Amazon has been busy revealing a host of new Alexa-enabled smart devices.
During a major keynote at the firm’s HQ in Seattle the US online retail giant unveiled a new Echo Dot, Echo Plus and a smart plug.
However, perhaps one of the most exciting announcements has come in the form of a refreshed Echo Show.
This smart device was first announced last year with it featuring a small display and front-facing speaker.
The update, announced today, improves things quite significantly with the all-new Show now getting a much bigger 10-inch HD screen and improved sound via some refreshed speakers.
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Amazon says that its side-firing 2-inch Neodymium drivers, a passive bass radiator and Dolby processing are able to deliver expansive sound with deep, powerful lows and crisp highs, perfect for listening to your favourite music.
Along with these improved visual and audio extras the new Show is also getting smarter.
Coming later this year, customers will be able to use a new video doorbell integration that works with Ring doorbell cameras.
This means when the doorbell rings, you can simply say “Alexa, answer the front door,” to see and talk to whoever is there.
You can also use Alexa Routines to play custom announcements when the front door camera detects movement or someone rings the doorbell.
With a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, Echo Show will also make it more simple to start your smart home.
Just say “Alexa, discover my devices,” to automatically discover and set-up compatible light bulbs, plugs and switches without the need for additional hubs or apps.
Amazon has tucked a built-in, 5MP camera inside the Show that supports high-definition video calling and, coming soon, customers can connect with even more friends and family around the world through Skype calling and video calling.
Just say “Alexa, call Jimmy on Skype” to reach Jimmy wherever he uses Skype.
Finally, there’s now a built-in web browser that can be opened by saying, “Alexa, open Firefox.”
Once open, you can use the on-screen keyboard to type a URL and visit your favourite website.
“Customers tell us they love the convenience of being able to ask Alexa to show them things,” said Jorrit Van der Meulen, Vice President, Amazon Devices International.
“Today, we’re making the voice-first, visual Echo Show experience better in every way by adding even more experiences to delight our customers—a dynamic and vivid display makes watching videos even more enjoyable, new speakers for music and music videos, two-way doorbell video calling, simple set-up and control of smart home devices, Skype calling to friends and family, and all-new visual features.”
The new Show will launch in the UK next month and will cost £219.99.