Amazon's Echo line of connected speakers continues to grow. So far in 2017, we've seen the introduction of the second-generation Echo, Echo Plus, the style-conscious Echo Look, and top-of-the-line Echo Show.

And Amazon isn't done just yet for the year. The Echo Spot is the latest unique device to feature the Alexa voice assistant.

With just a simple voice query, users can accomplish a huge number of tasks. Anything from playing music to controlling smart home devices and much more is just an Alexa command away.

Let's take a look at the Echo Spot and how it fits into Amazon's lineup. We'll also highlight some of its unique features so you can decide whether it's the Alexa device you've been looking for.

What Is the Echo Spot?

As you probably can tell, the biggest draw of the Echo Spot is its round, 2.5-inch touchscreen. The overall design looks like a marriage of the Echo Dot and high-end Echo Show.

Weighing 14.8 grams and measuring 4.1 inches wide and 3.8 inches tall, the front of the Show features the front-facing camera and touchscreen. The speaker grill is on the bottom.

On the back, you can find the volume control buttons, the microphone and camera on/off control, four-microphone array, power port, and 3.5mm output to hook up to a larger speaker.

everything you need to know about the echo spot

Buyers can select from a version of the Echo Spot with a white or black casing and border.

You can also purchase an optional adjustable stand for the Echo Spot to adjust the screen angle. It's available in the same two colors: black and white.

(Touch)Screen Time

It shouldn't come as a huge surprise, but the Echo Spot will provide anyone access to the huge number of voice-controllable skills. Currently, there are more than 20,000, and that number is growing daily.

While some of those aren't exactly helpful, there are some truly useful options you can take advantage of, just by saying "Alexa." But the biggest draw of the Echo Spot is the combination of screen and camera.

everything you need to know about the echo spot

A unique feature, not found on the larger Echo Show, are a number of different clock faces users can select from. The 12 faces include a number of digital and analog options.

Since one of the places Amazon hopes you'll use the softball-size Echo Spot is on your nightstand, that definitely makes a lot of sense and could easily make the device a popular (and powerful) modern alarm clock. Interestingly, there is no physical snooze button, but you can turn off an alarm by using an Alexa command or just tapping the screen.

The screen shows anything that its bigger brother can handle, like displaying song lyrics and other skills enabled for a touchscreen. A big downside though is that since the Echo Spot's screen is small and round, some video content will be optimized to fit the space and only focus on the center of the action.

So while you'll actually be able to play video from Amazon and other sources, the experience won't be optimal and something akin to watching TV with a monocular.

Made for Video Chatting

The camera also allows users to video chat with any other Echo Show, Echo Spot, or Amazon Alexa smartphone app user.

everything you need to know about the echo spot

Because of this, it can be used as part of the Drop-In Feature. Anyone with the Alexa app for iOS or Android or another Echo Show or Echo Spot, can drop in and immediately view and hear what's in range of the camera.

This completely optional feature needs to be enabled by both parties on a per-contact basis, but can be useful in a number of situations. And for the first few seconds of a drop in, the screen will be fuzzy so the other party can decline the call outright or just switch to audio.

You can also use the Echo lineup's voice calling and messaging feature.

Full Smart Home Control

Another place the Echo Spot's screen will shine is when controlling a smart home.

The Echo line has easily become the easiest and most wide-ranging way to control an ever-growing number of smart home devices. Smart devices from lights to locks and everything in-between are more than likely controllable with an Alexa command.

everything you need to know about the echo spot

With the screen, users will be able to view live feeds from a number of different surveillance cameras and smart doorbells from manufacturers like Nest, Ring, August, Arlo, TP-Link, EzViz, and others. You'll just need to say "Alexa, show me the [name of the camera]." Just like on the Echo Show, that feature alone could help be worth the cost of admission.

Don't Expect to Rock Out

One big word of warning is for anyone looking to play music on the Echo Spot. Since the device is similar in size to the Echo Dot, don't expect to use the Spot itself for a high-quality audio experience.

Only sporting a 1.4-inch speaker, you should definitely expect to attach another larger unit via a 3.5mm Aux cable or through Bluetooth if you're serious about music and great audio. Like other Echo devices, you can stream music from a wide variety of sources like Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, and others.

Another Echo That Hits the Spot?

everything you need to know about the echo spot

It's hard to imagine, but the original Echo arrived just a little more than three years. And in that time, Amazon has done a great job expanding what's possible with Alexa and growing the Echo hardware ecosystem.

While the Echo Spot isn't for everyone, it fills an important place in the Echo lineup. It provides a way for buyers to take advantage of the additional features of the touchscreen and camera for substantially less than the Echo Show and just a bit more than the second-generation Echo.

Thanks to that, the Echo Spot may quickly become the Alexa device of choice for anyone looking for an alarm clock that can do a whole lot more than just tell the time.

For other devices to consider, see how the Amazon Echo Dot compares to the Google Home Mini.