Apple, Amazon, Microsoft launch AI-powered devices ahead of holiday season
Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft have introduced AI-focused hardware in the past week, aiming to bring generative AI into consumer homes before the holiday rush. Apple unveiled the HomeView smart home hub ($299) with Siri AI and facial recognition, while Amazon released Alexa Tablets (starting at $550) with enhanced AI assistants and hands-free features. Microsoft launched Nvidia-powered Windows…
Key points
- Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft launched AI-powered devices this week, including HomeView ($299), Alexa Tablets ($550+), and Nvidia-powered Windows laptops ($2,599+)
- Analysts expect limited holiday sales but see these as early steps to introduce AI to consumers and gather feedback
- Bain predicts flat electronics sales despite record retail spending, citing inflation and discretionary spending delays
The moves follow years of AI hype, but consumer demand remains uncertain amid economic headwinds. Inflation and component shortages have driven up hardware prices, and Bain predicts flat sales in electronics despite record retail spending. Analysts like Jitesh Ubrani (IDC) and Mohit Agrawal (CounterPoint) see these launches as a way to educate consumers and prepare for future AI-driven devices. Apple’s HomeView and Amazon’s Alexa Tablets prioritize AI integration over cost, while Microsoft’s laptops target power users. Apple also teased its $1,999 iPhone Duo next week, featuring AI agents on a folding screen.
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2 episodes →- Apple, Amazon, Microsoft launch AI-powered devices ahead of holiday seasonthis story
Tech giants race to get AI gadgets on shelves for holiday rush
CNBC Technology · 14 October 2026
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This text was published by CNBC Technology and written by Kif Leswing,Annie Palmer,Jordan Novet. It is reproduced here with attribution so you can read it in full; the rights remain with the publisher. Read it at the source ↗
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