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Amazon Launches New Smart Displays and Speakers
· Confirmed
In Short: Amazon has launched a new lineup of smart devices, including smart displays and speakers, according to 9to5Google.
Amazon has launched a new lineup of smart devices, including smart displays and speakers, according to 9to5Google. The new Echo Show 16, priced at $500, features a 16-inch display, smart home controls, and full Fire TV integration.
The Echo Show 16 is designed to be wall-mounted and can serve as a family calendar and entertainment hub. It also includes Amazon’s AI-enhanced Alexa, which supports hundreds of clock faces and sleep tracking through its Omnisense feature.
In addition to the Echo Show 16, Amazon has introduced the Echo Time, a small circular display with Alexa built-in, and the Alexa Photo Frame, which focuses on displaying photos from the user’s Amazon Photos library.
The Echo Dot, a popular smart speaker, has been upgraded with a built-in smart home hub and improved audio capabilities. It is now available for $100.
According to 9to5Google, Amazon’s new devices are part of a broader strategy to compete with Google’s smart home ecosystem. The publication notes that Google’s lineup has been relatively quiet in comparison.
CNET reports that Apple is rumored to be developing a smart display powered by Siri, similar to Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub. This device could potentially be used for controlling smart home devices, making video calls, and streaming music.
Apple’s HomePod speaker line was last refreshed in 2023, and the company is reportedly working on a new smart home display to compete with Amazon and Google.
The new Amazon devices are set to begin shipping later this year, with the Echo Show 16 starting at $500 and the Alexa Photo Frame priced at $229.99.
Amazon’s new smart displays and speakers are designed to integrate seamlessly with the company’s ecosystem, offering a range of features from smart home controls to entertainment options.
The Echo Show 16 and other new devices are part of Amazon’s ongoing efforts to expand its smart home offerings and compete with Apple and Google in the market.
The new devices are expected to be available for purchase starting October 14, with the Echo Show 16 priced at $499.99 and the Alexa Photo Frame starting at $229.99.
What this adds
The new Amazon devices are designed to compete with Google’s smart home ecosystem, which has been relatively quiet in recent years.
Apple’s rumored smart display is expected to be similar to Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub, offering a range of smart home and entertainment features.
The new devices are part of Amazon’s ongoing strategy to expand its smart home offerings and compete with Apple and Google in the market.
What's confirmed
- Amazon has launched a new lineup of smart devices, including smart displays and speakers, according to 9to5Google. The new Echo Show 16, priced at $500, features a 16-inch display, smart home controls, and full Fire TV integration.
- The Echo Show 16 is designed to be wall-mounted and can serve as a family calendar and entertainment hub. It also includes Amazon’s AI-enhanced Alexa, which supports hundreds of clock faces and sleep tracking through its Omnisense feature.
- In addition to the Echo Show 16, Amazon has introduced the Echo Time, a small circular display with Alexa built-in, and the Alexa Photo Frame, which focuses on displaying photos from the user’s Amazon Photos library.
- The Echo Dot, a popular smart speaker, has been upgraded with a built-in smart home hub and improved audio capabilities. It is now available for $100.
- According to 9to5Google, Amazon’s new devices are part of a broader strategy to compete with Google’s smart home ecosystem. The publication notes that Google’s lineup has been relatively quiet in comparison.
- CNET reports that Apple is rumored to be developing a smart display powered by Siri, similar to Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub. This device could potentially be used for controlling smart home devices, making video calls, and streaming music.
- Apple’s HomePod speaker line was last refreshed in 2023, and the company is reportedly working on a new smart home display to compete with Amazon and Google.
- The new Amazon devices are set to begin shipping later this year, with the Echo Show 16 starting at $500 and the Alexa Photo Frame priced at $229.99.
- Amazon’s new smart displays and speakers are designed to integrate seamlessly with the company’s ecosystem, offering a range of features from smart home controls to entertainment options.
- The Echo Show 16 and other new devices are part of Amazon’s ongoing efforts to expand its smart home offerings and compete with Apple and Google in the market.
- The new devices are expected to be available for purchase starting October 14, with the Echo Show 16 priced at $499.99 and the Alexa Photo Frame starting at $229.99.
What's still developing
- It starts at $500 and, like everything else mentioned so far, is built around Amazon’s AI-enhanced Alexa.
- I still don't understand how nobody is questioning Google when they still don't support basics stuff like: casting from the phone using a "video" app (YouTube, Netflix, etc) to Google Cast speakers -> AirPlay has supported this for a decade being able to set Google Cast speakers as audio output devices of Google TV devices (and not the extremely limited - and frankly, basically useless - implementation that there's only between Google TV Streamer and the new Google Home Speaker) -> both Amazon and Apple (as well as many competitors) have supported this for several years, including with with surround setups (4 speakers) Their latest Google Home Speaker was a major disappointment.
- I’ve said it before, but Google Home had such a lead in the smart speaker and smart display market, especially with Google’s ecosystem tie-ins, but Amazon is currently running laps around it with products that Google should be selling.
- In looking at Amazon’s lineup, I can’t help but feel like Google is just wasting potential here.
- Amazon is on a roll with launch of new tech, and it just introduced a collection of new Alexa-powered smart devices.
- Apple TV and Home Theater | MacRumors Forums Got a tip for us?
- The company announced HomeView on October 13, 2026, a dedicated smart display built around a version of Siri infused with Apple Intelligence, according to Apple’s own newsroom announcement and confirmed by MacRumors.
- Three years ago, I wrote an obituary for the smart display.
- There’s also a mode called Gemini Live you can toggle on by saying “Hey Google, let’s chat” for a more active conversation.
- Amazon’s $499.99 Android tablet starts shipping Oct. 14, while Apple’s M4-powered iPad Air now starts at $749 for the 11-inch version.
- The sets are designed as straightforward displays that power on quickly and accept content from whatever source the owner chooses.
- The generative AI chatbot, is akin to Amazon’s chatbot Rufus, which it launched one year ago in July 2024.