The video was a lot like Skype or Google Talk. We were able to use the feature for a video chat from the Spot in our office to an Echo Show in one of our test homes. The drop-in feature allows you to use your Echo Spot as a visual intercom of sorts, meaning that you can video call other Echo devices in your home with a screen, or others outside your home, depending on your settings. We’re a little uncomfortable with the idea of having a device with a camera facing our bed. We envisioned using the calling feature while getting ready for work or cooking dinner, and it’s nice to know that clear sound is there even from across the room. This is an improvement over the Google Home Mini, which was tinny and difficult to hear. Juliana said she could hear us clearly as well, though the quality was like a speaker phone. We tested out this feature, and once connected, we could hear Juliana clearly through the Spot. So, when you say, “Alexa, call Juliana,” she’ll answer by clarifying who she’s talking to, as well as the contact. Once you set up Alexa to recognize your voice, she can access your contacts and make a call. Like other Echo devices, the Spot lets you make calls through Alexa. The device also features a 3.5 mm stereo audio output to use with external speakers if you need more bass. Still, don’t expect great audio like you might with the Sonos One Alexa-enabled speaker. We don’t envision that many will be interested in using the Spot for movie-watching.Īs for sound, the Spot has a 1.4 inch speaker. Watching Manchester by the Sea was like viewing on a large smart watch. Be warned, though, that while the Spot’s screen is clear, it’s also tiny. Like all Echo devices, you can sync various streaming music and video services with Alexa. Don’t count on being able to watch YouTube videos, though, until the feud between Google and Amazon is resolved. Flash briefings for both the Show and the Spot are delivered through a combination of Alexa reading text and a Reuters video featuring the news of the day (the Alexa app lets you customize your briefing).ĭepending on which Alexa skills you add to your device, you can watch recipe videos, local news broadcasts, or even TV shows. If you like to both listen and view recipe instructions in the kitchen, for example, the screen is handy. While the Spot’s screen is tiny, it’s still a great feature. It has some competition, though: In January Lenovo introduced a rival smart clock of its own, and we’re excited to see how it measures up to the Spot. The Spot is one of only a handful of devices that features a screen. The options on the Spot are laid out in easy-to-use drop-down menus and submenus. Overall, the interface is extremely user-friendly and intuitive. You can choose from different themes and home card preferences, where you can auto dim the clock at night and customize the times of day that you want this to happen. One difference from the Show – other than the size – is that the Spot gives you additional customizable options with the clock. And that’s just the beginning - the Echo Spot has many tricks. You can also create a slideshow of personal photos to set on the home screen and change the sounds you hear. In addition to turning on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you can choose what kind of theme you want to set on the display, whether you want to look at your clock in digital or analog format, and how loud and bright you want the device to be. The settings menu features some fun stuff to customize. From there you can adjust brightness, turn on do not disturb, or access the settings menu. Like the Echo Show, you can use your finger to pull down a menu from the top of the screen. The display screen is clear, and the default screen is an analog clock. When you turn on the device, you’ll have to manually turn on the microphone by pushing the button on top. If you already have an Alexa App, connecting your device to it is extremely easy – just open the app, sign in to your Amazon account, and the device will automatically sync. If you haven’t already downloaded the Amazon Alexa app, you’ll need to. After a short boot time, Alexa says the device is ready for setup. Amazon created a beautiful, rounded piece of hardware that is somehow sleek, cute, and fun at the same time.
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