Echo Dot is available for $99.99 with a newly integrated smart home hub, according to Amazon's announcement. For $249.99, Echo Studio with Home Camera gives Alexa+ visual features. The camera-free Echo Studio stays on sale for $219.99.
The Dot's hub handles Zigbee, Matter and Thread, allowing compatible smart home devices to connect without an additional hub. An integrated eero extender can increase coverage on an existing eero network by as much as 1,000 square feet. Buyers can choose Coral Pink, Agave Green, Graphite or Glacier White.
Amazon claims a 50% bass increase over the previous Dot generation. The speaker now uses Amazon's AZ3 chip for processing on the device and adds a fourth microphone. Its Omnisense system detects presence and room temperature, enabling actions such as switching lights on when someone enters or raising the thermostat when a room gets cold.
The Studio's camera supports remote viewing through the Alexa app's Live View feature. Alexa+ can explain a board game's rules after seeing its box. Alexa can also recognize a cereal box held before the camera and help order additional flavors.
For audio, the camera-equipped Studio combines a high-excursion woofer with three full-range drivers and supports Dolby Atmos. Advanced Room Adaptation continually adjusts playback to suit room acoustics. Adaptive Volume responds to the listener's location to keep playback volume consistent while they move.
A dedicated control switches off the microphones and camera. The Studio's LED lights up during image or video transmission to the cloud. Some features depend on Alexa+, which Prime membership includes.
Amazon lists video calling through a compatible Fire TV device as a future addition for Echo Studio with Home Camera.
