Deleted Amazon Tweet Leaks 'All New' $50 Echo Dot Smart Speaker

[MacRumors]

Amazon appears to be readying a cheaper version of its popular Echo Dot speaker, if a tweet that showed up briefly on the company's Twitter account this morning is anything to go by.

The voice-controlled smart speaker that houses Amazon's personal assistant Alexa was announced back in March, costing $89.99, and is a smaller, palm-sized expansion to the company's flagship Echo product that lets users expand the capabilities of the latter device to different rooms of their house.

Now it seems Amazon is almost set to offer a cheaper "all-new" version of the Dot at $49.99. The tweet, which was quickly deleted from the company's Twitter account but picked up by some users, linked to Amazon's existing page for the Echo Dot, which is currently sold out.

Apparently not? @amazonecho: Introducing the all-new Echo Dot. Add Alexa to any room - now for just $49.99. https://t.co/AQkwY5xbHh/s/Z-sj - Darrin (@Indypodcaster) September 12, 2016

Recode queried the deleted tweet with Amazon spokespeople but they declined to comment, suggesting the pre-emptive tweet was a genuine accident.

It's not the first social media announcement blunder we've seen this month. Last week, during Apple's "See You on the 7th" event in San Francisco, Apple's re-animated Twitter account began posting video clips of the new iPhone 7 complete with pre-order links before the phone had even been mentioned on stage. Amazon was also guilty of briefly taking its iPhone 7 accessories landing page live before the event had started.

Article Link: Deleted Amazon Tweet Leaks 'All New' $50 Echo Dot Smart Speaker

 

[vmachiel]

That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.

 

[keysofanxiety]

That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.

Bow down to your corporate overlords!

 

[Avieshek]

New trend, post a tweet, delete.

-Brought to you by, iPhone 7 tweet from Apple event.

 

[44267547]

Maybe this tweet was an accident, others are purposely leaked to gain marketing hype.

 

[intopieces]

That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.

Every device with a microphone and connected to the Internet is as capable as the echo of listening to you, always. So: throw away your phone and computer.

 

[RedTomato]

Every device with a microphone and connected to the Internet is as capable as the echo of listening to you, always. So: throw away your phone and computer.

Do what we do, always talk in sign language.

 

[adamneer]

seriously, why not just wait until after, or even during the announcement to jump on Twitter?

Never mind. It's pretty obvious Amazon picked up on the free publicity they can get from tech blogs by "accidentally" tweeting something "too soon". I can see this becoming the new guerilla marketing tactic, and I suggest Macrumors should delete this post, "accidentally".

 

[NT1440]

I'm still having a really hard time understanding (from the user side) why in the world I would ever want something like this.

I can see a day where I'll talk to whatever Siri's hub to control things in my home....but why would I ever want to order something off Amazon sight unseen, or a pizza from a speaker? I just don't get it.

 

[Kajje]

Do what we do, always talk in sign language.

So what about the 2 cameras?

 

[6836838]

Domino's!? Papa Johns would have been an instant sell!

 

[RedTomato]

So what about the 2 cameras?

Damn, got me there.

Maybe turn the lights off and sign in the dark?

 

[paulrbeers]

I'm still having a really hard time understanding (from the user side) why in the world I would ever want something like this.

I can see a day where I'll talk to whatever Siri's hub to control things in my home....but why would I ever want to order something off Amazon sight unseen, or a pizza from a speaker? I just don't get it.

It isn't just for ordering stuff off Amazon, in fact I've only used my echo's once for that. I use it to control my lights (especially walking into my house with arms full of groceries), play music (even my 5 year old can ask the Echo to play her favorite song), order Uber (while getting ready to head out), turn on the tv (when I can't find the remote), etc. etc.....

I used to use my phone to do so many of these things, but when your hands are busy doing other things (or covered in food when making or cleaning up dinner) it is way better. We tried using Siri though an iPad for many of these things, but because the microphone really only worked in one direction (as opposed to 360 degrees like the echo) it wasn't a great user experience. This. Just. Works. And just about every DIY major home automation system out there works with Echo.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.

Don't worry, they're just storing everything you say in the cloud. Totally safe there.

 

[spazzcat]

That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.

I have two they are prefect and the missing link to home automation.

 

[NT1440]

It isn't just for ordering stuff off Amazon, in fact I've only used my echo's once for that. I use it to control my lights (especially walking into my house with arms full of groceries), play music (even my 5 year old can ask the Echo to play her favorite song), order Uber (while getting ready to head out), turn on the tv (when I can't find the remote), etc. etc.....

I used to use my phone to do so many of these things, but when your hands are busy doing other things (or covered in food when making or cleaning up dinner) it is way better. We tried using Siri though an iPad for many of these things, but because the microphone really only worked in one direction (as opposed to 360 degrees like the echo) it wasn't a great user experience. This. Just. Works. And just about every DIY major home automation system out there works with Echo.

I guess my use-case is just vastly different. I rarely watch television, I'll NEVER order Uber, and I listen to podcasts almost exclusively.

I'm not a home owner but I'll be in an apartment soon. Haven't really decided if I'm automating anything yet (more important things to buy first).

 

[2457282]

That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.

In the US, we have the NSA, we get no choice on being listened to while at home.

 

[Weaselboy]

I guess my use-case is just vastly different. I rarely watch television, I'll NEVER order Uber, and I listen to podcasts almost exclusively.

I'm not a home owner but I'll be in an apartment soon. Haven't really decided if I'm automating anything yet (more important things to buy first).

It will play your podcasts for you also. Just say, "Alexa play the podcast Stuff you Missed in History", for example.... and away you go. I have a Amazon Tap I take out in the garage just for this.

 

[NT1440]

It will play your podcasts for you also. Just say, "Alexa play the podcast Stuff you Missed in History", for example.... and away you go. I have a Amazon Tap I take out in the garage just for this.

I meant to elaborate that I listen with headphones on as not to disturb anyone else in the house. I'm moving into an apartment so that's not going to change.

Don't get me wrong, these new "assistants" are interesting tech, but don't serve my needs at all. That's clearly not the case for others.

 

[Kajje]

Damn, got me there.

Maybe turn the lights off and sign in the dark?

Rythmic intimate poking is the future of communication. Or learn Burmeso Taurap.

 

[Born Again]

That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.

Until Apple does it then you will

 

[rendyr]

I wish I have something like this but support much more language and more API is being available to developer.

 

[1Zach1]

If that pricing is legit I'll be getting one.

 

[hmbtnguy]

That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.

If you have an iPhone 6s or newer then it's already too late--unless you turned off 'Hey Siri'.

 

[noah82]

Just sold my Echo Dot last week for $275 since they were discontinued and were apparently in high demand. Going to repurchase a few of these to control my Smartthings and Hue systems in my house.