Amazon (AMZN, Financial) has unveiled its largest smart display to date, the Echo Show 21, alongside an upgraded version of the Echo Show 15. These devices are designed for wall mounting, making them ideal for space-constrained environments like kitchens by effectively utilizing vertical space.
The enhanced Echo Show 15 and the new Echo Show 21 integrate video calling, streaming, and smart home controls into a compact "kitchen hub." The Echo Show 15 is priced at $299.99, while the Echo Show 21 is set at $399.99. Both devices feature dual 2-inch woofers paired with two 0.6-inch tweeters, offering stronger bass and fuller sound quality. They also include advanced noise reduction technology and optimized auto-framing for improved video call experiences. The camera's field of view is double that of the original Echo Show 15, supporting wider digital zoom capabilities.
Both models support Wi-Fi 6E, providing faster speeds and lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 6. For smart home functionality, the devices include a smart home hub compatible with the Matter protocol, as well as Wi-Fi, Thread, and Zigbee protocols. They are powered by an octa-core processor and Amazon's AZ2 neural network engine.
In a related development, Apple (AAPL) is nearing the launch of a new product category aimed at competing in the smart home market. This wall-mounted display will control appliances, manage video conferences, and utilize AI for navigation. Expected to debut as early as March next year, the device, codenamed "J490," will serve as a home command center and feature the new Apple Intelligence AI platform.
