Amazon unveils new technology of AI-powered Kindle and different gadgets

NEW YORK — Online juggernaut Amazon Inc. unveiled its subsequent technology of Kindle, Ring and Echo gadgets, amongst different devices, which can be all powered by synthetic intelligence and related to Alexa+, its AI-infused private assistant, which made its debut in February.

The lineup, introduced at a presentation and showcase in New York, consists of new cameras for its Ring video monitoring system with a brand new AI facial recognition function that enables customers to register family and friends and notify them who’s on the entrance door.

Amazon unveiled 4 new Echo gadgets revamped with Alexa+ that serve up customized insights like whether or not the person left the entrance door unlocked after midnight. The Seattle-based firm additionally introduced a collection of Alexa+-infused Fire TVs that provide extra customized searches like discovering a particular scene in a film or getting commentary about final night time’s soccer recreation.

The presentation Tuesday was the primary massive product occasion for Panos Panay, who joined Amazon in 2023 to move up the corporate’s gadgets and providers groups after a 19-year profession at Microsoft the place he served as chief product officer.

Panay instructed the viewers of a number of hundred journalists and bloggers that Alexa+ and synthetic intelligence are permitting know-how to work “in the background when you don’t.”

“Products creating subtle shifts in all our behavior, driven by AI, integrated into the hardware,” Panay said. “And flowing natural through the products themselves. Whether it’s a camera catching what you missed. Or your Fire TV updating you on a game. Or your Kindle remembering exactly where you left off.”

The new lineup comes as Amazon has faced pressure from investors to cater to the new AI era.

PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore wrote in a note Tuesday that the offerings were “a much needed refresh to the lineup, as it was starting to look a bit dated.”

“Attention to detail may not grab headlines, but it should not be overlooked, especially how the products look and feel, ” he wrote.”The newest technology of gadgets is designed to mix into customers’ lives with out them realizing they exist … Alexa+ is clearly the glue that holds the stack collectively…”

Here are some highlights:

Amazon has been expanding its home security features since the company bought Wi-Fi-connected cameras and doorbell maker Ring in 2018. Amazon said Tuesday that it’s infusing the device with more technology and upgraded cameras that will transform the device into a doorbell attendant and community tool for pet owners among other new uses.

Amazon said the ring cameras with retinal vision now come with 2K resolution for sharper detail and 4K resolution video. Amazon’s new AI facial recognition feature called “Familiar Faces,” allows the user to register friends and family. The smart doorbell, infused with Alexa+, will also be able to manage deliveries and provide instructions for delivery workers among other tasks.

For pet owners, Amazon has a new feature that helps owners reunite lost dogs with their families. It works like this: a neighbor reports a lost dog in the Ring app, which would notify people nearby with a Ring camera The cameras would then use AI to look for a possible match with the lost dog

Ring Wired Doorbell Pro, priced at $249.99 and wired doorbell plus, priced at $179.99, among other Ring cameras, will be available for pre-order on Tuesday, Amazon said. Ring’s “Search Party” for dogs will begin rolling out in November, followed by cats and other pets. And Alexa+ Greetings and Familiar Faces will be offered in December.

Amazon unveiled new versions of the Kindle Scribe that the company touts as lighter and faster and features an AI-powered notebook search. One of them includes a color screen.

The new Scribes feature larger 11-inch, glare-free E Ink screens — up from 10.2 inches previously. They now weigh 400 grams compared to 433 grams for last year’s version, the company said. Executives noted that at 5.4 millimeters thick, these new versions are thinner than the iPhone Air, which measure 5.6 millimeters.

The new versions of Scribes will allow users to access documents stored on Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, the company said.

Amazon said that later this year in the U.S., Kindle Scribe will be available starting at $499.99 and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft will be offered starting at $629.99.

Amazon unveiled four new Echo loud speaker devices — the Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11— that are specifically for Alexa+ and allow for more personalized experiences.

The new offering, which starts at $99.99, comes as Amazon reports that those customers with early Alexa+ are engaging with the personal assistant twice as much and relying on it to do tasks like booking reservations and controlling smart home devices.

The new features recognize users and churns out personalized insights such as an analysis of how they slept last night.

The firm mentioned that every one 4 new Echo gadgets can be found for pre-order beginning Tuesday.