Smart speaker with clock is discontinued
Amazon is discontinuing production of the Echo Dot with clock. The compact smart speaker is giving way to the more expensive Echo Spot, which recently made its comeback. What does this mean for users of the Alexa ecosystem? We look at changes and possible alternatives. Amazon has announced the end of one of its most popular smart home devices: The Echo Dot with clock is being discontinued.
As the company told the technology portal The Verge confirmed that the compact model with integrated LED time display will no longer be produced. As soon as the current stocks are used up, the smart speaker will disappear from the range. Reading tip: Echo Dot 5 in the test: This is how good Amazon’s Alexa speaker is
Popular model disappears
For many users, this news comes as a surprise. The Echo Dot with clock, which was only launched in its fifth generation, was very popular. The discreet LED display, which showed the time, temperature or timer information, was particularly appreciated. The combination of compact design, good sound and useful time display made it an ideal companion for the bedside table or desk.
Focus on Echo Spot
Amazon does not give any specific details as to the reason for the discontinuation. However, it is likely that the company wants to focus on the newly introduced Echo Spot (2024). This device has a full-fledged display and is intended to close the gap between the simple Echo Dot and the larger Echo Show models. Although the Echo Spot offers more functions, such as displaying weather information or news headlines, at a price of 94.99 euros it is also significantly more expensive than the Echo Dot with clock, which was available for 63.74 euros – the normal price in each case. It remains to be seen whether all users are willing to pay more for these additional features.
Technical differences
In terms of sound quality, the two devices are not that different. The Echo Dot with clock uses a 44 mm broadband speaker, while the Echo Spot has a 44.5 mm driver. Both are front-facing and deliver decent sound for their size. One interesting aspect is the display in the dark: While the LED display of the Echo Dot with clock was still relatively bright even when dimmed, the Echo Spot offers a special night mode. Here, the time is displayed in red on a black background, which should be more pleasant for light-sensitive sleepers.
Impact on the Alexa ecosystem
The discontinuation of the Echo Dot with clock raises questions about Amazon’s future strategy in the smart home sector:
- Will there continue to be compact and affordable entry-level models?
- Is the company increasingly focusing on devices with displays and higher prices?
- How does this affect the experience and adoption of Alexa?
For existing users of the Echo Dot with clock, there is no reason to worry, at least for now. Amazon will continue to provide the devices with software updates and all Alexa functions will remain. However, if you want to get hold of one of the last copies, you shouldn’t wait too long. The remaining stocks are likely to sell out quickly.
Alternatives to the Echo Dot with clock
If you are looking for a compact smart speaker with a time display, you now have to look for alternatives:
Market development and outlook
The discontinuation of the Echo Dot with clock shows once again how fast-moving the market for smart home devices is. Products that were just considered an innovation can disappear from the market within a few years. For consumers, this means that when purchasing smart devices, they always have to keep an eye on long-term support and possible alternatives. Interestingly, there have been similar cases at Amazon in the past. The original Echo Spot of the first generation was also discontinued before the successor came onto the market.
This shows that Amazon is willing to revise or replace popular products if they no longer fit into the current strategy. It remains to be seen how the market for smart speakers will develop in the future. The trend is clearly moving towards multifunctionality and visual representation. However, whether this meets the needs of all users remains to be seen. How do you see the development? Do you think it’s a shame that the Echo Dot with clock is disappearing, or are you looking forward to the new possibilities of the Echo Spot? Share your opinion in the comments and let us know what features you would like to see in future smart speakers.
