Everyone has heard of Amazon Echo and the personality of artificial intelligence, Alexa. However, many people still don’t know exactly what Amazon Echo can do. There are multiple versions of Amazon Echo, including second generation Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Spot, Echo Show, and Echo Dot.
All are very similar, with Alexa as an integral part. Furthermore, all these different versions of the Echo have almost the same functions. Amazon Echo is first and foremost an intelligent speaker, which you can activate with various voice commands. Let’s take a more detailed perspective of Amazon Echo and its capabilities.
What are the differences between the various Amazon Echo?
First, they all have the same voice activation commands. The most obvious difference is the appearance, which implies the unique features and quality of the speakers.
The original Amazon Echo had an industrial plastic finish. The current second-generation production is covered in fabric, which is softer and may seem more appealing, but it is still an insignificant difference.
The other versions of Echo are significantly more diverse, but let us first examine the main features of all of them.
What can these devices do?
All versions of Amazon Echo have the same activation. You can start a sentence with Alexa, which is the default setting, or change it to Eco.
After saying that, you can ask almost any question to the device and it will respond as a person would. There are also times when Echo will send you a link with detailed information via the Echo app on your smartphone.
Here are some of the most basic commands you can ask Amazon Echo:
- Echo, wake me up at 3 today. (For example, if you’re taking a nap.)
- Echo, let me listen to Bon Jovi.
- Echo, tell me the news.
- Echo, I want to laugh, tell me a joke.
- Eco, what’s in the calendar today?
- Echo, what’s the weather like?
- Eco, turn up the volume.
- Eco, let me take a ride on Uber.
- Eco, read the audiobook…
In addition to these everyday voice commands, Echo can perform much more complex tasks. You can connect it with other smart home devices. For example, your smart lights. After that, you can say, “Eco, turn on the living room light” and do just that.
The possibilities are endless and Alexa also has the ability to learn. You can connect Amazon Echo with your home burglar alarm, smart locks and even intelligent sound systems like Sonos.
Technical features of Amazon Echo
Some versions of Amazon Echo have additional features in addition to the main commands. For example, the Amazon Echo Show is a multi-purpose device that also has a display. Works like a tablet with Alexa and an integrated smart speaker.
With the 10-inch screen, you can browse the Internet, play music, videos, view photos and more with an Eco Show. Perhaps the best feature of all is the real-time video chat app. It’s similar to FaceTime, only it doesn’t need to be in your hands.
Amazon Echo Plus looks slightly larger than Amazon Echo because it has a Zigbee smart home hub and an updated speaker. This can be very useful for people who want a simple smart home experience. Amazon Echo Plus can make a separate smart home hub redundant.
Finally, Echo Spot is like a smart clock version of Echo with 2.5 “display and Echo Dot is like a miniature echo. The main commands for all of them remain the same.
Simplify your life with Amazon Echo
An Amazon Echo can do many things at once- your personal assistant, reminder, alarm clock and much more. Another great feature is the potential integration with other smart devices.
You can use it to control TP-Link, Philips Hue, Hive, Spotify, Fitbit, The Guardian, Uber, Just Eat and many other apps and devices. Do you own an Amazon Echo? Or maybe you are interested in having one after reading this article? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments section.
