echo

Amazon kept losing money on its Echo devices. He has found a way to stop the bleeding: flood us with ads

by

Amazon has been losing a fortune with their Amazon Echo devices. Connected speakers and displays are in millions of homes, but they have never been profitable. The company’s hope was that they would become a vehicle to sell more products on its e-commerce platform, but that goal was never met. Now Amazon has found a way to get a lot out of them: to put advertising in them for good. Lots of advertising. Why is it important. Amazon has just launched on the market your new Echo Show and Eco Dot. Prices have risen in all cases, but they also arrive with Alexa+ —although not in Spain at the moment—, the AI ​​assistant that the company has been working on for several months. These products are supposed to offer important advantages in the user experience, but at the moment what is happening is that these devices are displaying advertisements frequently. Wasted. Between 2017 and 2021 Amazon lost more than $25 billion with its Amazon Echo. The idea seemed good: they could sell them at a loss if they later amortized them by converting them into products to sell us things. Instead, users ended up taking advantage of them for little more than setting timers and musicand that has ended up being a huge problem for Amazon. Ads everywhere. There are several users of Amazon’s connected screens—the Echo Show—who are seeing surprise ads appear on these screens. a user Reddit account how the alarm clock feature on your Echo Show 5 became an annoying ad. Other user checked that in addition to one advertisement, songs that he had not specified were playing, while another he complained about how his Echo Show kept advertising the Amazon Plus service. Ads now appear more frequently on Prime Video. Source: Xataka. Flooded with advertising. These screens don’t stop showing ads, match other users, but in addition none of those users accepted that their devices could be used to display advertising, and there is no switch or configuration parameter that stops this behavior. Even people who are paying $20 for Alexa+, Amazon’s new AI assistant, are complaining from all that advertising avalanche. Also on Prime Video. Personally, I don’t have an Echo Show, but I have noticed that when enjoying series and movies on Prime Video, advertisements are broadcast with greater frequency and duration. I am not he only (not much less). Amazon allows customize preferences regarding advertising, but those who have done it affirm that this does not hardly reduce the frequency with which advertisements appear. What Amazon says. An Amazon spokesperson stated the following: at Ars Technica: “Advertising is a small part of the experience and helps customers discover new content and products they may be interested in. If customers don’t like a suggestion, they can swipe to the next card on the screen or directly provide feedback by tapping the info icon or tapping the screen.” If you move away, I announce to the song. The Amazon Ads website details the ad formats, and the text explains that “The ad viewing experience dynamically adapts based on the customer’s proximity to the device.” Once it is detected that the user is more than 1.2 meters away from their device, “the ads are displayed in full screen alternating with other content, such as the weather, recipes, sports and news.” This seems to be getting worse. The latest comments seen on Reddit or on X (formerly Twitter) seem to make it clear that Amazon is increasing the amount of advertising it displays on its devices and services. The question, of course, is how far they will go… and how that will impact both sales of their devices and subscriptions to their platforms. In Xataka | Amazon missed the AI ​​train, but it wants to catch it back. The new Alexa with AI will arrive this month to try it

Amazon does not expected Prime Day and launches some of the best chollos in Echo Packs, Ring and Fire TV Stick

by

As is usually the case in Amazon campaigns, the store did not want to wait for its next Prime Day 2025 to give a small advance that serves as a good snack of what is to come. On previous occasions we saw the offers arrive on many of its devices, but this time the thing has changed: The offers we can find in the store are lots or packs that collect some of their devices at a very good price. Of course, being exclusive offers, there is a condition: To take advantage of discounts, we must be signed to Amazon Prime. Fire TV Stick HD Pack by 48.99 eurosincludes the Dongle and an interior chamber ring. Echo Pop pack by 53.98 eurosincludes two Echo Pop speakers and an intelligent plug. Echo Dot pack by 71.98 eurosincludes two Echo Dot speakers and an smart bulb. Echo Spot pack by 123.98 eurosincludes two Echo Spot watches and an smart bulb. Echo show pack by 133.98 eurosincludes two speakers with Echo Show 5 screen and an smart bulb. Fire TV Stick HD Pack If you were waiting for a good offer in the popular Fire TV Stickits standard model (with HD resolution) is offer in a pack that includes an interior chamber ring. All this for a price of 48.99 euros. He Fire TV Stick it’s a Dongle which connects to the TV through an HDMI port to be able to have functions that we usually watch on Smart TVS (useful for old televisions). In this way, we can access the voice assistant Alexa or download Apps like Netflix or Prime Video. The Ring Camera (Indoor Camera of 2nd Generation) It is, as the name implies, a surveillance camera that offers live video and bidirectional communication. It is ideal to have pets controlled when we go on a trip, but also to have an extra safety at home. It is easy to install, it connects to Alexa and You can see the live video from the mobile and from anywhere. Fire TV Stick + Ring Cámara * Some price may have changed from the last review Echo Pop pack One of the best offers in Amazon lots is found in the Echo Pop packsince in this case we talk about a combo that includes two speakers and an intelligent plug. All this for 53.98 euros; That is, the pack is cheaper than if we bought only a pop echo. He Echo pop It is, so to speak, a more economical review of the Echo Dot (5th generation). Instead of a spherical design, in this case it has a semi -man -design and a Speaker offering high audio quality. It is also compatible with Alexa, has Bluetooth connectivity and serves as a center to build a home automation network. He P100MA tapo It is an intelligent plug that can be integrated into the Amazon ecosystem through Alexa, allowing to use the functions of said plug by voice commands. Among these functions, we have the Lighting and off the devices that we connect to the plug, we can create timers and routines and even allow us to be used even if we are not at home; Something useful if we are traveling and we want to know if we have left the plug on or off. Two Echo Pop + Tapo P100MA * Some price may have changed from the last review Echo Dot pack On the other hand, if we want the “older brother” of the pop echo, we can also find a good offer in the Echo Dot (5th Generation)which comes in this case with two units of the Amazon speaker along with a Tapo E27 bulb. All this for 71.98 euros. He Echo Dot (5th Generation) It is an intelligent speaker that has been in the Amazon store for a while, but continues to offer a very complete experience. Integrates the voice assistant Alexaserves as a center to build an intelligent network at home and, like the Echo Pop, it has Bluetooth connectivity, so many devices can be connected (I, for example, I use it with the Nintendo Switch). The Tapo E27 It is an smart bulb that integrates with Alexa so that their functions can be used by voice commands. It is a multicolored bulb that has 16 million tones to choose from and that allows routines and timers to program. Two echo dot (5th generation) + tapo e27 * Some price may have changed from the last review Echo Spot pack One of Amazon’s most curious (and most recent) devices is the echo spot, a kind of alarm clock that also includes a speakerwhich offers an assortment of additional functions to the other store speakers. In this case, you can find in pack with two units of the alarm clock and with a Tapo E27 bulb. Its price, in this case, is 123.98 euros. He Echo spot It is an intelligent alarm clock that also integrates the Alexa voice assistant and, of course, also serves as a center to build an intelligent network at home. Includes a screen to see the time, time and song we are reproducing And it allows to create routines to get up with certain songs that can be reproduced from Amazon Music, Spotify or Apple Music, among others. * Some price may have changed from the last review Echo show pack Finally, during the prime day offers, we can also find a good price in the Echo show 5which in this case comes in a pack with two units and, again, a Tapo E27 smart bulb. Its price in this case is 133.98 euros. He Echo show 5 (3rd generation) is an intelligent speaker that comes with a screen, an interesting point because it has quite particular functions. Of course, it allows you to see the time, the time and you can select the images that we want to reproduce, but also even allows to reproduce content of some streaming platforms. It is worth … Read more

Years ago I bought an Echo Dot with the idea of ​​using Alexa, but the greatest use I have given is with a Nintendo Switch

by

At the beginning of 2023 I bought the Echo Dot of 5th Generation With the idea of ​​creating an ecosystem connected at home. And although in a way I came to do it, I have rarely made use of the functions that Alexa offers. In fact, the use that I have given most is with a Nintendo Switch, and for the 49.99 euros which currently costs the device would use it again. Echo Dot (5th Generation) * Some price may have changed from the last review A device that offers great utility beyond making Alexa use He Echo Dot of 5th Generation It is thought, to some extent, to connect accessories compatible with Alexathus creating a “intelligent” ecosystem to use the voice functions and commands of the assistant. However, we must not forget that We talk about a Bluetooth connectivity speakerand it is precisely what I have squeezed the most. During these years I have had the Amazon device placed in different places of the house. While it is true that now I have it in the living room, most of the time I have had it in the bedroom. On many occasions I have played the console in the bedroom for a small time, and Not having a TV had to use the portable format. The sound of the console is the one that is, so there was a time when I wanted to prove if it could be paired with the echo dot. You can, and the audio quality liked it so much that I have spent many months using the Amazon echo this way. Since then, I have used it with other devices such as my smartphone. Lately I have been around my head buying a portable bluetooth speaker. That is, with integrated battery to connect it to the Nintendo Switch anywhere and not depend on the location where I have the Amazon echo. However, the next step I will take will not be to buy a Bluetooth speaker, but convert the Echo Dot into a portable speaker. In the same Amazon store there are some accessories compatible with the Echo Dot of 5th generation. One of the most interesting is the one who sells the store itself under the Mission Cable brand: it is a Integrated battery accessory to which we can attach the Amazon echo, so that it does not depend on having a power outlet. And its price is not very high, it costs 48.99 euros. In short, the 5th generation Echo has seemed a very useful device. Although I do not express it to the maximum, I have given him a utility that he thought would not give him. The cable mission accessory also seems very useful, especially if we want to use the Amazon device without limiting us to do it in a single room (and without having to buy several Amazon Echo). You may also interest you Mission cables – Current USB cable for Amazon Fire TV * Some price may have changed from the last review Echo Pop (last generation) | Bluetooth smart speaker with Alexa of powerful and compact sound | Lavender * Some price may have changed from the last review Some of the links of this article are affiliated and can report a benefit to Xataka. In case of non -availability, offers may vary. Images | Alberto García in Espinof, Amazon In Xataka | Best Amazon Fire TV. Which to buy and recommended models to turn your TV into a smart TV depending on the use In Xataka | Better televisions in quality Price: which to buy and seven recommended 4K 4K 4K

If you did not buy the Echo Pop in the Amazon campaign, Mediamarkt has a good pack with two units and several bulbs

by

Amazon devices dropped a few weeks ago during the spring offers party campaign, but since then we have been able to find some offer. Now, during the campaign “April, save“From Mediamarkt, we can buy the Echo Pop pack with wiz bulbs by 99 euros. Pack (2 echo pop + 2 wiz bulbs) * Some price may have changed from the last review What does this Mediamarkt pack bring? First, the pack that the store has includes two units of the Echo popone of the last smart speakers launched by Amazon. Each of them comes with Alexathey can be connected between them to place them in different areas of the house and You can connect other compatible external devices or accessorieslike one sound bar or one Surveillance Chamber. On the other hand, the pack also comes with Two wiz bulbs. They can be connected to Echo Pop to be able to turn them off, turn them off or create routines and timers – through the Amazon Echo – by voice commands using the Alexa voice assistant. It is a good way to make contact with smart devices at home. Mediamarkt has also dropped the price of Another similar pack: It comes with two pop echo, but in this case it includes two Wiz smart plugs instead of bulbs. Personally, it seems more interesting because we can connect any device that goes cable to an electricity, also allowing to create routines or timers. The “bad” is that it costs more, since its price has dropped to the 129 euros. You may also interest you TAPO P100 – Smart Wifi Plug, Remote Control via app, timers and configurable schedules, energy savings link, compatible with Alexa and Google Home, 10 A, 2300 W * Some price may have changed from the last review Philips Hue – Smart LED bulb, E27 cap, warm adjustable light, 9W – 800 Lumens, Bluetooth, compatible with Zigbee and Alexa * Some price may have changed from the last review Some of the links of this article are affiliated and can report a benefit to Xataka. In case of non -availability, offers may vary. Image | Amazon, Wiz In Xataka | The six best LED bulbs to save on the light bill In Xataka | Best “intelligent” loudspeakers Amazon Echo. Which to buy and recommendations depending on the use

I have passed from the iPhone 16 Pro to Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. I don’t echo (almost) anything of less

by

How well the Android high range works. It is something that I have been thinking for a couple of years but, especially, since the end of 2024. The last phone I have been able to analyze has been the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultraa clear aspiring best android mobile 2025. A mobile that, although not the best in practically anything (except for integration of AI), makes check in everything. And this is usually more important than shining for some specific aspects. Battery, performance, cameras, software. Everything works as it should work. Something that seems basic on a mobile of more than 1,000 euros, but not everyone fulfills. Having analyzed phones such as OPPO FIND X8 PRO or the Magic7 Pro Honorthe feeling is different from the one I had a few years ago. The iPhone is no longer clear, saving an appearance. Let’s talk about power. It is me, the heavy power. I am obsessed with her, and I have my reasons. I dedicate myself to deepen telephones and, as a collateral effect, to be the official recommender of all my friends and acquaintances. There is something that ever has never been an exception: every time I have recommended a little powerful mobile, in less than three years everything has been complaints and regrets. To the question “Why do I want such a powerful mobile if you only use WhatsApp, Mail and some apps”, the answer is “so that in three or four years WhatsApp, the mail and those apps continue to work well.” There will be exceptions, of course, but in general terms mobile phones Poquipotent They are not made to last. A while ago, Apple’s superiority in processors was brutal. It was simply impossible to reach them in Benchmarks, and this helped an iPhone of a few years ago be more powerful than the Android of New Horn that were coming out. That ended a few years ago, and with the Snapdragon 8 Elite and MEDATEK DIMENSITY 9400the competition is more equated than ever. Everyone has an absurd power today, and more than necessary in a few years. In the case of Samsung, it has the Qualcomm and, although it is not the mobile in which it is best optimized, it is simply impossible to say that it works worse (or better) than the iPhone. Simply, they fly. The software, that great barrier. One UI 7, as I counted in my impressions with the systemit is for me the best software that exists in Android. At least, in this Ultra S25 (a separate case is how it works in less powerful models). Six years of updates, the new live activities of iOS inheritance, and a really useful artificial intelligence burden. Historically I have been very Pixel Experience, but Samsung’s Rom provides added value that no other gets. I am a Mac user, Airpods and iPad, I don’t hide. The integration between Android and these devices remains simply terrible, without half inks. Nor (even if you try and say yes) there are real alternatives to Airdrop, nor are new system versions as fast as in iOS. The quality of some apps is lower and, if you care a lot about the quality of the contents when uploading them to social networks, this is not your operating system. Saving this, iOS and Android have been approaching over the years. I still defend that, objectively, iOS is more stable and is better refined than Android. Despite this, the evolution of the Google operating system in recent years, especially if we talk about what manufacturers have done with their personalized roms, has been spectacular. Let’s stop fighting for the camera. One of these two photos is taken with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The other is taken with the iPhone 16 Pro. One is clearly better than the other, but I am not going to tell you which, I will let you decide in comments. The key here is that, although I am clear that there is a phone that makes better photos than the other, the differences between high -end devices have been minimized over the years. Every year, in the great photographic comparison that I prepare in Xataka, I have to spend hours expanding the photographs and analyzing elements such as the reflexes that are generated in the lenses or other points to be able to determine a winner. Without expanding and without fixing in detail I am clear: practically no average user could objectively differentiate which photo is better than another. It would simply be in a position to choose which one likes the most. And this is excellent news. Buying a high Android range is no longer a bad idea. There was a time when buying a high -end mobile was to spend more than 1,000 euros on a phone that would be updated for two years and with a power about two years behind the iPhone. This is why, historically, it has been very difficult for me to recommend the purchase of Android mobiles in this price range. With the advances in hardware, things have changed a lot in recent years. To the point that what I look most is in the ROM and the user experience that the buyer will have, more than in the rest of details and differences between devices. And here, next to Google, Samsung is the one who is moving the baton. Image | Xataka In Xataka Android | After a decade with an Android mobile, three months ago I went to iPhone. I’m already clear with which platform I stay

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.