Latest Amazon smart home news

Guess what? Amazon isn't done with its new product announcements. It's now unveiled a new FireTV Recast device.This is a box that can stream shows from an antenna to your home. The idea is, you place the box in your home, and you can start streaming on... Read more

A new and improved Amazon Echo Show has been announced during the company's special launch event in Seattle.Like the other "new" devices Amazon is showcasing, the latest Echo Show model is being pitched as "all-new". It features "new speakers", a "new... Read more

Now that Amazon owns smart security camera and doorbell company Ring, it used its surprise event in Seattle to announce a few Ring device updates.One of those is an all-new Ring Stick Up Cam, which will be released later this year.Even though it was previously... Read more

Amazon is announcing probably 70 new devices right now at a surprise event in Seattle, including an Alexa-enabled wall clock and microwave.Starting with the Echo Wall Clock, it's an Echo-branded accessory for displaying timers you’ve set with Alexa.... Read more

Although there are several third-party equivalents, Amazon is bringing its own-branded smart plug to market.The Amazon Smart Plug is interesting because it can add Alexa voice control to any electrical socket - the first such device from Amazon itself.... Read more

Amazon is rattling off updates to Echo devices at a surprise event in Seattle, where it's now announcing a new Echo Input product.With this device, you can plug it into any existing speaker and essentially turn it into an Amazon Echo. It appears to be... Read more

Amazon's major Echo speaker refresh for 2018 includes a new version of its Echo Plus speaker.Similar to the other updated Echo devices announced, the "all-new Echo Plus" will bring an improved sound experience. It kicks things up a notch with premium... Read more

Amazon is about to make its Echo speakers sound even better, by matching them with a new Echo Sub.The Amazon Echo Sub is designed to deliver down-firing, 100W deep bass sound through a woofer.You're meant to pair it with an Echo or Echo Plus, which are... Read more

Several Echo-branded devices are being announced at a special Amazon event in Seattle, including a new Echo Dot.Dubbed the "all-new Echo Dot", the new model comes with sound improvements and a fresh design.The original Echo Dot, a hockey puck-sized version... Read more

Amazon has invited the media - including Pocket-lint - to a press conference at its Seattle HQ with an agenda that's yet to be revealed. Last year a similar Amazon event saw the launch of a range of new devices, including new Echo speakers. The event... Read more

Did you know you can use Alexa to call and message others?Amazon's Alexa calling and messaging feature enables you to make and receive calls, as well as send messages between Echo devices, the Amazon Alexa app for iOS and Android, and Fire tablets. It's... Read more

UPDATE: Amazon has now announced its own Smart Plug, which was leaked earlier as you can see below.For the official, up-to-date details, head here: Amazon Smart Plug adds Alexa voice control to any electrical device.Earlier story...Amazon is going to... Read more

Those of you who own an Amazon Echo might be surprised to learn how much it can really do. It's loaded with features and hidden settings.The Amazon Echo can make to-do lists, set alarms, stream podcasts, play audiobooks, read PDFs, provide weather forecasts,... Read more

Amazon's Echo devices support multi-room audio, but you need to use the Alexa app to group them up.This feature lets you play music across multiple Echo devices in your home at the same time. But there are caveats: the feature is only available in a few... Read more

Amazon Echo is one of a range of hands-free speakers and devices that can be controlled with your voice. The voice-controlled Amazon "personal assistant" on these devices is called Alexa, who will perform various tasks for you and control various systems.In... Read more

Your Amazon Echo has just arrived and you might have glanced at the quick-start guide, but beyond the basic setup, do you know the first things you should do with your new Echo? Alexa is the virtual assistant inside Amazon Echo devices - for a briefing... Read more

Amazon is developing an entire new range of Alexa-powered smart home devices. To be clear, these likely won't be new Echo speakers.According to a report from CNBC, Amazon is working on new voice-controlled devices, including a microwave oven, an in-car... Read more

Amazon is pushing the Echo and Echo Dot hard in a bid to dominate the connected home market before too many players - like Google - can catch up.The Amazon Echo got off to a flying start, establishing itself as one of the hottest smart home devices,... Read more

Amazon is having a big sale over the Bank Holiday weekend running from today until 29 August. See what's on offer for Amazon's Big Bank Holiday sale There are discounts on a load of stationery and back to school items as well as Amazon devices (quelle surprise)... Read more

Amazon is holding a huge sale in the US right now - just in time for students headed back to school.Parents and kids are shopping online for the best back-to-school gear, and Amazon, of course, wants in on the action, so it is discounting Fire tablets,... Read more

Amazon is apparently being investigated over claims that its next-day Prime delivery service doesn't actually deliver "unlimited one-day delivery". That's because - as you'll know if you're a Prime user - not all items do arrive the next day.  Amazon... Read more

Amazon has finally given Alexa some equaliser features.That means you'll be able to adjust EQ settings with commands like “Alexa, increase the bass.” It’s a great option that users have been clamoring for since Amazon first launched Alexa alongside... Read more

Amazon is making the Echo Show more accessible to hearing- and speech-impaired users.Amazon Echo offers voice control for users and their homes, but if you can't hear what Alexa has to say or clearly respond to it, then the device is somewhat useless.... Read more

The benefits of voice control for some people with disabilities have been well documented, but that's not helpful for users who are deaf or hard of hearing. For them, Amazon has now turned on Alexa Captioning in the UK after first unveiling it in the... Read more

Amazon's Prime Day is finally here - the one day of the year except for Black Friday weekend where you can bag yourself some amazing discounts from the online retailer.Prime Day starts at 12 noon on 16 July and as the name suggests, you'll need to be... Read more

"Alexa, tell everyone it's time to go!" Wouldn't it be nice if Alexa could help you hurry your family along or maybe announce that dinner is ready?Now, families with Echo devices in their home can do just that, thanks to a new "Alexa Announcements" feature... Read more

Your Amazon Echo or Alexa wake word is what your Amazon Alexa device listens out for before it bursts into action.Usually, this is "Alexa", the name of Amazon's virtual assistant and the default option. But you might not like "Alexa", while if you happen... Read more

Whether you have an Echo speaker or an Echo device with a screen, you can take advantage one of Amazon's coolest Alexa features: Drop In. With Drop In, you're able to instantly connect to any of your Echo devices (or a contact's Echo device, if they've... Read more

You've long been able to ask Alexa to buy you things from Amazon. But how do you stop accidental ordering on your Amazon Echo with Alexa? (If you don't know what Alexa is, we'll explain all in our What is Alexa? feature.)And how do you stop reckless friends... Read more

Echo Look is one of the newest additions to Amazon's line of Echo-branded devices, and it's also one of the quirkiest.Each Echo device has a different form factor and is best suited to a specific environment - whether you're at home and want to listen... Read more

Alexa has made another move into home entertainment with the launch of When In Rome, a board game that's powered by Amazon's digital assistant.Alexa will teach you how to play the game, keep score and is the overall host, while the board game plays out... Read more

Not only has Amazon announced its Prime Day sales in the UK, it has already kicked off proceedings in the US too, with several deals starting early.Like the UK, the US Prime Day will occur on 16 July (and slightly beyond). However, some Amazon products... Read more

Amazon has announced Alexa for Hospitality.This is a new version of the company’s voice assistant, Alexa. It's now being rolled out to hotels, vacation rental spaces, and other locations. It offers a unique Alexa experience that's different from the... Read more

Amazon has a new Echo accessory that turns your Echo speaker into a voice-controlled speakerphone: the Echo Connect.Before it came along, you could only make calls from one Echo speaker to another Echo speaker, like an intercom system. Now, with Connect,... Read more

Ring has announced when you can buy its full home security system for those that want to ensure their house is protected both inside and out. The system, which includes an alarm, keypad, a motion sensor ($30 each for additional ones), and a window or... Read more

The World Cup starts tomorrow and the virtual assistants are getting on board! As well as being able to ask Siri or Google Assistant about facts, fixtures and teams during the tournament, Amazon has unveiled a bunch of questions you can ask Alexa if... Read more

Amazon is knocking down prices of some of its devices in both the UK and US, with different deals to be had depending which side of the pond you're on. In the US, Amazon is offering money off the Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids Edition, Echo, Echo Show, Fire... Read more

Alexa, Amazon's virtual assistant, has an answer for just about everything. And, at the same time, she's loaded with hilarious responses for all sorts of hidden commands.These are "Alexa Easter Eggs" - an unexpected feature in software - and they range... Read more

Amazon Alexa made headlines today for appearing to violate a user's privacy by recording her conversation without consent.Worse yet, Amazon's assistant then sent the conversation to the user's contact - again, without consent. While that sounds absolutely... Read more

Soon, you might be able to ask, "Alexa, am I sick?", and then possibly share your sensitive health data, such as symptoms, to your doctor.According to CNBC, which looked at a leaked internal document about Amazon's plans, billionaire Jeff Bezos' online... Read more

Door hardware maker Schlage is fullly embracing Alexa with new voice-controlled skills.It has announced the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt and Schlage Connect Touchscreen Deadbolt have expanded support for Amazon's voice assistant in the form of a new voice-unlocking... Read more

Amazon is launching a new version of the Echo Dot that is more expensive but will be tailored specifically for use by children.Among other cool child-friendly features to keep kids entertained – like age-appropriate jokes - it encourages the use of... Read more

Have you ever had a package stolen from your doorstep?It can happen to anyone. There's not much you can do when you've ordered something to be delivered to your home and it arrives when you're not there, whether that's because you're at work or walking... Read more

Does Amazon want to make Rosey the robot a reality?It is reportedly developing a home robot - and we can't help but think about The Jetsons. According to Bloomberg, which described the yet-to-be-announced effort as "top-secret", Amazon's robot project... Read more

Amazon has knocked money off some of its own top tier devices for customers with Amazon Prime membership.Prime members in the UK can get £30 off a Kindle Paperwhite, £40 off a Fire HD 10 Tablet, £25 off an Echo Spot, £20 of a second-generation Echo... Read more

Today is National Tea Day and as usual on such occasions, Alexa has been in touch to let us know that we could all make better cups of tea if only we would ask her. Seriously though, Alexa's repertoire does include being able to answer various tea-related... Read more

Amazon has opened up its Alexa platform so that anyone - and we mean absolutely anyone - can create a custom Alexa skill.Skills are Alexa apps that provide Amazon's assistant with additional features. For instance, there's a popular Jeopardy! skill, which,... Read more

Amazon Alexa is fun to use... when she can hear you.If you own an Echo device, especially one of the original models, you've likely noticed that Alexa picks up your voice when she feels like it. You can yell all you want, and Amazon's assistant will still... Read more

Amazon has finalised its purchase of Ring, a maker of smart doorbells and outdoor security cameras, and as a result, it's cutting some prices.The first-generation Ring Video Doorbell now costs $100 (roughly £89), down from about $150 on Amazon and $179... Read more

Amazon is constantly adding new features to its Alexa voice assistant, and the latest is the ability to create playlists.You will now be able to ask Alexa to make and edit a playlist through an Alexa-enabled device. This includes asking the assistant... Read more