Echo Spot review: Alexa goes cute

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The idea of adding a display to a smart speaker takes the smart speaker concept to the next level. The cute Amazon Echo Spot has recently made it to the Indian shores for an affordable price tag of just ` 12,199.

The Echo Spot is supposed to be your desk assistant without hogging as much space as your laptop or anything else that has a display. Keeping that in mind, Amazon has succeeded in giving the Echo Spot one of cutest designs ever seen in the segment. The Echo Spot is as big as a cricket ball, with the flat touchscreen display sitting up front. Look closely and you will notice a frontfacing camera sitting just above the display. There are three physical buttons on top — one for disabling the microphone and/ or the camera, and the other two to adjust the volume levels manually. The body is mostly made of plastics whereas the bottom- firing speakers are omnidirectional. However, the signature blue LED ‘ ring’ indicator from the Echo cousins is gone.

The Echo Spot would simply be a digital clock with a display had Alexa not existed. The universal cloud- based smart voice assistant from Amazon does most of things you expect out of it — ask Alexa any query or command her any activity and she will oblige if it’s within her knowledge. Alexa’s capabilities are limited at present, but you will find her useful for most of your daily tasks on the desk. Scheduling reminders, going through your news briefings, playing playlists from Saavn or Gaana, controlling smart light bulbs, booking an UBER, learning new recipes, shop on Amazon— the Echo Spot won’t shy away from any of these activities.

Video calls on the Echo Spot are also possible, provided the receiver has an Echo Spot or is using the Alexa app on his/ her smartphone. Simply say

The Echo Spot is smart your desk assistant without hogging as much space as your PC or anything else.

● It can also make video calls to other Echo Sport or users of the Alexa app.

● The Echo Spot also acts as an individual Bluetooth speaker.

“Alexa, drop- in on Ramesh” and Alexa will make a video call instantly. The Echo Spot also acts as an individual Bluetooth speaker. Do note that the audio is decent, not great — we suggest audiophiles for plugging in external speakers via the AUX port for the best results.

To wrap it up, the Echo Spot is a great option for those looking to integrate a smart AI- powered appliance into their daily lives that help out with some basic tasks.