In other words, the Spot's display sometimes expands on what Alexa gives you, with more information than you initially asked for. If you're setting up a second alarm 30 minutes after your first one (I have multiple wake-up alarms don't judge me), it'll show you the one you already set. When adding items to your shopping list, the device reveals the other items in your list without you having to ask. But, as with the Show, the benefit of the Spot is that you can also see Alexa's answers on-screen, which is often more helpful than just listening to them.įor example, when you ask Alexa for the weather, the Spot will show you the highs and lows of the day, as well as the weather for the next six days (along with the chances of precipitation). The Spot also works with compatible smart home appliances, and supports a wide assortment of so-called skills, like making lists, setting reminders and even playing Jeopardy. You can ask it for the time or the weather, play music or just ask Alexa some basic search queries. I also hooked up my Spotify and Amazon Music accounts. Using the Alexa app, I connected my Google Calendar for setting up appointments. Once you're done, the device plays a short welcome video.Īt this point, it would seem that the Echo Spot functions a lot like a regular Alexa-powered Echo. If you like, you can also use the Alexa app (available on iOS and Android) to set up the Spot, but it's not necessary. When prompted for a WiFi password and your Amazon login credentials, you can use the Spot's touchscreen keyboard to enter those in. Simply plug it in, and on-screen instructions will walk you through. The screen makes that process especially easy. Like other Echo devices, the Spot is easy to set up. When Alexa is listening, a blue circle appears on the display when the microphone is muted, that circle turns red. Internally, there's a 2x2 microphone array plus WiFi and Bluetooth radios. On the back is a 3.5mm audio jack that acts as a line out for dedicated speakers or headphones. The Spot has three buttons on top: two for the volume and one that disables the microphone and the camera. You'll still be using Alexa for the majority of tasks, but the touchscreen adds an extra layer of functionality. Of course, the touchscreen also works for swiping through lists or playing and pausing media. If you like, you can use your own personal photos as your clock's wallpaper - just upload your chosen image using the Alexa app or Prime Photos. You can also choose up to 12 different clock faces in both analog and digital designs. This is also where you adjust the Spot's brightness levels, which is important for dimming the lights when you're sleeping. Swiping down from the top of the display reveals a settings menu, where you can enable Bluetooth, change WiFi settings and disable the camera, among other things. It also works well for video calling - there's a VGA camera above the display just for that - though I wouldn't advise using it for watching longer videos (more on that in a moment). I found that the small display was perfectly functional for showing basic information like the weather, a calendar overview, trending headlines and to-do lists. It's bright, colorful and the viewing angles are wide. Otherwise, I really like the Spot's screen. Plus, the Spot isn't something you'll be staring at for hours on end, so the low resolution gets a pass. That might sound terrible, but for such a tiny screen, it's more than adequate. It measures 2.5 inches across and has a 480 x 480 resolution. That display is indeed a full circle there's no so-called flat tire at the bottom. I'm a fan of the white model myself - the contrasting black bezels surrounding the circular display add some visual interest. The whole thing is fashioned out of a sturdy matte plastic, available in either black or white. It measures 4.1 x 3.8 x 3.6 inches and weighs 14.8 ounces (0.9 pound), making it easy to move around. Sticking with the alarm clock theme, the Spot is relatively compact and lightweight. Of course, the Echo Spot can also be used in other rooms in the house - it's pretty useful in the kitchen too - but it'll look right at home on your nightstand. Its circular display and spherical body lend it the charm of a retro alarm clock. The Echo Spot is quite possibly the cutest product Amazon has ever made.
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