Amazon Echo Alexa 2018 event live blog | CNET
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Amazon Echo Alexa 2018 event live blog

Amazon is announcing several new Echo and Alexa products at its event in Seattle. Follow our live coverage.

  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:15:54 PM
    "There are 70M new cars sold every year...but that leaves hundreds of millions of cars that we can't integrate with."
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:16:15 PM
    Available for invite this year.
  • Ry Crist 9/20/2018 6:16:22 PM
    Echo Auto. Looks like a little cassette tape. "Do not let the size of this device fool you," Limp says.
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:16:24 PM
    Eight mics inside.
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:16:42 PM
    Sits on the dash, it's a little guy to add Alexa to your car.
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:16:54 PM
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:17:10 PM
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:17:28 PM
    Guys, this is the last area...I hope. What's the count on new devices today??
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:17:31 PM
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:18:17 PM
    Adding location-based Routines.
  • Ry Crist 9/20/2018 6:18:23 PM
    Device connects to your phone over Bluetooth and uses your cell signal to connect to the cloud. Same approach that Anker's Roav Viva uses. Not always great if you've got a spotty signal.
  • Ry Crist 9/20/2018 6:18:44 PM
    Location-based Routine triggers now a thing. Arrive home, and it can trigger stuff.
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:18:46 PM
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:19:25 PM
    "It turns out the car is a great place for an ambient user interface."
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:19:34 PM
    Demo time.
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:19:51 PM
    "Alexa, add milk, butter and eggs to my shopping list."
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:19:54 PM
  • Ry Crist 9/20/2018 6:19:57 PM
    "The car is a great place for an ambient user interface," Limp says -- it's a good point, but Amazon is late to the in-car voice control game. I've had Sync voice controls in my Ford Focus for ten years now.
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:20:17 PM
    "This makes it super convenient to add to your list."
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:20:26 PM
  • Ry Crist 9/20/2018 6:21:04 PM
    Location-awareness is key here -- ask Alexa for the nearest Starbucks, and she'll tell you where it is and how late it's open. What about turn-based directions, though?
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:21:04 PM
    Play audiobooks, find a nearby Starbucks, call fam.
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:21:16 PM
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:21:36 PM
    Limp just called his wife on the new device. Talked about noodles.
  • Ry Crist 9/20/2018 6:22:34 PM
    Here we go -- "Alexa, give me directions to the airport." Sends visuals to your phone, in case you've got it mounted safely. Works with Waze and Apple Maps.
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:22:50 PM
    Echo Auto $50, invite price for $25.
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:23:05 PM
    Starts shipping to invitees later this year.
  • Ry Crist 9/20/2018 6:23:10 PM
    Yeah -- I think a lot of people would pay $25 for Echo Auto. Gonna be a hot seller.
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:23:24 PM
    Holy moly, I think we're done here.
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:23:38 PM
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:23:43 PM
    Yep, thanks from Limp and that's a wrap.
  • Ry Crist 9/20/2018 6:24:19 PM
    That's a wrap on the presentation. Heading over to the Day One building next door to go hands on with all of the new gadgets. Our busy day is just getting started -- we'll have video of everything for you soon!
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:24:21 PM
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:24:23 PM
    More here from Amazon's Day One blog: 

    Amazon Devices Event – September 2018

    US Day One BlogFollow along as we live blog the event, starting at 10am PT.
  • Tyler Lizenby 9/20/2018 6:24:38 PM
  • Ben Fox Rubin 9/20/2018 6:24:51 PM
    Wow, that was a lot. Check back with CNET today as we flesh out info on all these new products and features. And that microwave!
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