The Amazon Tap is a so-so speaker with a so-so voice assistant

Like the Echo, the Tap takes the form of a black cylinder with a mesh exterior that reminds me of old-school speaker covers. Because on-the-go speakers are constantly being shuttled in and out of bags, though, they also need to be able to withstand some contact with the ground. Amazon doesn't specifically claim that the Tap is rugged, but it sells an optional silicone case for 20 that Amazon says adds some extra protection against bumps and drops (it also adds a handle, to boot). For my part, while I didn't actually drop the speaker on purpose, it was solid enough to handle a few tumbles. Continuing our brief tour, there are track and volume controls up top, meaning if a song comes on and the phone that's streaming to the speaker isn't available, you can still quickly skip that expletive-filled track you forgot to remove from your playlist before your parents' barbecue.