amazon-echo
The first thing to mention is that Amazon has a wide variety of devices in its Echo range. These adapt to all budgets, with prices between €50 and almost €300 in some cases. The good thing about Amazon is that it constantly puts these devices on sale, so we can get hold of one of these at a price that can be around 20 euros approximately. As if that were not enough, all the models have a specific design, here we also have a point of possible choice, since the aesthetic section can be very important for many users.
Once we buy these devices and don’t connect anything to them, what use can they be put to? Home automation allows us many possibilities, and specifically the Echo are the ones with the greatest variety of compatible devices. But in this case, you will be alone. A smart speaker with built-in Alexa, therefore, we would be using a virtual assistant without home automation.
speaker for music
Here precisely we are faced with the first function that an Amazon Echo can cover. Beyond having the Alexa system integrated, these devices can be connected directly via Bluetooth to other devices. Mobile phones, tablets, computers, televisions, everything can be configured so that the sound is emitted by these devices. Therefore, in this case, an established Internet connection is not even necessary.
On the other hand we have the issues of sound quality. And the first thing we have to say is that any Amazon Echo has good enough sound for our music to be heard perfectly. But it is obvious that some models have superior audio quality. This is the case of the Echo Studio, which without going any further, has integrated Dolby Atmos.
If we want to take it a step further, we can connect it to the Internet. This will allow us to interconnect with different music services, such as Amazon Music or Spotify. The versatility in this case is greatly increased. And it is that the ability to be able to request a specific song from Alexa, and that in a matter of a couple of seconds we are listening to it, is something very nice.
set alarms
In this section we can treat all kinds of alarms. Alexa is prepared to be able to set alarms to wake us up in the morning, and for a small reminder in ten minutes. To this we can add that some devices have an integrated clock which is always visible.
In other cases, they have a screen that can display a fixed clock on it. But they are a little more uncomfortable because they can be a bit dazzling in a very dark environment.
Television and video calls
Yes, you read it right. Some Amazon Echos can be used as a television. And it is that they have several models with screens large enough to play content, and that it can be viewed comfortably. The truth is that the variety in this case is served. Without a doubt, we have two models that stand out above the rest in this regard. The first of these is the third-generation Echo Show 10, and the Echo Show 15. But if we don’t mind having a slightly more discreet screen, we can use the Echo Show 8, and even the 5.
These devices have integrated applications such as Amazon Prime Video or Netflix that we can view on them. On the other hand, by having webcams, video calls can be established. Even with two of these in the same house, you can make a call from one to the other.
In general, a virtual assistant without home automation can help us with many things even without being interconnected with other devices in our house. From the bedrooms as alarm clocks, to the living room as a multimedia center and through the kitchen as a recipe book. Everywhere there is a place for a smart speaker. In the market we can find them from other brands, such as Google or Apple. But these do not have such a large variety of devices.
