Echo Show 16: Amazon Debuts Thinner Speaker With 16-Inch Screen

Amazon released a series of new smart home devices on Wednesday, headlined by the Echo Show 16. The new display is the focal point of the fall announcements, marking a physical redesign for the company's largest screen.

The Echo Show 16 features a 16-inch panel housed in an anodized aluminum frame. Amazon states the frame is nearly 40 percent thinner than the previous model. A new Nanomatte option is available to reduce glare. The audio system uses micro woofers and two tweeters. The device includes a 13-megapixel wide-angle camera with the widest field of view on any Echo Show unit. It contains 20 percent more computing power than its predecessor. Preorders are open at $499.99, while the Nanomatte version costs $569.99.

The hardware runs on the upgraded Omnisense fusion platform. This system allows Alexa to adjust heating if a room is too cold or turn on lights when a person enters. The platform also powers the upgraded Echo Dot, which now includes a built-in smart home hub. This removes the need for a separate hub to control other devices. The Echo Dot uses the custom AZ3 chip and four microphones. A new full-range driver provides 50 percent more bass than the previous generation. An Eero Wi-Fi extender is built into the unit. The Echo Dot is available now for $99.99 in black, white, green, and pink.

Amazon also introduced the Alexa Photo Frame, a 10-inch touchscreen device with a semi-matte finish. It syncs with Amazon Photos to display images based on the people in them, the date, and sentiment. Users can select specific individuals or request particular photos. The frame costs $199.99 in black or $229 in birch or walnut finishes.

The Echo Studio gains a camera in a new version called the Echo Studio with Home Camera. Owners can view live room feeds or ask Alexa about objects held in front of the lens. The speaker will connect with compatible Fire TVs for video calls. It is priced at $249.99 in black, with a stand available for $39.99.

The Echo Time smart alarm clock features a 3.2-inch circular touchscreen. It supports various clock faces and uses Omnisense to wake users during lighter sleep cycles between 10 and 60 minutes before the set alarm. The display brightens in the morning and dims at night. It is available for $199.99 in black, white, and pink. The Kids Echo Time starts at $209.99.

Alexa Home Map will build an interactive 3D map of a home's interior and exterior. The map displays Echo devices, Ring and Blink cameras, Fire TVs, lights, locks, and thermostats. Users create the map by entering their address, scanning rooms with a compatible iPhone, and placing devices. The feature will roll out in preview later this year on iOS. Amazon says it will also appear on larger Echo Show devices, the Ember Artline Fire TV, and new Alexa Tablets.