Amazon has a new Echo Dot smart speaker in store, designed specifically for kids. The Echo Dot Kids Edition features parental controls and a kid-friendly Alexa.
Many kids nowadays are more tech-savvy than their parents and they know their way around all sorts of devices. They grow up with smartphones, tablets, smart speakers, smart home devices, and more, with technology all around them.
With the new Echo Dot Kids Edition, Amazon wants to help kids have more innovative experiences suitable for their age, with kid-friendly features and support.
Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition
The new Echo Dot Kids Edition features the same overall design as the standard Echo Dot, but it now boasts a colorful case and a two-year warranty that guarantees a free replacement if the unit suffers any damage.
Since kids can occasionally be clumsy and drop the device, bump it, or spill drinks on it, replacements free of charge should make for an appealing proposition.
The Echo Dot Kids Edition is $30 more expensive than the regular Echo Dot, coming in at $79.99. It's available in blue, red, and green color options, and it's now up for pre-order, set to start shipping on May 9.
Echo Dot Kids Edition With Amazon FreeTime
The kids-focused Echo Dot also brings a new Alexa experience with Amazon FreeTime, which includes parental controls to make the digital assistant more kid-friendly.
These controls include bedtime limits, filters for which songs kids can and can't play, blocked voice purchasing, and household communications. Moreover, Alexa can also handle educational Q&As, and kids are encouraged to say "please."
"Now Alexa is a kid-friendly DJ, comedian, and storyteller - and she's always getting smarter," touts Amazon. "Just ask and Alexa will play music, answer questions, read stories, tell jokes, and more - all with younger ears in mind."
One Year Of 'FreeTime Unlimited'
Amazon is also throwing in a free year of FreeTime Unlimited, which normally costs $2.99, granting access to more than 300 kid-friendly TV shows, Audible books, ad-free radio stations, playlists, and more. FreeTime Unlimited also includes premium Alexa skills from National Geographic, Nickelodeon, and Disney.
Amazon FreeTime and FreeTime Unlimited will start rolling out on May 9, when the Echo Dot Kids Edition starts shipping to customers.
"Tens of millions of households already use Alexa, and today we're excited to introduce an entirely new way for kids to have fun and learn with Alexa," says Dave Limp, SVP of Amazon Devices and Services. "With Echo Dot Kids Edition and FreeTime on Alexa, parents can have peace of mind knowing their kids are getting age-appropriate content, while they listen to music, ask questions, enjoy Audible books, use Alexa skills, and more. We can't wait for parents and kids to try this out."
