Review-of-Amazon-Echo-Pop_in_the_UAE
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Amazon & Alexa
Amazon.com, Inc is an American multinational technology company which focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It has been referred to as “one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world”, and is one of the world’s most valuable brands. It is one of the Big Five American information technology companies, alongside Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.
Amazon Alexa, also known simply as Alexa, is a virtual assistant technology largely based on a Polish speech synthesizer named Ivona, bought by Amazon in 2013.
The Alexa Echo Dot was introduced in 2014. Amazon has built an expansive landscape of smart home products, ranging from smart speakers to smart displays and so much more – and it’s only growing every year. In 2020, Amazon released several new gadgets and Alexa features at the annual product event in September, including the Echo Show 15, the Amazon Smart Thermostat, the Amazon Glow for kids, the Halo View fitness band and the much-anticipated Astro robot. Plus, several new Ring products.
Review of Amazon Alexa Echo Dot 4th Gen
Review of Amazon Alexa Echo Dot 5th Gen
Amazon Echo Pop in the Middle East
On 5th July 2023, Amazon introduced the latest affordable Echo Pop device for the Middle East market. All the Amazon Echo devices for the Middle East region come with Arabic Voice recognition and connect with Arabic content.
Design & Specification
The Amazon Alexa Echo Pop comes with a dimension of 3.9” (W) x 3.3” (D) x 3.6” (H) and weighs 196grams. It is a half-moon design with 3.6”(H) x 3.9”(W) with 1.95” front-firing speaker and fabric is made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn. The body is made from 80% recycled aluminum. It comes with three touch buttons and three built-in mics and a power port. The outer ring comes with multi-colour LED ring light and the bottom has an anti-skid silicon rubber base.
Wi-Fi connectivity
Dual-band Wi-Fi supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz) networks. Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks.
Bluetooth connectivity
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming from your mobile device to Echo Pop or from Echo Pop to your Bluetooth speaker. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices.
Smart home protocols
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy Mesh, and Matter controller.
System requirements
Echo Pop comes ready to connect to your Wi-Fi. The Alexa app is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices and is also accessible via your web browser. Supported operating systems. Certain skills and services may require a subscription or other fees.
Device Packaging
99% of this device’s packaging is made of wood fibre-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.
The Review
The Amazon Alexa Echo Pop is the latest release from Amazon for an affordable smart speaker system. It comes in a rectangular box which contains the Echo Pop device, the power adapter with cable and a quick start-up guide.
Time needed: 8 minutes
How to Connect Amazon Echo Pop to your home network
- Connect the Amazon Echo Pop
After removing the Amazon Echo Pop from the box, Connect the device to the power source with the provided power adaptor and you can follow the quick start guide provided in the box.
After connecting the device, in a minute the light bar LED light emits orange color which indicates pairing. - Connect with Home Network
After switching ON the Echo Pop, connect to the Alexa App downloaded on the smartphone. Download the ALEXA App from the Google Play Store / Apple Store. Open the Alexa App and search for the Echo device from the Alexa device list. Once you find the Echo Pop, connect to the device.
- Setting up the Echo Pop device
Once the Echo Pop is connected to the Alexa App, The next step is to choose the room in the house, you would like to place the device and give a dedicated name for the device. You can add a music channel like Angami or Spotify to your Alexa App. Once you complete the procedure, you are ready to connect and listen to your favourite music channel.
- Choose your language
As this Echo Pop device is the Middle East version, when it boots up, says to pair up in ENGLISH and ARABIC. Echo Pop understands Khaleeji and Modern Standard Arabic, English and other languages.
The Echo Pop device has the 3 prominent buttons on the body. Two buttons are the volume rockers, one is the Mic Switch On/Off button and 3 built-in mics.
Audio Quality
The Treble, Mids are great and low-frequency Bass is average for its size. The mic capture is quite accurate, even from a distance of 15 feet when called “ALEXA” the Echo Pop responds and is ready to listen to your request. The dedicated MIC Switch ON/Off button helps the consumer from controlling the Echo Pop from listening to your conversation and unwanted commands.
Compared to the 5th Gen Echo Dot, the sound quality of the Echo Pop is average with less bass and so is the price.
Echo Pop Functions
Amazon Echo Pop has to be connected to the Home Wi-Fi system to create access to all the functions. The Echo Pop can work stand-alone and also work has a smart HUB to connect to all the smart devices in the home network. You can create a group of Echo Devices connected across the house and play the same music. Once you have the smart HUB created, you can access all your smart home devices via your phone from any part of the world. E.g.:- You can switch On your smart Air Conditioner or smart Washing machine even before you reach home or warm up your food in the smart microwave or set the mood lighting of your house with the Alexa App. You can also allow access or lock to your house which has got a smart lock system.
Connecting Across Channels
You can enquire about the weather in your area, time, latest updates, news and a lot more. The most interesting function for me was listening to my favourite music from Spotify, Anghami. Amazon Echo has recently tied up with multiple brands like Virgin Radio, Dubai 92Fm, Al Oula Radio and Al Khaleejiya. With the ALEXA App, you can have more functions like updating your shopping list, you can create a routine by which you can set up daily functions for Alexa to do for you like wake up, read the latest news in your country or specify emirate, weather and lot more, all depending on the consumer choice.
Connecting to the World with Smart Speaker
As the Alexa Echo Pop has access to the internet, it can help in the translation of language, solving math, and knowing history. You can listen to jokes, play trivia, audiobooks, access your connected smart car and a lot more. Under the Alexa App, skill section, you can add various app which includes exercise option which also includes Yoga, meditation, body stretching and a lot more.
In recent times with smart products getting accessible from commoners, consumers are looking for options to make their own smart homes. But there are devices like already installed at your home like lights, fans or electronic devices which are not smart products but are working fine.
You can also make your non-smart device into smart devices with the help of smart Plug adaptors. With this, you can control your light and fan and some devices. These smart plugs may not allow the full function of the devices which can be done manually or via the device remote control but you will be able to access them remotely.
With the Echo Pop, you have the option to make your Home to Smart Home, under the Alexa App –device section, you have a lot of different brands and product options to connect with the Alexa App
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Verdict – Amazon Echo Pop
The Echo Pop is a great product for your home. You can listen to your favourite music, check the weather, and update yourself with the latest updated news. You can control your smart home products remotely. The Audio quality is quite good for the size. You can control the volume with audio command. You can switch On/Off the mic on the Echo Pop on the dedicated button. The beautiful coloured LED light bar on the top of the Echo Pop help to find the device in the low-light area. The low power consumption also helps you to reduce your electricity bill as the Echo Pop only consumes electricity when it is active.
“Affordable and Recommended for all Tech enthusiasts and music listeners who would like to have hand-free and vocal command access to all the smart devices. “
Price and Availability
The Echo Pop the Middle East version is available on Amazon.ae and priced at AED 189.99. Available in four colours- Charcoal, Glacier White, Midnight Teal and Lavender Bloom
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