Smart home
Amazon Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8 2nd-Gen Models Launched With Better Cameras
There’s no word on when these devices will launch in India for now. These are well-priced devices and could be launched in the country in the coming months. The first-generation Amazon Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 are priced at Rs. 5,499 and Rs. 8,499, respectively, in India. It’s likely that the new devices will stick to these price points as and when they are launched in the country.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) price, specifications
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) is priced at $130 (approximately Rs. 9,500). It comes with a MediaTek MT 8183 octa-core processor, as well as a much improved 13-megapixel front camera. There are no other significant hardware or design changes; the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) retains the 8-inch 1,280×800-pixel screen and dual speaker system for display and audio output. There is a physical shutter for the camera for those concerned about privacy, and users can of course access the Alexa voice assistant.
According to a report by The Verge, the 13-megapixel camera on the Echo Show 8 provides a 110-degree wide field-of-view, and can pan and tilt to keep the focus on the subjects in the frame during video calls, even if they’re moving around.
Additionally, there is also people-tracking on the device, which allows the Echo Show 8 to detect when a person has entered the room and allow that to be used for routines that you can set up. For example, this can be used to power on smart lights and other IoT appliances, or playing music, and sensibly, can be opted into rather than default for everyone. Users will also be able to turn on Alexa’s security mode to use the Echo Show 8 or Echo Show 5 as a security camera for the home.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen), Echo Show 5 Kids edition price, specifications
The smaller Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) doesn’t get as significant hardware updates as the larger 8-inch version. Priced at $85 (approximately Rs. 6,200), the 5-inch device gets a 2-megapixel camera (compared to the 1-megapixel sensor on the 1st-Gen version), and also gets a new blue colour option.
The camera and lesser processing power mean that the Echo Show 5 doesn’t have the same camera capabilities as the larger device, but it does of course work fine for most video call and display-based functions. Like the first-generation device, it has a 5.5-inch 960×480-pixel touch screen and gives users access to the Alexa voice assistant for both audio and limited video functions.
The ‘Kids’ version of the Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is the same as the basic device in terms of hardware capabilities, but comes in a more catchy green-blue colour combination. It does cost a bit more at $95 (approximately Rs. 7,000) but users in the US get a one-year subscription of Amazon Kids Plus services, and a two-year warranty.
Apple Smart Doorbell
In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman detailed Apple’s smart home efforts. The iPhone maker is reported to be working on a smart home doorbell system that will have advanced facial recognition, which wirelessly connects to a deadbolt lock.
Apple already offers several third-party smart home locks on its online store but this is said to be its first-ever proprietary offering. It is speculated to work on the same HomeKit protocol and may support other third-party locks. With this move, the company may surface as a competitor in a space dominated by the likes of Amazon’s Ring and Google Nest.
The product is expected to use Apple’s first-ever proprietary wireless networking chipset dubbed Proxima to protect consumer data. The smart home doorbell system is not expected to hit the market at least until the end of next year. However, there may be a possibility that Apple develops the technology but sells it through a third-party brand. If that is the case, Logitech or Belkin are to be the likely partners, as per Gurman.
Other Smart Home Products
The newsletter also details other endeavours by the iPhone maker in the smart home space. It is said to be developing a smart hub powered by artificial intelligence (AI) which would feature a 6-inch screen, FaceTime support, and a new operating system. Apple is also reported to be roll out upgrades for Apple TV and HomePod mini devices next year — both having the new wireless networking chip.
The company could also delve into the home security space with a purported in-home security camera that would work in tandem with its purported smart hub. Its development is already reported to be underway and may offer competition to the likes of Amazon, Blink, Google, and Logitech.
JioTag Go Price in India, Availability
JioTag Go price is set in India at Rs. 1,499. It is available for purchase in the country via Amazon, JioMart e-store, as well as Reliance Digital and My Jio stores. The tracker is offered in black, orange, white, and yellow colour options.
JioTag Go Features
The JioTag Go is a Bluetooth tracker which is compatible with Google’s Find My Device feature. The tracker connects with the Find My Device application on Android smartphones, which users can access through the Play Store. People can use this to track their belongings worldwide, the company said.
It can be attached to keys, purses, luggage, gadgets, bikes, and more and then be used to locate the items if lost. When within Bluetooth range, users can tap the ‘Play Sound’ option on the Find My Device app, and the concerned JioTag Go will make a beeping noise, which should easily help locate the lost item.
Outside the Bluetooth range, the last location of the tracker can be detected by Google’s Find My Device network. On the app, users can follow the map that appears with the ‘Get Directions’ option, to this location. Once in range, the JioTag Go will automatically connect to the user’s phone and they can use the ‘Play Sound’ feature to find the tracker.
The latest tracker from Reliance Jio is compatible with smartphones running Android 9 and above. It does not connect to iPhones. Notably, the JioTag Air is compatible with iPhone models running iOS 14 or later, as well as Android smartphones on Android 9 and later.
JioTag Go does not require a SIM card to function. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and is backed by a CR2032 battery, one of which is said to last up to a year. The Amazon listing reveals that the tracker measures 38.2 x 38.2 x 7.2mm in size and weighs 9g.
Apple AirTag 2 New Ultrawide-Band Chip
The anticipated AirTag 2 will carry a new ultrawide-band chip instead of the one used in the current version of the tracker, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in his Power On newsletter Sunday. This new chip is said to be “on par with the one introduced in the iPhone 15.”
Gurman claimed that the new ultrawide-band chip is expected to increase the Precision Finding range considerably in the second generation of AirTag. This is said to make it easier to track and find items. Currently, depending on certain conditions an item with an attached AirTag can be located from 10 to 30 meters away. With the rumoured new UB chip, that range is expected to triple, Gurman said.
Apple AirTag 2 Launch Timeline
Previous reports have suggested that Apple could launch the AirTag 2 around the “middle of next year,” that is roughly June-July 2025. The purported smart tracker is said to carry the codename B589. It is expected to sport a similar design as the existing variant but get upgraded privacy features.
Since the launch of the first generation AirTag, it has been misused for stalking. Apple is expected to make privacy-focussed changes for the AirTag 2 “to make the new model more tamper-proof.” The company will reportedly launch a new smart home display alongside the second-generation AirTag.
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.
-
Solar Energy3 years agoDLR testing the use of molten salt in a solar power plant in Portugal
-
Camera1 year agoDJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Pro: which compact drone is best?
-
world news1 year ago
Gulf, France aid Gaza, Russia evacuates citizens
-
Camera1 year agoSony a9 III: what you need to know
-
world news1 year ago
Strong majority of Americans support Israel-Hamas hostage deal
-
Camera4 years agoCharles ‘Chuck’ Geschke, co-founder of Adobe and inventor of the PDF, dies at 81
-
Solar Energy1 year agoGlencore eyes options on battery recycling project
-
Indian Defense3 years ago
Israeli Radar Company Signs MoU To Cooperate With India’s Alpha Design Technologies
