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Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

By Bill Detwiler September 14, 2015, 6:05 AM PDT on Twitter billdetwiler

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Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Amazon Echo teardown

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Amazon Echo teardown

Part speaker, part microphone, part Star Trek computer in your house, the Amazon Echo is a surprisingly handy “smart” appliance.

In this Cracking Open gallery, I break out my screwdrivers to uncover how Amazon gave an otherwise ordinary Bluetooth speaker a brain by connecting it to the cloud.

To watch a complete teardown video and read my full hardware analysis, check out my article, Amazon Echo teardown: A Smart speaker powered by Amazon’s cloud.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Microphone on/off button, Action button and volume control ring

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Microphone on/off button, Action button and volume control ring

The Echo is 9.25 inches tall and 3.27 inches wide, or about the size of a one liter drink container. Its controls are minimal. There is a microphone on/off button and action button on the top, as well as a rotating volume ring. LEDs are located around the edge of the volume ring and under the buttons.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Power connector

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Power connector

A connector for the power cord is located on the bottom.

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the rubber base

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the rubber base

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Rubber base torn during removal

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Rubber base torn during removal

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Prying off the remaining half of the rubber base

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Prying off the remaining half of the rubber base

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Lift off the molded half of the rubber base

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Lift off the molded half of the rubber base

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Bottom cover exposed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Bottom cover exposed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the cover screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the cover screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the bottom cover and attached power board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the bottom cover and attached power board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Disconnecting the power board wires

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Disconnecting the power board wires

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Bottom cover and power board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Bottom cover and power board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Tweeter cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Tweeter cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the tweeter cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the tweeter cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the outer shell

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the outer shell

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Outer shell removed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Outer shell removed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Tweeter attached to speaker

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Tweeter attached to speaker

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the inner cloth wrapping

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the inner cloth wrapping

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Internal hardware

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Internal hardware

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Tweeter and internal hardware

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Tweeter and internal hardware

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the tweeter screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the tweeter screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the tweeter

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the tweeter

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 2-inch tweeter

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 2-inch tweeter

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Woofer and internal hardware

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Woofer and internal hardware

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the woofer

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the woofer

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 2.5-inch woofer

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 2.5-inch woofer

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 2.5-inch woofer magnet

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 2.5-inch woofer magnet

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the power board flat flexible cable

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the power board flat flexible cable

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Main circuit board attached to the inner shell

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Main circuit board attached to the inner shell

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the main circuit board screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the main circuit board screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the main circuit board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the main circuit board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume wheel assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume wheel assembly

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Inner shell and air chambers

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Inner shell and air chambers

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Reflex port

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Reflex port

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume wheel assembly - Top

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume wheel assembly - Top

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume wheel assembly - Bottom

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume wheel assembly - Bottom

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume wheel assembly screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume wheel assembly screws

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume wheel assembly bottom cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume wheel assembly bottom cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume wheel assembly with cover removed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume wheel assembly with cover removed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume ring

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume ring

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume ring assembly with ring removed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume ring assembly with ring removed

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume ring circuit board cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume ring circuit board cover

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume mechanism gear

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume mechanism gear

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume ring spacer

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the volume ring spacer

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the microphone and control circuit board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Removing the microphone and control circuit board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Top cover and control buttons

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Top cover and control buttons

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Top cover - Inside

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Top cover - Inside

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Microphone, LED, and volume control circuit board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Microphone, LED, and volume control circuit board

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Control button contacts and LEDs

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Control button contacts and LEDs

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume control mechanism

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Volume control mechanism

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Microphone and LEDs

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Microphone and LEDs

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: LVC74A EZ49904 TXD15 13C

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: LVC74A EZ49904 TXD15 13C

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: National Semiconductor (Texas Instruments) LP5523 Programmable LED Driver

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: National Semiconductor (Texas Instruments) LP5523 Programmable LED Driver

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Texas Instruments TLV320ADC3101 low-power, stereo audio analog-to-digital converter (ADC)

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Texas Instruments TLV320ADC3101 low-power, stereo audio analog-to-digital converter (ADC)

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Microphone on/off button contact and LEDs

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Microphone on/off button contact and LEDs

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Action button contact

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Action button contact

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo:

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo:

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Main system board - Front

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Main system board - Front

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Main system board - Back

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Main system board - Back

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Texas Instruments DM3725 Digital Media Processor

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Texas Instruments DM3725 Digital Media Processor

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 250MB Samsung K4X2G323PD 8GD8 mobile DRAM

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 250MB Samsung K4X2G323PD 8GD8 mobile DRAM

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 4GB Toshiba THGBMBG5D1KBAIT eMMC NAND flash storage chip

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: 4GB Toshiba THGBMBG5D1KBAIT eMMC NAND flash storage chip

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Qualcomm QCA6234 Dual-Band 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0 chip

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Qualcomm QCA6234 Dual-Band 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0 chip

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Texas Instruments TPS65910 integrated power-management IC

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Texas Instruments TPS65910 integrated power-management IC

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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amazonechoteardown067.jpg
Cracking Open the Amazon Echo cloud-connected speaker

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Teardown complete

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic

Cracking Open the Amazon Echo: Teardown complete

Bill Detwiler/TechRepublic
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By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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