Amazon kills Alexa’s ability to control Echo speakers' AUX input

Amazon hasn't made an Echo with a 3.5mm port in six years.

The short version

• Amazon has disabled Alexa control of devices plugged into the company’s Echo smart speaker’s AUX port.
• Users have reported receiving an email from Amazon this week informing them of the change.
• “This is a reminder that as of today, voice commands to control your Echo device’s Aux input are no longer available.

What happened

Requests like ‘Alexa, play from line in” or “Alexa, set aux input’ will no longer work,” an email that Amazon sent reads, according to a screenshot a Reddit user shared this week. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the news to Ars Technica today.

Why it matters

Amazon hasn’t made an Echo with a 3.5 mm port in years.

Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.