Amazon’s upcoming tech from a flying security camera to new Echo smart speaker
EVERY September, Amazon unveils a dizzying array of new gear.
This year’s ranges from the sublime (a strikingly different Echo smart speaker) to the ridiculous (a flying security camera).
Here is all you need to know about the coming tech.
All will be available at amazon.co.uk.
Echo – £89.99, out now
THE new Echo speaker is not shaped like a tube of Pringles.
Amazon has chosen a spherical shape with a fabric finish and an LED ring at the base.
Like the much pricier Echo Studio hi-fi speaker, this can sense the acoustics of your room and adjust playback to suit.
It will still do all the smart home things you are used to and now it has a smarter Alexa sounding more realistic than ever.
Echo Show 10 – £239.99, available by end of year
THE Alexa-enabled Echo Show series includes a display and camera.
But this new model has something different: A 10in display that follows you round the room using a clever processor and a camera — no footage is recorded and nothing is sent to the cloud.
It has a natural feel because as you move round the room, the screen silently turns to face you.
A sliding button can cover the camera when you want to turn it off.
It will still do all the smart home things you are used to and now it has a smarter Alexa sounding more realistic than ever.
Echo Dot – £49.99, available now
THE compact, affordable Dot is the top seller of the Echo family. And now it is spherical!
Choose a version with a digital clock display (£59.99) which makes a great alarm clock — just tap it to snooze for a few more minutes.
Oh, and there’s a very cool kids’ edition designed to look like a tiger or panda, but no date yet for a possible release in the UK.
Fire Stick £39.99, available next week
THE new version of this popular TV device has a faster brain and is far more energy-efficient than before.
It is compatible with Dolby Atmos and HDR for better audio and visual quality too.
The remote control has a useful microphone button to launch channels and control compatible smart home devices.
Or get the cheaper Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, £29.99, available next week, for a TV without 4K. It still has a microphone button.
Guard Plus – Around £5 a month, no date specified
THIS is a really clever and handy security service, which will launch in the US first.
Cross your fingers that it also comes to these shores in due course, because it’s pretty cool.
It works with an Amazon Echo to listen for sounds such as doors opening and glass breaking.
If it hears somebody nearby it can play a recording of a dog barking to deter a would-be intruder.
It could even connect with a security-monitoring company.
Ring Always Home Cam – £250, no date specified
THIS is the really bonkers home-security camera from Ring.
If you do not want to buy a security camera for every room in your flat, say, this one listens for noises and when it hears one, flies around to find it.
It will scare the living daylights out of a burglar . . . and perhaps the dog too.
Why should I care about Alexa?
ALEXA is the most advanced of the voice-controlled assistants — understanding more, answering a wider range of questions and even telling better jokes than rivals.
Soon it will sound even more natural and should be able to join in conversations in a more convincingly human way.
There have been security worries — you essentially have a microphone listening all the time for the wake word “Alexa” — but these are being tackled, Amazon says.
You will soon be able to delete all your recorded commands.
Alexa can turn on smart home appliances, answer questions, launch programmes on the Fire TV Stick and play music to order.
NOKIA’S BEEFY 8.3 IS A POLAR STAR
Nokia 8.3 5G £499.99, nokia.com
THE latest smartphone from Nokia is a big, beefy affair with some flagship features – but at a much lower price.
There are four rear cameras, including a 64MP main sensor and a camera dedicated to close-up shots.
It has 5G connectivity, which is rare on a phone at this price, too.
The 6.8in screen covers almost the whole of the front of the phone, thanks to Nokia putting the fingerprint sensor in the power button on the edge.
And you know what? It works really well here.
Though this is a substantial handset, the curved edges on the back make it a good fit in the hand.
It also looks really good, thanks to the great build quality and classy colour, dubbed Polar Night (basically black but it shimmers dark blue in the light).
Oh, and there is a headphone jack as well. What more could you want?
NO DOWNGRADE WITH BUDGET S20
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE £599, samsung.com
IF you liked the look of Samsung’s Galaxy S20 when it came out earlier this year but were not so keen on a price tag approaching £800, the new FE might appeal.
FE stands for Fan Edition and this includes most of the S20’s features – with a bigger, 6.7in top-quality display to boot.
But it is much cheaper.
Usually when a company produces a more affordable version of its flagship phone, the components are downgraded.
That is not the case here.
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There are three rear cameras, one of them with a whopping 64MP sensor, a big battery that should easily last the day on a single charge and a 5G version for £100 more.
This comes in six cool colours, including mint, navy and a great-looking orange.
If you have held back from buying Samsung’s flagship over price, this is the phone to go for.
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