Amazon Debuts Updated Echo Spot as Prime Day Approaches

Amazon’s smart alarm clock, the Echo Spot, was first introduced in 2017. Now, it’s getting an upgrade.

The tech giant announced in a Monday (July 8) press release an all-new Echo Spot.

“Echo Spot is a sleek new customizable smart alarm clock, featuring a variety of custom-designed clock faces and fun colors,” the release said.

The clock sells for $79.99, but Prime members can get it for $35 off between now and July 17 in celebration of Prime Day, according to the release.

“The all-new Echo Spot builds on what our customers loved most about the original product — like the semi-spherical shape, access to Alexa, and the compact and vibrant display — and reimagines it with even better visuals and improved audio quality,” the release said.

While Amazon didn’t mention it in the release, several news reports noted that the new Echo Spot might be most noteworthy for what it lacks: no built-in camera, which is welcome news for people unhappy about giving a $2 trillion company a view to their bedrooms.

The device also includes unique animations that are activated when people use common phrases to interact with Alexa, like “Alexa, thank you,” the release said.

Amazon’s new smart clock comes as voice assistants are getting more conversational.

PYMNTS Intelligence found that consumers are optimistic about the future of voice technology, with more than 60% of Americans saying that voice assistants will eventually match human intelligence and reliability in the near future.

Meanwhile, Amazon is discontinuing its security robot designed for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as it focuses its efforts on developing household robots.

Amazon debuted the Amazon Astro robot for household use in 2021 and then expanded it to business customers under the name Astro for Business two years later. Astro for Business was available in the U.S. only, selling for $2,349.99.

According to an Amazon Astro Support page on the retailer’s website, Astro for Business is no longer for sale, and the existing devices will cease functioning Sept. 25.

“In the coming weeks, Amazon will fully refund any Amazon Astro for Business device purchase to the original payment method used,” the page said.