Amazon announce Alexa new speaker features

Amazon has announced that its virtual assistant Alexa will soon be able to mimic the voice of famous celebrities.

The company has also added to its range of Echo speakers, adding a larger high-end version with Dolby Atmos for "3D sound". And also expand its Echo range into a selection of wearable tech for both humans and unbelievably, even pets for the first time.

However, all this could be challenged when Google is also expected to unveil new gear of its own next month.

So what will the new devices include?

• Echo Frames - a pair of titanium-framed glasses that vibrate to provide notifications, and have built-in microphones and speakers to use Alexa, but no display
• Echo Buds - a pair of wireless Bluetooth earbuds that feature noise-reduction tech, giving them an edge over Apple's Airpods, and which can activate the firm's virtual assistant by voice alone, unlike other Alexa-enabled headphones
• Echo Show - 8" HD smart display with Alexa
• Echo Loop - a ring that features two microphones and a "tap-on" button, which allows owners to record messages and send them to an Echo smart speaker
• Fetch - a pet tracker designed to attach to a dog collar

"This avalanche of new products underlines Amazon's desire to extend Alexa's reach to every part of people's lives - be that in the home, or on the move via new Echo Buds or in the car through the deal with General Motors," commented Geoff Blaber, an analyst at CCS Insight.

"Not only will it will strengthen Amazon's reach with existing customers that use Alexa-powered products, it will also provide the opportunity to woo more consumers to embrace its increasingly ubiquitous voice assistant."

Sound Boost

Amazon said it will use a "neural text-to-speech" engine to mimic celebrities' voices, using recordings the stars provide for the basis of the AI.

The first voice is featuring the Avengers actor Samuel L Jackson, and users will be able to choose whether they want a version that swears or not.

One great thing is the audio is going 'High Definition' along with Dolby ATMOS with it's New Studio speaker. To playback up to 24-bit/192kHz. Includes a 5.25-inch bass driver and bass port. buy for £189

Got a 4K Fire TV stick or cube? You will be able to connect to the Echo Studio, so when you're playing Atmos content on your Fire TV, it can play through your Echo Studio speakers.

Amazon says it has been working with Sony 360 Reality Audio format, plus Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, in a bid to make surround sound audio and Dolby Atmos Music available from Amazon Music HD.

"Amazon has never really had a smart speaker which was marketed specifically for its audio quality, in the manner of an Apple HomePod or a Google Home Max," commented Ben Stanton from the tech consultancy Canalys.

"Typically, third-parties like Harman and Sonos would be the ones to differentiate in this space on Amazon's behalf.

"If it [lives up to its promise], it will cannibalise these third-party products, and leave little room left for third-party smart speaker vendors to innovate."

Other recent news of Privancy concerns, a new feature added can now command a device to delete everything they have said that day. Llater this year, users will be able to ask Alexa "why did you do that?", to question it about unexpected behaviour.