Amazon took the wraps off its latest Echo Dot smart speaker during its fall hardware event on Tuesday. The Echo Dot Max is a new entry that updates the recognizable spherical design with a flat face housing the speaker’s control buttons and LED light ring.
The Echo Dot has been overdue for an upgrade, as Amazon last revealed a new pint-sized speaker in 2022, featuring a new temperature sensor, better bass, and the ability to work as an Eero Mesh Wi-Fi extender. Amazon also debuted the Echo Dot with Clock at the time, but it has since discontinued this model.
Amazon’s new Echo Dot Max will also benefit from the company’s AI-upgraded voice assistant, which is available through a new Alexa Plus subscription. Alexa Plus launched in early access in March and offers the ability to hold back-and-forth conversations, as well as control multiple smart home devices based on a single request. Alexa Plus can also “remember” your preferences, such as your favorite types of movies and dietary restrictions, allowing it to make more personalized suggestions.
