‘Game changing’: Amazon annual device showcase reveals new Echo, Kindle, Ring and Blink products

Battling big-AI, Amazon has launched a slew of new AI enabled and souped up versions of its Echo speakers, Kindle and Ring doorbells.

Benedict Brook in New York

6 min read

October 4, 2025 - 6:30AM

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Tech giant Amazon has announced a slew of updates and improvements to its popular products such as the Ring doorbell and Echo speakers at its ritzy annual devices showcase in New York.

It comes as Australians increasingly embrace AI – with Amazon keen not to be left behind.

A new Kindle Scribe has been described as a “game changer,” Australia will get it hands on the affordable new Blink video doorbell for the first tine while a new 4K Fire TV stick, which Amazon says can turn any TV into a “smart entertainment hub” will retail for $89.

Pants Panay, head of Amazon's Devices and Services team, introduces the new Kindle Scribe as he speaks during the Amazon product event in New York City on September 30, 2025. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

It will come as absolutely no surprise that at the event, in Manhattan on Tuesday, US time, artificial intelligence was at the centre of everything with Amazon hoping people will buy up big across their range of products and connect them all with Alexa.

“AI is technology that’s empowering you without getting in the way, without distracting you, without taking you away from what’s most important,” insisted Panos Panay, Amazon’s head of devices and services.

The exec added that AI, at least Amazon’s version called “Alexa+,” could create “subtle shifts in all our behaviour … whether it’s a camera catching what you miss, or your Fire TV updating you on a game, or your Kindle remembering exactly where you left off”.

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New Echo smart speakers and screens, Ring video doorbells and Kindles were announced in New York. Picture: Benedict Brook

Another AI example given: Alexa could get used to your morning routine and then suggest it turn on a certain radio station as your rise or gradually bring up the lights to slowly coax you from the land of Nod.

There’s even a new AI feature on Ring which could even find your missing pooch.

“Our purpose is simple but powerful, products powered by AI connected by Alexa that are truly useful and impressive, inspirational in our customers lives,” said Mr Panay.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Ring video doorbells with Retinal Vision allowing crisper, smoother images and video

• AI embedded Ring will send messages describing what’s happening at your door and even help you find your missing pet

• New Echo devices with souped up sound quality and powered by faster AZ3 and AZ3 Pro chips

• Affordable new Blink video doorbell comes to Australia costing $89 with batteries lasting up to two years

• Razor thin new Kindles with Scribe e-reader and notebook now in colour

• Amazon’s most affordable Fire TV Stick transforms your TV for $89.

Amazon devices launch event in New York on September 30 2025. Picture: Benedict Brook

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AMAZON KINDLE

Amazon says Kindle sales are up by double digits and over 60 per cent of sales are to new customers.
The Kindle e-book reader is well known and the Kindle Scribe takes this further combining a reader with a note book for you doodlings, musings and all your many to do lists.

The device is getting even thinner while Amazon is also launching a colour version of the Kindle Scribe. That will come to Australia but at the moment the date is TBC.

Scribes will now also come with AI enabling innovations which Kindle product lead Avani Parakh said were “game changing“.

It will enable you to search for a key words within your notes without going through hundreds of digital pages. Or give AI a direction, Ms Parakh said, such as collating all your notes on a certain subject, and it will deliver a compendium of information to you.

Kindles were on display including a colour Kindle Scribe. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

RING CAMERAS

An Amazon product Aussies can’t get enough of is the Ring video door bells. Amazon is bullish about Ring with Mr Panay calling it “the best home security cameras in the world right out of the box”.

In New York, the firm lunched its new “Retinal Vision” Rings that come in 2K for sharper detail and 4K for smoother video.

Amazon says the devices are “a breakthrough in visual clarity”.

AI embedded into Ring will send users notifications based on what the cameras can see and interpret. For instance, you might get a message stating “Two people are peering into a white car in the driveway” so you can check that out.

New ring doorbells in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Then there’s “Familiar Faces” which can alert you to whether a mate is coming up the driveway or someone you don't know.

And if you lose your dog, Ring will enact “Search Party”. Panicking dog owners can ask neighbours’ Ring doorbells to try and spot the animal. AI will then help the various Rings to scour in its field of vision for any dogs and send an alert if it thinks it has found a match.

Ring starts at $99 for the Indoor Camera Plus. Wired Video Doorbell Plus (2nd gen) is $299 and Wired Video Doorbell Plus (3rd gen) is $399. Ring subscriptions begin at $4.95 per month.

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Many new Echo devices. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

AMAZON ECHO

The event saw Amazon launch four new Echo devices.

“These are the most powerful Echo devices we have ever created,” said Mr Panay.

All are powered by faster AZ3 and AZ3 Pro chips which mean they wll be readu fpr Alexa + once it comes to Australia.

The entry level Echo Dot Max promises two speakers bringing three times the bass compared to the previous model. But it has also seen a jump in price to go with its higher specs.

The Echo Studio is bigger and even bassier but is now 40 per cent smaller than the original. It supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos for surround sound listening.

Echo Show 8 and 11 combine the speaker with a TV screen allowing you to see how your day is unfolding, the weather and even keep an eye on your house if you have cameras installed.

Amazon says the devices are so smart they will actually drag the family away from their phones. Instead, they can ask Alexa questions, potentially starting dinner time debates – “or arguments” Mr Panay admitted.

Echo Dot Max is $199, Echo Studio (2025 Release) $429, Echo Show 8 (2025 Release) $349 and Echo Show 11 is $429. All now available for pre order.

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The Fire TV Stick 4K Select will be coming to Australia. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

AMAZON FIRE TV

It’s the little remote that Amazon says can turn your connected TV into an entertainment hub.

In some ways, the Fire TV Stick acts like a normal remote, accessing a range of different streamers including Netflix, Prime Video, 7Plus, 9 Now and Kayo Sports.

But a touch of the Alexa button means you can have a chat to your box helping you search for content on the TV, launch apps, find out the weather, stream music and control connected home smart devices.

Coming to Australia is the Fire TV Stick 4K Select which Amazon is spruiking as its “most affordable 4K streaming device ever”.

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Blink products on display. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

BLINK

The Seattle firm’s Blink offshoot produces home security devices including indoor and outdoor cameras and floodlights.

Amazon sees Blink as the more affordable brother to Ring.

Now available in Australia will be the price competitive Blink Video Doorbell. It’s powered by three AA lithium batteries which potentially won’t need replacing for two years further saving cash.

Also launched was the Blink Arc which combines two offset mini 2K+ cameras which combines to give one seamless image over a wide area or even around a corner.

The Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is priced at $89. The Blink Arc is $109 for the mount and two cameras. Blink subscriptions begin at $4.95 per month.

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