Amongst the 70 devices (!) Amazon announced was… a clock. An old, school analog clock. Or so it appears upon casual inspection. But, in actuality, the $30 Echo Wall Clock is a smart home accessory, that communicates to a linked Echo over Bluetooth. As such, your time will always be set, including adjustments for DST. Further, up to three Alexa timers can be set (by speaking to that aforementioned linked Echo) with lighted tick marks providing various visual status indicators. Watch CNET’s event video below, it’ll make more sense. Or maybe not. :)
I can’t tell you why this appeals to me so much. Perhaps it’s because I’ve got a bare kitchen wall in need of accouterment and a $30 gadget is always right up my alley. And, beyond my own interest, this seems like a great holiday gift idea for our parental in-laws (only one of whom reads the blog, hi Mom).
Two notes –
1) Amazon pulled the preview page I linked. Who knows why. Here’s a screenshot and some of the verbiage:
Echo Wall Clock, an Echo companion to see timers and reminders at a glance, helps you stay organized and on time at home. Set timers on your paired Echo device with your voice. Just say, “Alexa, set a 12-minute timer” and your clock will display the time remaining, as well as a countdown for the last 60 seconds.
2) Clock requires two AA batteries. Wonder how long they’ll last.
This was probably one of the most useful things they announced, to me anyway. We use those timers all the time, and I always find it a little annoying to have to open my phone or ask it to see how much time is left. This sounds like a great solution.
And it will work for time outs!!! :-D
That’s what you think… ;) (Not to mention I already made that joke/observation!)
This is awesome! :)