Amazon has introduced a sweeping update to its Echo lineup, centering on the launch of Alexa+, a generative AI-powered assistant designed to offer more natural, context-aware interactions. Revealed at the company’s Devices and Services event, the new hardware and software aim to reposition Alexa as a conversational partner rather than a simple voice interface.
Alexa+ and Compatibility
Alexa+ debuts first in the United States under an early access program. Prime members can test the service for free, after which it will be priced at $20 per month. However, Alexa+ only works on Amazon’s latest Echo and Fire TV devices, meaning older-generation hardware is excluded. The assistant can understand conversational cues, occasionally skip the wake word, and provide proactive suggestions. While promising a more intuitive experience, these features come with trade-offs: certain legacy privacy settings, such as restrictions on voice recording storage, are being phased out to enable AI integration.
New Echo Show Models
Leading the hardware refresh are two redesigned smart displays, the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11. Both introduce slimmer bezels, sharper displays with in-cell touch technology, and significantly enhanced audio. They are powered by Amazon’s new AZ3 Pro chip and an Omnisense sensor suite, which combines data from microphones, cameras, Wi-Fi radar, and motion sensors. This enables smarter environmental awareness, such as auto-calibrating audio and anticipating smart home needs.
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The Echo Show 8 (priced at $180) features an 8.7-inch HD screen, stereo speakers with a 2.8-inch woofer, and a 13 MP camera with auto-framing.
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The Echo Show 11 (at $220) expands the experience with a larger 11-inch Full HD display and the same upgraded audio and sensors.
Both models ship starting November 12, 2025, and support Matter, Thread, and Zigbee, ensuring future-ready smart home integration.
Smaller and Larger Speakers
For users who prefer compact devices, Amazon unveiled the Echo Dot Max, a step above the classic Dot. It includes both a woofer and a tweeter, delivering nearly triple the bass of previous models, and is built to handle Alexa+ AI tasks with the AZ3 chip. Preorders are open, with general availability on October 29, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Echo Studio has been updated with a 40% smaller footprint and a 3D-knit fabric design, retaining support for Dolby Atmos and spatial audio. Both the Studio and Dot Max integrate with Alexa Home Theater, a new feature that lets users pair up to five Echo speakers for surround sound with Fire TV, automatically optimized using Omnisense sensors.
Filed in . Read more about AI (Artificial Intelligence), Alexa and Amazon.
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