<P> In March 2016, Amazon unveiled the original Amazon Echo Dot, which is a hockey puck - sized version of the Echo designed to be connected to external speakers due to size of the onboard speakers, or to be used in rooms such as the bedroom as an alternative to the full - sized Echo . Beyond these distinctions, the Amazon Echo Dot possesses the same functions as the original Amazon Echo . </P> <P> External portable batteries have been developed for the Amazon Echo Dot by third parties . </P> <P> The second generation of the Amazon Echo Dot was available on October 20, 2016 . It is priced lower, has improved voice recognition, and is available in black and white . The Echo Spatial Perception (ESP) technology allows several Echo and Dot units to work together so that only one device answers the request . As of November 2017, the Echo Dot maintained a 78% score on GearCaliber, based on 23 reviews . </P> <P> The Amazon Tap is a smaller portable version of the Echo . The Tap can do the same things as the Echo; however, as it is battery - powered, it is also portable . Initially the user had to press an activation button on the front of the Tap to speak commands . However, a February 2017 software update allows the option of activating the Tap with an activation word, just like the Echo and the Dot . </P>

When did echo dot 2nd generation come out