Echo Dot

Yup

If it matters, the difference in the sound quality is astounding between the regular echo and even the tap compared to the dot

Echo tap is on clearance for $33.03 at some Home Depots. It would be more functional than a dot if you find them cheaper.

Yes, also portable. It recently got an update that allows it to always be listening. When it was released, you had to push the button for alexa. The only downside compared to dot is size.

Echo Tap requires a button to be depressed in order for you to utilize Alexa for anything. Echo Dot and Echo have sophisticated mics to pick up the call word "Alexa," and then respond without the need to depress a button.

Yes they do the same thing once Alexa is listening. But the difference in the use case is gigantic.

Example 1: I was walking in from my patio with my hands full of a baking pan and a Boston Butt I just pulled off my smoker. I wanted to let the piece of meat rest but my hands had greasy silicone mitts on them and were both full beyond that. I just said, "Alexa, set a timer for 5 minutes."

Example 2: I got home Friday afternoon and was busy doing some paperwork for work stuff. I was busy doing data entry and said, "Alexa, connect to the Bose and play Outlaw Country Music." Without ever stopping what I was doing.

I control volume, playback/pause, skip, rewind all with my voice in this instance.

Neither of these examples is possible with Tap. Which is why they aren't selling and why they're on sale.

In a sense, you can buy what I picked up as a Christmas gift (the Bose Mini Link) and utilize it the same way as a Tap would be while you're on WiFi range around the house, etc, but it has an always on mic that doesn't need you to press a button to start listening.

IMO, Alexa's entire skill sets revolve around the lack of need to physically interact with a base or hub other than using your voice. Tap completely eliminated that.

OP, go with the Dot. You're on the right track.

It has a battery. It runs out. Rendering it useless. But good to know they fixed a huge flaw IMO.

I think the Echo is the superior option. Dot is the most economical. Tap will-again IMO-eventually be phased out.

quote:

---

I'd be interested in knowing where these $33 taps are

---

Have you checked any Home Depots? They are probably locked up behind customer service. Not sure how widely they were carried in stores, but Ive found 2 in 1 of 4 stores I've checked

I use the computer in store to verify inventory then went ask to look in the cabinets behind customer service.

good news then...whole home audio is coming