Amazon Echo Club

[ApK]

It's a bit confusing, but here's what it sounds like to me. Please ,anyone more informed, correct me if I'm wrong:

Dot: Just like Echo but with a small, mediocre speaker. It can be hooked to a good speaker.

Tap: Just like Echo but rechargeable battery powered, and it doesn't monitor for voice commands, you have to tap the button.

Is that right? Am I missing other important differences or limitations?

'Cuz if the Dot really is just a small Echo with mediocre music quality, I might get one for the kitchen.

[WT Sharpe]

The Tap looks the more interesting of the two, but there's not a whole lot of information on it yet. It's clearly designed for portability, but can it be left in it's charger to function as a second, less powerful echo in another room of the house? The Tap will start shopping on March 31.

[wodin]

According to ZDNet the Tap can function from a different network than your home Wi-fi. If that's true (???) you should be able to use it at work, or... say... in your car if you have a hot spot on your phone.

I'm not sure, but I think the (original) Echo and by extension the Dot has to be connected to your home network.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by wodin

According to ZDNet the Tap can function from a different network than your home Wi-fi. If that's true (???) you should be able to use it at work, or... say... in your car if you have a hot spot on your phone.

I'm not sure, but I think the (original) Echo and by extension the Dot has to be connected to your home network.

Something's not right there.
None of these devices know where you live and so have no idea if the network they are on is your "home" network or not.
The Echo should work just fine connected to any network.

So I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

[Catlady]

I'm finding the descriptions extremely confusing as well. I prefer the idea of the Tap because I don't want a device listening to me all the time. But the description doesn't seem to mention anything about turning lights and other home devices on and off, while that of the Dot does. Yet the Dot is cheaper.

And it seems like the Dot does everything that Echo does, except it has an inferior speaker?

[wodin]

Originally Posted by ApK

Something's not right there.
None of these devices know where you live and so have no idea if the network they are on is your "home" network or not.
The Echo should work just fine connected to any network.

So I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

When I look at the description of the Dot, Tap, and Echo on the Amazon site it specifically says "home" network for the Dot and Echo, but it toots its horn about internet and mobile hotspots for the Tap. The inference is that the Echo and Dot must be on your home network (private IP space) but the Tap does not. That inference may or may not be correct and until more information is forthcoming we won't know.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ApK

It's a bit confusing, but here's what it sounds like to me. Please ,anyone more informed, correct me if I'm wrong:

Dot: Just like Echo but with a small, mediocre speaker. It can be hooked to a good speaker.

Tap: Just like Echo but rechargeable battery powered, and it doesn't monitor for voice commands, you have to tap the button.

Is that right? Am I missing other important differences or limitations?

'Cuz if the Dot really is just a small Echo with mediocre music quality, I might get one for the kitchen.

Yes and yes. That's what I'm taking from the descriptions and videos.

The Dot is a squished Echo; it's the same diameter

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

The Tap looks the more interesting of the two, but there's not a whole lot of information on it yet. It's clearly designed for portability, but can it be left in it's charger to function as a second, less powerful echo in another room of the house? The Tap will start shopping on March 31.

I would hope it could be left in the charger for always on power.

The Tap holds no appeal to me since there is no voice command option.

To me, the Dot is what I have my eye on. If they lower the price to $50~$60, I'll consider getting one.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm finding the descriptions extremely confusing as well. I prefer the idea of the Tap because I don't want a device listening to me all the time. But the description doesn't seem to mention anything about turning lights and other home devices on and off, while that of the Dot does. Yet the Dot is cheaper.

And it seems like the Dot does everything that Echo does, except it has an inferior speaker?

I bet the Tap has the same capabilities as the Echos, since they all use Alexa's brain power. The Tap has better speakers than the Dot and is being marketed for its music and information capabilities while on the go.

That's right. The Dot is a squished Echo. Speakers are the differentiating feature.

[tubemonkey]

In the video, the Tap is being lugged all over the place outdoors. I'm assuming these people are using mobile hotspots to access wi-fi?

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I bet the Tap has the same capabilities as the Echos, since they all use Alexa's brain power. The Tap has better speakers than the Dot and is being marketed for its music and information capabilities while on the go.

That's right. The Dot is a squished Echo. Speakers are the differentiating feature.

I'm just now noticing that the Dot page says "Available Exclusively from Alexa":

Available Exclusively from Alexa
Echo Dot is available in limited quantities and exclusively for Prime members through Alexa Voice Shopping. To order your Echo Dot, use your Amazon Echo or Amazon Fire TV and just ask:
Alexa, order an Echo Dot.

Which means I couldn't order one even if I wanted to. WTF?

[ApK]

Originally Posted by wodin

When I look at the description of the Dot, Tap, and Echo on the Amazon site it specifically says "home" network for the Dot and Echo, but it toots its horn about internet and mobile hotspots for the Tap. The inference is that the Echo and Dot must be on your home network (private IP space) but the Tap does not. That inference may or may not be correct and until more information is forthcoming we won't know.

Ah. I see. I suspect it mentions it for the Tap because it's portable, and they are highlighting an ability to work with captive portals (networks where you have to sign on through a browser first), etc.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm just now noticing that the Dot page says "Available Exclusively from Alexa":



Which means I couldn't order one even if I wanted to. WTF?

WTF is right; plus I'll add in its high price. Sounds like Amazon wants to do a bit more beta testing similar to the Echo's, except this time you don't need an invitation.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm just now noticing that the Dot page says "Available Exclusively from Alexa":



Which means I couldn't order one even if I wanted to. WTF?

Like the thread title says, we're a club, and membership has it's privileges! No Alexa? Can't be in our club.

Seriously though, it's just an introductory exclusive, similar to when Echo itself was limited to Prime members at first.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ApK

Like the thread title says, we're a club, and membership has it's privileges! No Alexa? Can't be in our club.

You tell 'em ApK. Dang, I forgot to collect dues. That'll be two bananas per month for each of us. February's treat will be banana daiquiris.