Amazon announces new Echo devices

[gorcorps]

https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/27/16374254/amazon-event-2017-news-recap-echo-spot-fire-tv-hardware

So the new echo is cheaper than the old at $100 (good news).
link: Echo 2ND gen

They'll have an Echo "plus" for $150 which is the same size as the last echo, but it also doubles as a smart hub. Each Plus also includes a Philips Hue light bulb.
link: Echo Plus

A new device called Echo Spot was announced for $130. A small, round, almost alarm clock styled devices with a round screen.
link: Echo Spot

A new 4k Fire TV was also announced, will be $70 with an alexa voice remote.
link: Fire TV

 

[gorcorps]

I'd be interested in how the Plus model works as a hub. I was on the fence about buying a Smart Things hub, so I may hold off and see how this pans out and just get it instead if it works well enough.

 

[mxnerd]

Google just cut off Youtube service from Amazon's Echo Show completely yesterday.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/26/16371292/google-youtube-amazon-echo-show

 

[Kaido]

We have some additional discussion going on in the Wink smarthome thread:

https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/the-wink-home-automation-thread.2390152/page-155

I am very excited. These look awesome!

 

[Red Storm]

I'm big into Google services, so Amazon's stuff doesn't really interest me, but it's cool to see new hardware.

 

[Zaap]

The new FireTV is interesting. I'd say its a steal at $70, but I'm not sure I'm loving the built in HDMI cable rather than just a standard port. I'm guessing an adapter could remedy that. Hanging that thing off an HDMI port on a TV seems kinda idiotic to me, as opposed to run a proper cable from it.

Also, it needs an ethernet adapter for $15, rather than built in like it used to be. I'm laughing at the idea of both of those daisy-chained hanging off the side of someone's TV.

Still, $85 for both, vs $180 for the AppleTV, it's kind of a no brainer.

I've never used the Echo devices- I can't really picture my family using one past the initial "hey this is new, let's mess with it" phase. Anyone own one? Is it even remotely worth it?

 

[gorcorps]

The new FireTV is interesting. I'd say its a steal at $70, but I'm not sure I'm loving the built in HDMI cable rather than just a standard port. I'm guessing an adapter could remedy that. Hanging that thing off an HDMI port on a TV seems kinda idiotic to me, as opposed to run a proper cable from it.

Also, it needs an ethernet adapter for $15, rather than built in like it used to be. I'm laughing at the idea of both of those daisy-chained hanging off the side of someone's TV.

Still, $85 for both, vs $180 for the AppleTV, it's kind of a no brainer.

I've never used the Echo devices- I can't really picture my family using one past the initial "hey this is new, let's mess with it" phase. Anyone own one? Is it even remotely worth it?

I don't own one yet, but my initial thought would be easy starting music when cooking or cleaning. It's not like I couldn't do something similar with my phone and a bluetooth speaker, but I'm sure I'd start messing with other smart features too once I had it.

 

[Kaido]

I've never used the Echo devices- I can't really picture my family using one past the initial "hey this is new, let's mess with it" phase. Anyone own one? Is it even remotely worth it?

I bought an Echo recently (it was half off at Whole Foods). We ended up using it a LOT more than I thought we would...love me some toys, but this actually ended up using pretty useful. Great if you have kids too...you can set time-out timers, play games, read stories, set a bedtime alarm, a wake-up alarm, etc. I ended up buying 4 more Echo Dots. I also have the 10" Echo tablet on pre-order for next month, to use in my kitchen. We are fans!

On the flip side, I do not like any other voice systems...Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana, etc. Alexa is the only one I'm willing to use because it has a great microphone, extremely accurate voice capture, and a great database of useful stuff to use it for. I pretty much hated using my voice for commands before, but it works so well now with the Echo, that I really don't mind using it.

 

[Kaido]

I don't own one yet, but my initial thought would be easy starting music when cooking or cleaning. It's not like I couldn't do something similar with my phone and a bluetooth speaker, but I'm sure I'd start messing with other smart features too once I had it.

It's going through the McDonalds drive-through vs. sitting down a Five Guys - it's the convenience factor. I am all about manual input & love my keyboard, but the Echo actually works properly for voice commands. There is no other voice command system that I have ever used that is as good as it is. They've cracked the code for usability.

tbh, if I was a bachelor, I don't know if I would use it. I use it for a lot of family functions. My wife absolutely loves it. Works great with Spotify. Kids (at least, the ones old enough to speak clearly) love using it.

 

[mcveigh]

There is another FireTV in the works that they didn't announce.
http://www.aftvnews.com/exclusive-t...amazon-fire-tv-models-being-released-in-2017/

It's larger and has alexa builtin. I'm waiting for that. I currently have a 1st gen Fire stick and it works great but is a little laggy at times.

The new FireTV is interesting. I'd say its a steal at $70, but I'm not sure I'm loving the built in HDMI cable rather than just a standard port. I'm guessing an adapter could remedy that. Hanging that thing off an HDMI port on a TV seems kinda idiotic to me, as opposed to run a proper cable from it.

Also, it needs an ethernet adapter for $15, rather than built in like it used to be. I'm laughing at the idea of both of those daisy-chained hanging off the side of someone's TV.

Still, $85 for both, vs $180 for the AppleTV, it's kind of a no brainer.

I've never used the Echo devices- I can't really picture my family using one past the initial "hey this is new, let's mess with it" phase. Anyone own one? Is it even remotely worth it?

 

[Oyeve]

I bought an echo dot during prime day and find I use it all the time. Amazon Music at work is great when I'm too busy to browse through my music.

 

[Zaap]

^ Thanks for the info above. Now I'm curious to look into one of these. I do love a good gadget.

Where do ya'll put them? How far away can one be for the voice commands to still be effective?