Servin' Up the New Echo Spot: Amazon's Circle-Shaped Answer to Your Bedside Routine
Overnight Lamp-like Echo Device from Amazon Resembles Poké Ball, Intended for Nightstand Use
Get ready, folks! With Amazon Prime Day just around the corner, the e-commerce titan is cooking up a surprise for your nightstand. Introducing the ninja-like updated model of the 2017 Echo Spot, promises a more melodious wake-up call, vibrant graphics, and quicker Alexa access from your snooze-inducing haven. What's missing? A Poké Ball aesthetic!
The original Echo Spot sported a full-screen display and a more curvy body. Essentially, it was a smart alarm on steroids. The new and improved Echo Spot strips down the screen to a more manageable 2.83 inches, while the directional 1.73-inch speaker command the spotlight. At first glance, it's a deflated wheel— with a non-adjustable flat bottom and a semi-spherical rear end. This new smart alarm offers a suite of stylish clock faces and six hues to match your fuzzy morning demeanor.
While it might not shine as a centerpiece for your family room (especially when devices like the Echo Hub already rule the roost), the new Spot finds its niche on your bedside table. With Alexa by your side, you can get the scoop on the day's weather or swiftly set the alarm for that much-needed catnap. The device also promises animated visuals synced to the rhythm of your tunes, and compatibility with other smart home gadgets. Amazon teases the ability to set Routines, automating the on and off of various smart devices throughout the day.
Over the years, Echo devices like the Dot have been on a roundabout journey to becoming more circular. Amazingly, these round gadgets have managed to maintain decent sound quality. This new Spot isn't aiming to be an Echo Show, instead focusing on simple weather animations rather than YouTube videos. One thing conspicuously missing from the new Echo Spot is a camera for making on-the-spot work calls or, more sinister, keeping tabs on the younglings. Sure, it could Double Agent 007-style serve as a spy cam, but privacy concerns from a data-hungry corporation might make you think twice. However, the new Spot does come with a physical mic-off button to quell some of those privacy anxieties.
To put it succinctly, the flaws in the new Spot are of the good kind. It appears that Amazon is embracing what already works with its smart home lineup. The Spot from yesteryear debuted at $130. The new device starts at $80, while Prime members can snag it for a cool $45.
Now, that's what I call a bargain! So, are you ready to roll the dice on this updated Echo Spot? Let's give it a spin and see if it's the missing piece to your sweet dreams!
- The new Echo Spot, revealed ahead of Amazon Prime Day, boasts a more compact design compared to its 2017 counterpart, with a smaller screen and a primary focus on its directional speaker.
- In the realm of technology's future, the updated Echo Spot is anticipated to display stylish clock faces and six hues, making it an appealing addition to your bedside table.
- Despite the lack of a camera, concerns about privacy may be alleviated as the new Echo Spot features a physical mic-off button.
- With the new Echo Spot starting at $80, a significant decrease from its original price of $130, it's a worthy consideration for those seeking to enhance their bedside routine with advanced technology.
