Amazon launches its first TV, only available in India

Amazon is another company that uses India as a testing ground for new product lines. The company just introduced two new televisions under its AmazonBasics brand. Both have Fire OS preinstalled and come with 55- and 50-inch models at US$480 (around CA$612) and US$410 (CA$522), respectively. 

Like other TVs in its price range, both have 4K LED displays that support HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. And as Amazon products, these support Alexa voice remote and Fire OS 7, but the televisions don't have the newest version of its Fire TV interface. Amazon plans to introduce three additional models, with two smaller, more affordable 1080p and 720p models.

Source: Engadget

Amazon Echo devices add group video and audio calling support

Source: Amazon

If you'd rather not use Zoom, Amazon is rolling out a new group video or audio calling for Echo devices. Amazon originally announced the feature in September, but it's rolling it out just in time for the holidays. It will allow up to seven participants to join the audio or video call on supported devices, including the Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show. Canada is one of the 14 countries to get the feature. Other countries getting the support include Austria, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the US, and the UK.

You can create and name groups for these calls through the Alexa app. The app will soon get support for group calls, too. You will be able to add adult contacts into groups, with friends and family having the option to opt into group calling. If you're wondering if it works with Alexa, it does. You can say commands like "Alexa, call my family" to connect to a group you've created. There are currently no limits to the call's duration.

Source: The Verge

iOS users can interact with Alexa via text

Amazon has just added a new feature for iOS users. Its assistant Alexa can now respond to commands via text on the platform. With this option, you can opt to text commands to Alexa instead of speaking to it. The feature is still in a "public preview," so expect to run into bugs and issues. If you do want to test it out, you can head to the Alexa app on iOS. When you tap the Alexa button in the app, it will bring up a keyboard icon that will open a chat window.

Source: Engadget

Amazon Echo Show 10 can follow you while on video calls

Source: Amazon

Maybe you have the habit of walking around while on video calls. The new Echo Show 10 can keep track of you so you stay centred in the frame. It can follow you around with its 13-megapixel camera, a rotating base, audio beamforming technology, and computer vision. The Echo Show 10 will support Zoom, Skype, and Amazon Chime. Amazon will allow for group calling with up to eight people in a video chat.  

The data is processed on the device itself instead of on Amazon's servers. You can turn off this feature using Alexa. Other privacy options include a camera shutter, the choice not to save voice recordings linked to your Amazon account, and the ability to ask Alexa to delete them all.

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