Amazon Wants to Put a Giant Echo On Your Wall

Amazon’s annual gadget and companies occasion is subsequent week, and if there’s one factor you’ll be able to count on, it’s quite a lot of Alexa-enabled devices you’re undecided anybody actually wanted. According to a new Bloomberg report, Amazon is growing a big, wall-mounted Echo, a soundbar with a built-in digicam, and new wearables.

Of the units described in Bloomberg’s report, the big wall Echo appears like probably the most believable. This Echo would have a 15-inch show that may be mounted or positioned on a stand. We’ve heard rumors about this explicit gadget earlier than, and the concept is that it could act as a form of digital command heart—Amazon supposedly views it as a perfect gadget for the kitchen. Not solely might you watch movies on it whereas cooking, nevertheless it is also the central hub on your good residence. Bloomberg additionally studies that Amazon is making a push towards extra Echo units with shows, as a result of folks have a tendency to interact extra with display-based units than audio-0nly audio system.

Amazon can also have a soundbar on deck, although Bloomberg notes that the worldwide chip crunch might have an effect on the product’s delivery timeline. The soundbar would set itself other than the competitors by including a front-facing digicam for video chats and would additionally allow you to take calls to your TV. If that sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of Facebook’s doing the identical factor with its Portal TV gadget, although that’s extra of a webcam than a soundbar. It’s definitely an attention-grabbing tackle a soundbar, which is a tool most individuals purchase as a result of they need higher sound than their TV’s native audio system, not as a result of they wish to chat on Zoom. However, many soundbars available on the market already help digital assistants, so maybe Amazon’s including a digicam to face out from the group.

Bloomberg additionally studies {that a} residence robotic and an Alexa-powered karaoke mic are within the works, and Amazon is eyeing a bigger push into wearables. You would possibly recall Amazon launched its Halo health tracker final 12 months. In addition to that tracker, Amazon is reportedly contemplating making a smartwatch for teenagers and a separate one for the aged. The latter would incorporate fall detection, a function that was first launched on the Apple Watch and has since made its method to different wearables. This tracks with another information we’ve heard round Amazon’s well being ambitions, together with a rumored Alexa gadget that would probably detect sleep apnea.

It’s unclear whether or not we’ll see all of those units at Amazon’s occasion subsequent week. Some would possibly find yourself on the again burner on account of unexpected developmental points. But it’s value noting that the group behind a few of these merchandise is Lab126—the analysis and improvement division behind a few of Amazon’s best-known merchandise just like the Echo, Alexa, and Kindle. Whatever we do see, it’s clear Amazon’s technique hasn’t modified a bit: It’s going to pump out as many Alexa-powered units as potential, and see what sticks.