Amazon’s new Echo Time has a surprisingly good reason to exist

Amazon has unveiled a new smart clock called Echo Time, which aims to provide a better wake-up experience. Priced at $199, the device features a 3.2-inch display with customizable clock faces and adaptive lighting. Echo Time stands out from previous devices like the Echo Spot and HomeView by not having a camera and offering features to improve your sleep routine.

The clock can adjust its brightness and even glow light at the bottom to help users ease into sleep or wake up. It uses sensors like room temperature and proximity to determine when users are in a lighter sleep phase and gradually wake them up. Users can customize clock faces and add mini widgets, and Alexa's voice assistant supports natural language requests, making it a more purpose-built Echo device than the smart displays.

At the same price point as the Echo Show 8 and more expensive than the previous Echo Spot, Echo Time sits in the premium smart-clock and smart display category, justifying its cost for those seeking an enhanced wake-up experience.