The new, improved Echo Dot ships in October for half the price of the original.
It was only a few months ago that Amazon introduced the Echo Dot, the smaller version of its popular hands-free, voice-enabled Echo speaker powered by Alexa. Now it's back with a new, updated version of the Echo Dot that costs $50 or £50 (Echo is now out in the UK!), or nearly half the price of the original. It comes not only in black but white, and it's available for preorder now, shipping in October.
The new Dot is sightly more compact and sleeker than the original. It has the Echo's same array of seven microphones and advanced noise cancelling technology that allow you to speak to Alexa from across the room, even when you have music playing. Amazon also says that the new Echo Dot features a more powerful speech processor, which delivers improved far-field speech recognition accuracy.
Shop for Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Generation, White)
See all pricesLike the Echo, the Echo Dot gives you access to all of Alexa's capabilities, including answering questions, playing music, turning on the lights, setting timers, giving sports updates, checking the weather, accessing over 3,000 Alexa skills and more.
The tiny speaker doesn't output as much sound as the larger Echo, so think of it more as an accessory to Alexa-enable your home entertainment system (or powered speakers), or simply serve as a voice-control device for compatible smart home products.
In fact, Amazon is hoping you'll sprinkle Echo Dots throughout your home. To that end, it's equipping the Echo Dot and Echo with Echo Spatial Perception (ESP) technology, which ensures that Alexa "responds intelligently from the device closest to you." Amazon says this new feature will be available as a free update for all Echo devices, including Amazon Echo and the first-generation Echo Dot, starting in the coming weeks.
Here's a quick look at the new Echo Dot's specs, according to Amazon. We'll have a full review of the new Echo Dot as soon as we get our hands on it.
- Amazon Echo Dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms and more
- Connects to speakers or headphones through Bluetooth or 3.5mm stereo cable to play music from Prime Music, Spotify and TuneIn
- Controls lights, switches, thermostats and more with compatible connected devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, Hive, Netatmo, tado and others
- Hears you from across the room with seven microphones for far-field hands-free voice 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 device
- Always getting smarter -- Alexa updates through the cloud automatically and is continually learning, adding new features and skills
- Price: $50, £50
- Also available as a six-pack (buy five, get one free) or a 12-pack (buy 10, get two free)
- Ships in October