Everything To Know About The Echo Plus

Amazon’s newest product, the Echo Plus, will soon be joining the ever popular Echo and Echo Dot. Thanks to the integrated virtual assistant Alexa, all three devices allow users to do a variety of tasks including play music, set timers, and check the weather. Users can even have some fun by asking Alexa to play games or tell one of her famous Alexa jokes. Alexa is connected to the cloud and so is always learning new tasks to complete for users. She can even learn skills that are developed by outside individuals or companies (like Domino’s or NASA). The skills allow Alexa to respond to specific commands like “Alexa, place my Domino’s easy order.” The Echo Plus has even more features than the Echo and Echo Dot. The Echo Plus is scheduled to be released October 31, 2017, on the same day that the Echo 2nd generation will be released.

Echo Plus Features

There are two big differences between the Echo Plus and Echo (2nd generation). First, Alexa has learned new commands with the Echo Plus like turning on lights or checking the temperature. Her integrated smart home capabilities now allow users to access any smart home device using Zigbee technology (found in electric Smart Meters). Just say “Alexa, discover my devices” to find which devices Alexa can control. This includes thermostats such as Nest, security home keypads like those from Schlage, lights like the Phillips Hue, and many more. In fact, when users preorder their Echo Plus before October 31, 2017, a smart Phillips Hue light will be included.

The other major feature is the design of the Echo Plus. It now has a better speaker system, which was designed by Dolby. With a 2.5” woofer and 0.8” tweeter, which is slightly better than the 2.5” woofer and 0.6” tweeter of the Echo 2nd generation (the first generation echo has a 2” tweeter). The Echo Dot only has a 0.6” speaker and no tweeter, so users may want to connect the device to external speakers. The Echo Plus is slightly taller and thinner than the Echo 2nd generation, but is the same size as the Echo 1st generation model. All Echo devices come with seven microphones on its top so Alexa can hear users requests despite external noises like loud music. The new Echo and the Echo Plus will also allow users to make hands free phone calls and send messages to anyone in their contact list.

Echo Plus Price

Amazon’s Echo products have been affordable options for many consumers who wish to integrate a virtual assistant into their home. The Echo Plus price with its new features will be  and will come with a Phillips Hue light bulb (a $14.99 value) if preordered before its release date. Given that the original Echo was initially sold for $229.99 when first released, consumers should rest assured that they are getting a good deal. For users who do not wish to use an Echo product for smart home control, the Echo (1st or 2nd generation) and Echo Dot may be better options. The 2nd generation Echo currently costs  when preordered ($119.99 for wood finished models, released November 8th, 2017), and a refurbished 1st generation model costs . For users who want Alexa’s help in multiple rooms, Echo comes in a 3-pack for $249.99 (after using the code ECHO3PACK). The Echo Dot costs and is a good option for people wanting to try out an Echo product.

Ordering an Echo Plus

Preorder for the Echo Plus started September 27, 2017 and will end when the product is released on October 31, 2017. Users can choose between black, white, and silver. Preordering also allows users the option to pay in installments without increasing the overall price ($20 per month for 5 months). While it is unclear what Amazon’s stock is of the devices, with the holidays around the corner it makes sense to order the device sooner rather than later.