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Amazon has released an Echo Studio with a camera and an upgraded Echo Dot with a built-in smart home hub. The new models are priced at $249.99 and $99.99, respectively; some camera-related and Alexa+ features have additional compatibility or service requirements.
Amazon has released two updated Echo speakers: an Echo Studio with a camera and an Echo Dot with a built-in smart home hub. The new Studio costs $249.99 and the Dot costs $99.99, giving customers new Alexa features while adding camera and device-compatibility considerations to the product choices.
The upgraded Echo Dot supports Zigbee, Matter and Thread, enabling it to connect compatible lights, locks and thermostats without a separate hub, much like devices covered in these Amazon Echo smart home picks. Amazon also says the speaker has an AZ3 chip for Alexa+, a fourth microphone, and Omnisense technology that can detect room temperature and presence, features that complement broader smart home hub setups. Those capabilities could support routines such as turning on lights when someone enters a room or adjusting a thermostat when it gets cold; the examples describe potential uses, not a guarantee that every device or routine will work.
Amazon claims the new Dot delivers 50% more bass than its predecessor. It also has a built-in eero extender that can add up to 1,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage, but that feature requires an existing eero network. A Kids edition starts at $109.99.
The Echo Studio’s camera is intended to let Alexa+ interpret objects shown to it, such as a board-game box or cereal packaging. The camera also supports Live View through the Alexa app. Video calls through compatible Fire TV devices are planned for later, according to the report. The Studio retains its high-excursion woofer, three full-range drivers, Dolby Atmos support and automatic room tuning. Amazon continues to offer a camera-free Echo Studio for $219.99.
New Roles for Two Echo Speakers
The changes give the two speakers different jobs in Amazon’s connected-home lineup. The Echo Dot can act as a hub for compatible smart-home devices, potentially reducing the need for a separate piece of equipment. The Echo Studio adds a camera-based way to interact with Alexa+, extending the speaker’s role beyond audio playback.
Those additions also bring practical trade-offs. A camera in a speaker may not suit every household, and Amazon is offering a camera-free Studio at a lower price. The Dot’s connectivity and Wi-Fi extension depend on supported devices and, for the eero feature, an existing eero network. Customers will need to check those requirements against their current setup before relying on the features.
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Echo Lineup Adds Connected-Home Features
Amazon announced the speakers as part of a broader Alexa lineup that also includes the Echo Show 16, Echo Time smart clock and Alexa Photo Frame, according to the source report. The Dot keeps its familiar fabric-wrapped spherical design while gaining smart-home connectivity and sensing features. The Studio’s camera is the more visible departure from a conventional speaker, while its listed audio components remain in place.
The report places the new products amid competition over control of connected homes, noting that Apple had recently introduced the HomePod mini 2 and HomeView. That comparison is context for the market, not evidence that Amazon’s products are directly equivalent in features or compatibility. Amazon’s announced prices and supported standards are the clearest points for customers comparing the devices.
“The Echo Dot offers 50% more bass than before.”
— Amazon, as reported by Digital Trends
Feature Access and Compatibility
The report does not specify which Alexa+ features require a subscription beyond saying some features require Alexa+ and that it is included with Prime. It also does not detail regional availability, the full list of supported devices, or how the camera’s object-recognition functions handle different products and packaging. Those details may affect how the features work in individual homes.
Amazon has not provided a launch date for the planned video calls through compatible Fire TV devices in the source material. The report says they are coming later but gives no schedule. It also does not independently verify Amazon’s claimed bass improvement or the maximum Wi-Fi coverage figure.
Watch for Feature Rollout Details
Both new speakers are reported as available now at their listed prices. Customers considering the Dot can check whether their smart-home devices support Zigbee, Matter or Thread and whether they already use eero before buying it for hub or Wi-Fi extension functions. Buyers considering the Studio can choose between the camera-equipped $249.99 model and the camera-free $219.99 version.
The next reported development is video calling through compatible Fire TV devices, which Amazon plans to add later. The source does not give a date, so availability and further details remain pending.
Key Questions
How much do the new Echo speakers cost?
The camera-equipped Echo Studio is $249.99, and the upgraded Echo Dot is $99.99. The camera-free Echo Studio remains available for $219.99, while the Echo Dot Kids edition starts at $109.99.
What smart-home standards does the new Echo Dot support?
According to the report, its built-in hub supports Zigbee, Matter and Thread, allowing it to connect compatible smart-home devices without a separate hub. Compatibility depends on the devices being used.
What does the Echo Studio camera do?
Amazon says the camera lets Alexa+ recognize objects users show it, such as a board-game box or cereal packaging. It also supports Live View through the Alexa app. Video calls through compatible Fire TV devices are planned for later, with no date specified in the report.
Can the Echo Studio camera and microphones be switched off?
The report says the Studio has a button to disable its camera and microphones. It also has an LED that lights when images or video are streamed to the cloud.
Source: digitaltrends.com
