Maybe it’ll launch an updated home-helper robot as it did with the Astro back in 2021 or maybe – and this is the one I’m hoping for – a proper launch of Ring’s Always Home cam: the mad-but-brilliant flying security camera that patrols your home.
It also means it’s an hour earlier: 11am ET.
What to expect
Hardware
As mentioned, the company makes more devices than you might realise. It’s not just Echo and Fire TV. It may update the 2019 Kindle Oasis , and might even launch some new earbuds since the Echo Buds 2 are now over two years old.
Foundry
There’s sure to be a new Fire TV Stick of some description. My money’s on a replacement for the original Fire TV Stick 4K , reviewed. This was launched in 2019 and although there’s now the Fire TV Stick 4K Max , that came out in 2021.
I doubt there will be an 8K version for a good few years yet.
Foundry
Jim Martin / Foundry
Software
One of the big limitations (as anyone with flaky broadband will know) is that Alexa can’t do much without an internet connection. A more powerful processor in, let’s say, an Echo 5 could allow Alexa to process speech locally. This would be limited to a selection of the most popular commands such as “Alexa set a timer for 15 minutes”.
To be fair, Alexa can already tell you the time and turn on lights and smart plugs without an internet connection, but you need to enable that (Local Voice Control) in the Alexa app first. My hope is that this can be expanded to include new things like setting reminders, timers and other basic features.
Not many people use Alexa for much more than doing the basics, but the reason – I think – is because the assistant is just too dumb and frustrating to use for so much of the time. What everyone wants is ‘proper’ artificial intelligence – a real assistant that actually helps you out and makes your life easier.
Author: Jim Martin, Executive Editor, Tech Advisor
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
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