Amazon is hosting an unusual device event in February, a deviation from its typical schedule. The presentation will take place in New York, but unlike previous events, it will not be livestreamed. However, Engadget will be in attendance and will liveblog the event to keep you updated on the latest developments. Amazon has been teasing its next-generation Alexa for some time now, promising a more conversational interface and the ability to process complex requests. The question remains whether it is ready for launch and what devices it will be integrated into, such as clocks or microwave ovens?

For a detailed overview of what to expect, you can check out what we’re expecting.

— Mat Smith

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The biggest tech stories you missed

There’s a huge built-in SSD instead.

Sigma has released its newest camera, the BF, which boasts a 24.6-megapixel full-frame sensor and a built-in SSD instead of a removable memory card. The BF supports L-mount lenses and can capture 6K video, with features like HEVC encoding and up to 120 frames per second. At its highest settings, the camera can store up to two and a half hours of video footage. The Sigma BF will be available in April, priced at $1,999 for the body only, in either black or silver.

For more information, you can continue reading.

A minute will cost $30, then.

Google’s Veo 2 model, announced in December, has now been priced. Currently, Veo 2 is limited to two-minute clips at up to 4K resolution, surpassing ChatGPT’s 1080p 20-second snippets. Pricing comparisons are challenging due to Sora being part of a subscription-based service. The $200 ChatGPT Pro plan offers 500 videos per month, while the Plus plan is capped at 50 videos at 720p and only five seconds.

Despite the pricing, Google is already testing its Veo 2 AI for generating backgrounds for YouTube Shorts.

For more details, you can continue reading.

Apple might announce a powerful new Air in March.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter, Apple is preparing to launch an upgraded laptop next month. The company is reportedly clearing inventory of the current models. The M4 MacBook Air is expected to come in two sizes: 13-inch and 15-inch, similar to the previous model.

Last year’s M3 MBA was launched somewhat awkwardly, as Apple unveiled the M4 chip just a few months later.

For more information, you can continue reading.