Amazon (AMZN) unveiled a set of Alexa-equipped hardware products at an event held on Thursday at its Seattle headquarters. With Alexa giving stiff competition to Apple Siri and Google Assistant, Amazon is asserting dominance in the Internet of Things market.
Amazon on Thursday unveiled a larger 1.6-inch Echo Dot speaker that is 70% louder and costs $49.99. Preorder for the device, which will begin shipping in October, is currently underway.
The company also came out with a portable device called Echo Auto, which can be played over the car’s speakers. The Echo Auto will be sold at a discounted $24.99 for selective people, while others can buy it for $49.99.
For home customers, Amazon unveiled a tiny Echo Input that can be plugged into existing speakers. The Echo Input is priced at $34.99. The second-generation Echo Plus is also likely to hit the market in October at the current price tag of $149.99. Notably, it will come with new voice controls.
The second-generation Echo Show, with a larger smart 10-inch display, has been launched with drop-in video chat capabilities. Meanwhile, marking the company’s entry into the home security market, Amazon launched Alexa Guard, which can detect break-ins and turn lights on or off.
Besides these Amazon has unveiled a new microwave under its own AmazonBasics brand at a price of $59.99, which supports the new Alexa Connect Kit. An Echo Wall Clock that can be connected to Echo speakers over Bluetooth also grabbed limelight at the event.
The company has partnered with Sonos third-party speakers to bring out Alexa voice assistant on the Sonos One and Sonos Beam. A new Fire TV Recast has been unveiled at $229.99 to bring free over-the-air channels such as ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC to Fire TV.
Separately, Amazon Smart Plug, compatible with Alexa, was launched at a price tag of $24.99 Amazon also unveiled the Ring Stick Up Cam that comes in wired and battery-powered versions and could be used both indoors and outside. It was priced at $179.99.