Amazon has unveiled the Echo Time, a smart alarm clock that tracks sleep stages without wearable gadgets and helps users wake up more easily, infohub.kz reports.
The device was designed specifically for the bedroom, so the manufacturer paid particular attention to privacy. It has no built-in camera, the microphones can be fully disabled with a dedicated button, and a visual indicator lights up whenever the Alexa voice assistant is active.
The alarm clock features a spherical body and a round 3.2-inch touchscreen with hundreds of interchangeable clock faces. In the morning the display mimics a sunrise, gradually brightening, while in the evening it dims and switches to night mode.
Its main technical feature is a smart wake-up system. The gadget determines sleep stages using temperature sensors, presence sensors and ultrasound that detects a person's breathing. Based on the data collected, the alarm goes off during light sleep — within a window of 10 to 60 minutes before the set time. The option can be turned off if you need to get up strictly on schedule.
The standard version of the device went on sale for $200 in three colors: gray, white and pink. An adjustable stand for it costs $40.
The company also released a children's model, the Amazon Kids Echo Time, for $210 in purple and light green, with a one-year subscription to the Amazon Kids+ service. It offers parental controls and special content for children.