Not long ago, the idea of a smart home seemed like something only the Silicon Valley giants would have in their luxury penthouses or mansions. Live stream doorbells, voice-activated speakers and tabletsthat blend into your art wall were once science fiction but nowadays is undeniably a sci-fact. Buckle up because the future is well and truly here and is accessible to everyone.
Technology, love it or hate, there is something we can all agree on - that it makes life so much easier. Add an ingredient to your shopping list, ask Alexa for cooking tips or even schedule that all-important meeting you cannot miss. Technology paves out more time in our day to get stuff done, and for that, we can feel very blessed. And of course, we can't talk about smart homes without mentioning Amazon's product lineup ranging from smart speakers to smart doorbells.
Since the release of the first-generation Echo speaker back in 2014, Amazon has created an extensive range of smart home products, and it keeps expanding every year. The new and improved products have been made with a new image with many upcoming items comprising of recycled materials. You can read more about this here.
With such a surplus of smart products out there, it can be tricky to keep up with all the latest technological advances, especially with so many new models and packages out there. So, let us break it down for you. Here are the newest and best Amazonand Alexa devices you should know about, including the recently launched Echo Show 15, Echo buds, Echo 4th generation, Echo Dot, Ring Doorbell, Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Blink Outdoor.
Are you ready to step into the future? If so then here are eight amazing new and improved Amazon Alexa devices you need to check out for the ultimate smart home.
Echo Show 15
1.
Echo Show 15
AmazonOne of the newest additions to the Amazon and Alexa device range is the Echo Show 15. The Echo Show 15 has been introduced as "the new digital heart of your home, bringing all of the things that make your household take into one place". Designed to blend into your interior decor, the 15.6-inch device can be mounted on a wall or placed on a stand in landscape or portrait mode. The perfect innovative addition to your art wall.
So what is new about the Echo Show 15? There is also a brand-new user interface with Alexa widgets that allow you to customise the display with your most used applications and information. If you already have an Amazon and Alexa equipped smart home this would be a welcome addition to your residence. Not only can you view all your smart devices in one place but it can even show live camera views while playing your favourite music. Now you can live out your megalomaniac fantasy.
You can also view the feed from your Ring Video Doorbell plus the large 1080p Full HD streaming device will be a great place to watch series and films on the go as well.
Echo Buds (2nd generation)
Need total silence to get work down (or need to drown out other people?) Introducing the all-new Echo Buds. These wireless earbuds work with the Alexa apps to stream music and play podcasts or Audible audiobooks, all you need to do is ask and let the external world fade away. Just charge the case for 15-minutes and it will be charged for up to two hours of music. The Echo Buds also work with other assistants such as iOS and Android's Siri and Google Assistant.
Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock
Perhaps not the newest addition to the Amazon catalogue but certainly one of the best. With three speakers in a 2.1 arrangement and audio processed by Dolby, the Echo 4th generation will provide you with serious volume and richness. Dinner parties and girl's nights will never be the same again.
This Echo also features Zigbee, the software needed to allow the Echo to act as a hub for a smart home setup, and BLE, a low-energy Bluetooth connection that enables smartphones and tablets to sync. You can ask Alexa to play music, answer questions, play the news, check the weather, set alarms, control compatible smart home devices and more. Your home is at your command.
The Echo Dot 4th generation follows the aesthetics of the larger Echo with the same base unit but instead has a digital clock display. The ideal smart device for your bedside table. This is one of Amazon's most popular smart speakers with Alexa. It is sleek, has a compact design and crisp vocals. The hub also includes a new 1.6-inch tweeter for improved audio clarity, which should help boost the comprehension of Alexa’s voice and make your morning tunes even better.
Ring Video Doorbell
If you're into your smart homeware, you've probably heard of Ring doorbells. They are high-quality and come with various options to suit every home - big and small. This Ring Doorbell 4 is the latest version and suits a home that wants smooth features and ease of use - plus, you can connect it to your other Amazon devices like the Echo Show range to view who is knocking.
READ MORE: Why You Should Invest In A Smart Doorbell
Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Bring the cinematic experience into your home in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+ and immersive Dolby Atmos audio with the most powerful streaming stick in Amazon's range, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
Easily search and launch content using your voice or get to your favourite apps quickly with preset buttons. Plus, you can connect the device to your other Amazon smart devices and view the front door camera without stopping your programme using Live View Picture-in-Picture. Plus, you can ask Alexa to check the weather or dim the lights to get the ambience just right.
Blink Outdoor
Sleep easy at night, knowing that your property is protected. The Blink Outdoor wireless security camera with motion detection is a wire-free battery-powered HD security camera that helps you monitor your home day or night with infrared night vision. This device will work with Alexa devices and will be of particular interest to anyone purchasing the Echo Show 15, as you can pull up the camera's live stream with the sound of your voice.
READ MORE: Why You Should Invest In A Smart Doorbell To Protect Your Home
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