The top announcements from Amazon's 2019 hardware event
Amazon held a massive reveal event on September 25th, showing off the new Echo devices that will be available to consumers in the coming months. The total for the day was 15 new devices as well as a few notable software additions that will be available on most existing Alexa-enabled devices. Below you'll find the two most surprising (maybe not) reveals from the day.
The most surprising addition to their product line-up came in the form of the "Echo Loop". An Alexa enabled smart ring that contains two microphones and will notify the user via small vibration nudges. The ring body is made of a brushed titanium and is available for purchase by invitation for $129. Given it's construction, Amazon is touting the ring as "made for real life". An all day battery life, combined with water and scratch resistance make daily use of the Loop feasible. Aside from Alexa actions, the Loop will also pair with your phones to give you notifications as well as answer phone calls.
In the product box, a total of 4 Loop devices ship. Each of these varies in size and Amazon asks that the user try them on, pick the best fitting option, and ship back the other 3.
The next product, and perhaps the next logical step for Alexa to appear on is the Echo Frames, a set of eyeglasses with no display or camera that will launch for $179, again by invitation only at first.
As you would expect, the Echo Frames offer the Alexa experience in an eyeglass format. More surprisingly, if the user pairs a compatible device, access to Google Assistant is also supported. The Google Assistant access makes the Frames far more versatile than they would be otherwise and adds support for phone-related functions. Whether or not Google Assistant can be accessed with its wake-word is unknown at the time.
The Frames use small speakers in the back of the arms to communicate info with the user and pick up user interaction from two beamforming microphones. They also have a touchpad, but the use for this is still unknown as the Frames do not have a display to be interacted with.
The Frames are compatible with prescription lenses and can be fitted by a standard eyeglass professional, making them far more accessible than similar smart-glasses.
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| Source: Amazon |
In the product box, a total of 4 Loop devices ship. Each of these varies in size and Amazon asks that the user try them on, pick the best fitting option, and ship back the other 3.
The next product, and perhaps the next logical step for Alexa to appear on is the Echo Frames, a set of eyeglasses with no display or camera that will launch for $179, again by invitation only at first.
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| Source: CNET |
The Frames use small speakers in the back of the arms to communicate info with the user and pick up user interaction from two beamforming microphones. They also have a touchpad, but the use for this is still unknown as the Frames do not have a display to be interacted with.
The Frames are compatible with prescription lenses and can be fitted by a standard eyeglass professional, making them far more accessible than similar smart-glasses.
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