Does Amazon have any new Alexa hardware on the way?

Last September, Amazon unveiled its second-generation Echo smart speaker in the same way a group of other new Alexa gadgets, including Spot Echo touch screen alarm clock and Echo Plus smart home hub. The month before that saw the arrival of the second generation Echo Dot. With another month of September, are we going to have an Alexa triplet?

This seems to be a very good bet.

We have already seen a leak suggesting that a newly designed third-generation Echo Dot is on its way. On Monday, CNBC reported that Amazon plans to come out up to eight new Alexa devices by the end of the year, including an embedded gadget, a subwoofer and even a Alexa microwave. Some of these hypothetical pieces are said to have an integrated Alexa structure, while others will be designed to connect to existing Echo devices.

Amazon must also be at least slightly concerned about Google's growing presence in the rear-view mirror after the search giant surpassed Amazon in smart-speaker sales during the first quarter of the year. The momentum has not slowed since, with new touch screens powered by Google Assistant like the Lenovo Smart Display and the JBL Link View proving more convincing than Alexa's touch screen Echo Show for ever. More of these are en route, including the LG Smart Displaythis could challenge the Echo range on the front of the sound quality.

In other words, it certainly would not be the worst time for Amazon to refresh Alexa's call with a brilliant new range of Echo devices just in time for the holidays. In fact, if we see new Echo material this month, here are some enlightened assumptions about our expectations.

Echo Dot 3.0?

$ 50 the second generation Echo Dot is Alexa's best-selling Alexa gadget, making it the most important piece of the Alexa lineup. But last year, Echo, the second generation, abandoned the black and white plastic in favor of a fabric structure more in line with the Google Home and Home Mini Smart speakers – who let the Echo Dot feel a bit dated in comparison.

That's one of the reasons I think the recent leak suggesting that Amazon is working on a third generation, Dot, the body is probably legitimate. These leaks also suggest that the new Dot would offer improved sound quality, which would help it compete better with the friendly Home Mini. My question: If a new Echo Dot is coming soon, can Amazon reduce costs by less than $ 50?

We see it in September: 80%

A new and improved echo show?

Let's face facts: the equipped touch screen Echo Show Amazon probably did not hope that would be the case. The most expensive gadget Alexa that Amazon has ever released, the Show was positioned as the showstopper of the Alexa lineup, and the interest for this device seemed high. preorders have piled up. But the visual interface was disappointing (and still does), and is fighting with Google on YouTube limited his initial call as well. A little more than a year later, you will regularly find the Echo Show marked 50% or more, something we have not seen with other Alexa gadgets from Amazon.

Is Amazon Cleaning House ahead of an update? I would give it a little better than the average odds, especially given what we've seen to convince new competitors powered by Google Assistant like the Lenovo Smart Display. If these prove popular and the smart screens category takes off, then Amazon will want something convincing, able to come with it. The first-generation Echo Show no longer looks like this device, and no third-party Alexa touchscreen is suitable either. This means that the timing is good for Show 2.0 – or at the very least, important updates to the user interface of the existing model.

It would not be the first time that Amazon was quickly reorganizing an Alexa gadget. The original Echo Dot debuted in march 2016 – the second generation model arrived at half the price six months later and helped Amazon blunt the beginnings of the Google Home. Time will tell if Amazon has something similar in mind for the Echo Show in September, but with Alexa's touchscreen just a step away from the curve at this point, I think the odds are good.

We see it in September: 60%

A new echo too?

the Amazon Echo second generation debuted last September – about three years after the introduction of the first echo. If you think that will leave you with little chance of seeing a third-generation Echo this month, I'd say you're probably right. With the interchangeable fabric shells and all the features of Alexa onboard, the Echo is always looking for what smart home buyers are looking for – and at $ 100, the price always seems more or less correct.

That said, I would not exclude it completely. If the third-generation Echo Dot leak mentioned above is accurate, it would appear that Amazon has made some changes to the overall look and feel of Echo. Publishing a new Echo with similar design changes could help maintain consistency (and prevent the current Echo from feeling obsolete by comparison).

I might also consider that Amazon publishes an updated Echo with a new hardware tip or two to help curb Google's momentum. the Echo Plus I felt too expensive for me at $ 150, but his addition of a Zigbee radio for smart lights and smart locks without an additional hub is a very good feature, and would make a lot of sense in a third-generation Echo at this price of $ 100, especially since Amazon is focusing more on home delivery and smart home security. Other unique additions, such as an integrated motion detector that can automatically turn on room lights when you enter, can also help keep Echo on the move.

We see it in September: 30%

Tap returns?

Announced with the Echo Dot in 2016, Smart portable, battery powered Tap smart speaker from Amazon never really felt like a member of the Alexa appliance family (the fact that it's called the "Tap" and not "Echo Tap" certainly did not help). But even as an offshoot of Alexa, it still appealed to people looking for the flexibility of their smart speaker and the ability to take them home or away.

The appeal of portability aside, Amazon no longer manufactures Tap – instead, it sells existing and refurbished products. With a lot of competition powered by battery from third party Alexa gadgets not made by Amazon, as good as popular portability portals for Echo DotAmazon may simply put an end to the conference, but I also think there is a chance that a new version will arrive. Improvements like better battery life and better sound quality, or even waterproof design that can withstand bad weather or your pool, would be good upgrades. older Alexa gadgets.

We see it in September: 10%

Other potential surprises

All projections aside, chances are good that if Amazon has something planned for Alexa in September, that will include at least a surprise or two (microwave or other). After all, Amazon showed that Alexa was ready to throw a lot of ideas to the wall to see what's left. Remember the Echo buttons, or replacing the phone Echo Connect? Both made their debut last September, and no one has seen either.

I'm also curious to see if Amazon has new plans for the Video doorbell or the new Ring alarm security kit, which still does not work with Alexa despite the fact that Amazon bought Ring last February. I also long wondered if Amazon would ever release its own line of low-cost smart bulbs like Amazon Basics and other smart gadgets designed specifically for Alexa, even if it would certainly discourage third-party retailers. Amazon put so much effort into the yard. And with the high-end and high-fidelity competition of the Apple HomePod and the Google Home Max challenging Alexa in terms of sound quality, could a "Echo Max" of better quality also be in the mix? Could it be that? the Alexa subwoofer is all about?

Amazon does not comment on speculation on new products, but we will soon know if we can expect a great update from Alexa (and I will update this post if we encounter rumors or leaks). Overall, I think the odds are high. The chances of guessing exactly what could happen? Significantly lower. Stay tuned.

Originally released on September 8th.
Update of September 17th: Added details of the CNBC report.