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At an event in Seattle today, Amazon announced a slew of new Echo devices that build on the company's existing smart speakers.
[...] Amazon closed the event by revealing two off-the-wall Alexa devices: eyeglass frames and a ring. The Echo Frames start at $179 and support regular or prescription lenses. Naturally, they support Alexa as well—while they don't have a display or a camera, they do have an Alexa-enabled speaker and microphone.
[...] The $129 Echo Loop is an oddly shaped ring that has a similar purpose as the Echo Frames, making it easier to access Alexa wherever you are. The titanium piece of jewelry's one button activates Alexa. The haptic engine in the ring vibrates to let you know you've actually pressed the button, and Alexa will deliver answers via the ring's tiny speaker.
Both the Echo Frames and the Echo Loop are currently available by invitation only. All of the rest of Amazon's newest devices will become available over the next few weeks and months, and all should be fully available for the holiday shopping season.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/09/amazon-announces-a-bevy-of-new-echo-devices-including-a-199-
I still don't like the whole always on, always listening thing, but at least those glasses aren't also video recording devices.
[This Ed. ponders how many Soylentils have one of these kinds of always-on snooping aides, and how many would buy another... -- FP]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @03:45AM (1 child)
Nuff said!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @05:54AM
It's mine... my precioussss....
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @05:41AM (1 child)
Cameras make smartglasses useful. You don't get augmented reality without capturing the reality. And there will always be moments when you wish you were recording something and the transient event is over by the time you whip out a smartphone.
This product dump is interesting in that they are throwing Alexa into damn near anything to make as much stick as possible, including not one but two separate wearable choices. The products that don't get sold will be put on sale for 25-75% off later, starting with a modest discount this Black Friday.
Alexa Microwave is stupid. Give me that microwave with the infrared display instead.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @10:55PM
Transmetpolitan.
(Score: 5, Funny) by Hartree on Thursday September 26 2019, @06:03AM (1 child)
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In the Land of Seattle where Bezos' shadow lies.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @06:57AM
They have two rings of power. This one and the doorbell one.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @07:33AM
Coming to a neighborhood near you.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @07:37AM (6 children)
Good luck. Guests to my place are welcome to leave their phone in the laundry, or stay outside until they're ready. It works a couple of ways - keeps untrustworthy tech out of harms way, reminds people our time together is, you know, together, and there's free charging in there.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @07:48AM (2 children)
Loved one calls during their dying moments after they were injured in a car crash, call goes straight to voice mail.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Thursday September 26 2019, @02:18PM
#1 They're unlikely to be coherent at that point.
#2 They should be calling 911. Modern medicine can do wonders.
#3 I don't do voice mail. Call back again later, thanks. Could also, just send a text.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @11:44PM
[original ac here]
.. preserving those words for eternity.
But now that you mention family, missing my mother's phone calls has just been another plus. It's all upside.
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Thursday September 26 2019, @01:36PM (1 child)
Maybe it's time for a poll?
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday September 26 2019, @03:02PM
It's long past time for a poll.
Some would also suggest dancers to go with the poll.
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 26 2019, @02:39PM
My tv is on 24/7 so alexa can't hear our conversations. I left the tv on comedy central one night, woke up to an infomercial for adult sex toys.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday September 26 2019, @03:07PM
Amazon unveils a couple new Ring cameras that cost less than $100 [arstechnica.com]
Plus, a connected dog tag (yep) that uses Amazon's new wireless IoT protocol.
Forget Ring Fetch, I'm waiting for the PeopleCam for each family member to wear.
You might not want a camera in your bedroom, but you probably let you doggie in, forgetting the Ring Fetch camera he's wearing.
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.