Amazon turns off Alexa voice control for AUX input
Amazon has removed voice commands for the AUX input on several older Echo speakers, though the physical 3.5mm jack and app controls still work.
The facts
- According to Engadget, Amazon has disabled Alexa voice commands such as "play from line in" for the AUX input on several older Echo speakers.
- The affected models are the second-generation Echo Plus (2018), third-generation Echo (2019), original Echo Studio (2019) and fourth-generation Echo (2020).
- Amazon confirmed the removal and told The Verge it had notified "the very small number of customers" using the feature. It gave no reason for the change.
- The physical AUX connection still works, and owners can switch Line In or Line Out in the Alexa app.
Case notes · Danny's take
Why it matters
This is a small feature, quietly removed. No big announcement, no reason given. When you buy a smart speaker, you are also renting the software that runs it, and the company can change that deal later. Amazon says very few people used it. That may be true. It doesn't help the ones who did. Hardware you own can still lose features you relied on.
For builders
If your product depends on a platform's voice or device features, assume those can be switched off without warning. Keep a fallback that works without the cloud, such as the physical connection that still works here.
Not financial advice. Do your own investigation.
This story was summarised with AI from Engadget's reporting and checked against our editorial policy. Danny's take reflects his views. Disclaimer.
Danny Walter
Founder of Moon Republic, Volt Terminal and Moon Republic Academy. Author of The Market Is a Crime Scene and After the Applause.