Amazon is really ramping up its devices and stuff with something called generative AI. At this event they had in September, the biggest online seller in the world, Amazon, talked about new Echo and Fire TV gadgets. They also said something about Alexa getting generative AI, and how Amazon is bringing some kind of power to offer real-world stuff to customers using LLMMs. With this generative AI thing, Alexa is supposed to be way better, more like a real person you can chat with. They’re letting folks join in for a test run of these new generative AI doodads, and they’re saying they’ll work on all the Echo things out there.
Here’s a Summary of What Amazon Announced at Its Recent Event
Brand-New Echo Show 8 Display
Amazon began by introducing the all-new Echo Show 8. It’s a smart display that supports spatial audio and functions as a smart home hub. This device can sense the acoustics in a room and adjust its sound output accordingly. It also has a proximity sensor and a camera with a microphone switch. The Echo Show 8 is available for pre-order in the US at a price of $149.
Alexa’s Getting Generative AI
Amazon’s making Alexa smarter with this generative AI thing. They say it’s going to work on all Echo gadgets, even the first ones. This AI is all about talking and helping out with your smart home stuff. It’s going to make Alexa chat more like a real person. They’re even letting other tech people add stuff to it. Alexa will be reminding you of stuff and giving you ideas, like cooking recipes from your groceries.
Better Chat with Alexa
The head honcho of Amazon’s devices, Dave Lim, said that Alexa is going to be better at understanding what you say and replying like a normal person. It can also handle more than one thing at a time when you tell it stuff to do.
Fancy New Fire TV Gadgets
Amazon’s got new Fire TV Stick things, like the Fire TV Stick 4K and the fancier Fire TV Stick 4K Max. They’ve got more power inside, so they work faster. The 4K one has fancy sound and picture stuff, and the Max one has more storage and super Wi-Fi. The 4K one is $49.99, and the Max is $59.99.
Soundbar for the Fire TV
Amazon’s got this new sound thing for your Fire TV, called the Fire TV Soundbar. It’s $119.99, and you can use it with all the Fire TV stuff. You can even connect your gadgets to it with Bluetooth.
Fancy AI for Fire TV
Just like Alexa, Fire TV is getting this generative AI stuff. It’s supposed to make finding things to watch easier. You can ask Alexa to find stuff based on actors or scenes or whatever you want.
Cool Echo Frames
Amazon’s got these glasses called Echo Frames. They’re fancier now with longer battery life and can connect to two things. They start at $269.99 and look more normal. They sound better too and are supposed to be hands-free.
Amazon Echo Hub
Amazon’s also got this Echo Hub thing, which is like a tablet for controlling your smart home stuff. It’s got a screen but no camera. It can change what it shows when you’re around and when you’re not. It costs $179.99.
These announcements showcase Amazon’s commitment to integrating generative AI into its devices and services to offer more advanced and user-friendly experiences. While these features are currently available for US customers, Amazon has not yet disclosed when they will be accessible to Echo users in other countries.
