Amazon Hardware: Six New Echo Devices and Smart Home Tools

Amazon released a new line of Echo speakers and smart home devices on Wednesday. The announcement includes a new 16-inch display, a digital photo frame, and an upgraded Echo Dot. The company also added a camera to the Echo Studio and introduced a smart alarm clock.

The Echo Show 16 features a 16-inch display housed in an anodized aluminum frame. Amazon states the frame is nearly 40 percent thinner than the previous model. The device includes a Nanomatte display option to reduce glare. It also has an audio system with micro woofers and two tweeters. The Echo Show 16 includes a wide-angle 13-megapixel camera. Amazon describes it as having the widest field of view on an Echo Show device. The device has 20 percent more computing power and uses the Omnisense fusion platform. This allows Alexa to adjust heating or turn on lights based on room presence. Preorders for the Echo Show 16 opened Wednesday. The standard model costs $499.99. The Nanomatte version costs $569.99.

Amazon launched the Alexa Photo Frame. This device has a semi-matte 10-inch touchscreen. It syncs with Amazon Photos to display images automatically. Alexa Plus selects pictures based on the people shown, the date, and sentiment. Users can also choose specific people to feature or ask the device to show specific photos. The frame costs $199.99 in black. It costs $229 in birch and walnut finishes.

The company rolled out a new Echo Dot with a built-in smart home hub. This allows the device to control home items without a separate hub. The Echo Dot includes the Omnisense fusion platform to detect room temperature and presence. It features the custom AZ3 chip and four microphones. A new full-range driver provides 50 percent more bass than the previous generation. The device also includes a built-in Eero Wi-Fi extender. The Echo Dot is available in black, white, green, and pink for $99.99.

Amazon added a camera to the Echo Studio. This update allows users to livestream the room while away from home. Users can also ask Alexa questions about objects in front of the camera. Amazon suggests holding up a board game to ask about rules or showing a cereal box to order a different flavor. The Echo Studio with Home Camera will soon connect with compatible Fire TVs for video calls. The device costs $249.99 in black. An optional stand costs $39.99.

The new Echo Time is a smart alarm clock with a circular 3.2-inch touchscreen. Users can customize clockfaces and layouts. The device has a smart alarm feature that wakes users during lighter sleep. This happens 10 to 60 minutes before the set alarm time. It uses Omnisense technology to determine the wake-up time based on temperature and presence. The display brightness adjusts throughout the day. The Echo Time costs $199.99 in black, white, and pink. The Kids Echo Time starts at $209.99. An adjustable stand costs $39.99.

Amazon introduced the Alexa Home Map feature. This tool creates an interactive 3D map of the inside and outside of a home. The map displays Echo devices, Ring and Blink cameras, Fire TV, lights, locks, thermostats, and other smart home devices. Users can control these devices directly through the map. To create a map, users enter their home address and scan each room with a compatible iPhone. They then place each smart home device on the map. The map is also accessible in the Ring app. This allows users to view live animations of people and cars outside their home.

The Alexa Home Map is rolling out in preview later this year. It will be available on iOS in the Alexa Home Map, Alexa, and Ring apps. Amazon also plans to bring the feature to larger Echo Show devices, the Ember Artline Fire TV, and new Alexa Tablets.