Amazon launches the latest smart screen Echo Show 21

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Amazon (AMZN.US) launched the all-new smart display Echo Show 21 on Wednesday, which is the largest smart screen the company has released to date. At the same time, Amazon also introduced the upgraded Echo Show 15. Both smart screens are designed for wall mounting, suitable for spaces with limited room such as kitchens, making full use of vertical space. It is reported that the upgraded Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21 focus on integrating video calls, streaming viewing, and smart home control into a single device, creating a "kitchen hub" that does not take up space. The upgraded Echo Show 15 is priced at $299.99, while the Echo Show 21 is priced at $399.99. Both the upgraded Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21 feature dual 2-inch bass speakers paired with two 0.6-inch tweeters, providing stronger bass and a fuller overall sound. The two smart screens are equipped with new noise reduction technology and optimized auto-framing features, significantly enhancing the video call experience. Amazon stated that the camera's field of view on these two devices is twice that of the original Echo Show 15 and supports a wider range of digital zoom. Both devices support Wi-Fi 6E, offering faster speeds and lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 6. In terms of smart home functionality, the new devices come with a built-in smart home hub that supports the Matter protocol, and are compatible with Wi-Fi, Thread, and Zigbee protocols, all powered by an octa-core processor and Amazon's AZ2 neural network engine. It is worth mentioning that Apple (AAPL.US), seeking to compete with Amazon in the smart home market, is close to launching a new product category—a wall-mounted display that can control appliances, handle video conferencing, and utilize AI navigation applications. According to insiders, Apple is preparing to release this product as early as March next year, positioning it as a home command center. This product, codenamed "J490," will also focus on the new Apple Intelligence AI platform. Reports indicate that the new product's screen is about 6 inches, resembling a square iPad, roughly the size of two iPhones side by side; the display has a thick bezel around it; the front top features a camera, along with built-in speakers and a rechargeable built-in battery. Apple plans to offer it in silver and black options. This product has a touch interface, looking like a hybrid of the Apple Watch operating system and the StandBy mode introduced on this year's iPhone. However, Apple expects that most people will interact with the device using voice commands, relying on Apple's voice assistant Siri and Apple Intelligence