Amazon said all four products will begin shipping in the U.S. later this year
Amazon on Tuesday announced the launch of four new Echo devices designed specifically for its next-generation AI assistant, Alexa+. The new lineup includes the Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11.
“These new Echo products are the best way to experience Alexa+, and Early Access is now available out of the box with the purchase of an all-new Echo,” Amazon said in its announcement.
Custom chips and sensor platform
The company said the new devices are powered by two custom-designed silicon chips — AZ3 and AZ3 Pro — featuring a new AI accelerator “designed to run AI edge models of the future.” According to Amazon, the Echo Dot Max uses the AZ3 chip to improve conversation detection, while the AZ3 Pro, found in the Echo Studio and Echo Show models, supports “state-of-the-art language models and vision transformers.”
Built on top of this hardware is Omnisense, Amazon’s new sensor platform for ambient AI. It combines signals from cameras, audio, ultrasound, Wi-Fi radar, and other sensors to allow Alexa+ to respond more intelligently to events at home, including delivering reminders when specific people enter a room or sending alerts about unlocked doors at night.
Device features and pricing
The Echo Dot Max is described as “the best Echo Dot we’ve ever built,” offering nearly three times the bass of its predecessor and featuring a new two-way speaker system. It will be available for $99.99.
The new Echo Studio, priced at $219.99, is 40% smaller than the original and supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. It includes a woofer and three full-range drivers for immersive sound, along with a new spherical design.
The Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 feature upgraded displays with improved clarity, a 13-megapixel camera, and new front-facing stereo speakers. They are priced at $179.99 and $219.99 respectively.
Amazon said all four products will begin shipping in the U.S. later this year, with the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio available from October 29 and the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 from November 12.
According to the company, customers purchasing these new Echo devices “will get access to Alexa+ out of the box,” with Early Access continuing to expand.