Editor’s note: Read on for our real-time updates from Amazon’s event. The company published its own rundown of the products announced today at its blog and via press release.
Update, 11:20 a.m.
This is a surprise: Alexa eyeglasses.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176924784984084480
Dave Limp, Amazon’s hardware exec, was wearing the new “Echo Frames” during the entire presentation. They come with built-in mics and a small speaker so you can access Alexa on-the-go, similar to the Buds. Priced at $179.99.
And another surprise: Amazon introduces Echo Loop, a smart ring for $129.99. It comes with a speaker and mic as well.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176925702903320576
The Loop and Frames are part of a new “Day 1 Edition” program for experimental products.
And yes … Amazon truly wants to put Alexa everywhere.
https://twitter.com/SteveKopack/status/1176926593408786432
Update, 11:15 a.m.
Amazon waited until the end of the event to reveal what earlier reports hinted at: Echo Buds, priced at $129.99, compatible with Siri and Google Assistant, in addition to Alexa. The price point undercuts Apple’s AirPods, which debuted more than two years ago and range from $159 to $199.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176923222530412545
Update, 11:10 a.m.
And now what we’ve all been waiting for…the Amazon Smart Oven.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176921666695225344
From smart cooking appliances to “Amazon Sidewalk,” a new low-bandwidth network to lengthen the distance of your smart home devices.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176922792257708032
And there’s a new product rolling out next year called “Fetch,” a smart dog tag that works with Sidewalk to help track down your pet.
Update, 10:55 a.m.
Fresh off Amazon’s acquisition of WiFi system maker Eero earlier this year, the company today rolled out a new Eero dual-band mesh WiFi router for $99. Eero CEO Nick Weaver is at today’s event.
Also: new Alexa features from doorbell maker Ring, which Amazon acquired last year.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176918895480848384
More Ring: a new Ring Indoor Cam is the company’s first indoor-only camera. It’s also the cheapest Ring security camera to date, selling at $59.99 and available for preorder today. There’s also the new “Stick Up Cam” for $99.99, and a DIY retrofit kit for old alarm systems.
There’s also a new Echo Flex plug-in smart speaker that goes into the wall and takes basic Alexa functionality to more rooms.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176919942161035265
Another smart home announcement: Amazon unveiled Certified for Humans, a new program “that identifies devices that are struggle-free, tinker-free, and stress-free—no patience needed to get these installed.”
Update, 10:45 a.m.
Echo Glow — this is a new $29.99 device that looks like a small color-changing ball targeted at kids.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176915885639864320
Amazon also announced Alexa Communications for Kids, which lets parents control who their kids talk to via the Echo Dot Kids Edition; a new Alexa Education Skill API; and FreeTime (curated child content from Amazon) on Echo Show.
Update, 10:35 a.m.
Amazon introduced the new Echo Show 8 with an 8-inch HD display and a privacy shutter, priced at $129.99 with preorders starting today. It sits in between the 10.1-inch Echo Show and the 5.5-inch version. There’s a new service called Food Network Kitchen that is coming to Alexa. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay showed up on a call.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176913154372059136
Update, 10:25 a.m.
Amazon unveiled an all-new Echo priced at $99.99 with preorders starting today. The third generation Echo, which keeps its $99.99 price point, features improved sound and new fabric designs, including twilight blue. There’s also a new feature called Alexa Guest Connect that lets you play music on your friends’ Echo devices.
Another new Echo device: the $199.99 Echo Studio, a higher-end and larger speaker. It features support for 3D audio from Dolby Atmos. Amazon recently rolled out a new Music HD streaming service.
https://twitter.com/toddbishop/status/1176912115703021568
Update, 10:20 a.m.
Amazon is using neural text-to-speech to make Alexa more fluid and natural. Alexa will use a “newscaster” voice when reading news and can now respond in celebrity voices. Samuel L. Jackson is the first celebrity whose voice will be available as an alternative in the Alexa voice interface, for a 99-cent upgrade. Alexa will be able to also detect frustration.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176908554403368960
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176909610109636608
There’s also a new “Multilingual Mode” available next month, starting with three pairs: in the U.S. – English and Spanish, in India – Indian English and Hindi, and in Canada – Canadian English and French.
Update, 10:15 a.m.
Amazon’s first new product: an Echo Dot with a clock, priced at $59.99 with pre-orders starting today. The previous Echo Dot will still be available.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176907395659751424
Update, 10:10 a.m.:
Amazon kicked off the event by showing the draft 2011 press release for the original Alexa, then codenamed Doppler. Privacy was also front-and-center from the beginning.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176906013477228545
Amazon announced that it will allow customers to automatically delete voice recordings after three or 18 months.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176907201950011392
Spotted in the crowd: Ring founder Jamie Siminoff and Eero CEO Nick Weaver. Amazon acquired smart doorbell maker Ring last year and bought WiFi system maker Eero earlier this year.
9:50 a.m.: GeekWire is live on the ground at Amazon HQ in Seattle today where the tech giant is hosting a media event to show off its new and updated gadgets. Things get rolling at 10 a.m. PT and we’ll update this post as news is announced.
Amazon held a similar event last year when it unveiled more than a dozen new devices, putting Alexa into everything from microwaves to sound systems to car dashboards. Alexa will surely be in the spotlight again this year.
Amazon is rumored to unveil new Echo devices, Ring products, and possibly Alexa-powered earbuds.
Here’s one thing we didn’t expect: a twerking bear.
https://twitter.com/geekwire/status/1176894479871037440