{"id":109101,"date":"2020-11-10T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good\/"},"modified":"2020-11-10T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-11-10T14:00:00","slug":"the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good\/","title":{"rendered":"#The New Amazon Echo Is Round (Also It Sounds Good)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e20b17bcbc\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e20b17bcbc\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good\/#Amazon_Echo_4th_Generation\" >Amazon Echo (4th Generation)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good\/#Amazon_Echo_4th_Generation-2\" >Amazon Echo (4th Generation)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good\/#What_is_it\" >What is it?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good\/#Price\" >Price<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good\/#Like\" >Like<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good\/#No_Like\" >No Like<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good\/#README\" >README<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#The New Amazon Echo Is Round (Also It Sounds Good)<br \/>\n<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"r43lxo-0 hEDDLA js_post-content\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1eow4w5-1 dhDQnh align--bleed js_lazy-image js_marquee-assetfigure\" data-id=\"ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb\" data-recommend-id=\"image:\/\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-width=\"1724\" data-height=\"970\" data-lightbox=\"true\" data-recommended=\"true\" contenteditable=\"false\" draggable=\"false\">\n<div class=\"sc-1eow4w5-2 loxZOX img-wrapper\" contenteditable=\"false\" style=\"max-width:1724px\" data-syndicationrights=\"true\" data-imagerights=\"in-house-art\" data-hidecredit=\"false\"><span class=\"sc-1eow4w5-0 dnhHtZ js_lightbox-wrapper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-1m41dwj-0 bByIIk magnifier js_lightbox lightbox hide\"><span class=\"iyvn34-0 bYIjtl\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" aria-label=\"ZoomIn icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.5 1a6.5 6.5 0 1 1-4.23 11.44l-4.42 4.41a.5.5 0 0 1-.7-.7l4.41-4.42A6.5 6.5 0 0 1 10.5 1zm0 1a5.5 5.5 0 1 0 0 11 5.5 5.5 0 0 0 0-11zm0 2c.28 0 .5.22.5.5V7h2.5a.5.5 0 0 1 .5.41v.09a.5.5 0 0 1-.5.5H11v2.5a.5.5 0 0 1-.41.5h-.09a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H7.5a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.41V7.5c0-.28.22-.5.5-.5H10V4.5a.5.5 0 0 1 .41-.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:56.3%\" class=\"sc-1eow4w5-3 lktKQM image-hydration-wrapper\">\n<div><img alt=\"Illustration for article titled The New Amazon Echo Is Round (Also It Sounds Good)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 80w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 320w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 470w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 800w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 1600w\" data-expanded-srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 80w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_140\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 140w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_265\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 265w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_340\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 340w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_490\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 490w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_645\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 645w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_740\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 740w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_965\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 965w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1165\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 1165w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1315\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 1315w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1465\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 1465w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1600\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"\" draggable=\"auto\" data-chomp-id=\"ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-alt=\"Illustration for article titled The New Amazon Echo Is Round (Also It Sounds Good)\" data-anim-src=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><figcaption class=\"sc-7s1ndr-0 cqfyTB no-caption\">Photo<!-- -->: <!-- -->Victoria Song\/Gizmodo<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><span data-id=\"ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb\" data-recommend-id=\"image:\/\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-width=\"1724\" data-height=\"970\" data-lightbox=\"true\" data-recommended=\"true\" class=\"js_recommend\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<p><span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">It\u2019s round. That\u2019s the story, folks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">In all seriousness, you can\u2019t talk about the <!-- -->fourth-generation Amazon Echo<!-- --> without acknowledging its new globular shape. Visually, it\u2019s a significant departure from the cylindrical Echoes of yore, but it\u2019s more than just Amazon telling you, \u201cOh, it\u2019s a ball now.\u201d It\u2019s also a way of saying, \u201cThis one is different.\u201d And this is true. The fourth-gen Echo is a more notable upgrade from the third-gen Echo, both in terms of forward-looking features and sound quality.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-2 hKBnez js_video-sticky__top-limit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-3 eCMXYG js_video-sticky__bottom-limit\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">Inside this round boy, you get a 3-inch woofer, as well as dual front-firing 0.8-inch tweeters and support for Dolby audio (though not Dolby Atmos). That\u2019s an additional tweeter from last year\u2019s Echo and the Echo Plus. And like the Echo Studio, the fourth-gen Echo also supports room tuning\u2014as in it\u2019ll fine-tune your audio playback based on the acoustics of your room. Powering the fourth-gen Echo, you also have Amazon\u2019s AZ1 Neural Edge processor. Amazon says this enables a new \u201call-neural speech recognition model\u201d that\u2019s supposed to help Alexa process your requests faster. Lastly, you also get support for Zigbee (which was true of last year\u2019s Echo), Bluetooth Low Energy, and <span>Amazon Sidewalk<\/span>, Amazon\u2019s low-bandwidth IoT network that\u2019s meant to expand the working range of your smart home gadgets separate from wifi. In a nutshell, Amazon is phasing out the Echo Plus by cramming better audio and smart home hub capability into its mid-range speaker line.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">All this is very nice, but Amazon isn\u2019t exactly re-inventing the wheel here. It\u2019s still an Echo. It\u2019s just rounder and for the most part, sounds better.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"bxm4mm-11 gamHXh js_ad-mobile-dynamic  js_ad-dynamic ad-mobile-dynamic movable-ad\">\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-9 dQlBGJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-12 iqioLK ad-unit ad-mobile\">\n<div is=\"bulbs-dfp\" class=\"ad-container dfp dfp-slot-MOBILE_IN_POST ad-mobile\" data-ad-unit=\"MOBILE_IN_POST\" data-targeting='{\"pos\":\"mobile_inpost\"}'><\/div>\n<div class=\"bt-wrapper\"><span data-uid=\"5d260804c9-384\" class=\"bt-uid-tg\" style=\"display:none !important;text-align:center\" data-css-selector=\"ad-container.ad-mobile\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-10 kbXecJ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside contenteditable=\"false\" class=\"cqxoak-0 hwjjIu align--fullbleed js_lazy-image\">\n<section title=\"Amazon Echo (4th Generation)\" class=\"aebpua-12 gSoKfu reviewbox-inset\">\n<div class=\"qsfpej-0 dEXDub\"><span class=\"vxl3c2-0 jcbfot\">Smart Home<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"aebpua-2 idhAuO\">\n<div class=\"aebpua-10 dkkzel\">\n<div class=\"aebpua-11 jqGhcY\">\n<div><img srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_180,pg_1,q_80,w_320\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 320w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_264,pg_1,q_80,w_470\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 470w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_450,pg_1,q_80,w_800\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 800w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_675,pg_1,q_80,w_1200\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_900,pg_1,q_80,w_1600\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 80w\" data-expanded-srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 80w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_78,pg_1,q_60,w_140\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 140w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_149,pg_1,q_60,w_265\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 265w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_191,pg_1,q_60,w_340\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 340w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_275,pg_1,q_60,w_490\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 490w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_362,pg_1,q_60,w_645\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 645w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_416,pg_1,q_60,w_740\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 740w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_542,pg_1,q_60,w_965\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 965w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_655,pg_1,q_60,w_1165\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 1165w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_739,pg_1,q_60,w_1315\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 1315w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_824,pg_1,q_60,w_1465\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 1465w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,g_center,h_900,pg_1,q_60,w_1600\/fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 520px) 470px, 800px\" draggable=\"auto\" data-chomp-id=\"fuidb4cbu2mol69m1229\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-anim-src=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aebpua-3 eVtkCP\">\n<div class=\"aebpua-4 gXmRQM\">\n<div class=\"qsfpej-0 biYVbs\"><span class=\"vxl3c2-0 jcbfot\">Smart Home<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"aebpua-0 kkBAyA\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Amazon_Echo_4th_Generation\"><\/span>Amazon Echo (4th Generation)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aebpua-9 fkvRdM\">\n<h2 class=\"aebpua-0 kkBAyA\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Amazon_Echo_4th_Generation-2\"><\/span>Amazon Echo (4th Generation)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"aebpua-5 dPyBYN\">\n<div class=\"aebpua-6 ePSRNa\">\n<h2 class=\"aebpua-7 dmLnmV\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_it\"><\/span>What is it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"aebpua-8 bNYrKX\">The round Echo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aebpua-6 ePSRNa\">\n<h2 class=\"aebpua-7 dmLnmV\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Price\"><\/span>Price<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"aebpua-8 bNYrKX\">$100<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aebpua-6 ePSRNa\">\n<h2 class=\"aebpua-7 dmLnmV\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Like\"><\/span>Like<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"aebpua-8 bNYrKX\">It&#8217;s round. It&#8217;s also got good bass and improved overall audio quality. Adds built-in Zigbee smart home hub capability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aebpua-6 ePSRNa\">\n<h2 class=\"aebpua-7 dmLnmV\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"No_Like\"><\/span>No Like<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"aebpua-8 bNYrKX\">Privacy is still a concern. Not truly omnidirectional. Besides audio and design, most upgrades are very incremental.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-19 gvawPI connatix-container\"><script id=\"ef1a0fc9c4ff4c2385eff0db6e96e69f\">\n            cnxps.cmd.push(function () {\n                cnxps({\n                playerId: '30fa4ccb-f9cc-4a11-8a53-33fb6fd450d3'\n                , customParam1: \"not-lazy-loaded\"\n                }).render('ef1a0fc9c4ff4c2385eff0db6e96e69f');\n            });\n        <\/script><\/div>\n<aside class=\"sc-1c7snby-0 gPvaxA\">\n<p class=\"sc-1a9gghc-5 sc-1c7snby-3 dVBFxz\">G\/O <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Media<\/a> may get a commission<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-1c7snby-1 bjyWih\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Staging-Product-Not-Retail-Sale\/dp\/B085HK4KL6\/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=gizmodoamzn-20&amp;linkId=9750702dcef77c9d9b3ea673a8c42367&amp;language=en_US\" data-ga='[[\"Post click\", \"Editorial commerce button\", \"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Staging-Product-Not-Retail-Sale\/dp\/B085HK4KL6\/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=gizmodoamzn-20&amp;linkId=9750702dcef77c9d9b3ea673a8c42367&amp;language=en_US\"]]' class=\"peggds-2 cLqFrv sc-1c7snby-2 feOraa\"><label class=\"peggds-0 bCDGnO\">Buy Amazon Echo (4th Generation) for $100 from Amazon<\/label><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">Design-wise, I <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>reciate the new Echo. Personally, I find it nicer to look at and it\u2019s easier to blend into my home decor. The top of the Echo is covered in fabric, and you\u2019ll also find buttons to control volume, as well as Alexa and muting the mic. In the back, you\u2019ll find the 3.5mm audio jack if you want to hook it up to an external speaker, and the power cord. Another change is that instead of the Echo\u2019s iconic glow ring being up top, it\u2019s been moved to the base. My review unit came in Twilight Blue, which is quite fetching compared to the usual black Echo color scheme. Size-wise, it\u2019s 5.7 inches at its widest point and 5.2 inches tall\u2014not too big, about roughly the size of a small planter. At 2.1 pounds, it\u2019s fairly typical for a smart speaker and just slightly lighter than the 2.65-pound Nest Audio.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"bxm4mm-11 gamHXh js_ad-mobile-dynamic  js_ad-dynamic ad-mobile-dynamic movable-ad\">\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-9 dQlBGJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-12 iqioLK ad-unit ad-mobile\">\n<div is=\"bulbs-dfp\" class=\"ad-container dfp dfp-slot-MOBILE_IN_POST ad-mobile\" data-ad-unit=\"MOBILE_IN_POST\" data-targeting='{\"pos\":\"mobile_inpost\"}'><\/div>\n<div class=\"bt-wrapper\"><span data-uid=\"5d260804c9-384\" class=\"bt-uid-tg\" style=\"display:none !important;text-align:center\" data-css-selector=\"ad-container.ad-mobile\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-10 kbXecJ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">For the most part, I like the new design though I have a couple of nitpicks. Firstly, you\u2019re not really getting omnidirectional sound even though the spherical shape might suggest that. The ports are in the back and there\u2019s hard plastic that slopes up on a diagonal meaning, you\u2019re going to have to be very intentional about which direction the  Echo is facing. That, plus the need for a wired connection, means this isn\u2019t the best speaker for the middle of an open concept room. That\u2019s not a huge deal per se, but it\u2019s limiting when you consider the attractive new form-factor should open up more possibilities as to <em>where<\/em> you might stick this thing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">As for sound, I was pleasantly surprised. Amazon\u2019s Echo gadgets have never really impressed me all <em>that<\/em> much when it comes to sound quality. With the exception of perhaps, the Echo Studio, Echoes were never my go-to listening device unless I happened to be in the kitchen or for gags where I tortured my roommates, and now husband, by playing Luis Fonsi\u2019s seminal classic hit, <em>Despacito feat. Daddy Yankee<\/em>, followed promptly by <em>Baby Shark <\/em>and Camilla Cabello\u2019s <em>Havana feat. Young Thug<\/em>. (Ooh na na). <\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"bxm4mm-11 gamHXh js_ad-mobile-dynamic  js_ad-dynamic ad-mobile-dynamic movable-ad\">\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-9 dQlBGJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-12 iqioLK ad-unit ad-mobile\">\n<div is=\"bulbs-dfp\" class=\"ad-container dfp dfp-slot-MOBILE_IN_POST ad-mobile\" data-ad-unit=\"MOBILE_IN_POST\" data-targeting='{\"pos\":\"mobile_inpost\"}'><\/div>\n<div class=\"bt-wrapper\"><span data-uid=\"5d260804c9-384\" class=\"bt-uid-tg\" style=\"display:none !important;text-align:center\" data-css-selector=\"ad-container.ad-mobile\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-10 kbXecJ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"sc-1eow4w5-1 dhDQnh align--bleed js_lazy-image js_marquee-assetfigure\" data-id=\"f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1\" data-recommend-id=\"image:\/\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-width=\"1724\" data-height=\"970\" data-lightbox=\"true\" data-recommended=\"false\" contenteditable=\"false\" draggable=\"false\">\n<div class=\"sc-1eow4w5-2 loxZOX img-wrapper\" contenteditable=\"false\" style=\"max-width:1724px\" data-syndicationrights=\"true\" data-imagerights=\"in-house-art\" data-hidecredit=\"false\"><span class=\"sc-1eow4w5-0 dnhHtZ js_lightbox-wrapper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-1m41dwj-0 bByIIk magnifier js_lightbox lightbox hide\"><span class=\"iyvn34-0 bYIjtl\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" aria-label=\"ZoomIn icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.5 1a6.5 6.5 0 1 1-4.23 11.44l-4.42 4.41a.5.5 0 0 1-.7-.7l4.41-4.42A6.5 6.5 0 0 1 10.5 1zm0 1a5.5 5.5 0 1 0 0 11 5.5 5.5 0 0 0 0-11zm0 2c.28 0 .5.22.5.5V7h2.5a.5.5 0 0 1 .5.41v.09a.5.5 0 0 1-.5.5H11v2.5a.5.5 0 0 1-.41.5h-.09a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H7.5a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.41V7.5c0-.28.22-.5.5-.5H10V4.5a.5.5 0 0 1 .41-.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:56.3%\" class=\"sc-1eow4w5-3 lktKQM image-hydration-wrapper\">\n<div><img alt=\"Kirby is also round. Up top you\u2019ll find the mute mic, Alexa, and volume controls.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 80w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 320w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 470w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 1600w\" data-expanded-srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 80w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_140\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 140w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_265\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 265w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_340\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 340w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_490\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 490w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_645\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 645w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_740\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 740w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_965\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 965w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1165\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 1165w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1315\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 1315w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1465\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 1465w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1600\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"\" draggable=\"auto\" data-chomp-id=\"f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-alt=\"Kirby is also round. Up top you\u2019ll find the mute mic, Alexa, and volume controls.\" data-anim-src=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><figcaption class=\"sc-1ptbguh-0 cDQMld caption\">Kirby is also round. Up top you\u2019ll find the mute mic, Alexa, and volume controls.<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"sc-7s1ndr-0 cqfyTB below-caption\">Photo<!-- -->: <!-- -->Victoria Song\/Gizmodo<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><span data-id=\"f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1\" data-recommend-id=\"image:\/\/f0mo9cuddmythgufiof1\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-width=\"1724\" data-height=\"970\" data-lightbox=\"true\" data-recommended=\"false\" class=\"js_recommend\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">The fourth-generation Echo has a decent soundstage, and for a $100 smart speaker, its bass is actually kind of impressive. It\u2019s not going to out-do my <span>Ultimate Ears Hyperboom<\/span>, but I\u2019d say it\u2019s a bit more pronounced than the bass on my <span>Sonos Move<\/span>. On <em>Afterthought <\/em>by Joji &amp; BENEE, I could <em>feel<\/em> the bass vibrating my desk, even though the Echo was sitting on the opposite end of an attached bookshelf. I streamed <span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kVnoAv js_link\" data-ga='[[\"Embedded Url\",\"External link\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RANcio88HGQ&amp;ab_channel=GreatYoutuberOnizuka\",{\"metric25\":1}]]' href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RANcio88HGQ&amp;ab_channel=GreatYoutuberOnizuka\">Dragon Ball Z\/Super Lofi Mix<\/a><\/span> to the Echo from my phone over Bluetooth and it was a good time. Treble sounds pretty decent on the Amazon Echo too; the theme from <em>Jurassic Park<\/em> sounded both majestic and clear.  Where I felt the Echo stumbled a bit was in the mids and with the shift between quiet and loud. Mitski\u2019s <em>Your Best American Girl<\/em> sounded muddled during the chorus when she transitions from a quiet acoustic verse to loud, distorted rock guitars. It\u2019s a transition that speakers sometimes struggle with, and while the Echo didn\u2019t botch it, it sounded notably better on the Sonos Move. I found this was true while listening to Gershwin\u2019s <em>Rhapsody in Blue<\/em>, another piece of music that shifts between quiet and loud moments. When the trumpets blare, the Echo gets a little muddy. Comparatively, the mix was more well-rounded on the Sonos Move\u2014though you can futz a bit with the Echo\u2019s EQ in the Alexa app if you want to attempt to improve things.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"bxm4mm-11 gamHXh js_ad-mobile-dynamic  js_ad-dynamic ad-mobile-dynamic movable-ad\">\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-9 dQlBGJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-12 iqioLK ad-unit ad-mobile\">\n<div is=\"bulbs-dfp\" class=\"ad-container dfp dfp-slot-MOBILE_IN_POST ad-mobile\" data-ad-unit=\"MOBILE_IN_POST\" data-targeting='{\"pos\":\"mobile_inpost\"}'><\/div>\n<div class=\"bt-wrapper\"><span data-uid=\"5d260804c9-384\" class=\"bt-uid-tg\" style=\"display:none !important;text-align:center\" data-css-selector=\"ad-container.ad-mobile\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-10 kbXecJ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">As for room tuning, it\u2019s hard to say whether that made a difference here. You can\u2019t turn it <em>off<\/em> and the Echo does it automatically, so it\u2019s not something I could really test for. That said, the Echo sounds best when you\u2019re situated right in front of it. I stuck it in the corner of my studio apartment and when I was in the opposite diagonal corner, it didn\u2019t sound nearly as good as when I was in the corner opposite. Likewise, as I mentioned earlier, it\u2019s not a truly omnidirectional speaker. It sounds alright if it\u2019s front is facing away from you, but there\u2019s a notable difference. However, sound quality isn\u2019t the <em>main <\/em>reason anyone would get a smart speaker. If you wanted that, there are soundbars and plenty of other Bluetooth or wireless speakers you can opt for that also have voice assistants built-in. It just happens to be a nice perk that this one doesn\u2019t suck.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-1eow4w5-1 dhDQnh align--bleed js_lazy-image js_marquee-assetfigure\" data-id=\"aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8\" data-recommend-id=\"image:\/\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-width=\"1724\" data-height=\"970\" data-lightbox=\"true\" data-recommended=\"false\" contenteditable=\"false\" draggable=\"false\">\n<div class=\"sc-1eow4w5-2 loxZOX img-wrapper\" contenteditable=\"false\" style=\"max-width:1724px\" data-syndicationrights=\"true\" data-imagerights=\"in-house-art\" data-hidecredit=\"false\"><span class=\"sc-1eow4w5-0 dnhHtZ js_lightbox-wrapper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-1m41dwj-0 bByIIk magnifier js_lightbox lightbox hide\"><span class=\"iyvn34-0 bYIjtl\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" aria-label=\"ZoomIn icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.5 1a6.5 6.5 0 1 1-4.23 11.44l-4.42 4.41a.5.5 0 0 1-.7-.7l4.41-4.42A6.5 6.5 0 0 1 10.5 1zm0 1a5.5 5.5 0 1 0 0 11 5.5 5.5 0 0 0 0-11zm0 2c.28 0 .5.22.5.5V7h2.5a.5.5 0 0 1 .5.41v.09a.5.5 0 0 1-.5.5H11v2.5a.5.5 0 0 1-.41.5h-.09a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H7.5a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.41V7.5c0-.28.22-.5.5-.5H10V4.5a.5.5 0 0 1 .41-.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:56.3%\" class=\"sc-1eow4w5-3 lktKQM image-hydration-wrapper\">\n<div><img alt=\"The fabric part is the front of the speaker, while the back plastic for the ports means you don\u2019t really get omnidirectional sound.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 80w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 320w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 470w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 1600w\" data-expanded-srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 80w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_140\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 140w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_265\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 265w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_340\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 340w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_490\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 490w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_645\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 645w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_740\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 740w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_965\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 965w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1165\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 1165w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1315\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 1315w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1465\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 1465w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1600\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"\" draggable=\"auto\" data-chomp-id=\"aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-alt=\"The fabric part is the front of the speaker, while the back plastic for the ports means you don\u2019t really get omnidirectional sound.\" data-anim-src=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><figcaption class=\"sc-1ptbguh-0 cDQMld caption\">The fabric part is the front of the speaker, while the back plastic for the ports means you don\u2019t really get omnidirectional sound.<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"sc-7s1ndr-0 cqfyTB below-caption\">Photo<!-- -->: <!-- -->Victoria Song\/Gizmodo<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><span data-id=\"aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8\" data-recommend-id=\"image:\/\/aph9pwtbdczao1kombx8\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-width=\"1724\" data-height=\"970\" data-lightbox=\"true\" data-recommended=\"false\" class=\"js_recommend\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"bxm4mm-11 gamHXh js_ad-mobile-dynamic  js_ad-dynamic ad-mobile-dynamic movable-ad\">\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-9 dQlBGJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-12 iqioLK ad-unit ad-mobile\">\n<div is=\"bulbs-dfp\" class=\"ad-container dfp dfp-slot-MOBILE_IN_POST ad-mobile\" data-ad-unit=\"MOBILE_IN_POST\" data-targeting='{\"pos\":\"mobile_inpost\"}'><\/div>\n<div class=\"bt-wrapper\"><span data-uid=\"5d260804c9-384\" class=\"bt-uid-tg\" style=\"display:none !important;text-align:center\" data-css-selector=\"ad-container.ad-mobile\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-10 kbXecJ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">As for smart home control, the Echo hasn\u2019t changed <em>that<\/em> much. The Alexa app is still, in this blogger\u2019s opinion, annoying to navigate. But it hasn\u2019t gotten worse. Making routines is straightforward, and I find it easier on the Alexa app than on the Google Home app. It also wasn\u2019t hard to set up this Echo or integrate it into my existing smart home setup. Whether you should pick the fourth-generation Echo, the Google Nest Audio, or Apple\u2019s HomePod Mini\u2014all of which are the same price\u2014will come down to your preferred platform.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">Siri remains a <span>flaming trash heap<\/span> of a digital assistant, but Apple has made some strides in making Siri suck marginally less. I don\u2019t know whether it is the AZ1 chip or not, but Alexa was snappy at replying to my queries on the Echo. I routinely got a faster response asking the Echo than asking the Google Assistant on my Nest Home Hub. Though things like turning on and off lights took roughly the same amount of time. Where Google Assistant has an edge, however, is it\u2019s just plain better at understanding natural language and commands\u2014you don\u2019t have to be quite as precise with phrases as you do with Alexa. Also, I had to ask Alexa three times to play Mitski\u2019s <em>Your Best American Girl <\/em>because apparently, we do not agree on how Mitski is pronounced. I\u2019ve had no such trouble with Google Assistant. Ultimately, it\u2019ll come down to which smart home products you have in your home. If you\u2019ve got a bunch of Nest gadgets, the Echo is <em>not<\/em> the best choice, as the <span>Google Nest skill for Alexa is lacking<\/span>. Conversely, if you\u2019re knee-deep in the Amazon ecosystem and the idea of giving up your Prime account is unthinkable, then I\u2019d recommend this over the <span>Nest Audio<\/span>. <\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"bxm4mm-11 gamHXh js_ad-mobile-dynamic  js_ad-dynamic ad-mobile-dynamic movable-ad\">\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-9 dQlBGJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-12 iqioLK ad-unit ad-mobile\">\n<div is=\"bulbs-dfp\" class=\"ad-container dfp dfp-slot-MOBILE_IN_POST ad-mobile\" data-ad-unit=\"MOBILE_IN_POST\" data-targeting='{\"pos\":\"mobile_inpost\"}'><\/div>\n<div class=\"bt-wrapper\"><span data-uid=\"5d260804c9-384\" class=\"bt-uid-tg\" style=\"display:none !important;text-align:center\" data-css-selector=\"ad-container.ad-mobile\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-10 kbXecJ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">Needless to say, if privacy is a major concern, you probably shouldn\u2019t get <em>any<\/em> of these smart speakers and you might want to steer clear of Amazon Echo in particular. Amazon Sidewalk gives me the <span>heebie-jeebies<\/span>, especially when it comes to <span>Amazon\u2019s track record with Ring<\/span>. (For the record, you <em>can<\/em> <span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"sc-1out364-0 hMndXN sc-145m8ut-0 kVnoAv js_link\" data-ga='[[\"Embedded Url\",\"External link\",\"https:\/\/support.ring.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/360032524592-Opting-In-and-Out-of-Sidewalk\",{\"metric25\":1}]]' href=\"https:\/\/support.ring.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/360032524592-Opting-In-and-Out-of-Sidewalk\">opt-out of Amazon Sidewalk<\/a><\/span>.) Sometime later this year, you\u2019ll be able to tell Alexa to <span>delete everything you\u2019ve ever said<\/span>, and if you ask your Echo to delete everything you\u2019ve said today, it does walk you through the process. I did this several times, but it did leave me unsettled that whenever I manually reviewed my voice history, I  saw plenty of recordings that \u201cwere not intended for Alexa.\u201d It bears repeating: If you\u2019re worried about privacy, just don\u2019t get a smart speaker.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-1eow4w5-1 dhDQnh align--bleed js_lazy-image js_marquee-assetfigure\" data-id=\"xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw\" data-recommend-id=\"image:\/\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-width=\"1724\" data-height=\"970\" data-lightbox=\"true\" data-recommended=\"false\" contenteditable=\"false\" draggable=\"false\">\n<div class=\"sc-1eow4w5-2 loxZOX img-wrapper\" contenteditable=\"false\" style=\"max-width:1724px\" data-syndicationrights=\"true\" data-imagerights=\"in-house-art\" data-hidecredit=\"false\"><span class=\"sc-1eow4w5-0 dnhHtZ js_lightbox-wrapper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-1m41dwj-0 bByIIk magnifier js_lightbox lightbox hide\"><span class=\"iyvn34-0 bYIjtl\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" aria-label=\"ZoomIn icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.5 1a6.5 6.5 0 1 1-4.23 11.44l-4.42 4.41a.5.5 0 0 1-.7-.7l4.41-4.42A6.5 6.5 0 0 1 10.5 1zm0 1a5.5 5.5 0 1 0 0 11 5.5 5.5 0 0 0 0-11zm0 2c.28 0 .5.22.5.5V7h2.5a.5.5 0 0 1 .5.41v.09a.5.5 0 0 1-.5.5H11v2.5a.5.5 0 0 1-.41.5h-.09a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H7.5a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.41V7.5c0-.28.22-.5.5-.5H10V4.5a.5.5 0 0 1 .41-.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:56.3%\" class=\"sc-1eow4w5-3 lktKQM image-hydration-wrapper\">\n<div><img alt=\"It looks nicer in terms of decor, at the very least.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 80w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 320w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 470w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 800w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 1600w\" data-expanded-srcset=\"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 80w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_140\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 140w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_265\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 265w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_340\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 340w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_490\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 490w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_645\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 645w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_740\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 740w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_965\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 965w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1165\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 1165w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1315\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 1315w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1465\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 1465w, https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,pg_1,q_60,w_1600\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"\" draggable=\"auto\" data-chomp-id=\"xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-alt=\"It looks nicer in terms of decor, at the very least.\" data-anim-src=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><figcaption class=\"sc-1ptbguh-0 cDQMld caption\">It looks nicer in terms of decor, at the very least.<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"sc-7s1ndr-0 cqfyTB below-caption\">Photo<!-- -->: <!-- -->Victoria Song\/Gizmodo<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><span data-id=\"xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw\" data-recommend-id=\"image:\/\/xk4iwfwaudkiukdlhjlw\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-width=\"1724\" data-height=\"970\" data-lightbox=\"true\" data-recommended=\"false\" class=\"js_recommend\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"bxm4mm-11 gamHXh js_ad-mobile-dynamic  js_ad-dynamic ad-mobile-dynamic movable-ad\">\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-9 dQlBGJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-12 iqioLK ad-unit ad-mobile\">\n<div is=\"bulbs-dfp\" class=\"ad-container dfp dfp-slot-MOBILE_IN_POST ad-mobile\" data-ad-unit=\"MOBILE_IN_POST\" data-targeting='{\"pos\":\"mobile_inpost\"}'><\/div>\n<div class=\"bt-wrapper\"><span data-uid=\"5d260804c9-384\" class=\"bt-uid-tg\" style=\"display:none !important;text-align:center\" data-css-selector=\"ad-container.ad-mobile\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-10 kbXecJ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">Given the tightening competition in the $100 smart speaker category, the fourth generation Amazon Echo acquits itself well. It\u2019s snazzier looking than the Nest Audio and delivers pretty great sound quality for the price. It\u2019s hard to comment on how its sound quality compares to the similarly round HomePod Mini, as we haven\u2019t gotten our hands on that one just yet. That said, I don\u2019t have to test the Mini to know Alexa is more competent than Siri and that Echoes have had intercom capabilities long before the Mini. <\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">Is it worth upgrading from an older Echo device?  Not if you\u2019ve got last year\u2019s Echo or the second-generation Echo Plus. In both instances, you\u2019re only getting an extra 0.8-inch tweeter and in the case of the Plus, you\u2019ve already got the Zigbee smart home hub built-in. Also, if you want 360-degree sound, the third-generation Echo is going to be better for that. But if you\u2019re on an OG Amazon Echo or a second-generation Echo, you could probably do with the boost in audio quality. Other than the improved audio quality and the new round design, many of the upgrades just aren\u2019t <em>that<\/em> noticeable. At the end of the day, I\u2019m left feeling, like, \u201cWell, this is the round Echo with surprisingly decent audio that does pretty much what my other Echo speakers do.\u201d <\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"bxm4mm-11 gamHXh js_ad-mobile-dynamic  js_ad-dynamic ad-mobile-dynamic movable-ad\">\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-9 dQlBGJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-12 iqioLK ad-unit ad-mobile\">\n<div is=\"bulbs-dfp\" class=\"ad-container dfp dfp-slot-MOBILE_IN_POST ad-mobile\" data-ad-unit=\"MOBILE_IN_POST\" data-targeting='{\"pos\":\"mobile_inpost\"}'><\/div>\n<div class=\"bt-wrapper\"><span data-uid=\"5d260804c9-384\" class=\"bt-uid-tg\" style=\"display:none !important;text-align:center\" data-css-selector=\"ad-container.ad-mobile\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-10 kbXecJ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-77igqf-0 bOfvBY\">Like I said, it\u2019s round. That\u2019s the story.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"sc-1bwb26k-1 fvCjqJ\" id=\"h56953\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"README\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"js_header-anchor\" id=\"\"><\/a>README<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul data-type=\"List\" data-style=\"Bullet\" class=\"sc-1lmbno3-0 dpuHif\">\n<li>It\u2019s a ball now! <\/li>\n<li>Phases out the Echo Plus by giving you the same speakers, plus an extra 0.8-inch tweeter, and Zigbee smart home hub capability.<\/li>\n<li>Audio quality is much improved (especially bass!) but it\u2019s not truly omnidirectional.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul data-type=\"List\" data-style=\"Bullet\" class=\"sc-1lmbno3-0 dpuHif\">\n<li>Adds Amazon\u2019s AZ1 chip for faster Alexa response times, and Amazon Sidewalk (which you can opt out of.) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"bxm4mm-11 gamHXh js_ad-mobile-dynamic  js_ad-dynamic ad-mobile-dynamic movable-ad\">\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-9 dQlBGJ\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-12 iqioLK ad-unit ad-mobile\">\n<div is=\"bulbs-dfp\" class=\"ad-container dfp dfp-slot-MOBILE_IN_POST ad-mobile\" data-ad-unit=\"MOBILE_IN_POST\" data-targeting='{\"pos\":\"mobile_inpost\"}'><\/div>\n<div class=\"bt-wrapper\"><span data-uid=\"5d260804c9-384\" class=\"bt-uid-tg\" style=\"display:none !important;text-align:center\" data-css-selector=\"ad-container.ad-mobile\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bxm4mm-8 bxm4mm-10 kbXecJ\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Victoria Song<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-1ib37xr-5 jelKu\"><span class=\"iyvn34-0 bYIjtl\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" aria-label=\"Kinja icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\"><path d=\"M2.9 8.3c.7.2 1.4 1 1.7 1.5l3 4.9A2.4 2.4 0 0 0 9.7 16H14s-3-5.4-4-6.8C9.4 8.2 8.6 8 7.7 8H2s1-1 3-1h6.6c1.4 0 2-.7 2.4-1.2L16 2H7c-1.2 0-1.7.6-2.2 1.4L2 8v.1l.9.2z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><label class=\"peggds-0 eZRbSg\">Posts<\/label><span class=\"iyvn34-0 bYIjtl\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" aria-label=\"MailFilled icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M17 5v8a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H3a2 2 0 0 1-2-2V5c0-.12.01-.24.03-.35L8.7 10.4a.5.5 0 0 0 .6 0l7.67-5.75c.02.11.03.23.03.35zm-2-2a2 2 0 0 1 1.54.72L9 9.37 1.46 3.72A2 2 0 0 1 3 3h12z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><label class=\"peggds-0 eZRbSg\">Email<\/label><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/vicmsong\" data-ga='[[\"Author Bio click\",\"Twitter\"]]' class=\"peggds-2 jZiLAk\"><span class=\"iyvn34-0 bYIjtl\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" aria-label=\"Twitter icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M12.46 1.13c-2.04 0-3.7 1.78-3.7 3.97 0 .31.04.62.1.9a10.26 10.26 0 0 1-7.6-4.15A4.2 4.2 0 0 0 2.4 7.16a3.5 3.5 0 0 1-1.68-.5v.05a3.92 3.92 0 0 0 2.97 3.9 3.45 3.45 0 0 1-1.67.07 3.74 3.74 0 0 0 3.45 2.76A7.08 7.08 0 0 1 0 15.1a9.92 9.92 0 0 0 5.66 1.79c6.8 0 10.5-6.06 10.5-11.32v-.51A7.85 7.85 0 0 0 18 2.99c-.66.32-1.37.53-2.12.63a3.95 3.95 0 0 0 1.62-2.2c-.71.45-1.5.78-2.34.96a3.57 3.57 0 0 0-2.7-1.25\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><label class=\"peggds-0 eZRbSg\">Twitter<\/label><\/a><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/general\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">General <\/a><\/span>category.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/gizmodo.com\/the-new-amazon-echo-is-round-also-it-sounds-good-1845595172\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#The New Amazon Echo Is Round (Also It Sounds Good) &#8221; Photo: Victoria Song\/Gizmodo It\u2019s round. That\u2019s the story, folks. In all seriousness, you can\u2019t talk about the fourth-generation Amazon Echo without acknowledging its new globular shape. Visually, it\u2019s a significant departure from the cylindrical Echoes of yore, but it\u2019s more than just Amazon telling&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":109102,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i.kinja-img.com\/gawker-media\/image\/upload\/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_675,pg_1,q_80,w_1200\/ndux6dikxxwiiksyjqeb.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1948,78894],"class_list":["post-109101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-reviews","tag-smart-home"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109101"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109101\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}