WHY ALEXA?

MULTIROOM

Multiroom audio used to cost a fortune and require lots of cables, but with Echo devices it’s really easy and works very well. All you need to do is set up different rooms in the Alexa app and assign your Echoes to each of those rooms. And then simply say: “Alexa, play Spiderland in the living room.”

EXTRA SKILLS

Alexa can be expanded with skills ranging from the useful, such as playing radio stations or getting recipe ideas in the kitchen, to the silly – such as collections of rude sound effects. You can also listen to Audible audiobooks (another Amazon brand) and control all kinds of third-party devices.

SPEAKER CHOICE

If the Echo Dot doesn’t delight you with its fairly limited audio power, don’t worry: the full-size Echo sounds much better, and the Echo Studio is beefier still. And you’re not stuck with Amazon: hi-fi-minded options like the Sonos One, Audio Pro Addon and UE Megablast are also Alexa-enabled.

DESIGNS FOR KIDS

Amazon’s desire to fill every niche means it also makes versions of its devices for children. The Echo Dot Kids (see left) comes with stronger privacy and the ability to use parental controls to ensure your little ones don’t hear anything they shouldn’t or mess with things you don’t want them to use.