Will my Echo DOT still work after May 2022?
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
Amazon just announced that it has made the “difficult” decision to “retire” Alexa.com on May 1, 2022, but the truth is that Alexa.com the website has nothing to do with Alexa the voice assistant.
After two decades of helping you find, reach, and convert your digital audience, we've made the difficult decision to retire Alexa.com on May 1, 2022.
If Alexa and your Echo aren't responding, try changing the wake word and see if that gets your smart speaker and digital assistant back up and running. Reset the Alexa-enabled device to factory defaults. If all else fails, try resetting the Alexa-enabled device back to factory defaults to fix the issue.
- SimilarWeb.
- Ahrefs.
- Semrush.
- Spyfu.
- SE Ranking.
In order for your Echo device to receive newly released features, it often requires an update to its firmware, or the software that powers it. So long as the device is connected to WiFi, it will check for updates nightly.
...
Echo vs. Echo Dot.
Amazon Echo | Amazon Echo Dot |
---|---|
It is a standalone smart device and a full-size smart speaker equipped with always-on Alexa. | The Dot is just as smart as the original Echo but works best with an external audio system attached. |
Alexa Rank discontinued
On May 1, 2022, Amazon shut down Alexa Internet which subsequently discontinued Alexa Rank with it. While Alexa Internet didn't publicly state why they retired the service, it's likely because of the lack of interest from digital marketers.
Amazon has not provided an official reason for closing down the Alexa Internet service. The report suggests that data from traffic and marketing analytics firm Semrush has shown that there has been a constant decline in the service's own traffic over the years.
In 2021, Amazon announced that it would be retiring Alexa.com after 25 years of service. Alexa.com was once a reliable and beloved web traffic analysis site. It provided users with rankings, traffic data, and other information for over 30 million websites.
Check that your device isn't muted. The light indicator is red when your device is muted. For devices without a screen: press the Action button to see if your Echo device responds. To make sure that Alexa hears you, move your device away from walls, other speakers, or background noise.
How does Alexa know who is speaking?
Amazon's Alexa saves the voice profile of users, from which it creates acoustic models that are saved in the cloud. Upon receiving/hearing a new command, it compares the input with the acoustic models and identifies the user.
It's Alexa's way of telling you the smart speaker is in Setup Mode or attempting to connect to your Wi-Fi network. So, if your network connection lapses from time to time, you're bound to encounter this color on what appear to be random occasions.
The short answer is yes, Alexa is always listening to you. Or rather the microphone on your Alexa smart speaker is always active (by default, at least) and is constantly monitoring voices in your home in order to hear its wake word.
You can use Echo Dot without Alexa. Yet, without this vital function, you can only use it as a Bluetooth speaker. When it comes to playing games, managing your activities, and making requests, you need to use Alexa. You can change Alexa's settings and features at any time to suit your preferences.
All the same, the Echo Dot is delightful, it's cutting edge and, even going on two years into its lifespan, it's as good a value as you're likely to ever see in tech.
In an always-listening mode (the device is always standing by and waiting for your commands) the battery lasts for about eight hours. However, if you deactivate this mode and turn it on only when necessary, the battery could last for up to three weeks.
The $64,000 question; should you buy an Amazon Echo in 2022? The answer is a resounding yes. For most people, the Amazon Echo is the perfect addition to their homes. If you're a music fan it's worth the extra spend over the Echo Dot for the added, well, everything.