When we first saw the Amazon Echo Spot features, we were intrigued and inspired by how interesting it was. Before Spot appeared, Amazon’s Echo device wasn’t much to look at. The original echo is a large cylinder that resembles a kind of mechanical pillar. The original Echo Show – Amazon’s first device with a screen – was also unclear, and resembled a small TV. The all-new Echo is smaller and more cute, but still retains its cylindrical shape, and makes us expect more in the appearance (echo spot features).
Spot, available for $ 130, is different. This is a beautiful and rounded hardware that is somehow sleek, cute, and fun at the same time. This is one of the most beautiful Echo devices from Amazon to date.
We got our device to test functionality, and found ourselves glancing at the device not only to catch up with time, but to admire its beauty too. But how is its performance as an Echo device?
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Amazon Echo Spot features
Color
Echo Spot – available in white or black – measures about four inches by four inches and has a 2.5 inch screen. It weighs 14.8 ounces, and looks somewhat like a high-tech softball that was cut in two. It does everything else that Echo does – control your smart home device, make calls, and tell you who the 12th president of the United States is (answer: Zachary Taylor).
Design
The spot is flat on the bottom with the screen tilted slightly upward – a perfect little alarm clock, if you want to use it. Above are the mic on / off buttons, the volume up button, and the volume down button. On the back is the power connector and audio jack. Spot’s exterior seems to have a smooth texture like the original Echo, which we noticed has fingerprint problems. We found that the stain easily removes Spot.
Setting up Alexa
To use it, just plug it in. After a short boot time, Alexa says the device is ready for setup. If you have not downloaded the Amazon Alexa application, you must do it. If you already have the Alexa Application, connecting your device is very easy – just open the application, log in to your Amazon account, and the device will automatically sync.
When you turn on your device, you must turn on the microphone manually by pressing the button above. The display screen is clear, and the default screen is an analog clock. Like Echo Show, you can use your finger to drag the menu from the top of the screen. From there you can adjust brightness, turn on do not disturb, or access the settings menu.
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Connectivity
The settings menu displays some fun things to adjust. In addition to turning on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you can choose themes such as what you want to set on the screen, whether you want to see your watch in digital or analog format, and how loud and bright you want the device to be. You can also create a slideshow from personal photos to set on the home screen and change the sound you hear. And that’s just the beginning – Echo Spot has a lot of tricks.
One difference from Show – other than size – is that Spot gives you additional options that can be adjusted to the clock. You can choose from a variety of house card themes and preferences, where you can dim the clock automatically at night and adjust the time you want it to happen.
Overall, the interface is very user friendly and intuitive. Options in Spot are arranged in a drop-down menu and sub-menus that are easy to use.
Alexa on the screen
Spot is the only device that has a screen. Despite this, he has several competitions: In January Lenovo introduced its own smart watch, and we were very happy to see how it got to Spot.
Even though the Spot screen is small, it’s still a great feature. If you like listening and seeing recipe instructions in the kitchen, for example, the screen is practical. Flash briefs for Show and Spot are delivered through a combination of Alexa reading texts and Reuters videos that feature today’s news (the Alexa app allows you to adjust your briefing).
Depending on which Alexa skills you add to your device, you can watch recipe videos, local news broadcasts, or even TV shows. However, don’t count on being able to watch YouTube videos until the dispute between Google and Amazon is resolved.
Like all Echo devices, you can synchronize various music and video streaming services with Alexa. However, be aware that although the Spot screen is clearly visible, it is also small. Watching Manchester by the Sea is like watching on a big smart watch. We did not imagine that many would be interested in using Spot to watch movies.
As for sound, Spot has a 1.4-inch speaker. However, don’t expect as good audio as you can with the Sonos One Alexa-enabled speaker. This device also features a 3.5mm stereo audio output for use with external speakers if you need more bass.
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Talking, streaming and watching
Like other Echo devices, Spot allows you to make calls through Alexa. After you set Alexa to recognize your voice, he can access your contacts and make calls. So when you say, “Alexa, contact Juliana,” he will answer by clarifying who he is talking to, as well as the contact. We tested this feature, and after connecting, we were able to hear Juliana clearly through Spot. Juliana said she could hear us clearly too, even though the quality was like a loudspeaker telephone. This is an improvement from Google Home Mini, which is loud and hard to hear. We imagined using the calling feature while getting ready for work or cooking dinner, and were glad to know that there was a clear sound there even from across the room.
The drop-in feature allows you to use your Echo Spot as a kind of visual intercom, meaning you can make video calls for other Echo devices in your home with screens, or others outside your home, depending on your settings. We can use the feature to video chat from Spot in our office to the Echo Show in one of our test houses. The video is very similar to Skype or Google Talk. The video quality on Spot is clear, but people who use Show say we look a bit rude.
A note about the drop-in feature – if you have it and the camera is activated, and someone tries to contact you, you don’t have to be present to “answer.” This means someone can use the feature to activate live camera broadcast in your home. You want to make sure the drop-in feature is set only for those close to you, or if you are worried about your privacy, turn off the drop-in feature completely.
Alexa, set an alarm for wake up
Spot will be a great addition to the kitchen, but where it might shine is on a table or bedside table. You can adjust the device to automatically dim, or not interfere, at any given time. One fun feature is the ability to set alarms that feature various celebrities, such as Ian Ziering from Sharknado who screams at you to wake up. “Listen, this is Fin Shepard who warned you that a Sharknado is coming. Do you want breakfast, or breakfast? Let’s go!”
You can also get wake-up calls from celebrities like Dan Marino, Missy Elliott, or Alec Baldwin, who say, “Wake up the sunlight, let me tell you something, I’ve been up since dawn. If early birds get worms, you know what they get Alec Baldwin? Early bird. “You can also wake up to your favorite music by saying,” Alexa, wake me up for the Beatles at 7 in the morning. “
We have a few minor complaints about Spot as an alarm clock. First, we felt uncomfortable with a device with a camera facing our bed. You can turn off the camera and the drop-in feature in the settings menu, but the camera is still there. The idea made us nervous, considering the previous problem with the Echo device recording and sending info to other contacts. Our second complaint? We hope to have a USB port to charge the cellphone. Lastly, $ 130 is a bit steep to pay for a luxury alarm clock.
Still, being able to ask Alexa how long our morning trip will last while we lie in bed means we might be able to say “Alexa, snooze the alarm,” once again.
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Is there any warranty information on echo spot
Echo Spot has a one-year parts guarantee and service.
With its sleek design and additional alarm clock feature, Echo Spot is an attractive device that can be useful in any room.
Are there better alternatives?
With a small screen like an alarm clock with an Alexa smart assistant, this is the first device of its kind, although there is competition blocking the Lenovo Smart Clock which was introduced at CES 2019 and will arrive in spring. If you are in the market for speakers and don’t need a screen, consider Echo, Echo Dot, or Google Home Mini. If you are looking for a speaker with a bigger screen, consider the Amazon Echo Show, or Lenovo Smart Display, which comes in two different sizes, features the Google Assistant voice assistant, and has a crystal-clear display starting at $ 199.
How long will it last?
With Amazon now featuring several Echo devices, and with companies scrambling to add to Alexa’s skills and abilities, popular smart speakers are here to stay. Amazon often issues firmware updates to fix problems, and the company has a reputation for great customer service. We cannot say with certainty whether Amazon will release a new and better version of the smart speaker with a screen at their event this fall, but we suspect that Spot will remain a mainstay in the Echo lineup.
Is it worth buying
If you are in the market for a speaker that acts as an alarm clock that also controls your smart lighting, buy Spot.
Customers always ask
a. Echo Spot – available in white or black
b. The spot is flat on the bottom with the screen tilted slightly upward – a perfect little alarm clock
c. Connect through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, And also you can choose themes
d. Echo Spot is Alexa and Google Assistant enabled
This is basically a small Amazon Echo with an adorable round screen. … One of Amazon’s big selling points for Spot is the ability to use it for video calls, such as the Echo Show. Calls can be made to other Echo devices by screen or cellphone via the Alexa Amazon application.
Amazon’s Echo Spot Is a Good Alarm Clock. Smartphones make standalone alarm clocks worthless. … Spot, of course, is not just an alarm clock. This is an Alexa device, so you can do everything that Echo, Dot or Show can do.
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