Amazon Echo and Ring event live blog: Our coverage starts now

Fireplace TV stuff we already know

8:30 a.m. PT

Amazon’s already introduced a number of adjustments for its Fireplace TV division, together with its Fireplace TV Omni and Fireplace TV 4-Collection, the primary Amazon-branded TVs, beginning at $370. The brand new gadgets, introduced a couple of weeks in the past, are on preorder now, and are as a consequence of arrive in October. And earlier than you ask, sure you’ll be able to bark “Alexa!” orders at it hands-free.

The TVs are comparatively fundamental, providing 4K decision, HDR and Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist, they usually are available 65-inch and 75-inch fashions. In contrast to the TCL 5-Collection Roku TV or the Vizio M7Q series, which have related preliminary pricing, the Fireplace TV Omni lacks full-array local dimming, quantum dot color and the latest gaming features, so our TV skilled David Katzmaier stated he does not count on picture high quality “to be in the identical league” as related gadgets from TCL and Vizio.

Amazon additionally provides its software program for different firms to energy their TVs, corresponding to Toshiba’s Fire TV Edition.

Ringing within the holidays

8 a.m. PT

In the present day’s occasion can even doubtless embody information from Ring, Amazon’s sensible dwelling safety line. Amazon purchased Ring three years in the past, and extra substantive integrations with Alexa and different Amazon gadgets and companies would possibly lastly be coming down the pike.

There’s additionally some the Always Home Cam — the flying drone digital camera Amazon teased however did not launch final 12 months. Rumors recommend we might get an replace on that at this time.

It is vital to keep in mind that Ring has been contending with all types of privateness controversies over the previous 12 months, particularly with regard to relationships with police. Amazon’s addressed a few of them with increased privacy and security options, however extra nonetheless must be executed.

Making Alexa matter

7:46 a.m. PT

We already know a number of the adjustments coming to Alexa, because of bulletins made on the Alexa Dwell builders’ convention in July. Among the many adjustments had been the Amazon Customized Assistant Program that permits third events to create their very own assistants utilizing Alexa’s blueprint. Verizon already jumped on the probability, asserting the Verizon Smart Display and the choice to say, “Hello, Verizon.” (A misplaced alternative for anybody hoping for “Verizon, can you hear me now?”) 

What new Alexa options shall be introduced this Tuesday is hard to name, however there are virtually actually some new issues up Alexa’s digital sleeve. 

The corporate additionally mentioned Matter. Previously often known as Undertaking Linked Dwelling over IP (CHIP), Matter shall be a single, IP-based, open-source normal that works over Wi-Fi and helps all main management platforms. It… ahem… issues as a result of it is presupposed to act as a common language that sensible dwelling gadgets from makers like Google, Apple and Amazon might use to attach with and perceive one another. 

At Alexa Dwell, Amazon introduced plans to combine Matter into almost all Echo gadgets (excluding first-gen audio system) by way of an over-the-air replace. Amazon had slated the software program improvement package for launch late this 12 months, however it has since been pushed to 2022. 

Day 1 launches

7:30 a.m. PT

Amazon typically pronounces a handful of “Day 1” merchandise — experimental gadgets to measure market curiosity. They’ve ranged from microwaves and clocks to wearable rings and glasses — they usually do not at all times survive lengthy. It is robust to guess what Amazon will check out subsequent, however our guess is pretty much as good as yours. How about an Alexa-enabled rubbish can?

Talking of Alexa, the assistant can be prone to see some updates. Final 12 months the Echo Present received Netflix and assist for group calling. A deal with options that assist distant work, like teleconferencing and productiveness administration, can be well timed and on model.

Good morning

7 a.m. PT

And it begins. Amazon’s 2021 fall Echo occasion is occurring at this time, Sept. 28, at 9 a.m. PT. Amazon will not be livestreaming its invite-only presentation to most of the people, however the firm has promised attendees “information about our newest Amazon gadgets, options and companies”, in accordance with invitations that went out Sept. 20.

We’re anticipating information throughout all of Amazon’s machine and companies classes. In years previous, Amazon has unleashed actually dozens of latest gadgets at its occasions, huge and small. From the Echo Auto to the rotating Echo Show 10 to that odd Echo Wall Clock. In fact, new Echo Dots and Echo audio system are sometimes the centerpiece.