Amazon Echo Studio gets improved spatial audio processing tech

Source: Amazon

There hasn't been an overhaul of Amazon's "best-sounding speaker," but Amazon has released an over-the-air update for the Echo Studio. It gets new spatial audio processing technology and frequency range extension to improve its stereo sound. Nedim Fresko, VP of Amazon devices, told The Verge in an interview that the Echo Studio mimics the performance of a hi-fi stereo system. Meanwhile, its frequency range extension technology delivers improved performance, deeper bass, and better midrange clarity. 

Amazon plans to bring its spatial audio processing to the Echo Show 15 and other compatible Echo devices in the future. If you haven't gotten your hands on the Echo Studio yet, Amazon released a new Glacier White colour option for $259.99.

Amazon Kindle Scribe is a writing-friendly e-reader

Source: Amazon

Amazon's newest e-reader brings writing capabilities to the Kindle. The Kindle Scribe isn't just made to replace traditional paper books. Instead, it wants you to do away with paper entirely. According to Amazon, it's "perfect for reading and writing, even in direct sunlight." Its 10.2-inch display gives you room to "take notes and [keep a] journal, and makes it easy to adjust font size and margin width for improved reading comfort."

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Amazon introduces Halo Rise bedside clock, sleep tracker

Source: Amazon

One of the recent products Amazon launched is a new accessory for the bedroom. The Halo Rise is a hybrid sleep tracker and bedside clock to help you figure out your sleep patterns. This device uses sensors (a radar of sorts) to determine how well you sleep and for how long. It also displays a digital clock and has a small speaker for alarm tones. Amazon wanted to stress that this bedroom device has no microphones or cameras. But with its sensors it promises to track things like respiration. 

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Amazon Echo will soon let brands answer questions with ads

Brands on the Amazon Brand Registry who were invited to the beta will be able to see the new Customers Ask Alexa feature in Seller Central. (Image: Amazon)

Amazon will give brands the option to answer queries on its smart speakers and displays. The company revealed during its Amazon Accelerate conference a new Alexa feature that allows brands to add their answers to questions you may ask the device. One example was: "How can I remove pet hair from my carpet?" Instead of just giving generic tips taken from the web, Echo devices can offer answers submitted by brands—presumably recommending their products—and linking them to the brand's Amazon storefront.

According to Amazon, all the answers will go through Alexa's content moderation and quality checks before the most appropriate answers are selected. Of course, we're hoping that system won't be abused. The feature is coming to Amazon's Seller Central for select brand groups starting next month on an invite-only basis at first. The company plans to roll this out to all eligible brands in the US in 2023.

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