Amazon refreshes the Echo Dot with built-in smart home hub features and a higher price tag

Amazon has introduced the sixth-generation Echo Dot alongside an updated kids version, packing in a built-in smart home hub and enhanced audio. The new speaker is available in Graphite, Glacier White, Agave Green, and Coral Pink. Tom's Guide lists the standard model at $99, while Engadget reports the price as $100. The Amazon Kids Echo Dot, available in Octopus and Penguin designs, starts at $109.99 according to Tom's Guide, or $110 according to Engadget. [1][2]

Amazon promises crisper vocals and 50% more bass from an expanded full-range driver. The speaker functions as a hub supporting Zigbee, Matter, and Thread protocols, and it doubles as an Eero Wi-Fi extender that can add up to 1,000 feet of coverage, though this requires an existing Eero network. An Omnisense sensor also monitors presence and room temperature to trigger automated home routines. [1][2]