Amazon Launches New Products at Hardware Event

Yesterday, Amazon previewed updates to the Echo product line, Alexa machine learning improvements, and other smart home devices. Let’s break down the best of the rest.

Ambient computing: Amazon envisions tomorrow’s home as a streamlined oasis, where tech completes tasks in the background. Google also sees this future. Apple too-ish, but with more privacy.

Surveillance: Amazon’s Ring is a top vendor of home security devices, which critics consider the footsoldiers of a privatized surveillance network. Undeterred, Ring revealed the Always Home Cam, an indoor drone that autonomously flies around and films your home.

Ring’s also hitting the road with three new car security products. It’s developed an API for automakers that will allow car owners to receive alerts for break-ins, view footage, and check if their vehicle is locked. Consider this Amazon’s answer to Tesla’s Sentry Mode.

Games: Amazon announced Luna, its $5.99/month cloud gaming service that integrates with Alexa and Twitch. The controller connects directly to Amazon Web Services, which could cut latency. Early access opens next month.

Bottom line: It’s always day one?