6 reasons why the Amazon Echo Spot is the perfect alarm clock

Amazon’s first shot at a display-driven Alexa vessel, the Echo Show, didn’t really showcase why we’d need a screen for the voice assistant – but the new Echo Spot is a much better effort. Why? Well, it’s clearly built to be an alarm clock, which gives the Spot a lot more dedicated purpose than its larger predecessor. Thinking about sticking this one near your pillow? Here are six reasons why it’s the ultimate alarm clock.

1) CUSTOMISABLE FACES

Normally when you buy a standard alarm clock, you’re stuck with that aesthetic until it kicks the bucket. But that’s not the case with the Echo Spot, since the digital screen is quite like a blank canvas for you to customise. The Echo Spot comes with a handful of analog and digital face options, each of which gives the main clock screen a distinctive look.

2) YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR MORNING POWER SONG

Classic alarm clocks can be set to wake you up to a radio station, but you’re taking a risk that the song that summons you from your slumber might be obnoxious trash – or worse yet, it’ll be a commercial. Worry not: the Echo Spot can play any song, album, artist, or playlist when you rise, and you can choose from Amazon’s own music offerings alongside Spotify, Pandora, and other music services that Alexa is already friendly with.

3) IT’S PACKING ALEXA

Alexa is the star attraction of any Echo, and that’s true even with a screen on the Echo Spot. Amazon still hasn’t cultivated very many skills that demand the Spot’s screen, but that’s OK: she’s plenty useful with or without visual accompaniment. For example, when you roll out of bed, you can say, “Alexa, good morning” to get a friendly welcome, a quick weather update, and your flash news briefing.

4) IT DIMS AT NIGHT

The Echo Spot has a nighttime mode enabled by default, which automatically kills the colorful daytime clock face and replaces it with white text on a black backdrop, or something similarly toned down. And you can customise the timeframe that it’s enabled, in case your sleeping patterns are a bit atypical.

5) YOU DON’T HAVE TO FIDDLE WITH BUTTONS

Ever accidentally enabled an alarm that you didn’t really want – or worse, disabled an alarm that you really, really needed? The Echo Spot isn’t packed with buttons, so you shouldn’t bungle an alarm just by touching it the wrong way. And since Alexa is running the show, setting alarms is dead simple: just ask her to set it for a certain time, and customise it with music if you please.

6) SAY GOODNIGHT FROM AFAR

Thanks to the tiny camera above the screen, you can dial up anyone who also has an Echo Spot or Echo Show for a video call from your bed, as well as anyone using the Alexa smartphone app. Even with the small screen, you’ll be able to see and hear your friend or family member plenty well enough, and it’s perfect for a quick goodnight before closing your eyes.