Amazon Dot Review

Amazon Dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device with a small built-in speaker—it can also connect to your speakers or headphones over Bluetooth or through a 3.5 mm audio cable to deliver stereo sound to the speakers you choose. Dot connects to the Alexa Voice Service to play music, provide information, news, sports scores, weather, and more—instantly.

Introduction

The Amazon Echo showcased what a smart speaker can and it was one of the company’s top rated devices. We also loved its ability to integrate casually into your daily routines, a feature that some home automated products can’t do.

The Amazon Dot is the less expensive version of the full-sized Echo. It removes some features, but it’s speech recognition ability is actually better than the Echo’s. But does it stack up to the original (and at times the best) Echo? Let’s have a look.

Amazon Dot Video Review

Manufacturer’s Specification

• Size: 32 x 84 x mm
• Weight: 163 grams
• Wi-Fi Connectivity: 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.
• Bluetooth Connectivity: Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming from your mobile device to Echo Dot or from Echo Dot to your Bluetooth speaker. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices. Hands-free voice control is not supported for Mac OS X devices. Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported.
• Audio: Built-in speaker for voice feedback when not connected to external speakers. 3.5 mm stereo audio output for use with external speakers (audio cable not included).
• System Requirements: Echo Dot comes ready to connect to your Wi-Fi. The Alexa App is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices and also accessible via your web browser. Certain skills and services may require subscription or other fees.

 Read: Amazon’s next Alexa speaker to have touchscreen and better speakers

Design and Specification

The Amazon Dot looks like it has been sliced from the top of the original Amazon Echo. It’s smaller and much more compact, making it easier to place anywhere. The rotating volume ring on top is gone and now houses four buttons that control the volume, mute and action functions.

The smaller size also means a degraded sound output – but the good thing is that the Amazon Echo Dot has a 3.5 mm audio jack so you can easily connect it to your own external speakers. The Dot also retains that same seven microphones found on the original Echo so it is still capable of recognizing your voice from any point in the room.

The rear of the device uses a micro USB port for plugging in the device, a welcome change compared to the proprietary connector used in the original Echo. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also present.

 

Setup

I’ve placed the Amazon Echo Dot in my middle of my room, and I’ve hooked it up with a pair of external speakers just give the audio output some boost.

The Alexa app is also needed to setup the device. If you have multiple speakers in your house, the app lets you configure them without any hassles.

Alexa is still the star of the Amazon Echo Dot, and just like the original, various skills are preloaded on the device with a plethora of new ones being added.

 

Read: How to Buy Portable Speakers, The full Guide

Performance

The Amazon Echo Dot didn’t have any problems recognizing my voice thanks to its microphone array. The only problem is that when another Echo speaker is present in the room, both speakers usually try to respond to your ‘Alexa’ commands.

But if its strengths are in its microphones, the sound output on the Amazon Echo Dot isn’t really something to be proud of. Granted that it’s a smaller speaker so sound quality wouldn’t be one of its top features.

That being said, the addition of the 3.5 mm jack easily lets you enjoy your tunes on better speakers. In this setup, the Amazon Echo Dot somehow resembles the capabilities of Google’s own Chromecast Audio device.

 

Amzon Dot what is in the box?

• Echo Dot
• Power adapter (9W)
• Micro-USB cable
• Quick Start Guide

 

Pros and Cons:

Pros

• Costs less than the full-sized Echo
• Can connect to external speakers

Cons

• Usually conflicts with another speaker if both are installed in a room
• Subpar sound output

Conclusion

The Amazon Echo Dot is small, compact and inexpensive. if you want a cheaper way for you to enjoy the world of IoT (Internet of Things), then the Amazon Echo Dot is a good choice.

 

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