is also customisable with compatible products where you can make him (her?) carry a cup with a detachable cup holder accessory and other items like a Ziploc container, OMRON Blood Pressure monitor, or a Furbo Dog Camera that tosses treats to your pet while you are not home.
Unfortunately there is no news about when this cute robot will make it to Australia yet – sad.
As always, stay tuned at Craving Tech’s to get a personal hands-on and detailed review on these new devices.
