Editor’s note: Read on for our real-time updates from Amazon’s event. The company published its own rundown of the products announced today at its blog and via press release.
Update, 11:20 a.m.
This is a surprise: Alexa eyeglasses.
Surprise: Echo Frames, Alexa eyeglasses. Sound directed to your ears for privacy. Work with phone. No display. Alexa reads notifications, takes reminder notes. Controls smarthome. pic.twitter.com/oT7tDfiYKv
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
Dave Limp, Amazon’s hardware exec, was wearing the new “Echo Frames” during the entire presentation. They come with built-in mics and a small speaker so you can access Alexa on-the-go, similar to the Buds. Priced at $179.99.
And another surprise: Amazon introduces Echo Loop, a smart ring for $129.99. It comes with a speaker and mic as well.
Echo Loop smart ring is another experimental product. "Information at your fingertips," Amazon's Dave Limp jokes. Demo doesn't work. Frames and Loop will be invite only. pic.twitter.com/HQNJNh1HKq
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
The Loop and Frames are part of a new “Day 1 Edition” program for experimental products.
And yes … Amazon truly wants to put Alexa everywhere.
In case Amazon's Alexa service wasn't in enough places already, the company today announced Alexa-enabled:
-Eyeglasses
-Earbuds
-Rings
-Dog collar
-Smart oven
-ClockAnd more Ring cameras to put around your house to keep watch on your property (which also means Amazon is too)
— Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) September 25, 2019
Update, 11:15 a.m.
Amazon waited until the end of the event to reveal what earlier reports hinted at: Echo Buds, priced at $129.99, compatible with Siri and Google Assistant, in addition to Alexa. The price point undercuts Apple’s AirPods, which debuted more than two years ago and range from $159 to $199.
Here they are, the Echo Buds, just announced. Follow this thread for details. pic.twitter.com/nXFztw7YKN
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
Update, 11:10 a.m.
And now what we’ve all been waiting for…the Amazon Smart Oven.
$250 Amazon Smart Oven, a follow-up to the microwave announced last year. pic.twitter.com/65LcGg5kpz
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
From smart cooking appliances to “Amazon Sidewalk,” a new low-bandwidth network to lengthen the distance of your smart home devices.
"Amazon Sidewalk" IoT protocol will use 900 MHz spectrum to enable long-range applications such as geofencing yard and tracking dog around neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/DE3F0Bpe6d
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
And there’s a new product rolling out next year called “Fetch,” a smart dog tag that works with Sidewalk to help track down your pet.
Update, 10:55 a.m.
Fresh off Amazon’s acquisition of WiFi system maker Eero earlier this year, the company today rolled out a new Eero dual-band mesh WiFi router for $99. Eero CEO Nick Weaver is at today’s event.
Also: new Alexa features from doorbell maker Ring, which Amazon acquired last year.
Ring doorbells will get Alexa built in to interact with visitors at the door on your behalf, when you're not home … or, of course, when you're hiding from the neighbors in the basement. pic.twitter.com/IniXA3vJBG
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
More Ring: a new Ring Indoor Cam is the company’s first indoor-only camera. It’s also the cheapest Ring security camera to date, selling at $59.99 and available for preorder today. There’s also the new “Stick Up Cam” for $99.99, and a DIY retrofit kit for old alarm systems.
There’s also a new Echo Flex plug-in smart speaker that goes into the wall and takes basic Alexa functionality to more rooms.
Tiny new Echo Flex will sell for $24.99, taking basic Alexa functionality to more rooms. Motion detector and night light accessories sold separately, attach via USB port on bottom, third-party accessories expected, as well. pic.twitter.com/5ssOT4qCOZ
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
Another smart home announcement: Amazon unveiled Certified for Humans, a new program “that identifies devices that are struggle-free, tinker-free, and stress-free—no patience needed to get these installed.”
Update, 10:45 a.m.
Echo Glow — this is a new $29.99 device that looks like a small color-changing ball targeted at kids.
New Echo Glow, targeted to kids rooms. $29.99, shipping for holidays. pic.twitter.com/SRspdOtJ1I
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
Amazon also announced Alexa Communications for Kids, which lets parents control who their kids talk to via the Echo Dot Kids Edition; a new Alexa Education Skill API; and FreeTime (curated child content from Amazon) on Echo Show.
Update, 10:35 a.m.
Amazon introduced the new Echo Show 8 with an 8-inch HD display and a privacy shutter, priced at $129.99 with preorders starting today. It sits in between the 10.1-inch Echo Show and the 5.5-inch version. There’s a new service called Food Network Kitchen that is coming to Alexa. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay showed up on a call.
Continuing the parade of devices, here is Amazon's Echo Show 8, with an 8-inch screen, in between the Show 10 and 5. $129.99. pic.twitter.com/QhUHV8jOnJ
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
Update, 10:25 a.m.
Amazon unveiled an all-new Echo priced at $99.99 with preorders starting today. The third generation Echo, which keeps its $99.99 price point, features improved sound and new fabric designs, including twilight blue. There’s also a new feature called Alexa Guest Connect that lets you play music on your friends’ Echo devices.
Another new Echo device: the $199.99 Echo Studio, a higher-end and larger speaker. It features support for 3D audio from Dolby Atmos. Amazon recently rolled out a new Music HD streaming service.
$199.99 for Echo Studio. Sounded very impressive in person, could hear individual instruments with clarity even under cavernous Amazon Spheres roof. pic.twitter.com/UYXidX4RDc
— toddbishop (@toddbishop) September 25, 2019
Update, 10:20 a.m.
Amazon is using neural text-to-speech to make Alexa more fluid and natural. Alexa will use a “newscaster” voice when reading news and can now respond in celebrity voices. Samuel L. Jackson is the first celebrity whose voice will be available as an alternative in the Alexa voice interface, for a 99-cent upgrade. Alexa will be able to also detect frustration.
Alexa voice upgrades, before and after, introduced by Amazon devices and services chief Dave Limp at the company's event in Seattle just now. Part of larger effort to make Alexa more fluid and natural. pic.twitter.com/uFd9dKUuDH
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
Alexa will soon know when you're frustrated with her. pic.twitter.com/YFah4GuUkZ
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
There’s also a new “Multilingual Mode” available next month, starting with three pairs: in the U.S. – English and Spanish, in India – Indian English and Hindi, and in Canada – Canadian English and French.
Update, 10:15 a.m.
Amazon’s first new product: an Echo Dot with a clock, priced at $59.99 with pre-orders starting today. The previous Echo Dot will still be available.
New Echo Dot with a clock. pic.twitter.com/StRa8zDoay
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
Update, 10:10 a.m.:
Amazon kicked off the event by showing the draft 2011 press release for the original Alexa, then codenamed Doppler. Privacy was also front-and-center from the beginning.
Amazon's devices unveiling begins with a discussion of … privacy? Yep. pic.twitter.com/45rFUr3bx4
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
Amazon announced that it will allow customers to automatically delete voice recordings after three or 18 months.
Two new questions that customers will be able to ask Alexa: Why did you do that? Tell me what you heard? Company also enabling new ability to delete recordings on a rolling basis. pic.twitter.com/5BFUP6wQ8M
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019
Spotted in the crowd: Ring founder Jamie Siminoff and Eero CEO Nick Weaver. Amazon acquired smart doorbell maker Ring last year and bought WiFi system maker Eero earlier this year.
9:50 a.m.: GeekWire is live on the ground at Amazon HQ in Seattle today where the tech giant is hosting a media event to show off its new and updated gadgets. Things get rolling at 10 a.m. PT and we’ll update this post as news is announced.
Amazon held a similar event last year when it unveiled more than a dozen new devices, putting Alexa into everything from microwaves to sound systems to car dashboards. Alexa will surely be in the spotlight again this year.
Amazon is rumored to unveil new Echo devices, Ring products, and possibly Alexa-powered earbuds.
Here’s one thing we didn’t expect: a twerking bear.
Just what every home needs, right? A twerking bear that works with Amazon’s Alexa. pic.twitter.com/b46cZwJi94
— GeekWire (@geekwire) September 25, 2019