The brand new Echo Dot can also be an Eero • TechCrunch

You already know whether or not you’re an Amazon Echo sort particular person. In that case you’re in all probability one proper now, considering “ought to I improve that factor or is it pointless?” In all probability the latter — until you even have Amazon’s Eero mesh wi-fi product, by which case: it’s in all probability nonetheless pointless, until it’s fairly outdated. By which case, you will get a brand new or flippantly used Dot that can now act as a wi-fi vary extender.

The brand new Dot and different Echo merchandise have been introduced at Amazon’s {hardware} occasion right now; the Dot has been flippantly redesigned with a greater speaker and a pair monster-themed prints for those that go within the children’ room.

Nobody actually expects such a small machine to supply something however serviceable sound, in order that a part of the improve isn’t notably notable. However the subsequent piece is fascinating: the most recent Dot will routinely hook up with your Eero community and prolong its vary. The 4th-gen Dots and spherical Echo may also acquire this capacity after a software program replace quickly. (To be clear, there’s a easy setup course of, however it’ll work as a part of the community.)

It gained’t push the protection so far as a devoted router, however there are tips {that a} stationary, powered transceiver can do with wi-fi {that a} telephone or laptop computer can’t, and meaning it might probably act as a repeater even when sign is weak. Then it might probably go that sign on to your different gadgets.

We haven’t had an opportunity to check this, although we all know the Eero might be the main client mesh wi-fi model and it’s unlikely Amazon would half-ass this, even with the most cost effective Echo.

You may in all probability count on tons extra gadgets to supply “Eero Constructed-in,” because it appears to be a factor now, having began with the Ring Alarm Professional. Don’t all rush out to purchase Echo Dots as cheap-ish ($50) wi-fi extenders.