Amazon Unveils Updated Echo Spot, Amazon’s Data Center Spending Aggressiveness, Amazon’s AI Predicament
Today’s update will have an Amazon theme. We begin with my thoughts on Amazon bringing the Echo Spot back. The discussion then turns to Amazon’s shocking level of data center spending commitments. We conclude with Amazon finding itself in an AI predicament involving Alexa and AWS.
Hello everyone. Today’s update will have an Amazon theme. Let’s jump in.
Amazon Unveils Updated Echo Spot
In a press release issued yesterday, here’s Amazon:
“Introducing the all-new Echo Spot, the latest addition to Amazon’s lineup of Alexa-enabled devices. Echo Spot is a sleek new customizable smart alarm clock, featuring a variety of custom-designed clock faces and fun colors. It’s built for the nightstand, with a display that makes it easy to set and view alarms, see the time, weather, or song titles at a glance, and a directional speaker that delivers vibrant sound.
Echo Spot is available now in Black, Glacier White, and Ocean Blue, for $79.99—but Prime members can get it for just $44.99 through July 17, in celebration of Prime Day.
The all-new Echo Spot builds on what our customers loved most about the original product—like the semi-spherical shape, access to Alexa, and the compact and vibrant display—and reimagines it with even better visuals and improved audio quality.”
While the timing for a launch via press release is ludicrous – right smack in the middle of U.S. vacation season – the launch is being timed to coincide with Prime Day occurring in mid-July.
In addition to Amazon bringing the Echo Spot out of retirement (it was discontinued in 2019 after just two years on the market), it's the second new / updated device that Amazon is launching with Panos Panay heading the company’s devices division. The Echo Hub was the first back in February.
A few things jump out at me about this updated Echo Spot.
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Microsoft’s Copilot Event, Microsoft (Quietly) Pulling the Surface Plug, Apple Is Thinking Differently
Hello everyone. Last Thursday, we talked about Amazon's product event. Today, we focus on the Microsoft event that took place last week.
Let's jump right in.
Microsoft’s Copilot Event
For Amazon’s product event, the overall theme was a smarter, more conversational Alexa with the company betting on voice as the medium to push generative AI in the home. Last Thursday, Microsoft held its annual fall event for new products in NYC. A video of the presentation is available here.
Out of the two, Microsoft’s event came across as weaker. Some people wondered if Panos Panay’s surprise departure complicated Microsoft's event plans. It's not clear how much advanced notice Panay provided Microsoft. The event did have the vibe of being thrown together at the last moment. Coming in at only 58 minutes, a good portion of which went to demos and CEO Satya Nadella's opening monologue, the presentation was lean. One wonders why Microsoft even bothered to hold an actual in-person event.
Without Panay's energy, the audience seemed to be asleep for much of the presentation.
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iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Pre-orders Observations, Microsoft HW Chief Jumps Ship, Revisiting the Gadget Recession
We kick things off with Neil’s thoughts on iPhone 15 and 15 Pro pre-orders. The discussion then turns to Panos Panay leaving Microsoft to lead Amazon’s HW efforts.
Hello everyone.
One quick follow-up to yesterday’s update.
In terms of Apple Watch Ultra, one member wondered if the collection’s case size will be a limiting factor when it comes to unit sales mix. Would a majority of Apple Watch buyers go for a 49 mm case?
It is a fair question.
Over the years, one trend that we have seen is that Apple Watch case sizes have been getting larger (38 mm -> 49mm) while weight has been addressed by lighter materials. My wrist isn’t large, and the Ultra feels just as comfortable as any other Apple Watch. An even larger Apple Watch wouldn’t scare me away. Another option would be for Apple to bifurcate the Apple Watch Ultra into multiple case sizes.
iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Pre-orders Observations
This past Friday, Apple began accepting iPhone 15 and 15 Pro pre-orders. The devices go on sale on Friday. The following delivery estimates were compiled this morning. They are estimates for unlocked iPhone models. Apple has embraced an underpromise and overdeliver mantra when it comes to delivery estimates for online orders. The stated delivery dates may end up being pulled forward.
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More information about Above Avalon membership, including the full list of benefits and privileges, is available here.