Amazon launches its 2020 models of the Echo speaker that brings room tuning and impressive sound quality. The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) unlike its previous versions, is designed to stand out from all other smart speakers. Compared with its predecessor (the 3nd Gen) Echo Dot, the new Amazon smart speaker comes with much better processing capabilities.
The new 4th-gen Amazon Echo also comes with a radical redesign with the new round aesthetic which is quite pleasing and effective for outstanding sound output, coupled with the same Alexa features of all time.
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) Key Specs
- Size / Dimension: 3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” (100 x 100 x 89 mm)
- Display: LED display
- Weight: 12.3 oz (351.3 g)
- Audio: 1.6” speaker. 3.5 mm line out for use with external speakers (audio cable not included).
- Bluetooth connectivity: Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
- WiFi connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi supports 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz) networks. Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks
- Package contents: 1 x Echo Dot, 1 x power adapter (15W), 1 x Quick Start Guide.
- Others: Four far-field microphones, Alexa voice assistant.
Design
The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) sports a robust design with a new round aesthetic made of half plastic and half fabric-cover. This new Echo is essentially a 5-inch ball with a flat side on the bottom.
At the top sits four buttons: volume up, volume down, microphone mute, and the “action” button, which puts the speaker into listening mode without you having to say “Alexa.”
At the back, however, is a power port and the 3.5mm aux jack that can be used as a line out port to send the audio signal to an external speaker.
Amazon has also moved the LED light ring that indicated when you have a notification, Alexa activeness, and readiness for command or the volume level of the speaker to the bottom. Like other Alexa speakers, the LEDs will change color based on the status of the speaker or your Alexa account.
The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) is available in three new colours (Heather Grey, Sandstone, and Charcoal) so you can choose the perfect colour that will blend with the environment.
Audio Performance
The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) packs a 1.6-inch speaker in the same size as the third-generation Echo Dot, but with a larger chamber that gives a little more resonance to the bass.
This tiny yet powerful speaker is responsible for producing the entire frequency range of sound for the speaker and the results.
There is also a microphone array packed inside there as well and we don’t have any complaints about the Echo Dot’s ability to hear us over the dull roar of our music and process our commands perfectly.
As a smart speaker, the new Echo is capable of all the things that Echo speakers have been doing. It delivers crisp vocals and balanced bass for full sound you can enjoy anywhere in your home.
Furthermore, the new Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) will use the mics built into it to listen to the room and continuously gauge its size and shape. It will then adjust its audio output accordingly.
Smart Features
Amazon is using its new AZ1 Neural Edge processor in the new Echo. This processor is designed to speed up voice recognition. Hence, you can ask Alexa to control smart home gadgets, set timers, give weather reports, set a reminder, and so on.
Alexa is good at answering questions, controlling smart home devices, listening to podcasts, talking to family members with an in-home intercom, getting homework help, and thousands of add-on voice skills.
The Amazon Alexa also offer support for Alexa Guard, which will use the microphones in the Echo Dot (2020) or any Alexa speaker to listen for such things as a smoke alarm or glass breaking, and will send you an alert on your linked number if it hears anything.
Alexa Guard can also be programmed to turn any connected smart lights on and off to make it look like someone’s home while you’re away.
Amazon also included a full smart home hub inside the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen). You can connect Zigbee devices such as light-bulbs, door sensors, and more to the Echo without the need for a secondary hub.
Then manage and control them through voice commands or via the Alexa smartphone app. There’s even a temperature sensor in the Echo, which can be used to trigger Alexa routines such as turning on a fan or air conditioner.
Connectivity
To connect the Echo Dot (2020) to an external speaker, Amazon retains the 3.5mm audio jack. For wireless pairing with other devices, Bluetooth is still the medium of connectivity. Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) also offer support for Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz) network options.
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) Specs
Here are a few specs of the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen):
General Features
- Dimension (without stand): 3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” (100 x 100 x 89 mm)
- Weight: 12.3 oz (351.3 g)
- Display: LED Display
- Processor: Amazon AZ1 Neural Edge processor
- Smart home hub: – Zigbee
- Voice Command: Yes, Alexa Built-in
- Generation: Echo Dot (4th Gen)
- WiFi connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi networks.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Yes
- Audio: 1.6” speaker. 3.5 mm line out for use with external speakers (audio cable not included).
- System requirements: Compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices and also accessible via your web browser.