Amazon reveals new Echo devices including Echo Spot, Echo Plus & upgraded $99 standard Ech...
In a special event, Amazon on Wednesday unveiled several new Echo products, led by an improved $99 standard Echo, the Echo Plus, and the display-equipped Echo Spot.
![The second-generation flagship Echo.](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/23024-28624-71YMatYkDPL_SL1000_-l.jpg)
The second-generation flagship Echo.
The updated standard Echo, shipping Oct. 31 for $99.99, includes dedicated woofer and tweeter units, Dolby-certified sound, and better far-field microphone technology. It comes in six different colors, with wood, fabric, or metal shells -- wood or metal units cost $119.99.
![The Echo Plus.](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/23024-28625-61YtKM-SwhL_SL1000_-l.jpg)
The Echo Plus.
The Echo Plus, also due Oct. 31, shares similar features but also operates as a ZigBee hub, allowing it to quickly discover and configure compatible devices. While the device will eventually cost $164.98, Amazon is temporarily selling it for $149.99, with a Philips Hue bulb included as a bonus. Black, white, and silver colors are available.
![The Echo Spot.](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/23024-28626-61GcN5yX6XL_SL1000_-l.jpg)
The Echo Spot.
The $129.99 Echo Spot is similar to the existing Echo Show but much smaller, using a round 2.5-inch display. Like the Echo Dot, it includes just a basic internal speaker, requiring external Bluetooth or 3.5mm speakers for higher-quality sound. Show-level features include clock faces, video calls and clips, and visual feedback such as lyrics or the ability to stream from compatible security cameras. The product will ship Dec. 19 in black and white versions.
Smaller announcements include $20 Echo Buttons, used for things like trivia games with an Echo, and the $34.99 Echo Connect coming Dec. 13, which bridges a landline phone with an Echo to allow voice-controlled speakerphone calls, without recipients having to own an Alexa-enabled device.
Amazon has also announced a new Fire TV, supporting 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos, but shrunk to the size of a dongle. At $69.99, the device could undercut the Apple TV 4K, which costs over twice as much.
The higher-end Echos could pose a challenge to Apple's Siri-equipped HomePod, which while offering superior sound technology will also sell for $349 when it arrives in December.
![The second-generation flagship Echo.](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/23024-28624-71YMatYkDPL_SL1000_-l.jpg)
The second-generation flagship Echo.
The updated standard Echo, shipping Oct. 31 for $99.99, includes dedicated woofer and tweeter units, Dolby-certified sound, and better far-field microphone technology. It comes in six different colors, with wood, fabric, or metal shells -- wood or metal units cost $119.99.
![The Echo Plus.](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/23024-28625-61YtKM-SwhL_SL1000_-l.jpg)
The Echo Plus.
The Echo Plus, also due Oct. 31, shares similar features but also operates as a ZigBee hub, allowing it to quickly discover and configure compatible devices. While the device will eventually cost $164.98, Amazon is temporarily selling it for $149.99, with a Philips Hue bulb included as a bonus. Black, white, and silver colors are available.
![The Echo Spot.](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/23024-28626-61GcN5yX6XL_SL1000_-l.jpg)
The Echo Spot.
The $129.99 Echo Spot is similar to the existing Echo Show but much smaller, using a round 2.5-inch display. Like the Echo Dot, it includes just a basic internal speaker, requiring external Bluetooth or 3.5mm speakers for higher-quality sound. Show-level features include clock faces, video calls and clips, and visual feedback such as lyrics or the ability to stream from compatible security cameras. The product will ship Dec. 19 in black and white versions.
Smaller announcements include $20 Echo Buttons, used for things like trivia games with an Echo, and the $34.99 Echo Connect coming Dec. 13, which bridges a landline phone with an Echo to allow voice-controlled speakerphone calls, without recipients having to own an Alexa-enabled device.
Amazon has also announced a new Fire TV, supporting 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos, but shrunk to the size of a dongle. At $69.99, the device could undercut the Apple TV 4K, which costs over twice as much.
The higher-end Echos could pose a challenge to Apple's Siri-equipped HomePod, which while offering superior sound technology will also sell for $349 when it arrives in December.
Comments
None of it appeals to me. YMMV.
My brother bought two Echo Show devices recently. They don't sound any better than my original Echo. In fact, they project sound only in one direction instead of 360° and the screen is too small to be read from across the room.
The new Echo and Echo Plus are priced more reasonably. I bought my three Echo devices for under $100 each over the last year. I'm not compelled to upgrade anytime soon.
S8 and S8+,
who started this plus thing?? Everyone has pluses now,
What about say Echo and Super Echo instead?
I have an echo but hate it when the bridge connction is lost. EchoPlus sounds interesting. Amazon is killing google on the home front. apple had competition. They really need to kick Siri up a couple notches.
You actually see this now on Amazon: to get the best prices, you have to subscribe. Sure, you can cancel later, but then prices go up? I use Amazon a lot - but the pricing is...unpredictable.
Many people got rich in the gold rushes not digging gold, but selling expedition supplies. Amazon will make money of the sales these devices generate. Give them away to make that happen.
I have a 3rd gen Apple TV, so no Siri. Those of you who have newer ones, do you use Siri at all? How well does it work?
Does anyone here have both a Siri-capable Apple TV and an Alexa-enabled TV product? Is one better than the other? Easier? More accurate?
>Does anyone here have both a Siri-capable Apple TV and an Alexa-enabled TV product? Is one better than the other? Easier? More accurate?
If had had to answer in one word then Alexa (is better) But the use cases are different ..Siri assumes you have a screen to look-at...so it is more about searching the Web. Alexa assumes no screen and it set up for very common questions...and in general that makes your life easier. Also, since Alexa is always connected thus the delays are shorter. Be interesting to see how well Alexa works in the car...then it will have the same delays as Siri in that it will have to establish a connection.
I think it's cool enough, but I'm waiting to see the Home Pod. Not sure if I could drop that $$$, tho...
More bullshit. You don’t like gays, right? Get over it. Cook is personally leading the most successful public corp in history, and he’s gay, and stands for gay rights. Got it.
HomeKit is much better than the hodgepodge of insecure IoT devices sold to the knockoffs crowd. I use the Apple Home app exclusively and don’t even need to use the hardware provider apps any longer. The automation scenes are great and using Siri is easy.
But you misunderstand HomePod anyway, it’s not a dopey assistant, it’s a high quality music speaker, and I fully intend to place one in the master bedroom or bath. Tech press said it sounded much better than the dopey assistant speakers.