Amazon Echo Club

[ApK]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Designed to protect your privacy - Electronically disconnect the microphones and camera with one press of a button.

That would be more meaningful if it was "PHYSICALLY disconnect the microphones and camera with one SWITCH"...anyone who cares would want to actually see the disconnected wires. If it ain't air-gapped, it ain't nothin', baby...

[tubemonkey]

The new Echo and Dots are ugly. I much prefer the previous gen.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

The new Echo and Dots are ugly. I much prefer the previous gen.

Me too. It doesn’t look like much beyond cosmetic changes to design rather than meaningful spec updates. I just glanced at the new FireTV dongle specs and I didn’t notice much, if any, improvements over previous versions. I guess Amazon is taking a play out of the auto industry playbook by making cosmetic changes without significant spec updates.

Hey the new 2021 GM Turbo Turd is out! What changed? They made minor changes to the tail lights and changed the color names. Wow, I’ve got to trade up right now!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by OtinG

Me too. It doesn’t look like much beyond cosmetic changes to design rather than meaningful spec updates.

The kids versions are cute - panda and tiger; plus they're $10 cheaper now

[mlewis78]

The new orb design is OK, but I prefer the looks of my standard Echo design (bought it in March). There should be more specs, and I would want to know if the sound has improved.

I can't see paying $60 for a dot, even with the clock. Of course there will be sales. Wonder if they will ever do a Prime Day after all.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by mlewis78

Of course there will be sales. Wonder if they will ever do a Prime Day after all.

Prime Day = 13-14 Oct (Tue-Wed)

[tubemonkey]

Amz Echo (4th Gen) --vs-- Amz Echo (3rd Gen)


Released -----> Oct 2020 --------------------------- Oct 2019

Price ----------> $99.99 ------------------------------ $99.99

Processor ----> unk + Amazon AZ1 --------------- unknown

Speakers -----> 3.0" + 0.8" + 0.8" ---------------- 3.0" + 0.8"

Sound --------> 2.1 Dolby Stereo ------------------ Dolby

Smart Hub ---> Zigbee + Sidewalk ---------------- No Hub

Size -----------> 5.7” x 5.7” x 5.2” x 34.2 oz ----- 5.8” x 3.9” x 3.9" x 27.5 oz


4th Gen: for the same price, you're getting a better speaker system and built-in smart home hubs. To get the home hub on the previous gen required you to purchase the $150 Echo Plus 2. So this is a major savings for those wanting the built-in home hub.
.

[mlewis78]

I had seen those "specs" on the site, but they are dimensions rather than sound specs, such as frequency response (watts per channel was big in audio receivers). This CNet article does not back up my idea of useful specs and goes with Amazon's:

https://www.cnet.com/news/audio-spec...ich-ones-dont/

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by mlewis78

I had seen those "specs" on the site, but they are dimensions rather than sound specs, such as frequency response (watts per channel was big in audio receivers). This CNet article does not back up my idea of useful specs and goes with Amazon's:

https://www.cnet.com/news/audio-spec...ich-ones-dont/

I hear ya. It irritates me that they don't list the actual specs. I wish they did, but it is what it is.

[tubemonkey]

Introducing the All-New Echo Family—Reimagined, Inside and Out

September 24, 2020 at 1:49 PM EDT

Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Dot with clock, and Echo Dot Kids Edition feature all-new spherical designs and improved audio

Echo Show 10 makes interacting with Alexa even more natural—intelligent motion means the display moves with you, so you will not miss a moment of your favorite show, the next step in a recipe, or a smile from a loved one on a video call

Powered by the all-new Amazon AZ1 Neural Edge processor—a custom-designed silicon module built to accelerate machine learning applications and make Alexa even faster

New Echo family is Climate Pledge Friendly, built with recycled materials, and will support Low Power Mode for energy savings

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 24, 2020-- Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today introduced its all-new line-up of Echo devices, featuring completely new designs, enhanced audio, more powerful hardware, and experiences that make Alexa even smarter, more engaging, and helpful. To learn about all of the products, features, and services that Amazon announced, visit: https://blog.aboutamazon.com/.

“These are the best Echo devices we have ever made,” said Tom Taylor, Senior Vice President, Amazon Alexa. “Echo and Echo Dot look beautiful and sound even better, and Echo Show 10 completely reimagines Alexa with a screen—the display moves with you, staying in view as you move around. It’s as natural as having a conversation. Plus, Alexa continues to get smarter—just ask to watch Netflix, make group calls, join video meetings on Zoom, upgrade your smart home with Alexa Guard and Amazon Sidewalk, and much more.”

more...

Pricing and Availability

Echo ($99.99) and Echo Dot ($49.99) will be available in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Twilight Blue. Echo Dot with clock ($59.99) will be available in Glacier White and Twilight Blue. Echo Dot Kids Edition ($59.99) will be available in Panda and Tiger animal designs. Pre-order starts today, with devices shipping later this year.

The all-new Echo Show 10 ($249.99) will be available in Charcoal and Glacier White, and will start shipping in time for the holidays. You can sign up to be notified when the all-new Echo Show 10 is available at www.amazon.com/echoshow10. All new Echo Show features announced today will be available by the end of the year.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Announces Next-Generation Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick Lite, and Redesigned User Experience

September 24, 2020 at 1:50 PM EDT

Best-selling Fire TV Stick is now 50% more powerful with HDR and Dolby Atmos support—also includes Alexa Voice Remote with AV device controls

Fire TV Stick Lite is our most affordable Fire TV device ever—features full-HD streaming, HDR support, and Alexa Voice Remote Lite

Redesigned Fire TV experience provides new content-discovery features, enhanced Alexa voice integration, and user profiles for personalized recommendations

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 24, 2020-- With more than 100 million devices sold globally, Fire TV customers are streaming billions of hours each month. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today made Fire TV even better, with the next-generation Fire TV Stick, the all-new Fire TV Stick Lite, and a reimagined Fire TV experience that is more personal and customized.

“We are passionate about inventing on behalf of our customers to make it even easier to enjoy the best in entertainment,” said Marc Whitten, Vice President, Amazon Entertainment Devices and Services. “With a redesigned Fire TV experience tailored to each user, it’s even simpler to stream your favorite shows with our more powerful, next-generation Fire TV Stick and our even more affordable Fire TV Stick Lite.”

more...

Availability

The all-new Fire TV Stick is $39.99 and begins shipping in select countries next week. Customers in Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States can begin pre-ordering today at www.amazon.com/firetvstick.

Fire TV Stick Lite is $29.99 and begins shipping in select countries next week. Customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States can begin pre-ordering today at www.amazon.com/firetvsticklite. Fire TV Stick Lite will bring dedicated Fire TV experiences with Alexa to Australia, Brazil and Mexico for the first time.

The redesigned Fire TV experience will begin rolling out globally later this year, starting with the all-new Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite. Exact features will vary by country. It will be available in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I hear ya. It irritates me that they don't list the actual specs. I wish they did, but it is what it is.

That is how Amazon rolls. For example, they rarely, if ever, list what changed they have made to the Kindle FW updates. For Kindles we usually have to wait for the geeky forum members to peek into the FW code to find what changed. Rather annoying. To get real specs on Echo devices we often have to wait until the geeks take them apart.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by mlewis78

....Of course there will be sales....

I'm pretty sure Amazon could figure out how to sell boat paddles, life vests, and water repellent spray to ducks!

[tubemonkey]

E Show 10 (3rd Gen) --vs-- E Show 10 (2nd Gen)


Released -----> Feb 2021 ---------------------------- Oct 2018

Price ----------> $249.99 ----------------------------- $229.99

Processor ----> MT 8183 + Amz AZ1 -------------- Intel Atom x5-Z8350

Speakers -----> 3.0" + 1.0" + 1.0" ---------------- 2.2" + 2.2"

Sound --------> 2.1 Stereo --------------------------- Stereo

Display -------> 10.1" auto-rotating --------------- 10.1" static

Resolution ---> HD - 1280 x 800 - 149 ppi ------- HD - 1280 x 800 - 149 ppi

Camera -------> 13MP + Shutter ------------------- 5MP

Smart Hub ---> Zigbee + Sidewalk ---------------- Zigbee

Size -----------> 9.9” x 9.1” x 6.8” x 90.3 oz ----- 9.7” x 6.9” x 4.2” x 62.2 oz
.

[Catlady]

Why do I get excited about new Dots when I barely use the three I have?

I may trade in one to get the new Dot with the clock; at least that's a feature I would actually use! Generally I'm not crazy about the new look--I like the compactness of the old Dots.