Amazon makes Alexa more human, announces new Echo Show 8, Fire TV Soundbar, and more

More about AI-powered Amazon Alexa

Amazon says it has updated and made Alexa more conversational, based on a new large language model that's been custom-built and specifically optimised for voice interactions. With this, users will be able to get more real-time information, streamlined smart home control, and an enhanced home entertainment experience. The company stated that talking to Alexa will now be more like having a natural and easy conversation. Check out some of its features.

• Eye Gaze Mode allows users with speech or mobility disabilities to control their tablets without using voice or touch. They can simply gaze at the tablet to perform pre-set Alexa actions such as playing music, controlling their home environment, and making calls.
• Call Translation enables real-time translation of your Alexa audio and video calls, making it easier for users to communicate across language barriers. Initially, it will be available to Echo Show and Alexa mobile app users in the US, UK, Germany, France, and several other countries.
• Alexa Emergency Assist offers a hands-free safety service for your home, providing quick access to assistance when needed. It includes features like 24/7 Urgent Response, Smart Alerts, and Emergency Contacts. This service will soon be available to users in the US at $5.99 per month or $59 per year.
• Email to Alexa is a feature that allows users to manage their family calendar effortlessly. Simply send an email, invitation, or event photo directly to Alexa. Alexa will extract the event details, add them to the calendar, and send a confirmation as well.
• AI Art on Fire TV will soon empower users to craft AI-generated artwork using their Fire TV device and their creativity.

Amazon Echo Show 8, Fire TV Soundbar, and more

• The Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) now supports Wi-Fi 6E for faster speeds and reduced latency. With its Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+ support, Amazon says it offers stunning visuals complemented by immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
• The next-generation Fire TV Stick 4K boasts nearly 30 percent more power than its predecessor and also includes Wi-Fi 6 support. It's available for pre-order in the US at $49.99.
• The all-new Fire TV Soundbar, a 24-inch soundbar, delivers immersive sound, clear dialogue, and improved bass, featuring DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio support.
• The Echo Show 8 comes with enhanced audio and video calling, room adaptation technology, and spatial audio. It's available for pre-order at $149.99.
• The Echo Hub serves as a wall-mountable smart home control panel powered by Alexa, featuring an eight-inch touchscreen and customisable dashboard for managing over 140,000 smart devices.
• The all-new Echo Frames and Carrera Smart Glasses collection allows users to interact with Alexa for various daily tasks, from adding items to their shopping list to controlling lights.
• Echo Pop Kids is a smart speaker designed for children. It offers two new designs, Marvel's Avengers and Disney Princess, allowing kids to wake up to Avengers-themed alarm sounds or hear fun facts from Disney Princesses.
• eero Max 7 is the company's Wi-Fi 7 mesh system, combining Amazon's patented TrueMesh networking technology with the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard. This significantly boosts speeds, reduces interference from neighbouring networks, and improves mesh latency, all while featuring 10 Gigabit Ethernet.
• The Fire HD 10 Kids tablet targets children aged 3 to 7, while the Fire HD Kids Pro is tailored for 6 to 12-year-olds. Both 10.1-inch tablets feature 1080p full HD displays, 3GB of RAM, and offer up to 13 hours of battery life.