Amazon’s annual fall hardware event is just around the corner, scheduled to take place on September 20 at the company’s second headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. This highly anticipated event is where Amazon typically unveils a range of new devices, including updates to its popular ereader and smart speaker lines. While the event will not be streamed to the public, technology enthusiasts can rely on Engadget’s liveblog coverage to stay up to date with the latest product announcements, starting at 11AM ET.
Looking back at last year’s event, one of the key highlights was the introduction of the Kindle Scribe. This 10.2-inch ereader comes with a unique feature—a pen that allows users to take notes directly on its 300 ppi display. Priced at $340 upon its launch, the Kindle Scribe continues to hold its retail price, but it has been on sale on occasions since then, providing opportunities for potential buyers to grab it at a discounted price.
In addition to the Kindle Scribe, Amazon also unveiled a redesigned Echo Studio and a new Echo Dot with a larger driver. The Echo Studio boasts a new spatial audio processor, while the updated Echo Dot promises enhanced audio quality. These introductions reflect Amazon’s continuous efforts to innovate and improve its smart speaker offerings, bringing more immersive and high-quality sound experiences to users’ homes.
Furthermore, the event witnessed the announcement of the Halo Rise, a “no-contact” sleep tracker. This device, developed by Amazon, uses various sensors to monitor and analyze users’ sleep patterns, providing valuable insights into their sleep quality and overall wellbeing. With the rising popularity of health-tracking devices, the Halo Rise adds to Amazon’s portfolio of smart health products, aiming to help users optimize their sleep routines for better health outcomes.
The Fire TV Cube also received a refresh at last year’s event. This popular streaming device, equipped with built-in Alexa capabilities, allows users to control their TVs and other compatible devices hands-free. Amazon’s update to the Fire TV Cube introduced new features and enhancements, offering an even more seamless and integrated entertainment experience for users.
Beyond the realm of entertainment and smart home devices, Amazon’s event had exciting offerings in the security department as well. The company announced two new cameras from Ring, its subsidiary focused on home security products. The Spotlight Cam Pro and Spotlight Cam Plus provide users with enhanced surveillance capabilities, ensuring the safety of their homes.
Amazon’s fall hardware event, however, is not just limited to incremental updates or improvements. The company has a history of unveiling more innovative and unexpected devices. In 2021, Amazon introduced Astro, an Alexa-powered robot that can patrol your home. This innovative device combines the functionalities of a smart home hub and a roving security bot, providing users with an autonomous and interactive home monitoring solution.
In the previous year, Amazon surprised attendees with a Ring drone called Always Home Cam. This drone is designed to fly around your house, enabling users to remotely monitor different areas of their homes. Such groundbreaking devices demonstrate Amazon’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and delivering unique solutions to its customers.
As Amazon’s fall hardware event approaches, anticipation among tech enthusiasts continues to grow. With the previous year’s devices setting high expectations, it remains to be seen what surprises Amazon has in store for this year’s event. From new iterations of their popular Kindle and Echo devices to potentially game-changing innovations in other product categories, the event promises to showcase Amazon’s relentless pursuit of enhancing our daily lives through cutting-edge technology. Stay tuned to Engadget for live coverage of the event and be the first to know about Amazon’s latest offerings.
