For all you IoT fans out there — just this once, maybe it’s okay to shout, cry and pout a little during the holiday season.
Because even with Amazon Prime’s two-day shipping and the Prime Now two-hour shipping, many consumers won’t be getting the Amazon Echo they wanted this year if it hasn’t already been ordered.
Amazon’s much-coveted smart speaker is unfortunately out of stock. At the time of writing, if you try to order an Amazon Echo, the site tells it won’t be in stock until January 21, 2017. Same goes for the Amazon Echo Dot — which the site currently says won’t be in stock until Dec. 27, which is just a bit too late for a Christmas retail miracle.
An Amazon spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement, “Customer response to Echo, Echo Dot, Fire TV Stick and other Amazon devices has been incredibly positive. Customers can order now to reserve their spot in line and may also be able to find these devices at Amazon bookstores, Prime Now, Amazon Pop-Up stores and other retailers.”
Amazon’s Echo isn’t the only gadget or gizmo that’s in short supply this Christmas. Apple AirPods and the Nintendo NES Classic Edition will also be missing underneath many a Christmas tree this year, said Business Insider — though neither item is quite as rare in shopping bags as the Echo. The NES Classic and AirPods are just happening to sell out very, very quickly each time stores stock up.
For those who can stand to wait, there’s an Echo update just around the corner that could make the current models feel a bit “meh” by comparison.
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Amazon is reportedly working on a device like the Echo — but with a seven-inch, upward-facing touchscreen. The redesign makes it easier for customers to see content like weather forecasts, calendar appointments and news feeds from a countertop. The new model is slated to be rolled out in the first quarter of next year and will also feature high-end speakers.
