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5 Best Amazon Echo Smart Speakers

The Amazon Alexa language assistant, which is active on Amazon Echo devices, should be familiar to everyone by now. However, opinions about the Amazon Echo device are still different. What is a practical helper in everyday life for some, for others is a spy spy that you voluntarily bring into your home.

best amazon echo


But what's with the voice-assisted smart speaker? What can devices do, what benefits do they bring in everyday life, who are they suitable for and how dangerous are they in terms of data protection and security against eavesdropping? We answer these and many other questions about the Amazon Echo and the Alexa voice assistant in this guide at technologinews.com.

The 5 Best Amazon Echo differ in a big comparison

1. Amazon Echo Dot

The Amazon Echo Dot is the smallest member of the Amazon Echo family, which is now in its fourth generation. However, it's not inferior to the massive Amazon Echo, as it's capabilities are exactly the same as the larger Amazon Echo. The Amazon Echo Dot is equipped with seven remote microphones, ensuring that the device understands your voice commands from across the room, even in noisy environments or while listening to music.

The Amazon Echo Dot is equipped with 41mm speakers. Unlike other devices from the Echo family, it doesn't have dual speakers with Dolby Sound, but it can be connected to more powerful speakers at any time with the 3.5mm jack or via Bluetooth. The only difference between the Amazon Echo and the Amazon Echo Dot is the size and quality of the speakers.

The little Amazon Echo Dot is not only the ideal introduction to the world of the Amazon Echo, it also brings Amazon Alexa easily and conveniently into any room. With the Echo Dot, for example, smart home components such as lights, light switches, thermostats and more can be easily controlled with voice input and thanks to the small integrated speaker, the device can be used as a smart alarm clock or as an assistant in the kitchen.

You can also use the Echo Dot to make voice calls, drop in, or receive messages from other Echo devices. With new skills and functions and automatic updates, the Alexa language assistant is constantly learning and constantly improving.

Advantages
  • Available in three colors (anthracite, blue-grey and white)
  • Smart Home Hub (smart devices can be controlled via Echo)
  • Available in a bundle with two Hue White bulbs
  • 3.5mm jack connection
Deficiency
  • No screen
  • No further connection
  • No camera
2. Amazon Echo

You can control the fourth-generation Amazon Echo smart speaker with just your voice. Whether listening to music, calling the news or the weather forecast, getting information about a movie theater or television program or playing an audiobook, the Amazon Echo does it all on demand.

You can also create lists, call taxis, and of course control your smart home components like lights or thermostats. Thousands of skills make your Amazon Echo a real helper in everyday life and new skills are constantly being added which you can easily activate.

The Smart Home Hub, which is not included with the Amazon Echo, may be required to control Smart Home components.

The Amazon Echo speakers are equipped with a 76mm woofer and a 20mm tweeter with Dolby technology. The smart loudspeaker offers clear, room-filling sound and dynamic bass. Whatever you do, the Amazon Echo keeps your hands free. The Amazon Echo's seven microphones respond in all directions and across the room, whether you're listening to music, the TV is on, or the room is quiet.

It allows you to communicate with your Amazon Echo at any time and you can, for example, adjust the music volume, you can set timers, alarm clocks and reminders or send voice messages or text messages to other Echo devices or the Alexa app. You can also make voice calls or connect to other Alexa devices in your home via Drop In.

Advantages
  • 76mm woofer and 20mm tweeter (for higher sound quality)
  • Available in three colors (anthracite, blue-grey and white)
  • Smart Home Hub (Smart devices can be controlled via Echo)
  • Available in a bundle with Hue White lights
  • 3.5mm jack connection
Deficiency
  • No screen
  • No further connection
  • No camera
3. Amazon Echo Studio

With Amazon Echo Studio, the focus is on sound. Five loudspeakers should deliver powerful bass, dynamic mids, and clear highs. Dolby Atmos should provide clarity, depth, and spatial sound. The Echo Studio is equipped with five strategically placed speakers designed to create room-filling sound. The smart high-fidelity speaker features a 25mm tweeter, three 51mm midrange speakers, and a 133mm woofer. It's designed to make listening to music an immersive experience and can be wirelessly connected to a Fire TV Cube or Fire TV Stick 4K to also reproduce TV sound in a full room.

Echo Studio makes it possible to play music on multiple Echo devices via the multi-room function. Connected to a second Echo Studio or Sub Echo, a richer sound must be created. The Echo Studio accepts voice commands via Amazon Alexa and enables smart home control via the integrated Zigbee smart home hub. It is compatible with services such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, TuneIn or Deezer and many skills that expand the functionality can be downloaded from the skill store. The device has a microphone off button and allows voice recordings to be viewed, listened to and deleted at any time. The Echo Studio has a diameter of 175 millimeters and a height of 206 millimeters. He weighs 3.5 kilograms. Dia with 3 Equipped with a 5mm mini jack and an optical input. Supported audio formats include FLAC, MP3, and AAC.

Advantages
  • 3D sound (five speakers in a 360-degree configuration for immersive sound)
  • Dolby Atmos (must create realistic background noise through object-related sounds)
  • Smart Home Hub (controls smart devices via Echo)
  • Available in a bundle with Hue White lampu
  • 3.5mm jack connection
  • Digital audio connection
Deficiency
  • No screen
  • Only available in black
  • No camera
4. Echo Show 8

The Amazon Echo Show 8 offers all the functionality that other Echo devices also offer, but it also comes with an 8-inch display with a resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels. On the screen you can watch your daily news summary as a video, you can check the weather forecast, view your photos, shopping list or to-do list, follow song lyrics or even transfer security camera pictures.

Equipped with four microphones, noise canceling, and directional beam technology, the Echo Show 8 listens to you from all directions, even when you're playing music. Powerful loudspeaker with Dolby Sound, passive bass radiator and 50mm stereo drivers ensure optimal sound. With the multiroom function, you can even play music in multiple rooms on different Echo devices.

With the Amazon Echo Show you can not only make voice calls, but you can also connect via video calls with anyone who is also using the Echo Show or the Alexa app on their smartphone or tablet. You can reach all other Echo devices via voice call.

Of course, you can also use the Amazon Echo Show 8 to control your smart home components. However, this may require a smart home hub, which is not included in the shipping coverage. Multiple skills ensure highly versatile application possibilities and Alexa is constantly learning new skills.

Advantages
  • Screen (allows video calling and video playback)
  • Touch screen (intuitive controls)
  • Mechanical cover for camera
  • Dolby Sound (multi-channel sound system for optimized sound reproduction)
  • Available in two colors (anthracite and white)
  • Smart Home Hub (Smart devices can be controlled via Echo)
  • 3.5mm jack connection
Deficiency
  • No further connection
  • Low camera resolution (1 megapixel)
5. Amazon Echo Show 10

The Show 10 model is an Amazon Echo with a 10.1-inch display and 2.1 speaker system consisting of a 76mm subwoofer and two 25mm tweeters. Not only compatible smart home devices can be controlled via the Amazon Echo. According to Amazon, voice assistants can also act as kitchen helpers and manage shopping lists, create reminders or answer questions for example, how many grams of a certain spice fit in a tablespoon.

Motorized display: The Amazon Echo display has a motorized rotation function with a rotation radius of up to 175 degrees. The screen is automatically aligned for easy reading from the user's current position.

The Echo Show 10 has an integrated 13-megapixel camera that can be used, for example, for video conferencing. According to the manufacturer, it can also be used like a surveillance camera for your own four walls. According to Amazon, the Echo is designed to ensure privacy. If necessary, the microphone and camera can be turned off to protect privacy.

If you choose the Echo Show 10, you can choose between a white or anthracite color scheme. The language assistant has dimensions of height, width and depth of 25.1 x 23 x 17.2 centimeters, and weighs 2,560 grams.

Advantages
  • Motorized display (swivel up to 175 degrees)
  • Touch screen (intuitive controls)
  • High resolution camera (13 megapixels)
  • Mechanical cover for camera
  • Available in a bundle with Hue White lights
  • Available in two colors (anthracite and white)
  • Smart Home Hub (Smart devices can be controlled via Echo)
Deficiency
  • No 3.5mm jack or other connections

What is Amazon Echo?

amazon echo


Amazon Echo devices are a range of smart speakers that can be used via voice control. The virtual language assistant is produced by the American company Amazon.com. In order to use Amazon devices, they must be connected to the Internet via WLAN or Bluetooth. The device is activated with a signal word or by pressing the action button.

Depending on the version, Amazon Echo devices are equipped with four to seven microphones that recognize the activation word and process voice commands. Additionally, the Amazon Echo has built-in speakers, which differ in quality and performance depending on the device. Amazon now offers a variety of Echo devices:
  • Amazon Echo
  • Echo point
  • Echo show
  • EchoPlus
  • Echo place
  • Echo Look
The devices differ not only in the quality of the integrated speakers, but also in other technical features.

Although Amazon Echo devices have only been on the market since 2015, some of them are already available in the second generation (Amazon Echo) or even in the third generation (Amazon Echo Dot). From this and from the devices that are constantly being added, it is clear that Amazon is constantly working to improve devices and create new usage options.

History of the Amazon Echo

The first Amazon Echo launched in November 2014 in the US for Amazon Prime subscribers. As of June 2015, the Amazon Echo is available to all customers in the US. The Amazon Echo Dot was introduced in March 2016.

The Amazon group has previously invested several million US dollars in the development of voice control and was inspired by the communication system in the science fiction series Raumschiff Enterprise. In 2013, Amazon took over a Polish startup whose technology was used in Gdansk to record the voice of the Alexa software.

Customers in other countries will have to wait longer for the language assistant. Only after the device has been in the US market for a year will the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot also become available for purchase outside the US. The device has been available in the UK since September 2016 and as of October 2016 it is also available in Germany.

However, initially, language assistants in Germany were only sold after the email application by invitation. Many interested parties get nothing out of this system and in early 2017 Amazon announced a waiting period of several weeks for applicants. However, on February 11, 2017, the invite system was removed and the Echo and Echo Dot are available free of charge to all subscribers.

Since then, Amazon has released or announced many new Echo devices and revised the original Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot so that these devices are now available in the second and third generations, respectively. In addition to the tools we've presented to you in this guide on STERN.de, this includes the following additions to the Amazon Echos:
  • Echo Input (brings Alexa to external speakers via Bluetooth or 3.5mm jack. Not currently available in Germany)
  • Echo Link and Echo Link Amp (amplifiers for music systems that can be used to stream music. Not yet available in Germany)
  • Echo Sub (subwoofer as a supplement for Amazon Echo devices)
  • Echo Button (Alexa Gadget for Gaming)
Amazon Echo or Alexa technology can now also be used on Amazon Fire Tablets 7, HD 8 and HD 10 and Amazon Fire TV Stick. In addition, Amazon introduced devices such as wall clocks, microwaves, and sockets equipped with Amazon Echo technology, as well as devices that bring the Amazon Echo into the car.

Amazon is also partnering with other companies to make Alexa Voice Services AVS available to them. More and more devices are compatible with Amazon's Alexa and can be operated via voice control. In addition to many classic smart home components, this includes a coffee machine and a kitchen stove.

The name Amazon Alexa virtual language assistant is a tribute to the Alexandria library, the most important ancient library. The female first name Alexa, on the other hand, has lost a lot of popularity in the US since the introduction of the Amazon Echo device.

This is how the Amazon Echo works

amazon echo


The heart of the Amazon Echo device is the virtual voice assistant Alexa. In order for you to communicate with Alexa, the appropriate Amazon Echo device must be connected to your WLAN network. After this connection is established, the device waits for the activation word. Amazon provides different variants that you can choose from and which you can change at any time as you wish in the Alexa app.

The original activation word was
  • Alexa
  • Amazon
  • Echo
At the request of many customers, the word computer activation was added later. The voice software of various Amazon Echo devices waits in the background for the word activation to sound and then activates. Active listening from the virtual voice assistant is indicated by a blue light ring, and you can also set the device to play a tone when the voice assistant starts, based on personal preference.

In order not to miss the activation word, the language assistant must remain on standby and listen at all times. However, Amazon ensures that nothing is recorded or evaluated or used in any way unrelated to the use of language assistants and that devices in standby perform automatic wipes at very short intervals. This statement is also confirmed by the measurement of IT specialists.

If the activation word drops, you can give Alexa a command or ask the voice assistant a question. The computing power behind it happens in the cloud. All communication with Alexa is transmitted to Amazon's server farm, where it all comes together.

If you want to avoid Alexa listening in standby and waiting for the activation word in certain situations, you have the option to disable the microphone directly on the device. The deactivation is indicated by a solid red light ring. Pressing both microphone buttons will turn the microphone back on.

Your voice commands to Alexa are saved and you can view them in the Alexa app on your smartphone. There you also have the option to delete all voice commands that have been issued manually.

The current status of your Amazon Alexa device is primarily visualized by the ring of light. Different colors have different meanings:
  • Blue ring of light with brighter rotating lights: Amazon Echo device is on
  • A blue light ring with a brighter light points towards the person speaking: The device is processing your request
  • The ring of light flashes alternately bright and dark blue: The device is responding
  • Deep red ring of light: The microphone has been turned off
  • Orange ring of light that rotates clockwise: The device is connected to your Wi-Fi network
  • Pulsing purple ring of light: Wi-Fi setup error occurred
  • Flashing yellow light ring: A message or notification awaits you
  • Pulsing green light ringing: You received a call or stopped by
  • The green ring of light rotates clockwise: you're on a call or stopping by
  • White light ring: Volume is being adjusted
  • Flashing purple light ring: Do Not Disturb mode is activated
Alexa-enabled devices

amazon echo


Amazon continues to expand the Alexa universe and, in addition to newly added hardware such as the Echo Show or Echo Spot, many other Amazon devices are made with Alexa-enabled and many other manufacturers are also developing Alexa-enabled products.

Amazon Echo Devices
  • Amazon Echo
  • Amazon Echo Plus
  • Amazon Echo Dot
  • Amazon Echo Spot
  • Amazon Echo Pertunjukan Show
More Alexa-enabled devices from Amazon
  • Tv fire
  • FireTV Stick
  • Fire 7
  • Fire HD 8
  • Fire HD 10
On Amazon Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10 tablets you can now use hands-free Alexa functions that you can control with just your voice. A dedicated show mode charging dock was also recently introduced for the new Fire HD 8, with which the tablet can be switched to show mode.

Third-party Alexa-enabled devices

Not only are Alexa-enabled devices available from Amazon, but other manufacturers are also offering more devices that can be controlled via smart voice control.

This includes certain devices from the area:
  • Electronics and entertainment
  • Lighting and sockets
  • Security
  • Household and kitchen utensils
  • Heating and cooling
For example, sockets, light bulbs, light switches, light strips, boiler thermostats and radiators, motion detectors, surveillance cameras, loudspeakers, headphones, vacuum cleaners and floor cleaning robots, washing machines and dryers as well as lawn mowers, weather stations and many other devices. others can now be operated using Alexa voice control. Car manufacturers like Ford are also working to integrate the Amazon Alexa voice assistant into their cars.

Alexa can do it

Amazon is clearly focusing on voice control as a future trend. But what can Alexa do specifically and how can you use your Amazon Echo device in your everyday life? The possibilities are indeed very diverse and too broad to list here in detail. In the following, we provide an overview of the most important and popular functions of the Amazon Echo device on STERN.de. We will first introduce you to the functions you can use with each ECHO device, before we get into the specific features of each device.

Listen to music with Alexa

You can stream music with all Amazon Echo devices. This is possible with Spotify Premium, Amazon Music Prime or Amazon Music Unlimited. In order to use the service, you must have an appropriate customer account and a paid account. You can play the music of your choice on your Amazon Echo device, but also on your Fire tablet, Fire TV, or possibly other products that don't support Amazon Alexa.

You can use voice control to select a title, album, or artist, or to play playlists or compilations tailored to specific genres or artists. You can also listen to various radio stations through TuneIn Radio.

Depending on the hardware used, it is recommended to pair the Amazon Echo with external speakers for listening to music. This is possible with most devices via Bluetooth or with a 3.5mm jack plug. The use of external loudspeakers is highly recommended for small devices such as the Amazon Echo Dot and Amazon Echo Spot, as small devices will sound a bit louder and will work best with kitchen radios.

With voice control, you can control the volume, pause, skip forward, or repeat songs while listening to music. In addition, you can play audiobooks from Audible and podcasts.

The essential voice commands for streaming music with Alexa are:
  • "Alexa, play artists/albums/music genres from Amazon Music/Spotify"
  • "Alexa, louder"
  • "Alexa, calm down"
  • "Alexa, volume (choose a value between 1 and 10)"
  • "Alexa, rest"
  • "Alexa, carry on"
  • "Alexa, repeat the song"
Timer, alarm & reminder function

Other functions available to you on all Amazon Echo devices are timers, alarm clocks, and reminders. The timer starts immediately and counts down the desired time. When the time is up, a signal tone sounds which only stops when stopped by a voice command. The timer can be used when cooking, for example so that breakfast eggs are cooked, spaghetti al dente or don't forget the cake in the oven.

Of course, the timer function can also be used for all other occasions when you want to measure the passage of a certain period of time. The voice command for the timer is "Alexa, set the timer for XY minutes".

With the alarm function, you can wake up once or regularly. For example, you can set one alarm for weekdays and a second alarm for weekends, or set an alarm for a specific day of the week. You can also select an alarm tone or, for example, wake up certain radio stations or your favorite music. As with the radio alarm clock, you can use the snooze function with the alarm clock.

Some settings can also be done in the Alexa application on your smartphone. There you can select one of the default alarm sounds and set the interval for repeating the alarm. If you don't specify an interval, the wake-up call will only run once at the next possible time.

Activate the alarm clock with the following voice commands:
  • "Alexa, set an alarm for XY time"
  • "Alexa wake me up at 7am on weekdays"
  • "Alexa wake me up at XY with radio station/artist/genre of music"
  • "Alexa, go to sleep"
Reminder function helps you to keep track of your appointments. You can use voice commands to be reminded of all events so you'll never forget an appointment or call again. Just say, "Alexa, remind me (event) of the day/date on (time)" and Alexa will remind you of your appointment by voice at the selected time.

You can also set repeat intervals for reminders and, for example, be reminded of certain events or appointments every Tuesday, every day at 2 p.m. or every weekday. You also have the option to link a supported calendar such as an iCloud calendar or a Gmail calendar to your Amazon Echo and thus be able to query your appointments.

You can use the Unmute command to turn off any timer, alarm, or reminder. To do this, say "Alexa, cancel the timer/alarm/reminder". If you have set several functions, you will need to define a command, for example by saying "Alexa, cancel the 20 minute timer" or "Alexa, cancel the weekday alarm". If not specified, the last setting made will be cancelled. You can also manage timers, alarms, and reminders in the Alexa app on your smartphone.

Make a list

amazon echo


With the Amazon Echo, you can create and edit shopping lists, watch lists, to-do lists, and other lists.

You can create a shopping list
with the following voice command: "Alexa, add (milk stuff) to my shopping list"

You can make a list
tasks with voice commands: "Alexa, put (tasks like filling gas) on my to-do list"

You can get your list easily by asking,
"Alexa, what's on my shopping/to-do list?"

If you want to remove an entry from your list, you must use the Alexa app on your smartphone or on the Internet. There you can add individual points, mark them as completed or remove them from the list. If you forget to check your list at home, you can view it at any time in the Alexa app on your smartphone.

You can create more lists by using third-party applications. These so-called Alexa Skills can be found in the Skillstore in the Alexa App and there you will find many offers under the "Lists" item with which you can, for example, send your Alexa shopping list directly to your phone or share it with others.

Shopping

Amazon wouldn't be Amazon if you couldn't shop directly through your Echo device. What you need is
  1. Amazon Echo Devices
  2. Bank account and billing address
  3. Shipping address
  4. Amazon Prime Membership
If these requirements are met, you can easily shop on Amazon using voice commands. One of the possible voice commands is "Alexa, order (hair shampoo)". If you don't mention a specific brand, Alexa will suggest products from "Amazons Choice". Give it a brand name and Alexa will search for a list of Prime eligible products from that brand, then make suggestions accordingly. You can also reorder certain items with the voice command "Alexa, order XY dog food again".

Alexa then searches your order history on Amazon and selects the desired product. You can also order items by saying, for example, "Alexa, add a black Amazon Echo to my cart." Before the item is ordered, Alexa repeats the selection and you must confirm with "Yes" that you want to order the item. With "No" you can cancel the purchase. Wrong purchases or items ordered by mistake can be canceled with the voice command "Alexa, cancel my order".

You can easily disable voice purchases via Alexa in the smartphone app in settings. Please note that this function is enabled by default and wrong orders can easily occur, especially if there are children at home. Alternatively, you can also set a pin code as a parental control for voice commands.

Retrieve information such as news or traffic information

Another function that all Amazon Echos have is the retrieval of information such as news, weather, or traffic reports. In addition, you can, for example, announce a cinema program, search for rail connections, answer knowledge questions, or, for example, solve arithmetic problems and change currencies and units.

These functions are possible both through Alexa itself and with the help of various skills. Other information that Alexa can provide is phone numbers, addresses and store opening hours, simple translations or information about specific people.

Possible voice commands are:
  • "Alexa, what's new?" to check messages
  • "Alexa, what's going on at the movies?" to hear announcements about cinema schedules
  • "Alexa, how's the weather at (location)?" to hear the weather in a specific location
For some information, such as the current traffic situation on your way to work, you will need to provide additional information in the Alexa app, such as your work address.

More information can be summoned through skills, such as weekly garbage collection dates, information about television programs and more.

Drop In, Voicemail and Call

You can communicate with other devices through your Amazon Echo device. There are three ways to do this:

Drop In

Use Drop In to connect to other Echo devices. If you enable the function in the Alexa app, you can connect directly to other Echo devices using voice commands. You can use this function within the family, for example, to notify family members in another room via Drop In that food is ready. However, when stopping by, you should note that once the device is disconnected, you are directly connected to the associated room and, depending on the hardware configuration, you can see and/or hear everything that happens there. Here you should not neglect privacy and be careful with this function.

The voice commands for using Drop In are:
"Alexa, Drop In (name of the Amazon Echo device you want to connect to)"

Calling

Unlike the drop-in function, you are not directly connected to the other device when making a call via the Amazon Echo, but participants must accept the call first. To use the calling feature, you must provide your mobile number in the Alexa app and grant the app access to contacts in the address book.

It is not possible to provide only the selected mobile number, so the complete contact list stored on your phone ends up on Amazon's servers. Again, you should never overlook data protection and decide carefully whether you want to send this information to Amazon.

amazon echo


To make a call with an Echo device, say "Alexa, call (contact name)". Callee can answer or reject calls with voice commands "Alexa, answer call" or "Alexa, reject call". You can also make video calls with the Echo Show and Echo Spot.

Voicemail You can send voice messages
in the Alexa app. From there, they're sent to the recipient's Alexa app and the Amazon Echo device it's connected to. Again, you must give Amazon access to your address book in order to use functions outside of your own network.

If you have set up voice messages in the Alexa app, you can send them from there to selected contacts by voice input or text input. You can listen to incoming voice messages by saying "Alexa, play my message".

Smart home control

Another major part of the functionality of the Amazon Echo is the control of smart home components. For example, you can use voice commands to turn lights on and off or dim them, adjust radiator temperatures, and more.

Using so-called routines and scenes, you can perform multiple actions with a single voice command. You can set up this routine in the Alexa app and, for example, use the "Good morning" voice command to turn on certain lights, play your favorite radio station, and start the coffee maker at the same time. In order to access a device like a coffee machine via Alexa voice control, it must be Alexa-enabled or you can choose a detour via a WLAN socket that can be controlled via Alexa.

In many cases, a so-called Smart Home Hub is also required to control the Smart Home component, which represents the centerpiece of your Smart Home component. It's already integrated in the Amazon Echo Plus.

Special features of the Echo Plus, Echo Show, and Echo Spot

The functions described above are available to you on every Amazon Echo. Some devices also have special equipment features:
  • The Echo Plus features the Smart Home Hub as an integrated function
  • In addition to the loudspeaker, the Echo Show and Echo Spot are equipped with integrated displays that offer various special functions such as the option to play videos or make video calls.

A spy in the living room?

Alexa splits minds in this country. While some see technical advances and simplification of everyday life on Amazon Echo devices, others see above all a data octopus that is limitlessly exploiting personal data, and Alexa is even suspected of acting as a bug. The fact is that the smart voice assistant is always listening and waiting for the activation word. However, that doesn't mean everything is recorded, the smart speaker only becomes active when the activation word is spoken.

However, it can happen that words are misunderstood and, for example, Alexa reacts to the mention of a name similar to Alexandra or Alexander, even though she is not spoken to. However, activation is visible through a blue ring of light and if you want to be safe, you can set up your Amazon Echo so that an additional acoustic signal sounds when activated. It warns you if an accidental activation occurs.

Customer data collected

However, it's no secret that Amazon collects customer data and uses it for business. It generates user-oriented ads, for example, and Amazon suggests certain products you might be interested in. While Amazon has collected vast amounts of data about all its customers, the company has so far rejected some areas of data available to Google or Facebook, for example.

We are talking about location data and phone contacts. With Amazon Echo devices, Amazon now also has access to this data, as location data is important, for example, to notify users of regional weather forecasts, traffic news, or regional cinema programmes. To use the phone functionality of an Amazon Echo device, Amazon accesses the phone contacts stored on the phone within its app.

Is the device in the living room really eavesdropping?

A lot of data is collected by Amazon Echo devices without question. But is the device really eavesdropping on you in the living room? This fear is great for many people and there is actually a technical possibility that hackers could infiltrate the system and eavesdrop, but concrete cases of this kind are unknown. And what about Amazon itself? Measurements carried out by IT experts show that when Alexa is operating correctly, it does not transfer data to the server as long as the activation word is not spoken.

The device only regularly checks for WLAN connections and every 5 seconds an automatic wipe occurs at the device level without the Amazon servers being contacted. The fear of voluntarily getting bugs in your home with Alexa is therefore somewhat unfounded if you use it properly, especially when you consider that today every computer, every tablet and every smartphone is equipped with a camera and microphone and these devices often also have a language assistant. like Cortana or Siri and are therefore not inferior to Amazon Echo devices in terms of spy potential.

Careful handling of data by users

On the other hand, every Amazon Echo device user should be careful about the information they choose to share as advised on the internet. Information such as workplace addresses or access to the address book on a mobile phone should not be taken lightly by Amazon, and you should not enable the function of transferring WLAN passwords to Amazon servers under any circumstances for the sake of simplicity.

If you use the Amazon Echo primarily to listen to music, use a timer or alarm clock or turn lights on and off, Amazon will not receive any relevant information that could compromise you and your privacy, and the ordering process through the Amazon Echo will also open this to your Group. there is no information that he does not get in the conventional process.

How to set up your Amazon Echo device

You can easily set up your own Amazon Echo device. No special knowledge is required for this and the tool will guide you through the whole setup process.
The following steps are required:
  • Download the free Alexa app from the Amazon App Store and sign in with your Amazon account details
  • Plug your Amazon Echo into a wall outlet using the included power adapter
  • Now a blue ring of light flashes, which changes color after a while and turns orange
  • Follow the voice assistant's instructions and connect your Amazon Echo to a WiFi network. You will need your WiFi password for this
  • Once the Amazon Echo establishes a connection to the WiFi network, setup is complete and you can use the device.
Amazon Echo devices are set to use Alexa as a wake-up word by default. Once set, you can change these settings in the Alexa app and switch to any of the other wake words.

Care and maintenance of your Amazon Echo device

amazon echo


Special care and maintenance for Amazon Echo devices is not required. Software updates are usually done automatically, so you don't have to worry. To care for your Amazon Echo, you should wipe the device regularly with a soft cloth and avoid detergent and water.

Accessories for Amazon Echo

There are many accessories for Amazon Echo devices, especially in the area of ​​speakers and smart home components. A loudspeaker that can be connected to most Amazon Echo devices via Bluetooth or the 3.5m jack ensures much better sound, especially with the smaller Echo Dot and Echo Spot devices. If you care about good sound, you can also connect all your other Amazon Echo devices to external speakers.

In the Smart Home area, bulbs, thermostats, WLAN sockets and more are offered so you can operate multiple components via Alexa voice control.

Amazon Echo accessories also include Alexa gadgets such as the Echo Button, which you can use to play games, devices like the Echo Connect (enables landline and VoIP with the Amazon Echo) or Echo Sub (a subwoofer for the Amazon Echo), as well as covers and abbreviations for various devices. .

Here's what you need to pay attention to when buying an Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo devices offer great potential to make life easier and more convenient.

Advantages
  • Convenient voice control for your smart home components
  • Convenient music streaming
  • Set timer, reminder, and alarm functions with voice commands
  • Request information by voice command
Deficiency
  • Privacy Issues
amazon echo


Once you've decided to buy an Amazon Echo, the most important question is which device is best for you. Therefore, we have presented various Amazon Echo devices to you in detail in this guide at technologi.com. The basic functionality is the same for all devices, so you should answer the following questions before buying:

Do you want to control your smart home components with Amazon Echo?

In this case, the Echo Plus is the best for you as it comes with a built-in smart home hub

Would you like your Amazon Echo to have a display you can use to make video calls, for example?

In this case, the most suitable devices are the Echo Show and the Echo Spot, as they both have displays. However, the rectangular display of the Echo Show with a 25.6 cm diagonal is significantly larger than the 6.3 cm round display of the Echo Spot, which shows no more than the time and the background image.

Do you want to use the Amazon Echo to listen to music without additional speakers?

The right device in this case is the Amazon Echo. It has powerful speakers, so you can use the device without external speakers. If you also want to control smart home components, you should opt for the Echo Plus.

Are you looking for a small device that fits in any room or just want to experience the world of the Amazon Echo?

Then the Amazon Echo Dot is a perfect fit. It can do everything its big brother, the Amazon Echo, can and connects to Bluetooth speakers that produce great sound. Without an external loudspeaker, however, it's more like a second-class kitchen radio, which is completely adequate for sound output.

With the third-generation Amazon Echo Dot, Amazon has thoroughly revised the speaker and significantly improved the sound.

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