The Amazon Echo Dot is a smaller version of Amazon’s original Echo device. Both are useful and fun to use, but I like the Dot because it’s smaller. The only downside to both devices is that they are tethered to a wall outlet. If you want to move the device, you have to unplug it and then plug it back in at the new location. This isn’t exactly a hardship, but when you unplug the Echo Dot, it also powers it off, requiring you to wait till it reboots after it’s plugged back in to use it. The Fremo Evo Amazon Echo Dot battery base solves this issue. Let’s take a look.
What is it?
The Fremo Evo Amazon Echo Dot battery base is a backup battery that can turn a power tethered Echo Dot into a wireless Echo Dot that can be used without a dangling power cord.
What’s in the box?
Fremo Evo battery base
Steel plate
Power connector
Instructions
Design and features
The Evo battery base is the same look, feel and size as the first generation Amazon Echo Dot.
It has a slotted edge around the top and a row of tiny LEDs on the bottom front that provide a battery capacity indicator.
On the back side of the Evo is a micro USB connector and another power connector above it which is used to connect the Evo to the Echo Dot.
Using the Evo with the Echo Dot is simple. Just stick the steel plate on top of the Evo which is magnetized. Remove the plastic covering. Place the Echo Dot on top. Press the two together so the steel plate sticks to the bottom of the Echo Dot. Connect the two units with the included power connector and you’re done. If the Evo has a charge, it will immediately power on the Echo Dot.
The Fremo Evo battery base can power the Echo Dot for up to 6 hours. I wish it was a little longer, but that’s plenty of time to move it to another room to play your favorite playlist while you’re working out, or taking it to the kitchen when you’re creating a shopping list. It’s also handy if you want to take it in the bedroom to use as an alarm to wake you after a short nap. When you’re done, just attach the power cord that came with the Echo Dot to the Evo to keep the battery base charged.
Final thoughts
Amazon should have included a rechargeable battery in the Echo Dot, but they didn’t. The Fremo Evo battery base is a simple solution to that problem. Although I wish the Evo provided more than 6hrs of battery life, it’s easy to use and makes the Amazon Echo Dot even better than without it.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Fremo. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order one.
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if they put a Bluetooth IR Blaster in it, so that alexa could turn on a stereo or other IR device, then maybe..
Logitech Harmony supports Alexa, so it can do exactly that. The rad thing, though, is it’s smart enough to say “Alexa, turn on Plex,” “Alexa, turn on Netflix,” “Alexa, turn on Chromecast” and have it turn on the television, switch to the proper input and/or launch the proper app for each thing you want to turn on, on whatever box you have hooked up to your TV. (We use a Roku and a Chromecast, Netflix, Hulu, Plex apps on the Roku.)
How long does it take to charge a fremo? I’ve been charging for 5 hrs and only one light is on
Hmmm, I don’t know the exact time, but it sounds like you might have a bad one. You should contact Fremo and ask.