Amazon's Echo line of connected speakers continues to grow. So far in 2017, we've seen the introduction of the second-generation Echo, Echo Plus, the style-conscious Echo Look, and the top-of-the-line Echo Show.
And Amazon isn't done for the year yet. Echo Spot is the latest exclusive device to feature the Alexa voice assistant.
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With just a simple voice query, users can perform a large number of tasks. Anything from playing music to controlling smart home devices and much more is just an Alexa command away.
Let's take a look at the Echo Spot and how it fits into Amazon's lineup. We'll also highlight some of its unique features so you can decide if it's the Alexa device you're looking for.
As you can probably see, the Echo Spot's biggest draw is its 2.5-inch round touchscreen. The overall design looks like a marriage of Echo Dot and high-end. Echo Show Seeing Is Believing:The Amazon Echo Show Review Seeing Is Believing:The Amazon Echo Show Review Does a voice assistant speaker really need a touch screen? The $230 Amazon Echo Show certainly makes a compelling case, with informative chops in flash video, song lyrics, and on-demand streaming from compatible security cameras. Read more.
Weighing 14.8 grams and measuring 4.1 inches wide and 3.8 inches tall, the front of the Show features the front camera and touch screen. The speaker grill is at the bottom.
On the back, you can find the volume control buttons, the microphone and camera on/off control, the quad-microphone array, the power port, and the 3.5mm output for connecting a larger speaker.
Buyers can select from a version of the Echo Spot with a white or black casing and trim.
You can also purchase an optional adjustable stand for Echo Spot to adjust the angle of the screen. It is available in the same two colors:black and white.
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It shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but Echo Spot will give anyone access to the myriad of voice-controllable abilities. Currently, there are more than 20,000, and that number is growing daily.
While some of them aren't exactly useful "Let's face it:Amazon Echo's Alexa is stupid" Let's face it:Amazon Echo's Alexa is stupid There's no question that voice-controlled assistants are the future, but is Alexa the solution? Maybe not. In this article, I am going to argue that Alexa is pretty stupid. Read More But the biggest draw of the Echo Spot is the combination of display and camera.
One unique feature, not found on the larger Echo Show, is a number of different watch faces that users can select from. The 12 faces include a number of digital and analog options.
As one of the places Amazon hopes you'll use the softball Echo Spot on your nightstand, it definitely makes a lot of sense and could turn the device into a popular (and powerful) modern alarm clock. Interestingly, there's no physical snooze button, but you can disable an alarm with an Alexa command or simply by tapping the screen.
The screen displays everything its big brother can handle, like displaying song lyrics and other touchscreen-enabled abilities. One major drawback, however, is that since the Echo Spot's screen is small and round, some video content will be optimized to fit the space and will only focus on the center of the action.
So while you will actually be able to play videos from Amazon and other sources, the experience will not be optimal and will be similar to watching TV with a monocular.
The camera also allows users to video chat with any other user of the Echo Show, Echo Spot, or Amazon Alexa smartphone app.
Because of this, it can be used as part of the Drop-In feature. Anyone with the Alexa app for iOS or Android, or another Echo Show or Echo Spot, can walk in and immediately see and hear what's in range of the camera.
This completely optional feature must be enabled by both parties per contact, but it can be useful in a number of situations. And for the first few seconds of a drop, the screen will be blurred so the other party can reject the call or just switch to audio.
You can also use Echo line voice calls and messages How to use Amazon Echo voice calls and messages in 3 easy steps How to use Amazon Echo voice calls and messages in 3 easy steps Your Amazon Echo device and Alexa have been busy learning some new tricks. Long-requested voice calls and messages add another layer of utility to the popular voice-activated speakerphone. Read more feature.
Another place the Echo Spot screen will shine is when controlling a smart home.
The Echo line has easily become the easiest and most comprehensive way to control an ever-increasing number of smart home devices. Smart devices, from lights to locks, and everything in between are more than likely controllable with an Alexa command.
With the screen, users will be able to view live feeds from different surveillance cameras and smart doorbells from manufacturers such as Nest, Ring, August, Arlo, TP-Link, EzViz and others. Just say “Alexa, show me the [camera name].” How to set up and use your Amazon Echo program? How to set up and use your Amazon Echo program? Did you just buy a new Amazon Echo program? Here's a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know to get it set up and working perfectly. Read More
A big warning goes out to anyone who wants to play music on the Echo Spot. Since the device is similar in size to the echo dot. How to set up and use your Amazon echo dot How to set up and use your Amazon echo dot Just got an echo dot and need help setting it up? We'll show you how to set up your Punto and explain everything you need to use it, as well as troubleshoot common problems. Read More
With just a 1.4-inch speaker, you should definitely expect to connect another larger unit via a 3.5mm aux cable or via Bluetooth if you're serious about music and great audio. Like other Echo devices, it can stream music from a wide variety of sources like Amazon Music Amazon Echo Owners:Spotify Premium or Amazon Music Unlimited? Amazon Echo owners:Spotify Premium or Amazon Music Unlimited? Amazon Echo owners have a wide variety of ways to listen to music, including Spotify Premium and Amazon Music Unlimited. So we've put both to the test specifically on Amazon smart speakers. Read more, Spotify, Pandora, and others..
It's hard to imagine, but the original Echo arrived just over three years ago. And in that time, Amazon has done a great job expanding what's possible with Alexa and building out the Echo hardware ecosystem.
While the Echo Spot isn't for everyone, it ranks high in the Echo lineup. It provides a way for buyers to take advantage of additional touchscreen and camera features for much less than the Echo Show and only slightly more than the second-gen Echo.
Thanks to that, the Echo Spot can quickly become the Alexa device of choice for anyone looking for an alarm clock that can do a lot more than just tell the time.
Will you buy an Amazon Echo Spot? What other questions do you have about the newest member of the Echo family? Let us know in the comments.
