I have one of these and I like it, but it’s basically just an Alexa-powered alarm clock. It sounds OK (i.e. for music) but it’s not particularly powerful, and it can technically display video, however the circular display is rather small and a poor aspect ratio for most video. It is however tiny, perfect for sitting atop the limited surface area of a nightstand, and it’s more powerful than, say, an Echo Dot, with the added bonus of any Alexa-related functionality (over a traditional alarm clock.) The display is mostly going to be limited to, say, showing the forecast when you inquire about the weather, and it can show the video feed accompanying certain news broadcasts when you request that.
Thanks for the info… Glad I got the echo8… Sometimes I think her ears has wax in them… Not the best response
Thanks for the review. I think I’d rather stick with my 8.9" tablet that can be Alexa enabled.
Had one for a while, works well. Prefer my Dot with digital clock. Amazon has discontinued the Spot due to unresolved flickering issues. Amazon's smart alarm clock, the Echo Spot, has been discontinued
9 out of 10 alarm clocks are a fail for me because the display doesn’t go dim enough. I can’t sleep with a moon in my face. Apparently, while I sport a robust monobrow (an obvious evolutionary advantage), I lack full blackout eyelids.
How would you describe the dimmer functionality and the dimmest setting?
Yep, I have one of those and after awhile it started flickering sometimes. I don’t look at it long enough for it to bother me tho.
That’s why I keep a Fire HDX or an unused old phone next to me. The HDX has Alexa access. Both totally black unless I press to see the time. It’s sort of uncanny, even disturbing how I can awaken and more than 70% of time be within < 20 min of the time even if the dark; sleep deprived or not - estimating before I check the clock. Am told quite a few people can do this, but curious how.
I usually leave it at the brightest setting because I wear a sleep mask anyways (partially due to the other devices in the room that have bright lights, and partially because I work 2nd or 3rd shift and have to sleep under daylight.) I just checked out the lowest brightness setting, and it gets extremely dark. It would most likely suffice for your purposes, although I’d still recommend trying a sleep mask!
Also, to the others who mentioned it, I wasn’t even aware that there was a display flickering issue because mine apparently isn’t affected by it, thankfully.
Solution to try to help you @rowdyred94. Use photographic gel filter - color plastic sheet - trimmed to needed size. Mount with tape (maybe a bit ghetto) or glue. Allows it to be much dimmer and still be visible if desired. You can use more than one sheet for deeper shades. Available on Amazon:
If that is not enough, Neewer sells a kit with 30 Pieces for $11.99.