Smart home
Amazon Alexa Is Finally Getting Generative AI
Here’s a roundup of all the major announcements Amazon made at its fall hardware launch event on Wednesday:
All-new Echo Show 8 smart display launched
Amazon kicked off its fall event by announcing the all-new Echo Show 8. The new smart display features spatial audio support and smart home hub functionality. Echo Show 8 can also ‘sense’ acoustics in a room, and adjust the sound output accordingly. It features a new proximity sensor, a front-facing camera at the top with a physical switch to turn off its microphone. The all-new Echo Show 8 is available for pre-orders in the US starting today, priced at $149.
Amazon Alexa gets generative AI capabilities
Amazon Alexa is finally getting generative AI. The company’s generative AI models will be available across all Echo-enabled devices, including the first-generation Echo smart speakers. Amazon says its generative AI model is designed and optimised for voice, and focuses on offering real-time information besides letting consumers control their smart home products more efficiently.
Alexa’s generative AI model will offer a much deeper conversational experience. Amazon will open up its API to allow third-party developers to add their own LLMs to Alexa. The AI model will enable Alexa to offer personal reminders based on user interactions. For example, Alexa will be able to recommend recipes based on your grocery purchases.
Amazon’s outgoing SVP of devices and services division, Dave Lim said that Alexa will now be able to understand conversations and reply back with proper context. Alexa will also be able to respond to multiple requests from one command.
Customers in the United States will get access to these new generative AI features on Alexa via a free preview soon. Amazon hasn’t announced when Echo users in other countries will be able to access these features.
New Fire TV Stick models, Fire TV Soundbar launched
Amazon also announced the launch of its next-generation Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and a new Fire TV Soundbar. The new Fire TV Stick models are powered by upgraded processors, and promise faster performance compared to previous generation models. Fire TV Stick 4K comes with support for Dolby Vision, Wi-Fi 6, HDR10 and HDR 10 Plus. Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which is just $10 more expensive than the standard 4K stick, offers twice the amount of storage (16GB) and Wi-Fi 6E support.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max is Amazon’s first streaming media player to support the Fire TV Ambient Experience. The feature was earlier limited to customers using Fire TV Omni QLED series TV models. Fire TV Stick 4K is priced at $49.99 and Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($59.99).
Fire TV Soundbar launched
Amazon also announced its new Fire TV Soundbar alongside new Fire TV updates. The new model comes in a compact 24-inch design, and is compatible with all existing Fire TV devices. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing customers to pair their devices when they’re not streaming content on the TV. The new Fire TV Soundbar is priced at $119.99 in the US.
An upgraded Fire TV experience powered by generative AI
Just like Alexa, Fire TV is also getting generative AI. The new Fire TV experience promises to improve search and recommendations by combining Fire TV’s extensive library with generative AI. Amazon says the new Fire TV experience will make it easier for customers to discover new content in a more conversational way. Customers will be able to ask Alexa to find content based on specific keywords such as actors, specific scenes, genres, etc.
All-new Amazon Echo Frames launched
At its fall event, Amazon announced a new version of its Echo Frames audio glasses. The next-generation Echo Frames now offer up to six hours of battery life. Amazon says you can now pair and switch frames between two devices. Priced starting at $269.99, Amazon’s new Echo Frames audio glass come in five new styles, including prescription-ready and blue light lens.
The new Echo Frames promise a much better audio quality with the new custom-built speakers that can deliver more bass while minimizing outside noise compared to their predecessors. The glasses look much more natural, and are designed to offer a complete hands-free experience.
Amazon Echo Hub smart home control panel announced
Amazon launched its all-new Echo Hub at its fall devices event today. The Echo Hub is the company’s first smart home controller that looks more like a simple touchscreen tablet than a smart display. It can be used to control your smart home experiences. The 8-inch tablet-like device runs the same operating system as the new Echo Show 5. However, it doesn’t come with a camera.
Echo Hub offers a customisable smart home dashboard that lets customers manage their smart home devices using a simple-to-use interface. Echo Hub uses infrared to detect when a customer is nearby, and automatically switches to the Home Screen. When the user is away, it can switch back to a default setting such as a clock. Echo Hub is priced at $179.99 in the US.
India price details of Dyson WashG1 wet floor cleaner have not been announced yet. It is confirmed to be available soon in the country. In Australia, the device is listed for sale with a price tag of AUD 999 (roughly Rs. 83,000)
Dyson WashG1 specifications, features
Dyson WashG1 uses hydration, absorption, and extraction methods to pick up wet and dry debris in a single sweep. It is claimed to clean up to a 290 square meter area with a one-litre clean-water tank. The device features two individually powered microfiber rollers with 64,800 filaments per square centimetre. The rollers, placed at the front and back of the machine, counter-rotate whilst a pulse-modulated pump distributes water across 26 precisely positioned hydration points, along the full width of each roller. The mop uses the company’s latest separation technology to divide wet and dry debris at the source.
The Dyson WashG1 has been designed with in-use hydration control and users can select it based on the type of debris, flooring and personal preference. There are low, medium, and high hydration modes. Each motor will spin at a consistent speed following the hydration mode selected. Each mode also features an additional three sensitivity settings and a separate boost mode button to purge each roller with the maximum amount of hydration when pressed, to remove stubborn dirt and dried-on stains.
Dirty water is extracted from the rollers of Dyson WashG1 by extraction plates. It includes a secondary nylon-bristled inner brush to scrape out dirt from the microfibre rollers and flick it straight into a removable debris tray. The tray designed with 500-micron mesh can separate dirty water from the large debris. With the help of an extraction pump, dirty water is collected in a 0.8-litre capacity dirty water tank with openings to allow for easy maintenance and cleaning.
Dyson WashG1 also comes with a self-cleaning mode that uses clean water to flush out the system and clean the brushes in preparation for the next clean in 140 seconds.
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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K price, availability
Just like its predecessors, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K comes in a single matte black colour option. The device is priced at Rs. 5,999 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon’s website. The company said that the streaming device will go on sale starting May 13. Apart from Amazon, the Fire TV Stick 4K can also be purchased via the online and offline stores of Croma, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales once it goes on sale.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K features
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, as the name suggests, features 4K Ultra HD content streaming and supports HDR10+. Alongside, it also comes with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio. The company claims this is the most powerful streaming device in Amazon’s Fire TV lineup that is available in India.
Under the hood, the Fire TV Stick 4K features a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, which Amazon claims makes it 30 percent more powerful than the previous generations. It offers Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands. The new Alexa Voice Remote now also features dedicated buttons for apps. Users can find buttons for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Amazon Music.
Further, an apps button opens all other installed video streaming apps. Just like the predecessor, the remote comes with voice input powered by Alexa and users can speak what they want to watch and the virtual assistant will show it on the screen. Users can also wirelessly connect their Echo devices to the Fire TV Stick 4K through the Alexa app.
The Fire TV Stick 4K offers access to more than 12,000 apps via Amazon’s Appstore including popular apps such as Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, and Jio Cinema. Users can watch content through all the available apps as long as they have a subscription. They can also enjoy free and ad-supported content on Amazon MiniTV, YouTube, and MX Player. The company has also included a Low Power Mode, which it claims will conserve energy when the device goes to sleep or standby mode due to inactivity.
Redmi Buds 5A, Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10 and Xiaomi Handheld Garment Steamer price in India
Redmi Buds 5A price in India is set at Rs. 1,499 and the company says this is a “special launch price”, which means it could be revised at a later date. The wireless headset available in Bass Black and Timeless White colourways and will be available starting on April 29, via the company’s online store, Xiaomi retail stores, and Reliance-owned stores in the country.
The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10 price is set at Rs. 20,999. The smart home device will be available via Amazon, Flipkart, and Xiaomi retail stores starting on May 6, while pre orders will begin on April 29. Customers can also avail of a Rs. 1,000 discount on HDFC Bank and SBI credit card and credit card EMI transactions.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi Handheld Garment Steamer is priced at Rs. 2,299. Customers can purchase the appliance via Amazon, Flipkart, the company’s online store, and Xiaomi retail outlets starting on May 6, while pre orders will begin on April 29, according to the company.
Redmi Buds 5A, Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10 and Xiaomi Handheld Garment Steamer specifications
The Redmi Buds 5A is equipped with 12mm dynamic drivers, according to the company. It supports up to 25dB ANC and transparency modes for media, along with artificial intelligence (AI) environmental noise cancellation (ENC) for calls. The wireless headset also supports touch controls that can be customised via the Xiaomi Earbuds app and comes with Google Fast Pair support.
It is claimed to offer up to 30 hours of battery life (with ANC disabled), and Xiaomi hasn’t disclosed how long the Redmi Buds 5A will work on single charge. The TWS headset will also provide 90 minutes of playtime with a 10-minute charge, according to the company. It has an IPX4 rating for splash resistance.
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10 avoids obstacles within an 8-meter scanning range
Photo Credit: Xiaomi
The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner S10 is equipped with a 360-degree laser-based navigation system that is capable of moving around obstacles within an 8-meter scanning range, according to the company. It features a peak suction power of 4000Pa and a floating roller brush and a 300ml dust box.
The company’s latest vacuum cleaner can sweep and mop in Y-shaped and zigzag cleaning paths using custom map functions, with Silent, Standard, Strong, and Turbo modes. It supports both Alexa and Google Assistant voice command. It also supports over the air (OTA) updates that could improve its functionality at a later date.
Meanwhile, the Xiaomi Handheld Garment Steamer has a ceramic sole plate. The foldable 1300W device has a steam rate of 24g per minute, has a 160ml water storage unit, and heats up in under 26 seconds, according to the company. It is claimed to kill up to 99.99 percent of bacteria, while removing allergens. The device works with a range of fabrics, including cotton, linen, wool, nylon, silk, and polyester. It can also be used in horizontal and vertical modes, and can be used without an ironing board.
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