To be clear, that’s not a slam against Astro. Products like this pave the way for more compelling future solutions to ultimately get to market with broader mainstream appeal. Astro is a fascinating solution with significant potential. Still, it will not likely find a substantial audience given its premium price point and, most importantly, limited cases with what it can be used for. If one didn’t know any better, they could mistake the new Amazon Astro with the Echo Show 10 smart display on oversized wheels. From a side view, it almost looks like a downsized non-passenger version of the iconic Segway personal transporter devices commonly seen in airports or shopping malls.Īstro has a motorized 10.1″ screen and a 5 MP camera that facilitates video chat and video/image capture. Two 55mm speakers embedded in the front provide surprisingly good audio with excellent bass. Astro has some heft to it, weighing 20.6 pounds and roughly the size of a footstool. Like the popular Echo Show models, Astro is fully Alexa-compliant with the ability to stream TV show content, play music, answer questions about nearly any topic, and control any Alexa-based smart home devices.Īstro is equipped with several highly sensitive array-based microphones, and its listening skills are exceptional. ![]() This is noteworthy because array microphones are used traditionally for measuring and locating noise sources, an attribute critical for its home security monitoring capabilities. However, what separates Astro from a stationary Echo Show is its ability to move and alter its viewing perspective. ![]() The obvious usefulness of the cameras is that Astro can travel through your home when you’re out and about to capture video and images.Īstro has a periscope designed into it that rises from its pivoting head and provides additional 12 MP camera support. The periscope also includes manual mute and volume buttons, though you’re unlikely to use them because it can respond to voice commands like any Alexa-class speaker. One of the things the Amazon engineering team deserves kudos for is Astro’s navigation performance. While the out-of-the-box setup process is startlingly easy, it takes about 30 minutes for Astro to conduct its initial run to learn all the rooms on your ground floor.Īfter the setup was completed, Astro could effortlessly travel to whatever room I designated via voice command. ![]() At no time did Astro bump into anything in its path, and it never ran into the beloved Miniature Pinscher who inhabits my home.
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