A definitive guide to Amazon's Alexa and Echo devices
For any last minute gifts you might want for Christmas gifts or yourself!
Last updated 17th Dec 2019
As Christmas approaches and you're wondering what to get friends and family, why not make listening to Forth 1 even easier with these amazing Amazon Alexa products? Here's our guide to the new devices from Amazon that expands the Alexa ecosystem to not only include every room, light socket and plug of your house, but also wherever you may venture outdoors.
Echo Buds
Alexa is coming with you wherever you go as Amazon leaps with both feet into the true-wireless headphone market with the Echo Buds – and these little tech-capsules are sure to make a splash. Not only do they promise 360-degree immersive sound with Bose Noise Reduction and responsive bass, but they include a lengthy 5-hour battery life with quick recharge. Of course, Alexa capabilities are included – allowing you to voice-control apps like Prime Music, Spotify and Audible, and make hands-free calls. For those not fully integrated into the Echo ecosystem, they'll still control Google Assistant and Siri.
Echo Studio
We've always been impressed with the quality of sound produced by the Echo smart-speaker – it's bassy, loud and crisp. The Echo Studio takes these qualities to the next level. With 5 speakers inbuilt powered by Dolby Atmos surround sound technology, the Studio delivers a rich and immersive 5.1 experience in a quality hitherto unheard in the Amazon roster. It'll also work to offer some immersive TV sound when linked with a Fire Stick or Fire Cube.
Echo Show 8
The Echo Show uses its screen to offer true and useful features to help you organise and streamline your life. This device, with its full-Alexa capabilities, can become the central hub to your home. Set the show up in the heart of your house and keep up to date on your appointments, news and weather at a glance. You can customise the screen to scroll through custom photo galleries, the front-facing camera allowing you to make video calls, and Amazon will let you take advantage of the 8-inch HD screen to watch content from Prime or to check on your Ring cameras.
Echo Dot with Clock
The Echo Dot is a perfectly formed device - it's compact, unobtrusive and endlessly useful. And with the simple addition of a LED numeral display, it just got better. It'll display the time, the weather's temperature or a countdown timer as requested, making it an ideal addition to a kitchen or bedside table.
Ring Stick Up Camera
The Ring Stick up Camera increases the Ring range with an easily installed two-way talk device. You can watch your home, people or pets, from your phone, tablet or select Echo device (Fire Stick or Cube to view on your TV, or Echo Show) to ensure that everything is in place. The Stick Up can be installed inside or outside, and linked with other Ring devices to create an interconnected security solution. Motion settings and alert notifications are customisable. The standard variation is powered by a rechargeable battery pack, but for those who want to guarantee 24-7, around the clock surveillance, there is a solar-powered variant available.
Echo Flex
The Echo Flex is a great innovation from Amazon which allows you to add smart features throughout your home and workplace without the need for a Dot or Plus. The Flex plugs directly into a socket and sits awaiting your instruction – you can control your smart devices or communicate with family members through the Echo intercom system. There is a USB port on the underside of the Flex which allows you to charge your smartphone, connect a nightlight or motion sensor to assist with your Ring security.
Amazon Echo smart-speaker got a 3rd generation upgrade to keep up with the ever-expanding list Alexa-supported apps and features (plus some new speakers), while the standard Echo Dot got a nice new Plum colour fabric finish.
The devices announced will be released over the coming months. You can pre-order your device to guarantee that you don’t miss out on the next generation of home-integrated technology.
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