Amazon announced a new Low Power Mode for its next-generation of Echo products, which is designed to ensure less electricity is consumed when the device is inactive. However, it seems there are only a few scenarios when it will be actually useful.
Amazon has listed a host of exemptions for the Low Power Mode that covers plenty of really common use cases. For instance, it won’t work if you have a Spotify account linked to the device, or have smart home devices connected to the product.
Below is a list of the “certain situations” where Amazon says Low Power Mode is unavailable. Are there any Echo users out there who don’t use their device for at least one of these purposes?
- If Spotify is linked to your account.
- If there is an active notification, indicated by a yellow light. (Does not apply to Echo Show 10).
- If your device is connected to an external speaker using the headphone jack (auxiliary output).
- If you have multiple Echo devices, and the devices are only in the models listed above.
- If your device is directly connected to a Smart Home device or Alexa Gadget through ZigBee, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
The Low Power Mode setting, which is enabled automatically after a period of inactivity and ends when you use the wake word, is only available on the Echo Dot (4th gen), Echo Dot With Clock (4th gen), Echo (4th gen) and Echo Show 10.
The company is also planning to roll out a new energy dashboard within the Echo app that shows the power consumption of compatible smart home devices. It’s all part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge, which includes all of the devices announced today being built with 100% post-consumer recycled fabric, 100% recycled die-cast aluminum, and post-consumer recycled plastic.
The company also says: “All wood fiber-based materials used in Echo device packaging are made entirely from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.”
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
