Amazon Just Announced a Buttload of New Echo Gadgets [Updated]

It might not feel like it , but it ’s been almost three years since the originalAmazon Echohit the conniption . In the time since , the phone number of Alexa - powered machine has grow from a unmarried overbold speaker into an entire folk including theDot , theLook , and theShow — not to advert all the third - political party devices out there . But now , Amazon has regress its attention to the machine that get the whole smart speaker gyration begin with an all newfangled Echo ( along with a ton of other new Echo devices , too ) .

uncommitted today for $ 100 , the unexampled Echo ’s master improvements come in the frame of second generation far - field microphones for more exact part acknowledgment . The fresh Echo also received a face lift thanks to a more diddlysquat , redesigned body and the option to swap in one of six dissimilar fabric or wood veneer colour shells .

This should rent the secondly - gen Echo heap up much better against the $ 129 Google Home , which for a while had been undercutting the OG Echo . And if you ’re consider grace out your family with multiple young Echos so you may use them as wireless speaker , Amazon is offer a 3 - pack for $ 250 ( $ 50 off ) .

Image: Alex Cranz/Gizmodo

Image: Alex Cranz/GizmodoPhoto: Alex Cranz

In accession to a unexampled lower - price Echo , Amazon also revealed the $ 35 Echo Connect , which works plugs into your landline and operates as a loudspeaker system speech sound , so you could call your mamma , who refuse to get an Echo , via the landline while enjoying what Amazon trust is a convenient Alexa experience .

For those who want even more than what a received Echo can do , Amazon also announced the $ 150 Echo Plus , which adds full on smart nursing home hub functionality on top of Alexa ’s traditional voice - command duties . The Echo Plus ( which looks a circumstances like the original Echo , but comes in three colouring material ) feature Zigbee support and will come packaged with a single Philips Hue livid light bulb to get people bug out on the smart nursing home improvement .

It ’s also get improved speaker system , include a tweeter and woofer for better sound recording . While we have n’t had a chance to see it beside an original echo , Amazon congresswoman lay claim the phone is noticeably improve .

Photo: Alex Cranz

Image: Alex Cranz/GizmodoPhoto: Alex Cranz

What might be the most unusual addition to the Echo family are the new Echo Buttons . They do in packs of two for $ 20 , but instead of being link up to a specific gimmick or trafficker likeAmazon ’s Dash Buttons , the Echo Buttons are multipurpose gadgets that Amazon say can be used to play game or other activities .

Oh , and in casing you did n’t retrieve there were enough unexampled Echo gimmick , Amazon also announce the new$129 Echo Spot , which is basically an improvedEcho Dotwith a circular 2.5 - inch screen . Like the Dot , the Spot has Bluetooth and a line out audio manual laborer so you may connect it to something with more hearty speakers .

Despite the alluvion of new Echo gadgets , there was one queer deletion : Amazon’srumored Alexa - power glasses . As recently as last hebdomad , theme indicated the Amazon was working on a twain of glasses with os - conduct speakers that could be tethered to your sound , so you’re able to communicate hands - free with Alexa wherever you are . But it seems that gimmick is n’t quite ready for primetime , as Amazon made no mention of it during its latest Echo presentation .

Photo: Alex Cranz