Amazon looks all set to announce the launch of an all-new Echo and might just be the firm’s best smart speaker to date.
Rumours are rife the online retailer is set to unleash a swathe of new connected devices on the world and we’re expecting to see the standard Echo get a new design, more power, and plenty of extra smart home features.
One of the biggest reasons why we’re expecting an announcement around the Echo is that Amazon is holding its annual launch event at its headquarters in Seattle tomorrow.
This September event has become a regular staple in the tech calendar, with the US firm using its keynote to announce new updates to its Alexa-powered products, as well as new Echo hardware.
And one massive clue that we’ll see a new Echo at the event this year is the fact that this popular device is currently out of stock on Amazon.
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When customers search for the £89 AI speaker, they’re faced with a message that reads, “Currently unavailable. We don’t know when or if this item will be back in stock.”
Given this is one of the best-selling Echo gadgets in its portfolio, it seems strange that Amazon has suddenly run out. Unless it’s planning to launch a brand-new model, that is.
What’s more, Echo is really due a reboot. It’s been almost two years since we saw an update to this device.
Although not confirmed by Amazon, all of these signs point to a new Echo being announced on-stage at the event. With each new iteration of the Echo, Amazon has brought more smarts to the speaker, so we’d expect to see more big improvements in the two years since the last refresh.
Amazon could make things better by boosting the sound credentials of the Echo and making it portable via an in-built battery.
We’ll find out the full details tomorrow but expect plenty of surprises to be revealed during Amazon’s annual event.
Last year it announced a swathe of new devices including a clock, Alexa-powered microwave, and sound-boosting sub.
Express.co.uk is heading to Seattle and will bring you all the news, updates and refreshed Echo devices as soon as they are announced.