Amazon set to unveil new Echo smart speakers
The technology giant is likely to use a surprise event on Thursday to reveal a new line-up of smart products featuring Alexa.
Amazon is expected to announce a range of new Echo smart speaker devices on Thursday, as the technology giant doubles down on the idea of a smart home powered by its virtual assistant, Alexa.
The company is holding an event in the US where a wide range of new Alexa-powered devices and appliances is expected to be unveiled.
There have been reports that a range of voice-activated appliances beyond smart speakers could be introduced by the tech giant, some of which appeared to leak on the Amazon website on Wednesday.
Technology website Pocket-lint spotted listings for an Echo Sub subwoofer to boost audio playing from an Echo, as well as a smart plug that will bring Alexa voice control to any power socket.
Both products were quickly removed.
“I think it’ll be as simple as walking into the home and starting to have Alexa inter-operate with the world around you, whether that’s frankly through voice and saying ‘Alexa, I’m home’, or whether its through just her sensing that you’re home and ready to go,” he said.
Smart home devices are becoming increasingly popular in the UK – YouGov research from earlier this year revealed that nearly a quarter of UK homes (23%) now contain a smart device.
Amazon’s Echo devices, which launched in the UK in 2016, have prompted several of the industry’s biggest names to follow them into the smart speaker market with devices such as the Google Home, Apple’s HomePod and Samsung’s yet-to-be launched Galaxy Home.
Industry analysts are predicting continued growth for smart home devices as competition increases, but many potential customers still cite security as a concern around such gadgets.
YouGov’s research found that 39% of those who did not yet own a smart home device feared the devices could be hacked.
