Amazon announced several new additions during Tuesday’s product launch, including this new robot, Astro.
Amazon/Screenshot by James Martin/CNET
Amazon is rounding on the competition with a new line of smart home and security devices that takes aim at Google and Apple. The invite-only product launch was filled with surprises on Tuesday, including Astro, the $1,000 smart robot that puts Alexa on wheels (more below). Many of the new products will launch later this year and require an invitation to preorder. Amazon’s new features and devices also include Halo Nutrition for the updated Halo View fitness band, and the Echo Show 15’s new visual ID and custom sounds.
We’ll also call out Amazon’s $250 Ring drone Always Home camera is finally ready for preorder a year after it was first announced. It can fly planned routes to show you what’s happening at home, especially when you’re away. (Note that the Ring line has been subject to criticism about privacy concerns.) And the $50 Blink video doorbell is Amazon’s first for the Blink line.
We’ll break down what’s available for preorder and the best features (so far) that Amazon announced. Heads up, most products require an invitation to preorder and will release later this year — we include the invitation link where available.
The Amazon Astro robot can follow you around your home on wheels and respond to voice commands.
Amazon/Screenshot by James Martin/CNET
Astro is a new robot that brings AI to your home. You can sign-up to request an invite today and Astro will ship later this year. It’s an adorable robot that follows voice commands and keep an eye on your home with its periscope camera. Astro can show a live view via the mobile app, so you can check on your home when you’re away. Astro works with Alexa Together and Ring Protect Pro, and comes with a six-month free trial of the latter. But Amazon doesn’t sacrifice privacy with this home robot. Astro comes with these features:
- No-go zones
- Do not disturb features
- Alexa’s standard privacy features
Read more: Amazon Astro: 2 prices, sale date, privacy, more to know about the Alexa robot
Watch this:
Amazon unveils Astro, a wheeled robot for your home
9:11
Amazon’s thermostat supports voice commands and scheduled routines.
Amazon/Screenshot by Dashia Starr/CNET
Amazon partnered with Honeywell Home to create an Energy Star-certified smart thermostat that competes with Nest. Most customers may be able to get the thermostat for free after utility rebates. It’s an Alexa-enabled thermostat that supports routines and automatically adjusts temperatures. It’s available for preorder now and will ship starting Nov. 4. Here are a few of the top features you can look forward to:
- Control the thermostat using the Alexa app or voice commands
- An energy dashboard to breakdown your usage on your Echo device or the Alexa app
- Thermostat Hunches to automatically adjust the temperature
The Echo Show 15 can be wall-mounted or placed on a stand.
Amazon/Screenshot by Dashia Starr/CNET
Amazon’s new Echo Show is bigger than later models. Now, it comes with a 15.6-inch display and only comes in one color — black. However, you can mount it on the wall or place it on a stand. The newest model now has facial recognition for personalized alerts and more when the hub recognizes your face, tightening the competition with Apple. It also comes with personalized to-do lists, like Google’s Hub Max. But the Echo Show 15 comes with a few highly anticipated features.
- Custom sounds that allow Alexa to listen to specific noises in your home
- Visual ID to give you more customized calendars and reminders
- Customizable Alexa widgets
You’ll need to sign up to receive an invite to preorder the Echo Show 15.
The Amazon Glow lets families connect digitally with games, learning and video calls.
Amazon/Screenshot by Dashia Starr/CNET
The Amazon Glow is a brand new kid-friendly smart device that’s much different from the Echo Glow. Kids can use the video screen to chat with long-distance family and friends. It includes a silicone mat to read, play and draw with loved ones. You’ll also get a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ for access to digital books, games and more. Best of all, the Amazon Glow comes with a 2-year worry-free guarantee if you happen to break it. You can request an invite to the Glow program today.
- Games and activities from Mattel, Disney, Nickelodeon and Sesame Street
- Pre-approved contacts using the Amazon Glow app
- Camera with privacy shutter
Watch this:
Amazon Glow: An interactive projector for kids
4:24
The Halo View has an AMOLED color screen.
Screenshot/CNET
The Halo View is a new addition to Amazon’s Halo family. The latest Amazon fitness tracker has a few new features, including an AMOLED color display screen. Halo View users can also look forward to Halo Fitness and Nutrition services that will help with exercise and healthy eating. Plus it favors the Halo in several ways, including the movement, emotional tone and the camera’s body analyses. Plus, it still works with the original Halo band. But these new additions might be worth upgrading from Amazon’s Halo.
- 7 days battery life
- Water-resistant for up to 50 meters
- Skin and temperature tracking