Amazon has breathed new life into the Echo Spot: a bedside table with Alexa and a colorful display that shows the weather forecast, what songs or podcasts are playing, the latest news and, of course, the time.
Echo Spot can display the time, forecast, or currently playing songs, audiobooks, and podcasts through its enhanced 1.73” front-firing directional speaker
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Unlike the original Echo Spot, which launched in 2018 and went out of production in most regions after just two years, the new version doesn’t have a built-in camera.
Amazon added a camera to enable video calling, but since the Echo Spot is designed specifically for the bedside table, customers were quick to label the addition as “creepy.”
“I love it, but the camera is a little scary.” an Amazon customer review of the time reads. While another Summarize: “It’s a nightstand with a camera in it. How creepy is that??”
Thankfully, Amazon has decided to ditch the camera — and by extension, all video calling functionality — this time around. And that’s not the only change coming to the voice-activated bedside gadget for its 2024 redesign.
Amazon has created a range of new watch faces and color themes, including orange, violet, magenta, lime green, teal, and blue, to complement your home decor
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The touchscreen display on the front of the Echo Spot is no longer a complete circle. Instead, it’s split in half, with a semi-circular display on top and the bottom half occupied by a beefier speaker.
Amazon has equipped its new smart nightstand with a 1.73” front-firing directional speaker that it says will deliver “clear vocals and deep bass.” With support for music streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and of course Amazon Music, you can wake up to music, podcasts or audiobooks.
Since the Echo Spot is primarily designed for the bedside table, Amazon equipped the smart home device with an ambient light sensor that alters the intensity of the touchscreen’s backlight so it doesn’t glare in the morning. That should make it easier to view and set alarms, check the current time, check song titles, or control other smart home kit using touchscreen controls.
Six new color themes have been designed for the new Echo Spot: orange, violet, magenta, lime green, teal, and blue. These can be paired with several new watch faces created for the hemispherical display.
In addition to the time, many of these watch faces also display additional information, such as the current weather conditions. For example, if you’re listening to music, the enhanced LCD display will show the song titles. To fast-forward, simply ask the AI voice assistant with the wake word “Alexa…” or tap the screen.
On the top of the new Echo Spot are buttons to adjust the volume and disable the far-field microphone array. If you’re concerned about your privacy, Amazon has added the ability to view and delete all voice recordings made with your Alexa devices through the corresponding app on your iPhone or Android device.
If the conversational assistant was activated in error, you can send feedback about a specific audio clip. This will ensure that in the future, Amazon’s AI is only called upon when you begin a request with “Alexa…”
While the new Echo Spot doesn’t have a built-in camera for video calling, the AI-powered bedside clock can make and receive phone calls to another Echo device or to any smartphone or tablet with the Alexa app installed.
Alexa-compatible devices can be controlled using touchscreen buttons or voice commands on the Echo Spot
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If you have other Alexa devices in your home, you can use an Echo Spot to make a household announcement from all of them, or audibly “Drop In” to a specific Echo to start an instant conversation. Amazon will send audio notifications for updates on your online orders, and alerts from video doorbells, like Ring.
Since the Echo Spot comes with the hands-free assistant Alexa, you’ll find all the usual features Echo owners have come to expect built into this handy bedside companion. That means you can request songs, podcasts and audiobooks, check the latest headlines, weather and traffic conditions, set reminders or alarms, order a cab or takeout, and ask general knowledge questions.
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Commenting on the launch of the redesigned Echo Spot, Eric Saarnio, Vice President of Amazon Devices International, said: “Customers care about how they wake up in the morning and go to bed at night, and the all-new Echo Spot will completely change the way they start and end their days.
“With customizable watch faces, personalized designs, new alarm sounds, and colorful visual animations, Echo Spot is the best smart alarm clock to fit on any bedside table.”
In addition to a fresh new design, Amazon has launched new colors including black, glacier white and ocean blue
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When the original Echo Spot made its debut six years ago, it cost £119 in the UKLuckily, Amazon has dropped the price significantly this time around, with the brand new Echo Spot from £79.99It is now available in black, glacier white or ocean blue.
But even better, Amazon Prime members can get the new Echo Spot for just £49.99 in honor of the upcoming Prime Day saleIf you’re not already signed up for Amazon Prime, You can take advantage of the 30-day free trial period and buy the Echo Spot at a discount.
The The £49.99 introductory offer is only available to Prime members from 8th to 17th July 2024. After that, the redesigned clock will return to its RRP of £79.99. Only limited stock will be offered at the reduced price, Amazon has warned, so you should add it to your basket as soon as possible.