Amazon’s fall hardware event had a little of everything: updated Echo speakers, several Blink security devices, and even a Kindle Scribe with a color screen. Most of the gadgets won’t ship for at least a couple of weeks, if not longer; however, most are also available for preorder at Amazon if you want to be among the first to try them.
To help make sense of it all, we’ve rounded up all of Amazon’s upcoming wares, along with quick summaries and preorder details for each device. And if you’re waiting for our thoughts, stay tuned: we’ll be reviewing many of the new devices in the coming weeks, including the latest Fire TVs, Echo devices, and more.
$100
The Echo Dot Max features a flat design and a redesigned sound system, which is expected to deliver nearly three times the bass as its predecessor. It also supposedly offers improved conversation detection and filters out background noise better than its predecessor thanks to Amazon’s new AZ3 chip.
Amazon announced a redesigned Echo Dot model called the Echo Dot Max, which is more elegant than its predecessor thanks to a higher-quality 3D knit fabric and a flat face, along with a new LED light ring and touch controls positioned on the front. It’s the first Echo Dot with a two-way speaker system, which can deliver nearly three times the bass, along with a high-excursion woofer and custom tweeter for clearer sound. It supposedly boasts improved conversation detection and more effectively filters out background noise with the help of Amazon’s new AZ3 processor — all from within a package that’s roughly the size of a HomePod Mini. It also supports Amazon Alexa Plus, which is an AI-powered upgrade to Amazon’s voice assistant that’s more context-aware and capable of handling more complex tasks.
The Echo Dot Max is available for preorder in black, purple, and white with Alexa Plus Early Access for $99.99 at Amazon ahead of its release on October 29th.
$220
The new Echo Studio is said to be Amazon’s “best-sounding Echo ever,” with support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. It features a new spherical design that’s 40 percent smaller than its predecessor and runs on Amazon’s AZ3 Pro chip, which enables Omnisense presence detection, allowing Alexa to respond to its surroundings.
After six years, Amazon has updated its Echo Studio speaker, calling it its “most advanced and best-sounding Echo ever.” The new model supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, and can pair with up to five Studio or Echo Dot Max speakers using a compatible Fire TV stick for a more immersive surround sound system. It also features a new, spherical design with an LED ring and touch controls up front, along with a build that’s percent smaller than its 2019 predecessor. It runs on an AZ3 Pro chip and leverages Amazon’s Omnisense sensor platform, allowing Alexa to combine input from the device’s built-in camera, microphones, and Wi-Fi radar to sense its environment and respond — for example, by sending a reminder when a specific person walks in.
The Echo Studio is available for preorder at Amazon in black or white for $219.99, and will arrive in stores on October 29th. US customers will also get access to Alexa Plus Early Access when they place their preorder.
The Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11
$180
The updated Echo Show 8 features an 8-inch display with 720p resolution, wider viewing angles, and higher contrast. It includes a 13MP camera, new stereo speakers, and supports Alexa Plus, while doubling as a smart home hub with support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread.
$220
The Echo Show 11 is the first of its kind, with an 11-inch screen and 1080p resolution. It includes supports Alexa Plus and can be used as a smart home hub with support for the Thread, Matter, and Zigbee smart home protocols.
Amazon introduced a new Echo Show 8 alongside an Echo Show 11 on Tuesday, the latter of which is essentially a follow-up to the Echo Show 10. The eight-inch Show 8 improves upon its predecessor with 720p resolution, wider viewing angles, and higher contrast, while the Show 11 offers a larger display and sharper 1080p resolution.
Both smart displays feature a more refined design with 3D knit fabric, slimmer bezels, and vivid color. They come with a 13-megapixel camera that can adjust screen content based on who is looking at it and your location, along with an expanded display area and new front-facing stereo speakers. Both speakers also support Alexa Plus and can serve as built-in smart home hubs with support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread. In addition, they’ll provide personalized health insights through Amazon’s new partnership with Oura, with support for more devices from Withings and Wyze coming soon.
Slated for release on November 12th, the Echo Show 8 with Alexa Plus Early Access is available for preorder in black or white at Amazon for $179.99. You can also preorder the Echo Show 11 at Amazon in either color for $219.99.
$480
The latest Fire TV Omni QLED is 60 percent brighter than its predecessor and offers nearly double the local dimming zones. It also supports Amazon’s Omnisense technology and lets you talk to Alexa Plus directly through your TV.
Amazon also refreshed its Omni QLED TV, which now offers twice as many dimming zones and is 60 percent brighter than previous models. A new processor renders the newest model 40 percent faster, while built-in Omnisense technology prompts it to turn on when you enter the room and display interactive art that can respond to your movements. It also supports Alexa Plus, allowing you to turn it on with just your voice, eliminating the need for a remote. The new Omni QLED starts at $479.99 and comes in four configurations — including 50-, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch panels — and will begin shipping on November 5th.
They don’t look as high-end as the Omni and lack support for Dolby Vision and HDR10 Plus Adaptive, but if you’re on a tight budget, Amazon also introduced new 2- and 4-Series TVs. The 2-Series offers HD resolution, while the 4-Series delivers 4K resolution and is up to 30 percent faster than prior models thanks to Amazon’s latest processor. Like the Omni QLED Series, both support Omnisense technology and let you use Alexa Plus directly through your TV.
The 4-Series is available for preorder on Amazon in 43-, 50-, and 55-inch sizes starting at $329.99 ahead of its release on October 22nd. Meanwhile, the 2-Series starts at $159.99, comes in 32- and 40-inch models, and will begin shipping on November 5th.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select
$40
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is Amazon’s newest budget 4K streaming stick. It supports HDR10 Plus and will soon support Alexa Plus, along with Xbox Gaming and Luna, Amazon’s cloud gaming service.
Amazon also introduced a new streaming stick called the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. The 4K streaming stick supports HDR10 Plus and runs on Amazon’s new operating system, Vega, which should make apps launch “remarkably fast.” It will also support Alexa Plus in the near future — along with Xbox Gaming and Luna, Amazon’s cloud gaming service — and comes bundled with an Alexa Voice Remote. You can preorder the Fire TV Stick 4K Select right now at Amazon for $39.99 ahead of its October 15th release date.
The latest Ring video doorbells
$180
The Ring Video Doorbell Plus features 2K resolution and leverages AI to improve low-light performance. Starting in December, it will also include AI-powered facial recognition and support for Alexa Plus Greetings, which can turn Alexa into a virtual receptionist that can greet visitors.
The new $179.99 Ring Video Doorbell Plus delivers 2K resolution and introduces “Ring Retinal 2” technology, which will use AI to deliver clearer video in low-light conditions. It also introduces an AI-powered facial recognition feature called “Familiar Faces,” which is designed to identify who’s at your door, and comes with Alexa Plus Greetings, which turns Alexa into a kind of receptionist that will ask visitors why they’re there, help manage deliveries, and more. Both Familiar Faces and Alexa Plus Greetings are slated to roll out in December.
You can currently preorder the Ring Video Doorbell Plus at Amazon for $179.99 ahead of its launch on October 29th. Amazon also introduced the new $249.99 Ring Wired Doorbell Pro 4K, which is similar to the Ring Video Doorbell but features Amazon’s new “Ring Retinal 4K” tech, allowing it to deliver sharper 4K resolution and up to 10x zoom. It doesn’t hit stores until October 29th, but it’s available for preorder at Amazon for $249.99.
The new Ring security cameras
$60
The Ring Indoor Cam Plus uses “Ring Retinal 2” tech to deliver 2K resolution with improved low-light performance. It includes two-way talk and comes with a built-in lens cover for added privacy.
In addition to the doorbell, Amazon announced several new Ring cameras, all of which are now available for preorder: the $59.99 Indoor Cam Plus, $199.99 Outdoor Cam Pro 4K, $249.99 Spotlight Cam Pro 4K, and the $279.99 Floodlight Cam Pro 4K. Amazon also debuted power over ethernet (POE) versions of the Spotlight Cam Pro, Outdoor Cam Pro, and Wired Doorbell Elite, which cost $349.98, $299.98, and $499.99, respectively.
Like the Ring Video Doorbell, the new Ring Indoor Cam Plus features Amazon’s “Ring Retinal 2” tech, while the outdoor models offer the more advanced “Ring Retinal 4K” tech found in the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro 4K.
The outdoor cameras also introduce a new AI-powered community feature called Search Party, slated to launch in December, which is designed to help families locate lost pets. After you report a missing pet in the Ring app, nearby outdoor Ring cameras will automatically send alerts if they spot it.
$100
The new Blink Arc combines two Blink cameras to capture different perspectives of the same space, merging them into a single feed with a 180-degree field of view.
Amazon also introduced three new Blink cameras at its hardware event this week. The Blink Outdoor 2K Plus is its newest battery-powered camera, with 4x zoom, two-way talk, 2K resolution, and improved low-light performance. The Blink Mini 2K Plus, meanwhile, is a wired camera with similar features, one can use outside when you pair it with Blink’s Weather-Resistant Power Adapter. Amazon also introduced an entirely new camera, the Blink Arc. It essentially combines two Blink Mini 2K Plus cameras to deliver a 180-degree field of view (with a Blink Subscription Plus Plan) for more complete coverage.
All of the new Blink devices are available for preorder, with the Blink Mini 2K Plus going for $49.99 ahead of its release on October 15th. You can also preorder the Blink Outdoor 2K Plus for $89.99 before it hits stores on October 29th, and the Blink Arc for $99.99 before it’s released on October 22nd.
The new Kindle Scribe models
$630
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is Amazon’s first note-taking e-reader with a color screen. It features an 11-inch display, a slimmer design, an improved interface, an updated stylus, and a new AI-powered search feature that can quickly summarize documents.
A year after releasing its second-gen Kindle Scribe, Amazon is back with three new models: the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft ($629.99), a mid-tier monochromatic Kindle Scribe with a front light ($499.99), and one without ($429.99). The new 11-inch note-taking ebook readers are larger than their predecessors, yet they’re also thinner than Apple’s new iPhone Air. Amazon’s latest e-readers will also feature an AI-powered search tool that can quickly summarize documents, an updated interface that makes it easier to launch Quick Notes, and a larger, rounder stylus designed to provide a more natural writing experience.
The new Kindle Scribes will ship “later this year” in the US. Amazon hasn’t provided preorder details yet, but you can sign up to receive email notifications when they become available.
