Amazon continues to build up on its line of various hardware offerings, which include its Echo range of devices – the company today introduced several new Echo products, including the Echo Pop, Echo Show 5, and Echo Show 5 Kids. Amazon also announced Echo Auto availability for users in the United Kingdom.
Amazon Echo Pop
First up is the Echo Pop, which comes in Lavender Bloom and Midnight Teal colour options for £44.99. The speaker features a semi-sphere design, and comes with Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Edge processor, with a custom-designed front-facing directional speaker for optimum sound quality in indoor scenarios. Of course, it comes with Alexa compatibility for audiobooks, podcasts, and even smart home controls for compatible smart lights and plugs, and other household essentials.
Echo Show 5
For something with a bit more added functionality, the Echo Show 5 adds a compact display for video streaming, as well as security monitoring with Ring doorbell cameras. Users can also make video calls thanks to a built-in front-facing camera, something that even Google’s Nest Hub Mini lacks.
Amazon says that the new Echo Show 5 is “20 percent faster” than its predecessor, and packs an entirely new speaker system, with twice the bass and added clarity for music sessions, Audible content, podcasts, and videos. Like the Echo Pop, it comes with the AZ2 Neural Edge processor, as well as support for Matter-enabled smart home devices. The Echo Show 5 comes priced at £89.99.
Echo Show 5 Kids Edition
Adding to this new device lineup is the Echo Show 5 Kids model, which Amazon says is “designed from the ground up for kids, with kid-friendly responses, jokes, explicit lyric filtering, and more.” Younger users can customise the device’s home screen with different themes, make video calls (with pre-approved contacts), and engage with Alexa for tasks like homework and alarms.
Parents and guardians also have transparency and control via access to a free suite of parental controls through the Parent Dashboard. This will let parents adjust age settings, review activity, and even set bedtime limits. Echo Show 5 Kids comes in a more colourful, space-themed design and includes a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ and a 2-year replacement guarantee. The device will come priced at £99.99.
Amazon Echo Auto
last but not the least is the latest generation of Amazon’s Echo Auto, which is now available for UK buyers. The device comes with Alexa hands-free features for cars that don’t have included AI support, and comes in a new, slimmer design with an adhesive mount for more placement flexibility in your car. The Echo Auto packs five microphones, which Amazon says can pick up a user’s voice amidst external noises like music, your car’s AC, and road noise.
Echo Auto allows Alexa to play music, make calls, pair with compatible Echo devices, and a whole host of voice commands. it also supports remote control for compatible smart home devices, which means you can still tweak your lights and thermostats while on the move – it’s priced at £59.99.
