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The Echo Dot is the new hands free voice-controlled device introduced by Amazon. It has been described as looking like a hockey puck or even a little larger than a Ho-Ho. It is a very unique device. Another model that has evolved from the reviews and suggestions from buyers of the Amazon Echo. It is unique because it reminds me of a Bluetooth speaker I purchased earlier, however, it is not voice controlled with Alexa as the personal assistant.
The Echo Dot is basically a smaller version of the Amazon Echo, with a smaller speaker, but I understand it holds it own. It still has the seven noise cancelling microphones like the Amazon Echo/Alexa which means it is always stays on until it hears your voice command. It can connect to speakers with the included 3.5 mm audio cable for playing music. Or you can connect via Bluetooth to add voice-control to your home stereo. So, in essence, the Echo Dot may come in a small package, but you can expand it via the audio connection to something larger.
Echo Dot Features
- Price: $89.99
- Allows hands-free convenience for Alexa voice-control commands
- Able to hear from across the room with far-field voice recognition, even while music is playing
- Alexa, a cloud-based voice service and the voice of Echo Dot, answers questions, reads audio books, the news, reports traffic and weather, gives info on local businesses, provides sports scores and schedules, and more
- Seven noise cancelling microphones
- Voice activated music playing from Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more
- Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)
- Works With Mobile Hotspots/Bluetooth; Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes not supported.
- Built-in speaker for voice feedback when not connected to external speakers
- 3.5 mm audio output
- Control and setup compatible smart home devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, SmartThings, Insteon, ecobee, and more
- Always getting smarter and adding new features and skills–over 100 added since launch, including ability to order pizza from Domino’s and call up a ride with Uber
- Control your timers and set custom tones for your alarms, and more
- An update now provides the system with support for sports and movie knowledge
- Small and easy to travel with, enjoy music and Alexa wherever there is a Wi-Fi connection
- Micro-USB power adapter
- Dimensions: 1.5 x 3.3 x 3.3 Weight: 8.8 ounces
What’s In The Box
Echo Dot, 3.5 mm audio cable (4 ft.), power adapter (9W), USB charging cable, and Quick Start Guide
Note: Currently, the Echo Dot is available in limited quantities and exclusively for Prime members through Alexa Voice Shopping. To order your Echo Dot, use your Amazon Echo or Amazon Fire TV. Like the Echo, currently, the Echo Dot will only be available in the United States.
Echo Dot Features
The Echo Dot is a sleek compact design that makes it a convenient addition to any room in the Image may be NSFW.
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house. Like with the original Echo, you’ll control things by talking to Alexa, Amazon’s always-on, always-listening virtual assistant. Like the original Echo, Dot connects to the cloud to stream music, read the day’s headlines, or control your connected home.
It is small and not bulky which means you won’t have to create a lot of space in order to use it. It has a built-in speaker which I would say is comparable probably to one of those small Bluetooth speakers. Some even believe that the Echo Dot’s small built-in speakers can get as loud as a smartphone.
Have your own speakers? You can connect the Echo Dot with your existing audio setup via Bluetooth, or using the Dot’s line out jack. The difference between the Amazon Echo and the Echo Dot is that it doesn’t have the larger speaker or size, but other than that, both deliver the same Alexa voice controlled services. Amazon took a step further and composed a list of compatible Bluetooth speakers for the Echo Dot.
Additionally, like the Echo, you’ll need to keep the Echo Dot plugged in. For a wireless, more portable model, the Amazon Tap with it’s Dolby speakers would be an alternative to the Echo Dot, plus the Amazon Tap will be available March 31, 2016.
When using the Echo Dot, simply say the wake word, “Alexa,” and it lights up and streams audio to the cloud, where the Alexa Voice Service recognizes and responds to your request instantly.With the same far-field voice recognition as Amazon Echo, the Echo Dot can hear your voice from any direction in the room even while music is playing.
The more you use Dot, the more it adapts to your speech patterns, vocabulary, and personal preferences. Also, because Echo Dot is always connected, updates are delivered automatically. Amazon has added in the last months services that include local searches from Yelp, movie showtimes, Samsung SmartThings support, Google Calendar, Audible audiobooks, text-to-speech for eligible Kindle eBooks, and hundreds of new skills from third-party developers.
Skills add even more capabilities like ordering a pizza from Domino’s, requesting a ride from Uber, opening your garage with Garageio, and more. Enabling skills lets your Echo Dot do even more—simply discover and enable the skills you want to use with Alexa. With the free Alexa App on Fire OS, Android, iOS, and desktop browsers, you can easily setup and manage your Echo Dot.
My Recommendation
The Echo Dot is a short, cylindrical device with the characteristic blue ring around the top. The ring Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.shows you that Alexa is always listening. You can ask questions and Alexa will answer. Just like the original Echo, you can ask Dot to do things like check the weather, summon Uber, control smart devices around your home, and play music.
Music is the key to the Echo Dot. The original Echo’s speakers are sufficient, but the Dot was created with the music enthusiast in mind. You can connect it to your favorite speaker or audio system with ease. The speakers can be controlled by using Dot to command it play music from sources such as, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Spotify, and others.
Because Amazon has made the Echo Dot capable of connecting to external speakers, it doesn’t mean the built-in speakers are sub-par. It just means you have been given a choice in how you prefer listening to your music.
I have been resisting trying the Amazon Echo, but I will admit to removing my wallet to purchase the Echo Dot and would you believe the Amazon Tap also. When ordering it on my Fire TV, that was different and really quite interesting.
I thought that talking to Alexa would be a frustrating experience because I had likened it to when you have those automated phone systems you have to talk to over the phone when needing customer service. Aaargh! That’s a hair puller! However, ordering the Echo Dot over Alexa was painless. In fact, it was fun. I hope it won’t be habit forming. Image may be NSFW.
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