Amazon’s new Echo speaker puts Alexa in an orb

At Amazon's virtual hardware event on Thursday, the company announced an all-new Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Dot with clock.

All three devices share a new spherical design that's a lot more compact. The fabric finish comes in three different colors: Charcoal, Glacier White, and Twilight Blue.

The new Echo features Amazon's AZ1 Neural Edge processor. With hundreds of milliseconds shaved off from the Echo's response time, the company claims it can process commands a lot faster than its predecessors.

The Echo Dot with clock Credit: amazon

As for the new Echo Dot and Echo Dot with clock, both feature a 1.6-inch front-facing speaker which Amazon says "produces crisp vocals and a balanced base for full sound." As for price and availability, you can pre-order the Echo Dot now for $49.99, but it won't ship until later this year. Meanwhile, the Echo Dot with clock will cost you a little bit more at $59.99.

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Amazon also announced an Echo Dot Kids Edition, which features the same spherical shape, but with a choice between a Panda or Tiger design. It also comes with a few capabilities specific to the device.

With a new feature called Reading Sidekick, Alexa will also be able to teach your child how to read ... sort of. Basically, Alexa will take turns reading from a book (that's supported) while also listening to how your child is reading and offering encouragement in the process. Amazon hasn't confirmed when the feature will be available, but a preview will launch in Amazon Kids+ in the next few months.

The Echo Dot Kids Edition Credit: amazon

Additionally, parents will also be able to create an Alexa voice profile for this kids — another feature arriving over the next few months to Amazon Kids and Kids+. When it's turned on, Alexa will automatically know to transition to Kids Alexa mode whenever it recognizes a child's voice. That way, it'll only provide "kid-friendly" responses, so you don't have to worry about exactly what it is they're accessing through the device if you're not around.

The device, which you can pre-order for $59.99 today, also comes with a one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription.