If you’re considering buying an Amazon Alexa, you may be wondering how much it’s going to cost. The question isn’t just about the price, though. You may also want to know about the features of the device and whether it’s a good choice for you.
Amazon Echo Dot
Amazon Echo Dot is a smart speaker that works with Alexa to play music and control smart home devices. This small device is an inexpensive way to try out the smart home world. It can make phone calls, provide weather reports, and more. You can also get the Echo Show, which comes with a larger screen and touch technology, but is more expensive.
The basic version of the Echo is good for voice control, and the speaker is capable of playing music from streaming services. You can also use the Echo Dot to set timers, check the weather, and more. However, the sound quality is not top notch.
If you want to hear better audio, consider upgrading to the Echo (4th Gen). The new model is a bit more expensive, but it offers a more powerful audio output and a new design. It can connect to Wi-Fi, and is compatible with SiriusXM, Vevo, Apple Podcasts, and more.
In addition, you can use the Echo Show to watch Netflix or YouTube. The device comes with a 13-megapixel camera that follows you while video chatting. Some services require a paid subscription, but it’s worth it for the convenience.
To use the Echo, you’ll need an Amazon account. You can sign up for a free one, or pay $8.99 without Prime. Using an Amazon account lets you access all of the company’s services from any device. For example, you can download the Alexa app to your smartphone and interact with the device.
The device includes a 3.5-millimeter audio output and volume buttons. There is also a woofer and a microphone. The plastic translucent ring on the bottom serves as an LED indicator light.
You can customize the Echo Dot to your home’s decor. Amazon has three decorative shell options to choose from. The speaker’s size is a bit smaller than the Echo, but it’s still able to fit on a countertop.
It’s easy to set up and use. It’s also fairly affordable, so you can save a lot of money if you buy one on sale. Moreover, the device’s battery lasts for up to a year.
Amazon Firestick
The Amazon Alexa smart speaker has been around for a few years now, and it’s a popular choice among consumers. It’s a voice-controlled smart speaker that can answer questions and perform other handy tasks.
It can play music, set alarms, track packages, and alert users of emergency events. You can also use it to organize your shopping list and get news updates. However, to enjoy its full functionality, you’ll need an Echo device. Alternatively, you can download the free Alexa app on your smartphone.
A smart speaker can be purchased for as little as $20, but you’ll likely have to spend upwards of $100 for one of the more advanced models. There are also third-party devices, including the Echo Dot, that have their own Alexa integration.
Some of the Alexa features that require a Prime account include the ability to stream ad-free music and enjoy exclusive deals. Additionally, Prime includes access to a variety of benefits, such as faster shipping and a two-million-song library.
If you’re interested in a smart speaker that’s more affordable, check out the Fire Stick. This device connects to your TV through a HDMI port, and you’ll be able to watch shows and movies from the Amazon App Store.
In addition to the Fire Stick, you can also download the Alexa app onto your smartphone. While this may seem like a hassle, it’s actually a pretty easy process. Once you’ve done that, you can search for specific apps.
Another option is to use a Bluetooth speaker. You can find one on eBay for as little as $10, and it’s easy to connect to an Alexa hub. That way, you’ll have the full scope of Alexa’s AI capabilities.
There are plenty of other features you can get out of your Alexa device, however. For example, you can turn on your lights, call your friends’ Alexa devices, and even buy items.
Finally, if you’re looking for a speaker with the latest technology, consider the Sonos One. Despite the price tag, it’s considered to be the best smart speaker on the market. It’s compatible with Amazon’s Alexa technology, has a built-in Zigbee hub, and provides better sound quality than many other speakers.
Amazon Alexa Guard
If you’re an Echo user, you may have noticed that Amazon has added some new features to its Alexa smart speaker. It now has a new security feature that helps protect your home from intruders and other emergencies. This feature is called Alexa Guard.
Basically, it works by listening to the sounds of intruders and other activity in your home. Once it hears something, it will alert you. You can also choose a specific sound to trigger the alarm. The sound can be something like a dog barking, the sound of breaking glass, or any other sound you think may be a signal of an intruder.
In addition to monitoring your house, Alexa Guard can also send push alerts to your mobile device when you’re away. This includes notifications for smoke and CO alarms.
Alexa Guard can also work with smart lights and plugs. When you’re away, it will turn on the lights to make it appear as if someone is home. You can also set up your lights to randomly turn on and off.
Another new feature available is a switch to enable Away mode. When you say, “Alexa, I’m leaving,” your Echo will start to play a siren.
Amazon is offering a free month of the service to anyone who has an Alexa-compatible smart speaker. Once you subscribe, you’ll get access to a 24-hour emergency helpline. You can also request that it call a local emergency service. These agents can send emergency responders to your location.
One thing to keep in mind about the free version of Alexa Guard is that it cannot detect alarms from multiple smart home devices. But if you have a few compatible alarms, you can set up the Guard to only listen to them. Depending on your preferences, you can opt to only listen to activity alarms or just smoke and CO alarms.
For a small monthly fee, Alexa Guard Plus can help make your home safer and more secure. It can deter intruders, send alerts to your smart home devices, and even call a trained agent when you need emergency help.
Spotify Premium
There are many music streaming services available today. Spotify is one of the most popular. It offers both a free tier and a Premium subscription. The service is available on Android and iOS devices.
The free tier of Spotify allows users to listen to up to six songs per hour. However, it does not offer ad-free listening or a personalized experience. A paid subscription will provide a better experience, and you can download tracks for offline listening.
There are also a variety of social features, including the ability to upload albums and playlists. Additionally, the Discover Weekly section gives users a new selection of tunes every week. You can also look at what your friends are listening to, and even preview the content.
Another advantage is the ad-free experience. Spotify has over 82 million ad-free tracks. If you are a student, you can get a 50% discount on the Premium plan.
One feature that is not included in the free version is the crossfade. This feature allows for seamless transitions between songs. You can also create your own collaborative playlists. These can be a great way to share music with your friends.
Other features include the Mood section, which is based on mood and emotion. Users can search for their favorite artists or genres. They can even use filters based on their mood.
The service’s Family Plan is designed to give parents and children access to the same music. It also includes parental control options, parental playlists, and the Blend feature.
Finally, if you want to get more out of your Spotify experience, you can upgrade to a Premium plan. In the US, this will cost you $10 a month. But there are deals to be had throughout the year. For example, Walmart customers can get six months of Spotify Premium for free. Also, Starbucks offers a premium account for free.
Overall, Spotify is a fantastic streaming service. While it doesn’t have some of the features of other services, it has more features, and its freemium model means you can try it out before paying.