Amazon goes All In with New Alexa-Enabled Devices

[MrRockliffe]

New design refreshes, and new products including:

• Echo Auto
• 6-inch Subwoofer
• Microwave - Alexa compatible microwave
• Link
• Link Amp

https://hexus.net/ce/news/gadgets/122432-amazon-releases-plethora-new-updated-echo-devices/

Some interesting stuff here. I'm myself interested in the Link Amp.

Not sure on the Microwave - surely it's easier to set a timer when you're putting something in?

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

We have three Alexa units in our house. Can't say I use them myself, but my wife and son love them.

 

[Flibster]

I like the idea of the Link Amp for our bathroom speakers and maybe in the dining room once we've finished it.
Echo Auto - maybe. Will need to see more info on it. I do like the idea though, especially in an older car with a crappy head unit.
I really like the clock for in the kitchen, but already have an Echo Dot in there which would make it slightly useless.
Echo Input seem like a very interesting device for anyone who has their Dot permanently connected to a stereo. Cheap unit for basic streaming. Yeah. I like that.
Sub. Well, if you've got 2 Echo units it'd be a good addition if you run them as a stereo pair. Otherwise... Meh.

The new Dot seem to have an issue. The speaker is better now, but it no longer runs from a MicroUSB connection. Gone with a barrel plug instead. Damn. I've run a Dot from a USB pack outside before while fiddling in the shed.

Microwave... Really?

 

[RoyMi6]

You forgot the clock! That's actually the one I want but doesn't appear to have a launch date for UK...

 

[jpaul]

the link / link-amp at $200/$299, not cheap versus chromecast audio solutions (doesn't it have some alexa control ?)
why don't they try for some of the sonos market.

As they said on r4 this morning, you still have to manually put food in the uwave, but they did suggest echo may soon have AI, so will learn the households daily routine, and ask if you want the tv off at 'bed-time'

 

[adidan]

Just watched Bladerunner 2049.

Call me when they make Alexa like that and not before thanks very much.

 

[metalmackey]

With the hi-res audio gear, would be nice if Amazon Music had a FLAC streaming subscription option.

 

[Flibster]

the link / link-amp at $200/$299, not cheap versus chromecast audio solutions (doesn't it have some alexa control ?)
why don't they try for some of the sonos market.

The Link and Link Amp are more like Sonos devices than Chromecast. Neither have voice control. Have Coax in and out, digital in and out and line in and out. Link Amp has a 60w amp built in. It's firmly aimed at the Sonos. Control it with the app or through another echo device.

The Chromecast audio equivalent is the Echo Input, but has voice control built in.

 

[Schizo]

More devices !!

I'm still waiting for a UK release date for the Amazon fire cube !!

 

[nicknack35]

More devices !!

I'm still waiting for a UK release date for the Amazon fire cube !!

If it does come to the UK it may not from what ive read

Amazon Fire TV Cube UK release date: When’s it coming out?
Amazon’s Fire TV Cube launched in the US on 21 June 2018. Sadly, there's no word yet on when (or if) Amazon's cube-shaped device will make it into UK homes, but I'll keep you posted.

 

[Schizo]

If it does come to the UK it may not from what ive read

Amazon Fire TV Cube UK release date: When’s it coming out?
Amazon’s Fire TV Cube launched in the US on 21 June 2018. Sadly, there's no word yet on when (or if) Amazon's cube-shaped device will make it into UK homes, but I'll keep you posted.

Yeah I read that,it's frustrating when they release a item but never mention a UK release date.

 

[Semple]

I can't see why they wouldn't release it to the UK. The UK market is pretty huge and growing for IoT devices.

 

[nicknack35]

Frustrates me when Alexa can do a lot more in the U.S then it can in the UK

 

[tom_nieto]

Echo input is what I wanted. I’ve bought another echo for now, but the 3.5mm jack is terrible. Bluetooth works the best, but for some reason my amp doesn’t play well with it - the connection drops out after a day or so and requires a reset.

I’m hoping that Alexa will start to be built in as a software option to third party devices like airplay soon.

 

[MrRockliffe]

The only thing the AMP needs to do for me is multi room with my existing Denon HEOS setup. Would really like to stream music in the office without spending £400 on a stereo amp

 

[tom_nieto]

The only thing the AMP needs to do for me is multi room with my existing Denon HEOS setup. Would really like to stream music in the office without spending £400 on a stereo amp

Echo input and a stereo amp of your choosing would be much cheaper.

 

[MrRockliffe]

Echo input and a stereo amp of your choosing would be much cheaper.

I haven't been able to find an amp I like the look of that's cheap

Edit: I do, however like the look of the Amazon one

 

[D3K]

I'd be interested in the smart plugs if they weren't locked to their own ecosystem. I get it, it makes business sense, but I want to be able to switch systems if I want to. I only wanna switch the hub not the devices.

 

[Schizo]

I'd be interested in the smart plugs if they weren't locked to their own ecosystem. I get it, it makes business sense, but I want to be able to switch systems if I want to. I only wanna switch the hub not the devices.

I use the tplink smart plugs and they work well.

 

[D3K]

I use the tplink smart plugs and they work well.

Yeah I'm using 1 atm, not happy with the prices tho and I try to avoid TPLink if possible. The way they advertise unachievable speeds on their powerline adaptors is akin to false advertising.