Product Launch - Amazon launched four new smart speakers and voice-activated displays integrating Alexa Plus [1] - The new Echo Dot Max costs $100, Echo Show 8 is priced at $180, Echo Show 11 at $220, and Echo Studio at $220 [2] - All devices are available for pre-order with early access to Alexa Plus [3] Alexa Plus - Alexa Plus is free for Prime members, otherwise it costs $20 per month [3] - Alexa Plus debuted in February and has been rolling out to select users [3] Leadership & Strategy - These are the first revamped products under Panos Pan, who joined Amazon in 2023 [4] - Amazon aims to compete with rivals like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini [4]

Product Innovation - Amazon launched four new Echo smart speakers, including the Dot Max, which is a pint-sized but powerful smart speaker with an improved control panel [1] - The new Echo Studio has been shrunk but maintains or improves sound quality and can be integrated into an Alexa home theater setup [2] - The Echo Show smart displays feature a slimmer, slicker, and more responsive design with thinner bezels and brighter screens, available in 11-inch and 8-inch versions [3] - New mount available for Echo Show smart displays allows for easy adjustment [4] Technology & Features - New speakers utilize Wi-Fi sensing to detect presence and improve smart home automation, such as automatically turning on lights [4] - All new smart speakers and displays come with Alexa Plus, Amazon's new AI-powered voice assistant [4] Market Perception - Amazon's hardware has been perceived as somewhat lackluster, but the new devices appear to be a significant upgrade [5]

Amazon Devices & Services Senior Vice President Panos Panay speaks during an Amazon Devices launch event in New York City, U.S., February 26, 2025.Amazon on Tuesday unveiled a slew of new smart speakers and voice-activated displays that are revamped with Alexa+, its personal assistant that's powered by generative artificial intelligence. The company debuted the Echo Dot Max, a revamped version of its compact smart speaker, which costs $99.99. This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates. ...