Amazon Is Discontinuing My Favorite Echo — The One with a Dot-Matrix Clock

Amazon’s Echo lineup has seen numerous iterations, but for many, the Echo Dot with Clock stood out as a favorite. With its simple dot-matrix LED display, it provided a clear, unobtrusive way to tell the time, especially in a dark bedroom. However, Amazon has decided to discontinue this beloved device in favor of a newer, more expensive model featuring an LCD screen.

A Beloved Device

As a tech enthusiast with six Amazon Echo smart speakers scattered throughout my home, I’ve had the opportunity to test various models. Among them, the Echo Dot with Clock quickly became my favorite. The fabric-covered LED dot matrix display made it easy to check the time without being overly bright or distracting, especially in my blackout-curtained bedroom.

The Discontinuation

Amazon spokesperson Liz Roland confirmed to The Verge that the Echo Dot with Clock will no longer be restocked once the current inventory is sold out. The decision to discontinue this model came as a surprise, and Amazon hasn’t provided a specific reason for this move. Initially, I wondered if hidden defects were to blame, as my own Echo Dot with Clock recently began freezing and became unresponsive. However, after multiple resets and a hard reset followed by a re-setup, the device started working again.

Searching for a Replacement

When I went looking for a replacement $60 Echo Dot with Clock, I discovered that Amazon no longer stocked it, with only refurbished models available. This led me to try Amazon’s suggested successor: the ₹6697 Echo Spot, which features a screen instead of the dot-matrix display.

The Echo Spot Experience

Despite its higher price, the Echo Spot didn’t quite meet my expectations. While its screen isn’t overly bright for a dim bedroom, it doesn’t have the same unobtrusive charm as the dot-matrix display. The screen’s tilted design seems intended for nightstand use, but it’s less suitable for my tall dresser setup.

My colleague, Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, is working on a full review of the Echo Spot and finds it more appealing than I do. However, she notes that the audio quality isn’t quite as good as the Echo Dot’s, and it lacks some basic functionality, such as setting an alarm with a touch interface. The main advantages of the Echo Spot include music playback controls and the ability to display time, date, temperature, and weather simultaneously.

Conclusion

For now, I’ve decided to return the Echo Spot and keep using my Echo Dot with Clock, especially since it’s working again. The transition from dot-matrix displays to LCDs might make sense for some, but for those who appreciate simplicity and unobtrusive design, the Echo Dot with Clock remains irreplaceable.

As Amazon continues to innovate and update its Echo lineup, it’s clear that not all changes will be universally welcomed. For fans of the Echo Dot with Clock, the search for a suitable replacement continues, and it’s uncertain if any new model will capture the same essence of simplicity and functionality.

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