Amazon announced a batch of new Echo devices today, and some of them are already for sale in Canada. Here’s what was announced, per Engadget’s roundup, and what we could find on Amazon.ca this morning.
What’s on Amazon.ca now
| Device | U.S. price | Amazon.ca price | U.S. price in CAD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echo Time | $199 | $289.99 | about $279 |
| Echo Studio with Home Camera | $250 | $329.99 | about $351 |
Converted at the Bank of Canada’s Oct. 26 rate of 1.4025. Amazon.ca also lists an eco fee of up to $0.55 on these.
The Echo Time comes out about $11 more than a straight conversion. The Echo Studio with Home Camera is about $21 less. Both were showing delivery by early November when we checked.
What they do
- Echo Time is a smart alarm clock with a small round screen. Amazon says it uses an ultrasonic sensor to detect your sleep stages and can start brightening up to an hour before your alarm, Engadget reports. There’s also a kids’ version.
- Echo Studio with Home Camera is the Echo Studio speaker with a built-in 13 MP camera. Engadget says the camera offers live views of your home but doesn’t record footage, and it’s used to recognize who’s in the room. The regular Echo Studio stays on sale at $299.99 on Amazon.ca.
Not here yet
Amazon also announced a refreshed Echo Dot ($99 USD), a new Alexa Photo Frame (from $200 USD) and a much thinner, wall-mounted Echo Show 16 ($500 USD, shipping by the end of the year). We couldn’t find Canadian listings for the new Photo Frame or Show 16 on Amazon.ca this morning, or confirm a Canadian price for the new Dot. We’ll update this post if they appear.
All of these are built for Alexa+, Amazon’s newer AI assistant. Amazon.ca says Alexa+ is free with Prime in Canada.
Why it matters: Two of the new devices are available here on day one, at prices close to the U.S. ones. A camera that can see who’s in your living room is a different kind of device, though. Before you buy one, check the privacy settings and whether you’re comfortable with a camera in that room.