Amazon's Alexa app gets a makeover, will be customised to suit users' needs

The revamped Echo Dot has a new look, with rounded edges, and packs more punch, with a 1.6-inch driver delivering 70-per cent-louder audio than the previous model.

The speaker has lower distortion and enhanced bass. It can connect to other speakers and other apps and devices over Bluetooth.

If you're craving more low-end tones from your Echo setup, you might consider the Echo Sub.

It delivers down-firing, 100W of bass through its 6-inch woofer, and you can pair it with an Echo or two to create a 2.1 stereo system.

Amazon updated its Echo Plus, which includes a smart hub for a range of connected devices.

This time around, it has revamped speakers and a feature called local voice control, which lets you adjust your various smart-home devices even if your internet connection is down.

There's a temperature sensor too, so Echo Plus can tell smart thermostats to turn up the heat when it gets a little chilly.

Not to be outdone by Chromecast Audio, Amazon has its own audio dongle called Echo Input, including Bluetooth, a microphone and a 3.5mm jack.

It doesn't have a speaker, so you'll need to connect it to your existing audio setup.

New arrivals to the Echo lineup this year, Echo Link Amp and Echo Link, are for those who are more particular than most about audio quality.

The former includes a 60W two-channel amplifier with digital and analog connectors. Echo Link, meanwhile, connects to your audio setup to stream high-fidelity music.

Amazon's smart display received an overhaul, as the company beefed up Echo Show with a 10-inch display alongside more powerful speakers and mics.

It has web browsers (Firefox and Amazon's Silk) this time around, along with Skype video chat support and Vevo music videos.

Amazon is dipping into the DVR game this year with Fire TV Recast.

It works with over-the-air networks using an antenna and will send live TV or recorded shows to Fire tablets, Fire TV, Echo Show or mobile devices. And, of course, you can use Alexa to control it.

It probably shouldn't come as a surprise that Amazon wants to put Alexa in your car, even if you don't have a fancy dashboard infotainment system.

Enter Echo Auto. It's a dongle that connects to your audio system and uses a phone's cell connection (because you need internet access for Alexa to work).

Along with the conversational assistance you'd expect with Alexa, you can use Echo Auto for directions.

Amazon has found a way to connect Alexa to pretty much any wall-powered device using its Smart Plugs.

Once you've linked them to an Echo or the Alexa app, you can turn devices on and off, or set timers.