Amazon appears to be readying a cheaper version of its popular Echo Dot speaker, if a tweet that showed up briefly on the company's Twitter account this morning is anything to go by.

Amazon Echo
The voice-controlled smart speaker that houses Amazon's personal assistant Alexa was announced back in March, costing $89.99, and is a smaller, palm-sized expansion to the company's flagship Echo product that lets users expand the capabilities of the latter device to different rooms of their house.

Now it seems Amazon is almost set to offer a cheaper "all-new" version of the Dot at $49.99. The tweet, which was quickly deleted from the company's Twitter account but picked up by some users, linked to Amazon's existing page for the Echo Dot, which is currently sold out.


Recode queried the deleted tweet with Amazon spokespeople but they declined to comment, suggesting the pre-emptive tweet was a genuine accident.

It's not the first social media announcement blunder we've seen this month. Last week, during Apple's "See You on the 7th" event in San Francisco, Apple's re-animated Twitter account began posting video clips of the new iPhone 7 complete with pre-order links before the phone had even been mentioned on stage. Amazon was also guilty of briefly taking its iPhone 7 accessories landing page live before the event had started.

Top Rated Comments

vmachiel Avatar
115 months ago
That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Avieshek Avatar
115 months ago
New trend, post a tweet, delete.

-Brought to you by, iPhone 7 tweet from Apple event.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RedTomato Avatar
115 months ago
Every device with a microphone and connected to the Internet is as capable as the echo of listening to you, always. So: throw away your phone and computer.
Do what we do, always talk in sign language.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paulrbeers Avatar
115 months ago
I'm still having a really hard time understanding (from the user side) why in the world I would ever want something like this.

I can see a day where I'll talk to whatever Siri's hub to control things in my home....but why would I ever want to order something off Amazon sight unseen, or a pizza from a speaker? I just don't get it.
It isn't just for ordering stuff off Amazon, in fact I've only used my echo's once for that. I use it to control my lights (especially walking into my house with arms full of groceries), play music (even my 5 year old can ask the Echo to play her favorite song), order Uber (while getting ready to head out), turn on the tv (when I can't find the remote), etc. etc.....

I used to use my phone to do so many of these things, but when your hands are busy doing other things (or covered in food when making or cleaning up dinner) it is way better. We tried using Siri though an iPad for many of these things, but because the microphone really only worked in one direction (as opposed to 360 degrees like the echo) it wasn't a great user experience. This. Just. Works. And just about every DIY major home automation system out there works with Echo.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spazzcat Avatar
115 months ago
That's cool, but I still don't want any always listening stuff in my house. Ever.
I have two they are prefect and the missing link to home automation.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NT1440 Avatar
115 months ago
I'm still having a really hard time understanding (from the user side) why in the world I would ever want something like this.

I can see a day where I'll talk to whatever Siri's hub to control things in my home....but why would I ever want to order something off Amazon sight unseen, or a pizza from a speaker? I just don't get it.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...