The All-New Echo Dot has just debuted on Amazon. Are you surprised to see there is a new Dot? Are you surprised that it is in a new color besides black? I am. The only devices that normally provide color choices are smartphones. However, Amazon has upped the ante on their flagship device and have added some new features to the already great ones that appeared on the first generation Echo Dot.
Besides being able to order the new Echo Dot in black, it also comes in the new color white. And what’s most important to buyers is the fact that is about half the cost of the first generation. You can find it on Amazon for $49.99. Now, don’t get too excited because it will not be released until October 20, 2016.
Product Features of The New Echo Dot 2nd Generation
- The Echo Dot (2nd Generation) is still a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, and so much more
- Allows connection to speakers or headphones through Bluetooth or 3.5 mm stereo cable (not included) to play music from Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn
- Controls lights, fans, switches, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more with compatible connected devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Nest, ecobee, and others
- Hears you from across the room with 7 far-field microphones for hands-free control, even in noisy environments or while playing music
- Includes a built-in speaker so it can work on its own as a smart alarm clock in the bedroom, an assistant in the kitchen, or anywhere you might want a voice-controlled computer
- Always getting smarter and adding new features, plus thousands of skills like Uber, Domino’s, and more
What’s In The Box
Echo Dot, power adapter (9W), USB charging cable, and Quick Start Guide
![All-New Echo Dot]()
New Features Added
The new Echo Dot is basically the same device as it was before Amazon re-tooled it. They were listening to users regarding voice recognition and other features. The upgrade to the voice recognition seems intriguing especially with what it can do.
I have all three Echo devices which includes the Tap. Imagine your Echo in the kitchen on the counter top and you’re watching television in the living room which is about 15 feet from where the Echo is located when Alexa wakes up and starts talking. Well, of course you’re wondering what’s going on, but apparently mic on the device hears something that awakens it making it ready to listen to your request.
ESP (Echo Spatial Perception) Technology
With the addition of the new processor or ESP (Echo Spatial Perception) technology seems like a winner and should appease most owners of the previous generation Echo devices. The new ESP software update will be available for all Echo owners, including those who own current Echos and first-generation Dots.
How it works is that when multiple Echo devices are within hearing distance, ESP determines which device should respond, based on the clarity of the user’s voice. Amazon says the feature will get smarter over time. Further, it will be able to understand how clear the user’s voice is and determines which Echo in the home is best to respond to a particular request. This technology is designed for people who have multiple Echos in their home. ESP will be available after a free over-the-air software update, coming soon.
Echo Dot Color Choice
The new Echo Dot is now offered in two colors black and white. It also still functions the same as the first generation Echo Dot. It just now comes with a more powerful, completely redesigned voice processor. It will still be able to hear you from across the room, even while music is playing. It responds instantly when you say the wake word “Alexa” or “Amazon.”
Volume Controls
The volume controls on the new Echo Dot are now push button. The rotary dial is no longer on the device.
Product Description
The All-New Echo Dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device with a small built-in speaker. It can also be connected to your speakers or headphones over Bluetooth or through a 3.5 mm audio cable. Users can play music, provide information, news, sports scores, weather, and much more.
It has a sleek and compact design that makes the Echo Dot a great addition to any room in
![All-New Echo Dot]()
the house. With its built-in speaker, you can place Dot in the bedroom and use it as a smart alarm clock that can also turn off your lights. Or use Dot in the kitchen to easily set timers and be able to shop for Amazon products.Echo Dot provides hands-free voice control for Amazon Music, Prime Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn. This is easily done by requesting your favorite artist or song, a playlist from Spotify or Pandora, or you can even allow Alexa to choose your music for you.
Similar to the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot is a Wi-Fi connected personal assistant that is as big as a hockey puck versus a 9.25-inch-tall cylinder Echo. It also comes with only a smaller speaker that can be connected to third-party speakers through Bluetooth or with a audio cord.
Voice Control Your Smart Home
Echo Dot works with smart home devices such as lights, switches, fans, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more from Philips Hue, TP-Link, ecobee, WeMo, SmartThings, Insteon, Lutron, Nest, Wink, Honeywell, and more.
Far-field voice recognition
Tucked under the light ring is an array of seven microphones that use beam-forming technology and enhanced noise cancellation. With a more powerful processor, the all-new Echo Dot has improved wake-word performance to hear you ask a question from any direction—even in noisy environments or while playing music.
Note: This will be updated to the new ESP (Echo Spatial Perception) technology in the future.
![All-New Echo Dot]()
Alexa Gets Smarter As You GoAlexa—the brain behind Echo Dot—is built in the cloud, so it is always getting smarter. The more you use Dot, the more it adapts to your speech patterns, vocabulary, and personal preferences. And because Echo Dot is always connected, updates are delivered automatically. Just in the last few months, Amazon has added order tracking, repeating alarms, and thousands of other new skills from third-party developers.
Do More With The Alexa App
With the free Alexa App on Fire OS, Android, iOS, and desktop browsers, you can easily setup and manage your Echo Dot.
Use the Alexa App to connect services you already use like Spotify, Pandora, and Google Calendar. Setup your smart home devices from Philips Hue, TP-Link, ecobee, WeMo, SmartThings, Insteon, Nest, Lutron, and more.
See which books are available to read from your Kindle and Audible libraries. View shopping and to-do lists. Control timers and set custom tones for alarms, and much more. The Alexa App is also where third party skills can be found.
![All-New Echo Dot]()
Differences Between 1st Gen & 2nd Gen Echo Dot
Echo Dot Comparison Echo Dot (1st Generation) All-New Echo Dot (2nd Generation) Price $89.99 $49.99 Alexa Voice Control Yes Yes Hands Free Yes Yes Always On Yes Yes # of Microphones 7 7 Light Ring: tells device status Yes Yes Wi-Fi Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO) for faster streaming and fewer dropped connections than standard Wi-Fi; Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks Dual-band Wi-Fi supports 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 and 5 GHz) networks. Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks Wi-Fi Music Streaming Plays all your music from Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn Plays all your music from Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn Audio Cable Input/Output Yes Yes Speakers Built-in speaker for voice feedback when not connected to external speakers Built-in speaker for voice feedback when not connected to external speakers Power Supply Micro USB charging cable and Power adapter (9W) Micro USB charging cable and power adapter (9W) Differences 1st & 2nd Generation Echo Dots Device 1st Generation Echo Dot All-New Echo Dot
2nd GenerationColor Choice Comes in one color: Black Color Choice: Black or White Voice Recognition Far-field Speech Recognition
Echo can hear you ask a question from any direction—even while playing musicESP (Echo Spatial Perception) Technology improves voice recognition; designed to detect multiple Echo devices in use in a home, so that not every device responds to voice recognition. It will detect exactly which device you're talking to Buyers Sold only through Alexa & had to be Amazon Prime member Everyone can buy Physical Volume Control Volume ring Up and down buttons Exterior Material on Device Matte used for exterior material Glossy material used for exterior LED Power Light on back of device Yes No Audio Cable to connect stereo to Echo Dot Yes No How Can I Get The All New Echo Dot? No Longer Available The All New Echo Dot Click Here
the house. With its built-in speaker, you can place Dot in the bedroom and use it as a smart alarm clock that can also turn off your lights. Or use Dot in the kitchen to easily set timers and be able to shop for Amazon products.
Alexa Gets Smarter As You Go
