Say hello Alexa to a new world

Amazon’s Echo is a useful introduction to digital assistants – and good fun too

Amazon Echo (4th Gen) From €99 More info: amazon.co.uk ★★★★★

At one single Amazon launch event last year, eight new Alex a devices were unveiled. This provides for myriad options if we want to add Amazon’s digital assistant to our homes. This Christmas, I opted to add the new 2020 version of the Echo, which isn’t just an upgrade to the previous model but is a thorough re-design.

The ball shape, rather than the tower format Amazon used on previous models, is impressive and a brave design. This is a radical look and, to me, looks like a hi-tech, digital assistant should. However, the benefit here is also the improvement in audio. While it doesn’t quite offer 360 degree sound, the angled speakers inside are punchier with the sound being directed around your room.

Setting up an Alexa device is getting easier, and in fact when you order from Amazon there is an option to pre-configure devices for your Alexa account.

The Echo connects to your home wifi and once on your network it can control a variety of smart-home devices if you have them installed.

Initially, even without accessories, Alexa is not just fun but useful. She’ll answer questions on history, politics and the like and will refer to Wikipedia for the answers.

However, Alexa will also do really useful instant calculations for you. I often ask her to convert ounces to grams or stone to kilos, and she will also help with queries like how many teaspoons in a tablespoon. The real magic though, is when you connect things like your Nest thermostat or Philips or LE lightbulbs. Alexa will find all these smart devices and allow you to control them using simple phrases like ‘Turn off the bedroom lights’ or ‘Switch on the hot water’.

Perhaps what I use this Echo for the most though, is listening to music or radio. If you have a Spotify or Amazon music subscription, Alexa will play your playlists or music for you. Despite the improved audio quality, this Echo probably won’t satisfy the needs of audiophiles. That said, this new Echo is an excellent allrounder. As a first Alexa device, this is a great buy. and great value at just under a hundred euros.