E-commerce giant Amazon (AMZN) is hosting an event to unveil several new electronic devices ahead of the year-end holiday shopping season.
The event on Sept. 30 is expected to include a new Echo smart speaker, Fire TV, Ring doorbell and monitor, and Kindle e-reader.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said earlier this year that the company is planning to launch a “brand new lineup of devices” that are compatible with its Alexa+ artificial intelligence (A.I.) assistant.
The Seattle-based company typically hosts a device event each autumn, where it unveils new products in the lead-up to the year-end holidays.
The new products are being launched as Amazon begins charging users to access its newest version of the Alexa digital assistant.
The A.I.-powered Alexa requires a $19.99 U.S. per month subscription but is free for members of its $139 U.S. a year Prime program.
Amazon says there are now more than 600 million Alexa devices worldwide. However, the company’s A.I. ambitions go beyond Alexa.
In July, Amazon moved to acquire A.I. wearables start-up Bee, which makes a wristband that can record and transcribe conversations. The company is also adding A.I. to some of its Ring home security products.
AMZN stock has gained 1% this year to trade at $222.17 U.S. per share.
