Amazon Echo Club

[ApK]

Originally Posted by OtinG

The problem I encounter with printers is that I so rarely use them that the ink dries up between uses, and/or clogs up the ink ports. I got so tired of buying new ink cartridges for $45, printing three pages, then not using the darn printer for a few weeks or even months, then finally trying to print a few pages just to find that the ink cartridges have become useless. Paying $45 to print a handful of pages just isn't cost effective. So for someone like me who rarely uses a printer these days, this is a useless feature.

Five years ago when I bought my house, all the paperwork was done, and exchanged, electronically, including signatures. There was no need for a printer on my part. And as anyone who has ever bought a house knows, it requires a ton of paperwork. The title company of course had to have one so they could print out the gillion and one pages I had to sign at the closing, but I never printed a thing.

I rarely find that I need to print out anything these days, hence the reason the ink dries up way before I get much use from the cartridges. For me a better feature would be to ask Alexa to have Amazon print out a document and ship it to me, preferably same or next day delivery. Currently I just find a friend with a printer and go that route, or find a Kinkos. I would rather pay a few dollars to Amazon to get a few pages printed once every few months (at most) than to pay Office Depot $45 for new printer cartridges that will get used once or twice then dry up and or plug the ink ports.

We print a lot. We have two lasers and an inkjet plus a dedicated wallet-photo printer (my wife does paper crafts). And I STILL don't see anything of interest to me in this feature. :-)

BTW, long ago we switched to cheap third party inks. $45 is like a two year supply. Haven't had a problem with it drying out in the packages, even being stored in a file drawer for a year, and with printers being so cheap and cheaply made anyway, the risk of damaging the printer (which has so far never happened) is not a deterrent for me.

BTW, with the color laser acquisition, our inkjet use is dropping off sharply. When we want good photo prints in any sort of quantity, we order them from Costco for 1 hour pickup. We're basically keeping the inkjet as a scanner and fax at this point...not sure if we'll ever buy ink again.

[mlewis78]

I've had the same experience as OtinG. Bought my first printer in 2009 after I was laid off. I knew I would have to print resumes, at least. I wasted money on ink. Too much time between printing and the ink dried out. I gave it up but still have the printer. It is not even a wi-fi one. Used to use to scan to PDF, but no more. I am retired and if I need to print, I copy to a drive and take to a fedex store.

[John F]

Originally Posted by ApK

We print a lot. We have two lasers and an inkjet plus a dedicated wallet-photo printer (my wife does paper crafts). And I STILL don't see anything of interest to me in this feature. :-)

BTW, long ago we switched to cheap third party inks. $45 is like a two year supply. Haven't had a problem with it drying out in the packages, even being stored in a file drawer for a year, and with printers being so cheap and cheaply made anyway, the risk of damaging the printer (which has so far never happened) is not a deterrent for me.

...

+1 ...

[mlewis78]

My ink dried inside the printer.

[cc_in_oh]

I switched to a Brother multifunction laser printer about 5 years ago. About a year ago I started getting low toner warnings on the starter cartridge that came with it and recently replaced it with a $10 generic.

I see inkjets now that let you pour in more ink when needed - I wonder if those would be more economical?

I once calculated the cost per gallon of printer ink and it was astronomical. No wonder HP had years when their entire profit was attributable to ink...

[ApK]

Originally Posted by cc_in_oh

I see inkjets now that let you pour in more ink when needed - I wonder if those would be more economical?

I looked into those tank supply systems a while back. IIRC, they can be VERY economical IF you use A LOT of ink. Any individual ink cartridge may or may not dry out before it's consumed, but TANKS of ink exposed to air for refilling almost certainly WILL if not routinely cycled. That was my take-away from several years ago, folks with more knowledge feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon rolls out new ball-shaped Echo Dots, starting at $50

A new Dot design to go along with the new larger, orb-shaped Echo

Amazon has revealed is newest iteration on the Echo Dot, once a puck-shaped companion to the larger Echo smart speaker line and now a spherical smart speaker. The announcement was made during Amazon’s annual Alexa-themed hardware event live-streamed on Thursday afternoon. The new look matches that of the new fourth-generation standard Echo, also announced today.

This is technically also the fourth-generation Dot and not the fifth, as last year’s minor iteration added only an LED display for showing the time, temperature, and other minor information through the fabric covering of the speaker.

The big standout feature this time, however, is a redesign of the entire Echo lineup, turning the puck and cylinder designs of the prior models into small and large orbs with the now-standard fabric covering Amazon began introducing in its later Echo models. Amazon is again selling two models, a cheaper one without a built-in LED display and one for $10 more with the display.

In addition to the standard Echo Dots, Amazon is also releasing a new Echo Dot Kids Edition that will cost $59.99 and come with cute animal face design, presumably to inspire feelings of warmth and goodwill (instead of cold ambivalence... or fear?) toward Alexa devices among young children.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon redesigns the Echo with a new spherical design and a custom machine learning processor

It’ll cost $99, and ships October 22nd

Amazon has announced the fourth-generation version of its main Echo smart speaker, bringing a new spherical design and better sound performance. But the biggest change is a new, on-device speech recognition module that will locally process your audio on the Echo itself, making your requests faster than ever before.

One of the biggest additions to the new Echo is what Amazon’s calling the AZ1 Neural Edge silicon module, which will process the audio of your voice requests using local machine learning speech recognition algorithms before sending the command to the cloud. The process promises to save hundreds of milliseconds in response time for your Echo.

Amazon says that the new Echo will combine the features from both the third-gen Echo and the Echo Plus, and will feature a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, in addition to working with Amazon Sidewalk, the company’s local networking system.

It’ll be available in three colors: Charcoal, Chalk, and Steel Blue, and available on October 22nd. Preorders are already open over at Amazon’s website.

[tubemonkey]

AMAZON’S NEW ECHO SHOW 10 MOVES TO LOOK AT YOU

The latest Alexa-powered smart display isn’t content with sitting still

Amazon has just announced the latest iteration of its flagship smart display, the new Echo Show 10. The new model has a number of new changes and updates from the prior generation, but the one that matters the most is this: it moves.

Instead of being fixed in one position, as with every prior Echo Show model, the new Echo Show 10’s display is perched on a motorized base that swivels around automatically whenever you interact with the device. By using a blend of computer vision technology and echo-location (pun not intended), the Echo Show 10 can determine where you are in a room and swivel itself around to face you so you can always get a good view of the screen.

In addition, the Echo Show 10 utilizes its motorized base and its digital panning and zooming on new 13-megapixel camera to keep you in the frame when on video calls. It’s similar to how Facebook’s Portal autoframes your face, but Amazon’s device has the added ability to pan the screen itself and doesn’t just have to rely on digital zoom and panning. The Echo Show 10’s movement is also reminiscent of the ill-fated Jibo home robot, which spun around similarly to face you whenever it detected a person.

Amazon is pricing the new Echo Show 10 at $249.99, a slight increase over the prior, stationary model’s $230 price. But since the company loves to put Echo devices on sale as much as it loves Alexa, I wouldn’t be surprised if there will be opportunities to get the new Echo Show 10 for much less than its sticker price. You’ll be able to place preorders for the Show 10 in white or black starting today, with shipments expected before the holidays.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Echo - New Releases

$99.99 -- Echo (4th Gen) -- release date: 22 Oct 2020

All-new Echo (4th Gen) | With premium sound, smart home hub, and Alexa

• New look, new sound - Echo delivers clear highs, dynamic mids, and deep bass for rich, detailed sound that automatically adapts to any room.
  
• Voice control your entertainment - Stream songs from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, SiriusXM, and more. Plus listen to radio stations, podcasts, and Audible audiobooks.
  
• Ready to help - Ask Alexa to play music, answer questions, play the news, check the weather, set alarms, control compatible smart home devices, and more.
  
• Smart home made simple - With the built-in hub, easily set up compatible Zigbee devices or Ring Smart Lighting products (coming soon) to voice control lights, locks, and sensors.
  
• Fill your home with sound - With multi-room music, play synchronized music across Echo devices in different rooms. Or pair your Echo with Fire TV to feel scenes come to life with home theater audio.
  
• Connect with others - Call almost anyone hands-free. Instantly drop in on other rooms or announce to the whole house that dinner's ready.
  
• Designed to protect your privacy - Built with multiple layers of privacy protections and controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphones.

Specs

• Speakers -- 3.0" woofer | dual 0.8" tweeters
  
• Warranty -- 1 year

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Echo - New Releases

$49.99 -- Echo Dot (4th Gen) -- release date: 22 Oct 2020

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa

• Meet the all-new Echo Dot - Our most popular smart speaker with Alexa. The sleek, compact design delivers crisp vocals and balanced bass for full sound.
  
• Voice control your entertainment - Stream songs from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, SiriusXM, and others. Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts throughout your home with multi-room music.
  
• Ready to help - Ask Alexa to tell a joke, play music, answer questions, play the news, check the weather, set alarms, and more.
  
• Control your smart home - Use your voice to turn on lights, adjust thermostats, and lock doors with compatible devices.
  
• Connect with others - Call almost anyone hands-free. Instantly drop in on other rooms or announce to the whole house that dinner's ready.
  
• Designed to protect your privacy - Built with multiple layers of privacy protections and controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphones.

Specs

• Speakers -- 1.6" speaker
  
• Warranty -- 90 days

[OtinG]

It looks like Amazon has been really busy with new designs. Now if they would just fix my bleeping Echo Show 5 so the screen isn't always dimming and brightening on its own accord, and finally let us turn those darn Tips off!

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Echo - New Releases

$59.99 -- Echo Dot (4th Gen) w/ Clock -- release date: 05 Nov 2020

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with clock and Alexa

• Meet the all-new Echo Dot with clock - Our most popular smart speaker with Alexa. The sleek, compact design delivers crisp vocals and balanced bass for full sound.
  
• Perfect for your nightstand - See the time, alarms, and timers on the LED display. Tap the top to snooze an alarm.
  
• Ready to help - Ask Alexa to tell a joke, play music, answer questions, play the news, check the weather, set alarms, and more.
  
• Control your smart home - Use your voice to turn on lights, adjust thermostats, and lock doors with compatible devices.
  
• Connect with others - Call almost anyone hands-free. Instantly drop in on other rooms or announce to the whole house that dinner's ready.
  
• Designed to protect your privacy - Built with multiple layers of privacy protections and controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphones.

Specs

• Speakers -- 1.6" speaker
  
• Warranty -- 90 days

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Echo - New Releases

$59.99 -- Echo Dot (4th Gen) Kids Ed -- release date: 09 Dec 2020

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) Kids Edition | Designed for kids, with parental controls

• Meet the all-new Echo Dot Kids Edition - Our most popular smart speaker with Alexa, made for kids (not a toy). The super-fun design delivers crisp vocals and balanced bass for full sound.
  
• Help kids learn and grow - Kids can ask Alexa questions, set alarms, and get help with their homework.
  
• Unlock a world of kid-friendly content - The included year of Amazon Kids+ (FreeTime Unlimited) gives them access to thousands of hours of kid-friendly Audible books, interactive games, and educational skills. After 1 year, your subscription will automatically renew every month starting at just $2.99/month plus applicable tax. You may cancel any time by visiting the Amazon Parent Dashboard or contacting Customer Service.
  
• Easy-to-use parental controls - Set daily time limits, filter explicit songs, and review activity in the Amazon Parent Dashboard.
  
• Made for wild imaginations - Kids can ask Alexa to play music, read stories, and call approved friends and family.
  
• Comes with a 2-year worry-free guarantee - If it breaks, return it and we’ll replace it for free.
  
• Designed to protect your family’s privacy - Echo Dot Kids Edition is built with multiple layers of privacy protection and controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphones.

Specs

• Speakers -- 1.6" speaker
  
• Warranty -- 2 years -- if it breaks, return it and we’ll replace it for free

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Echo Show - New Release

$249.99 -- Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) -- release date: Coming Soon Feb 2021 (delayed)

All-new Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) | HD smart display with motion and Alexa

• Alexa can show you even more - With a 10.1" HD screen that’s designed to move with you, video calls, recipes, and shows are always in view. The speakers deliver premium, directional sound.
  
• Stay in frame - Video call friends and family or take a picture while the 13 MP camera with auto-framing and motion keeps you front and center.
  
• Smart home made simple - Set up compatible Zigbee devices or smart products without a separate hub. Ask Alexa to show you security cameras, control lights, and adjust thermostats.
  
• Take a look around when you’re away - Securely access the built-in camera to remotely monitor your home anytime with the Alexa app or other Echo Show devices.
  
• So much entertainment - Ask Alexa to play your favorite shows, music, and podcasts from Prime Video, Netflix (coming soon), Amazon Music, Spotify, and more.
  
• The ultimate kitchen companion - Cook along with recipes on Food Network Kitchen, get unit conversions, set timers, add to your grocery list, and multitask with ease.
  
• Put your memories on display - Use Amazon Photos to turn your home screen into a digital frame that makes your favorite pics look great in any light with adaptive color.
  
• Designed to protect your privacy - Electronically disconnect the microphones and camera with one press of a button. Slide the built-in shutter to cover the camera. Disable motion at any time.

Specs

• Display ---- 10.1" | 1280 x 800 | 149 ppi
  
• Speakers -- 3.0" woofer | dual 1.0" tweeters | 2.1 system
  
• Warranty -- 1 year