Amazon Echo (4th Generation)

Features

Voice-Activated Powered Speaker: The Amazon Echo (4th gen) is a hands-free speaker you control with your voice. Echo (4th gen) connects to the Alexa Voice Service to play music, make calls, set alarms and timers, control smart home devices, and provide information regarding news, sports scores, weather, and more.

Far-Field Voice Recognition w/ ESP (Echo Spatial Perception): On top of the Amazon Echo (4th gen) is a multi-microphone array that uses beam-forming technology and enhanced noise cancellation. With far-field voice recognition, the Echo (4th gen) can hear you ask a question from any direction - even while playing music. When you want to use Echo (4th gen), just say the wake word "Alexa" and the Echo (4th gen) responds instantly.If you have more than one Echo or Echo Dot, Alexa responds intelligently from the Echo you're closest to with ESP (Echo Spatial Perception).

Note: You can turn the Amazon Echo's microphone off by pushing the microphone on/off button on the top of the device. When the microphone on/off button turns red, the microphone is off. The device will not respond to the wake word, nor respond to the action button, until you reactivate the microphone by pushing the microphone on/off button again.

Dolby Audio Sound: The Amazon Echo (4th gen) with Dolby processing has been fine-tuned to deliver crisp vocals with dynamic bass response. Its two-way driver design with dual front-firing 0.75" tweeters and a 3.0" woofer fills your space with crisp highs, as well as accurate midrange and midbass.

Built-In Speaker: The Echo (4th gen) features a built-in 1.6" speaker for voice feedback, music playback and audible information.

Alexa App: With the free Alexa App on Apple iOS 11.0+, Android OS 6.0+, Fire OS, and desktop browsers, you can easily setup (including WiFi network) and manage the Echo (4th gen) voice-activated powered speaker. The free Amazon Alexa App is a companion to your Alexa device for setup, remote control, and enhanced features. Interactions with Alexa are automatically mirrored visually on your Amazon Alexa App, providing more information as you want it. The Amazon Alexa App lets you easily manage your alarms, music, shopping lists, and more.

• Music Apps w/ Multi-Room: Use the Alexa App to connect music services you already use like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeart Radio. The new Multi-Room Music section allows you to designate a group for devices on the same WiFi network. Once created, group names can be used to control music playback.
• Smart Home w/ Routines: Setup your smart home devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, SmartThings, Insteon, Nest, and more. You'll be able to view the state and control your smart lights, locks, and thermostats. When you are on-the go, you can use the app to quickly check the status of your lock or turn off your lights. The new Routines section allows you to automate a series of Smart Home actions with one custom command.
• Calls & Messaging: With the Alexa App, you can call and message Amazon Echo device owners and anyone else with the Alexa App on their phones. When you're away from home, use the app to make a quick call or send a message to your family's Echo. Use Drop In to instantly connect with your devices for a call. For example, you can drop in to let the family know it's time for dinner or check in on the baby's nursery.
• Other Features: See what books are available to read from your Kindle & Audible libraries, plus enjoy Podcasts. View shopping, to-do lists, and Google Calendar while on the go. Control your timers and set custom tones for your alarms, and much more. The Alexa App is also where you discover and enable third-party skills.

Alexa Voice Service: When you want to use the Echo (4th gen), simply say the wake word, "Alexa," and the (4th gen) lights up and streams audio to the cloud, where the Alexa Voice Service is leveraged to recognize and respond to your request instantly. Once you say "Alexa", the audio stream includes a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word, and closes once your question or request has been processed. Alexa (the brain behind (4th gen)) is built in the cloud, so it is always getting smarter. The more you use the (4th gen), the more it adapts to your speech patterns, vocabulary, and personal preferences.

• Voice Profile: Voice Profiles give you the ability to teach Alexa your voice. Now when you then interact with your compatible devices, Alexa creates a personalized experience for you and each user in your home who creates a Voice Profile.
• Wake Word: When the Amazon Echo (4th gen) detects the "Alexa" wake word, the light ring around the top of Echo (4th gen) turns blue to indicate that the (4th gen) is streaming audio to the Cloud. If you'd like, you can give each Alexa device (Echo or Echo (4th gen)) a distinct name.
• Wake-Up Sound: You can also enable a "wake-up sound", a short audible tone that plays after the wake word "Alexa" is recognized to indicate that the device is streaming audio.
• End-Of-Request Sound: You can also enable an "end-of-request sound" that will play a short audible tone at the end of your request, to indicate that the connection has closed and the device is no longer streaming audio.

Note: Alexa is developed to get better over time. Alexa uses your voice recordings and other information, including from third-party services, to answer your questions, fulfill your requests, and improve your experience and our services. When you set up the Echo or link third-party services with Alexa, Alexa begins processing some information, such as your music playlists. You can also help Alexa improve its voice services by providing feedback within History or by using Voice Training in the Alexa App.

Skills: Skills are voice-driven capabilities that enhance the functionality of the Amazon Echo (4th gen) with Alexa - Alex has more than 50,000 skills and counting. You can search for and enable skills in the Alexa app or from the Alexa Skills store on the website. You can also see ratings and reviews to learn what other customers are saying about the thousands of skills available in the Alexa App. To use an Alexa skill, first enable the skill, and then make your request based on the example phrases shown in the app. If you know the exact name of the skill you want, you can say, "Enable [skill name] skill." Some skills may require you to link to an existing account and a separate subscription in order to use the skill. You can even create your own personal skills and custom responses with Alexa Skill Blueprints - just say "Alexa, help me get started with skills".

Note: At this time, you cannot customize which content is available on specific Alexa devices. For example, music, skills, shopping lists are available on all Alexa devices registered to the same account as the content.

Privacy: Alexa and Echo devices are built with multiple layers of privacy protection. Echo smart speakers have a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphones. You also have control over your voice recordings and can view, hear, or delete them at any time.

• Wake Word: When you want to talk to Alexa, you have to first wake up your device by saying the wake word (“Alexa”). Your request is sent to Amazon’s secure cloud only after the wake word is detected.
• Indicators: You’ll always know when Alexa is recording and sending your request to the cloud because a blue light indicator will appear or an audio tone will sound on your Echo device.
• Microphone Controls: Echo smart speakers have a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphone
• Recordings Management: You can view, hear, and delete your voice recordings at Alexa Privacy Settings or in the Alexa app at any time.

AC Power Adapter: The Amazon Echo (4th gen) includes an AC power adapter that will need to be plugged into an AC power outlet or surge protector (sold separately).

Note: The Amazon Echo (4th gen) is not battery powered.

Automatic Updates: Because the Amazon Echo (4th gen) is always connected to the internet, updates are delivered automatically.

Controls

Alexa Calling & Messaging: Now you can quickly call and send/receive voice messages for your family and friends via Alexa-Call just by using your voice. You can send and receive Alexa messages, as well as place and receive Alexa calls, between Echo, Echo Echo Plus, Echo Spot and Echo Show, as well as the Alexa App. You can place outbound calls to most phone numbers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico using the Echo, Echo , Echo Spot, Echo Show and Echo Plus.

• Calling: You can use supported Echo devices and the Alexa App to call another person who has registered for Alexa Calling & Messaging, or place an outbound call to most phone numbers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for free. When you receive Alexa calls on your supported Echo devices, Alexa will tell you that you have an incoming call and identify the caller. You also will see a rotating green light ring on Echo, Echo Plus and Echo (4th gen) devices, and an incoming call screen on Echo Show and Echo Spot. You can say "Alexa, answer" to pick up the call. Either person can end the call by saying "Alexa, hang up." When you receive a call, you also will receive a notification on your mobile phone and will see an incoming call screen in the Alexa App that lets you answer the call.
• Messaging: You can use supported Echo devices and the Alexa App to send voice and text messages to another person who has registered for Alexa Calling & Messaging. Messages are processed in the Cloud to convert voice messages to text, and vice versa. When you receive a message on a supported Echo device, you will hear an audio tone and see a visual notification. You will be able to retrieve the message on your supported Echo devices by saying "Alexa, play my messages." When you receive a message, you also will receive a notification on your mobile phone, and you will be able to view and play the message in the Alexa App. Alexa messaging does not support sending or receiving text messages to or from phone numbers.
• Drop-In: The optional Drop In feature will let you easily connect with your closest friends and family that have supported Echo devices. When someone drops in on your supported Echo device, you will hear an audio tone and see a visual indicator that someone is dropping in on you. The contact on the other side of the Drop In will automatically hear audio through your device.

Notes:

• Alexa Calling & Messaging supports receiving Alexa calls only; it does not support inbound calls from phone numbers.
• You cannot call 911 and other emergency services using Alexa.

Music Listening: The Amazon Echo (4th gen) provides access to select online music services and the ability to setup a multiroom audio system with Amazon Music using multiple Alexa enabled devices.

• Music Apps: The Amazon Echo (4th gen) provides hands-free voice control for Amazon Music, Apple Music, Tidal, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Spotify Connect, & SiriusXM. You can also upload your personal music collection from iTunes, Google Play Music, and more to your music library on Amazon and then stream your music through your Alexa device. Simply ask for your favorite artist or song, or request a specific genre or mood. You can also search for music by lyrics, when a song or album was released, or let Alexa pick the music for you. In addition, you can us the Echo (4th gen) and Alexa to listen to Audible and Podcasts.
• Multiroom Music: Multiroom Music allows you to play and control music from Amazon, Amazon Unlimited, Amazon Prime, and some other 3rd-pary music providers across multiple, compatible Echo devices at the same time. You can tell Alexa to play music across your compatible Echo devices on the same WiFi network. Tell Alexa to play jazz in the kitchen, top pop in the family room, or play the same song throughout your whole home. To stream different music on multiple devices or on more than one Multiroom Music group at the same time, you must have an Amazon Music Unlimited Family plan.

Note: Subscriptions and fees will apply for online music services.

Home Entertainment Control: Amazon Alexa now offers home entertainment skills for select multiroom audio systems - including  Sonos, DTS Play-Fi, HEOS, Bose Smart Speakers, & Yamaha MusicCast (all sold separately); as well as Sony Android TVs, Samsung QLED TVs, and LG AI ThinQ TVs (sold separately). You'll be able to control key functions and features by simply using voice commands.

Smart Home: The Amazon Echo (4th gen) works with devices such as lights, switches, thermostats, and more from WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Nest, ecobbe, Wink, and more. Control multiple devices at scheduled times or with a single voice command, like locking the doors and turning off the lights when you go to bed. Echo (4th gen) even has a built-in Zigbee hub to easily setup and control your compatible smart home devices without the use of an external hub (some smart home devices may still require a separate hub)

• Lighting: With the Amazon Echo (4th gen) and Alexa, you can control lighting products using your voice, smartphone, or tablet.
• Outlets: With the Echo (4th gen), Alexa, and smart outlets, you can control electronics and appliances using your voice, smartphone, or tablet.
• Thermostats: With the (4th gen), Alexa, and compatible thermostats, you can control the temperature of your home using your voice, smartphone, or tablet.
• Door Locks: With the (4th gen) and Alexa you can control compatible door locks using your voice, smartphone, or tablet.

IFTTT: The (4th gen) with Alexa supports IFTTT, or "IF This, Then That," a third-party service that automates how your devices, apps, and websites work with each other through rules (or "Applets"). After you activate an Applet through the IFFTT website, Alexa can then trigger that IFTTT Applet when you interact with the Echo (4th gen).

Note: Currently, the Echo (4th gen) and Alexa can't be the action in an Applet. For example, you can't allow Alexa to notify you of new tweets on your Twitter account.

Alexa Guard with Smart Alerts: You can enable Alexa Guard to get Smart Alerts if your Echo device detects the sound of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or glass breaking. Alexa will send you Smart Alerts, via phone notifications, if your Echo device detects the sound of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or glass breaking. You are then able to play the detected sound from your Alexa app, or Drop In on your Echo remotely to investigate what's happening. Alexa can also automatically turn compatible smart lights on and off to make it look like someone is home. In addition, Alexa can be integrated with your Ring or ADT alarm system and arm your security system. You can also choose to forward Smart Alerts you receive to Ring or ADT (Ring and ADT alarm system bundles are sold separately and will require an active subscription or contract).

Note: You can add an extra layer of protection by subscribing to Guard Plus. You get hands-free access to an Emergency Helpline, Smart Alerts about activity and other potential emergencies in your home while you're away, and new features to deter potential intruders (all for $4.99 a month or $49 a year).

Amazon Prime Shopping: Amazon Prime members can ask the Echo (4th gen) through "Alexa" to order eligible products ordered before, many Prime products and digital music tracks and albums. Your default payment and shipping settings will be used to place your order. You can require a speakable confirmation code, turn purchasing off, and see product and order details in your Alexa App. Just like orders placed through Amazon.com, orders placed through Alexa are subject to Amazon's Conditions of Use & Privacy Notice.

News/Information & Calendars/Reminders: The Amazon (4th gen) with Alexa can help you stay connected to the news that matters most to you - like world & local news, traffic, weather, sports, and movie times. You can also use Alex to setup your calendars and reminders.

• Flash Briefing: Flash Briefing lets you put together a personalized lineup of updates from news sources like NPR, CNN, Fox News, and CNET. If you've set up a voice profile, Alexa recognizes your voice and can catch you up on the latest without repeating old news.
• Traffic & Weather: Alexa can help you get ready for your day. Set your commute start and stop point, and Alexa can tell you how long your commute will take. Or ask Alexa how the weather's looking.
• Sports & Movies: Get scores and schedules for the major football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer leagues or set up a personalized Sports Update to keep tabs on your favorite teams. Alexa can even tell you movie show-times at theaters near you.
• Calendars & Reminders: Use your voice and Alexa to set timers, add items to lists, and create calendar events and reminders.

Questions/Answers + Fun/Games: The (4th gen) with Alexa taps into Yelp to provide you with info on local restaurants, shops, and other businesses. It also makes a great calculator and dictionary. You can even get fast facts on all type of topics from Wikipedia. Alexa also offers funny jokes and fun games for the family.

FreeTime For Kids: FreeTime on Alexa is an Alexa experience just for kids, available on the Echo, Echo Plus, Echo , and Echo Kids Edition. When you use FreeTime on Alexa, Alexa will play music, answer questions, read stories, tell jokes, and more with younger ears in mind. Certain Alexa features may differ when FreeTime on Alexa is enabled. For example, voice purchasing from Amazon is turned off and Alexa Calling and Messaging, if enabled, is limited to only within the household or with contacts you select. 

Note: You can unlock even more kid-friendly content with Amazon Kids+ starting at $2.99/month which gives your kids access to thousands of hours of Audible books, interactive games, and educational skills.

Connections

Built-In WiFi (MIMO): The Amazon Echo (4th gen) comes ready to connect to your home's WiFi network. It features dual-band (2.4GHz/5GHz), dual-antenna MIMO WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) for faster streaming and fewer dropped connections than standard WiFi. The Echo (4th gen) requires the Alexa App for WiFi setup and configuration. It does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) WiFi.

Note: The Echo (4th gen) has no hardwired Ethernet (RJ45) connection.

Bluetooth Technology: The Amazon Echo (4th gen) is also Bluetooth-enabled (A2DP/AVRCP) and acts as a Bluetooth receiver, transmitter, or controller. Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support provides audio streaming from your mobile device to the Echo (4th gen), or from the (4th gen) to a Bluetooth speaker or headphone. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) offers voice control of connected mobile devices - like your smartphone or tablet.

Notes:

• Hands-free voice control is not supported for Mac OS X devices.
• Hands-free phone communication (HFP) is not supported.
• Bluetooth audio streaming cannot be multiroom distributed.

3.5mm Input/Output: The Echo (4th gen) is outfitted with a 3.5mm jack that can be configured within the Alexa app to be an Aux input or analog output. The Aux input cannot be multiroom distributed.

Note: Some AV receivers and powered speakers will go into Standby mode when they have not received an audio signal for a specific amount of time. In this case, the Echo (4th gen) cannot turn on these amplified devices through voice activation. You will have to physically turn back on the AV receiver or powered speaker through its front- or top-panel control, remote control, or compatible app before streaming audio from the (4th gen) to the amplified device.