Amazon disables Alexa voice control for Echo speaker AUX input

Amazon has disabled Alexa's ability to control devices connected to the AUX input on several of its Echo smart speaker models. Users reported receiving emails this week detailing the change, which renders voice commands like "Alexa, play from line in" or "Alexa, set aux input" inoperable. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the news to Ars Technica.

The affected devices include older models such as the Echo Plus 2nd Gen (2018), Echo 3rd Gen (2019), Echo Studio 1st Gen (2019), and Echo 4th Gen (2020). Amazon has not released an Echo speaker with a 3.5mm AUX port in six years.

Despite the removal of voice command functionality for the AUX input, the physical port itself will continue to work. Users can still manually select the AUX input via the Alexa app and connect devices through Bluetooth, which Amazon noted is a more common method of connection. The company stated that a very small number of users relied on voice commands for AUX input control, suggesting a limited impact.

Amazon did not provide a specific reason for removing the feature or disclose the exact number of affected users. One Reddit user speculated that the change might be related to Amazon's focus on improving its AI-powered, subscription-based version of Alexa, Alexa+.