Amazon Tap and Dot: What You Need to Know

Building on the success of its sleeper hit, the original Echo, Amazon recently launched two new products to its speaker family: the Amazon Dot and Tap. Each comes with its own set of features and limitations, some that improve upon the Echo’s design and others that, well, don’t.
Here’s all you need to know about Amazon’s latest products:
The Amazon DotThe Dot is essentially the Amazon Echo, minus the big speaker housing. It looks and operates pretty much the same way, just doesn’t have a powerful speaker. Instead, you are able to plug the Dot directly into another speaker or connect it with one via Bluetooth to play music and communicate with the system. Like the Echo, it does have to be plugged into an outlet for power.
The main use for the Dot is to connect your other devices throughout your home through Alexa, Amazon’s smart speaker virtual assistant. Alexa is basically the brain of the Dot that’s always getting smarter and adapting to your preferences. This means you have to be an Alexa user to purchase the Dot, as the system works through the Amazon voice shopping system. The point of the Dot is to tether it to your speakers or other devices at home, making Alexa available so you can use voice command for a hands-free experience in every room. Once you have the Dot set up, you’re able to communicate with Alexa to play music, provide information, news or even make requests, like ordering a pizza or requesting an Uber.
The Dot does have a tiny speaker in it, which allows the device to function like an alarm clock or timer. You can set the Dot next to your bed and have it control other smart home devices in your room by asking Alexa to turn off the lights, change the temperature or set an alarm for the morning.