A smart speaker is more than just a neat-looking audio device. When you operate it using a virtual assistant like Alexa, you can get everything from weather reports to specific recipes using voice command. You can also control devices around your home, play music, audiobooks and podcasts, or pair it with your TV to provide home theater sound.
Whether you’re adding to an existing smart speaker network around your home or just getting started with Alexa, Amazon has a terrific deal for you. Thanks to the site’s Black Friday Week sale, you can get a bundle of its Echo Dot smart speaker and a smart color bulb for a price that’s over 60% off what you’d pay if you bought these items separately. Let’s get into all the impressive features of the Echo Dot, and how you can use it to smarten up your home!
Echo Dot with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb, $22.99 (63% off)
At under 4 inches tall and wide, the Echo Dot looks like a tiny sphere. But behind its simple facade and functionality (including simple “action,” microphone and volume controls) is a hub that serves as your knowledgeable personal assistant. Just connect it to your Alexa app and WiFi network and use your voice to command the Echo Dot to answer questions, set timers and alarms, access popular music apps like Apple Music and Spotify, or even play a round or two of Jeopardy.
A 1.7-inch driver at the end of the unit provides improved sound compared to previous models, especially in the low end. And its responsiveness to commands is better than ever; you can whisper a request even when the speaker is blasting music, and it’ll understand you just fine.
But where the Echo really shines is its control of smart devices such as the light bulb included in this bundle. It’s amazing how much functionality (and fun) you can get out of a single light bulb. All you have to do is screw it in and connect it with Alexa, and you can control it through the Echo Dot speaker (or through the Alexa app) as well as program set times for the bulb to light or dim.
With 16 color and brightness settings, you can change the lighting to serve the mood, whether you’re illuminating a classy dinner party or giving your living room the right atmosphere for movie night. Of course, the light bulb is just the tip of the iceberg for what you can control with the Echo Dot. You can use it to control smart thermostats, home monitor cameras, locks, your home theater, and loads of other devices — over 100,000, in fact.
When you add it up, this Echo Dot and light bulb bundle is a fantastic deal even at its original price. You get the ability to control useful devices that make home life a lot easier, not to mention having a virtual assistant at your beck and call. At its current Black Friday discount, snagging this bundle is a no-brainer.
