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May 4, 2017
Format: Electronics|Verified Purchase
I have all three of the "Alexa" devices. The tap, the echo and the dot. They are all good for different things.
I like the echo for my kitchen and living room (I got another one for my kitchen!) because
I listen to music there often and like to ask questions, news, weather, etc.
It seems to hear me best and the volume gets loud if I want it to.
(although sometimes Alexa can't hear you screaming her name over her own speaker when its loud!)
I have a dot in my bedroom. I use it as an alarm and for weather mostly.
It has a small speaker and isn't great for music. You can attach it to other things for better audio, but I just use it plain.
I bought the Tap before the dot (and the dots were sold out!) because I wanted a smaller item for my desk.
I probably would have gotten another echo, but they are expensive. I picked this and initially didn't like t
hat you had to push the button. It worked well for playlists and occasional questions, but I got so used
to just saying "Alexa...." that it was odd having to reach for it. They did update the app so you can make
it hands free now by changing it in the app. I like it much better now. I REALLY like that it is rechargeable
and often take it on my porch to listen to music while
gardening (which is really just me trying to stay ahead of weeds...not actual "gardening.")
I set it up so not only can it work from my home network (when in range)
but also from my phone's hotspot. Now it is TRULY portable.
You can control the volume with the buttons on top or by voice command ("Alexa, volume up" or "Alexa, volume 6.")
I have looked around for other functions for it and do like the Echo paired with some things from
IFFT (If This Then That.) You can train alexa to do other things, even make a call.
Not exactly like a real phone call, but with IFFT, you can trigger alexa to ring your phone or send a message.
I often misplace my phone, so I just say "Alexa, trigger find my phone" and since I set it up,
it will ring my phone so I can hear it to find it.
There is also send message option (it sends the one message you have pre-set up on IFFT)
which I have set as a sort of emergency. If I say "Alexa, trigger Emergency",
it will text my husband and say that the emergency trigger has been activated.
He works away from home often and it makes me feel more safe to have that option
where I can just yell at Alexa if something happens where I should fall down the stairs,
hear an intruder, etc. I haven't had to use it yet (thank goodness) but love that option.
There are lots of alexa + IFFT "recipes" you can add, google for them and you can get lots of ideas.
I sometimes miss a real radio. I realize I can get internet type "radio" on here, but it isn't local.
I kind of like listening to baseball, football and hockey on the radio when
I am working or painting or whatever, and miss that with this. I
t would be nice if that were in there somehow, but most people don't use the radio anymore,
so I guess it wasn't included. This is sort of like Echo Junior now that they have added the hands free option.
It also has a jack for output if you want to send it to something like a stereo.
I don't since I like the portability of it. It also has a port to charge it without a base,
so you can attach it to something like a power brick if you are not near electricity and your charge is running low.
There are no battery lights that I know of, but you just ask alexa how much battery is left and she will tell you.
Overall, I like all three items for different places. I REALLY miss it in my car, though (dang, am I spoiled or what!?)
I often find myself driving and wanting to say "Alexa, play the rolling stones" or "Alexa,
what is the weather for tonight?" or something like that.
I suppose I could carry the tap and use the mobile hotspot on my phone, but I don't really like
to use that much data unless I have to (like for music at a picnic or something.)
If you are not sure which device you want, I would probably pick the Echo.
It just has the best sound. IF you want to move it around though, pick this (and it is cheaper.)
The dot is the least expensive, but you likely won't like the sound for music (unless you attach it to another device.)
So...basically if you want:
1. Stand alone bigger item, always tethered to electricity, very nice speaker even
for a party, most expensive = Echo
2. Portable size (kinda like a 16 oz can of beer), rechargeable, okay sound for a
quieter room, medium-priced of the 3 = Tap
3. Smallest (like a hockey puck), tethered to electricity, acceptable sound
(like a clock radio type but attachable), cheapest = Dot
GET HERE
Amazon Tap - Alexa-Enabled Portable Bluetooth Speaker
November 18, 2017
I like the echo for my kitchen and living room (I got another one for my kitchen!) because
I listen to music there often and like to ask questions, news, weather, etc.
It seems to hear me best and the volume gets loud if I want it to.
(although sometimes Alexa can't hear you screaming her name over her own speaker when its loud!)
I have a dot in my bedroom. I use it as an alarm and for weather mostly.
It has a small speaker and isn't great for music. You can attach it to other things for better audio, but I just use it plain.
I bought the Tap before the dot (and the dots were sold out!) because I wanted a smaller item for my desk.
I probably would have gotten another echo, but they are expensive. I picked this and initially didn't like t
hat you had to push the button. It worked well for playlists and occasional questions, but I got so used
to just saying "Alexa...." that it was odd having to reach for it. They did update the app so you can make
it hands free now by changing it in the app. I like it much better now. I REALLY like that it is rechargeable
and often take it on my porch to listen to music while
gardening (which is really just me trying to stay ahead of weeds...not actual "gardening.")
I set it up so not only can it work from my home network (when in range)
but also from my phone's hotspot. Now it is TRULY portable.
You can control the volume with the buttons on top or by voice command ("Alexa, volume up" or "Alexa, volume 6.")
I have looked around for other functions for it and do like the Echo paired with some things from
IFFT (If This Then That.) You can train alexa to do other things, even make a call.
Not exactly like a real phone call, but with IFFT, you can trigger alexa to ring your phone or send a message.
I often misplace my phone, so I just say "Alexa, trigger find my phone" and since I set it up,
it will ring my phone so I can hear it to find it.
There is also send message option (it sends the one message you have pre-set up on IFFT)
which I have set as a sort of emergency. If I say "Alexa, trigger Emergency",
it will text my husband and say that the emergency trigger has been activated.
He works away from home often and it makes me feel more safe to have that option
where I can just yell at Alexa if something happens where I should fall down the stairs,
hear an intruder, etc. I haven't had to use it yet (thank goodness) but love that option.
There are lots of alexa + IFFT "recipes" you can add, google for them and you can get lots of ideas.
I sometimes miss a real radio. I realize I can get internet type "radio" on here, but it isn't local.
I kind of like listening to baseball, football and hockey on the radio when
I am working or painting or whatever, and miss that with this. I
t would be nice if that were in there somehow, but most people don't use the radio anymore,
so I guess it wasn't included. This is sort of like Echo Junior now that they have added the hands free option.
It also has a jack for output if you want to send it to something like a stereo.
I don't since I like the portability of it. It also has a port to charge it without a base,
so you can attach it to something like a power brick if you are not near electricity and your charge is running low.
There are no battery lights that I know of, but you just ask alexa how much battery is left and she will tell you.
Overall, I like all three items for different places. I REALLY miss it in my car, though (dang, am I spoiled or what!?)
I often find myself driving and wanting to say "Alexa, play the rolling stones" or "Alexa,
what is the weather for tonight?" or something like that.
I suppose I could carry the tap and use the mobile hotspot on my phone, but I don't really like
to use that much data unless I have to (like for music at a picnic or something.)
If you are not sure which device you want, I would probably pick the Echo.
It just has the best sound. IF you want to move it around though, pick this (and it is cheaper.)
The dot is the least expensive, but you likely won't like the sound for music (unless you attach it to another device.)
So...basically if you want:
1. Stand alone bigger item, always tethered to electricity, very nice speaker even
for a party, most expensive = Echo
2. Portable size (kinda like a 16 oz can of beer), rechargeable, okay sound for a
quieter room, medium-priced of the 3 = Tap
3. Smallest (like a hockey puck), tethered to electricity, acceptable sound
(like a clock radio type but attachable), cheapest = Dot
GET HERE
Amazon Tap - Alexa-Enabled Portable Bluetooth Speaker
November 18, 2017
Format: Electronics|Verified Purchase
The three stars are more a reflection of my experience with the included charger and
my disappointment over Amazon's handling of what I suspect might be a more widespread problem with
the charger rather than my experience with the speaker. I received my Tap last Christmas (2016).
I listen to music almost every day on the Tap through my Amazon Prime subscription.
Having a high-end Bose speaker system, I am accustomed to listening to music on
good quality speakers. I am not disappointed at all by the sound quality of the Tap.
I particularly love to use my Tap as a Bluetooth speaker and take it with me to the beach or use it outside.
Here's the rub: My Tap sometimes doesn't charge. There's no rhyme or reason to it.
But when you work late hours all week — and the weather cooperates with
a beautiful Saturday or Sunday — I expect to be able to grab my Tap and head to the beach.
The problem is that I can't count on the Tap to be charged when I get there.
I contacted Amazon about this problem at least twice. Amazon walked me through resetting my Tap,
a process that has a few steps but is not overly time consuming.
The problem is that the advice amounted to only a temporary fix. It is now
almost Christmas again and I find myself browsing on Amazon to find a fast charger that will work with the speaker.
I feel like I shouldn't have to do this. But I do not have confidence in the charger that came with my Tap.
I have read that other people have experienced similar problems.
I am disappointed that Amazon did not offer to replace the charger or better yet
come up with a better charger for a flagship item.
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