The device features a fully round touchscreen that improves upon the cramped display of its predecessors. A key functional upgrade allows users to set alarms directly via the screen, sparing partners from late-night voice commands. The clock prioritizes time-keeping, automatically reverting to the main display after tasks like checking a video doorbell or controlling smart lights are completed. For those sensitive to light, the screen can dim to below 0.3 nits, effectively disappearing in a dark room.
Amazon's Echo Time brings sleep-sensing to the bedside
Priced at $199.99, Amazon’s new Echo Time smart clock aims to transform morning routines by tracking sleep cycles through ultrasound sensors. The device, which debuted this week, combines a 3.2-inch touchscreen with a built-in smart home hub, offering a more polished, dedicated experience than the company’s previous Echo Spot or Dot models.
Beyond basic time-keeping, the Echo Time integrates an ultrasound transducer to detect breathing and movement. This data enables an opt-in sleep-sensing feature that identifies optimal wake-up moments within an hour of a set alarm. To assist heavy sleepers, the device includes escalating alarm tones and a sunrise wake-up mode that shifts the screen to warm, brightening colors. While the $199.99 price tag is significant, the inclusion of a Zigbee, Thread, and Matter hub allows it to act as a central controller for bedroom smart home devices, potentially replacing other hardware on the nightstand.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!