Amazon Echo Show Puts Alexa On A Touchscreen Device

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Amazon found itself the perfect platform for Alexa with the Echo speaker, allowing them to bring the intelligent virtual assistant into many people’s homes, despite some doubts and reservations during its initial launch. With the platform proving itself, the company has ramped up on expanding the line, throwing in a mobile speaker and another one equipped with a fashion-focused camera. This time around, they’re giving Alexa a full-fledged communication hub with the Amazon Echo Show.

Equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen and an integrated five-megapixel camera, the device allows users to talk to one another using the Alexa Calling feature. It’s not just those who use Echo Show that you can talk to either, as it can interface with any other Alexa-powered device (including third-party devices), as well as the outfit’s smartphone and tablet apps. There’s also a feature called Drop-In, which automatically establishes communication – think of it like instantly hearing someone’s voice on your phone without the option of rejecting their call. And, yes, we have a feeling it can be turned off for those who might find such a capability a little creepy.

This is a significant development for Amazon’s Alexa platform, which, so far, served as an information center, a control hub for home automation, and a fun novelty. Turning their devices and apps into full-fledged communication platforms should open up an entirely new avenue for the company – one that could turn Alexa into an integral part of every household. And, yes, that bodes well for further increasing Amazon’s 70 percent hold in the virtual assistant fray.

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MORE THAN A COMMUNICATION TOOL

Aside from the communication it facilitates, the Amazon Echo Show’s screen also allows it to enhance its responses with clear visuals, giving it added tools at its disposal when it comes to answering your queries and commands. That same screen can also be used to watch YouTube videos, see quick news briefings, display a live feed from compatible cameras and baby monitors, see lyrics while it plays songs, and, we’re guessing, a whole lot more, as Amazon works out deals with content providers.

Like the Echo speaker, the device is fitted with eight microphones, beam-forming technology, and noise cancellation, allowing it to hear your voice and understand you clearly from anywhere in the room. Dual two-inch speakers powered by Dolby tech promise powerful, room-filling sound, ensuring it can serve as viable way to enjoy your favorite music playlists.

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DISPLAY-CENTERED SKILLS

Of course, the Echo Show retains all of the original speaker’s capabilities, so you can still use it to order an Uber, shop with your voice, switch on your Philips Hue bulbs, and produce goofy sounds, along with the thousands of other skills Alexa has on tap. This time, though, Amazon is opening their “skills” tool to add visual components, so expect a gaggle of new skills that incorporate videos, maps, images, and other visuals. Yes, that means video ads are likely (well, definitely) going to make their way into your Echo, too. Hey, there has to be a downside somewhere.

Aesthetically, it reminds us of the Sony Dash, albeit with a larger bottom area for the speaker hardware. While some internet pundits have panned its appearance, it’s really not that bad. Truth be told, it looks like a cross between those small TVs people used in the kitchen back in the day and the modern tablet form factor. It measures 7.4 x 7.4 x 3.5 inches.

Slated to ship June 28th, the Amazon Echo Show is priced at $229.99. You can also order two for $259.99 – a $100 discount.

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14 Responses

  1. The only thing I am not a fan of is the screen size. I wish they would have used at least a 10 inch screen. I’d set it up so when my alarm goes off in the morning it automatically starts streaming a news channel.

    I’m excited about this and look forward to see what the second generation of the Amazon Echo Show will have upon the next release.

    1. Oh Amazon will be pushing out multiple firmware updates to this first generation too. I normally shy away from first generation products but Amazon has been on a role with releasing quality products. The only exception would be the cell phone Amazon released. It probably would have been successful if Amazon had proceed their phone at a lower price. I think they learned their lesson.

      1. Amazon knows from their data that Kindle users buy more off of Amazon so they are pushing to get their products into new users hands. One of the best things that have done is allow you to buy any Amazon manufactured device and pay for it in 5 monthly installments. It’s basically lay-away except you get the device right away and don’t have to pay interest or any additional money.

        Amazon will also allow you to buy the Amazon Echo Show on the 5 payment plan.

      2. I actually had the Amazon phone and it was pretty cool. I only got it after they dropped the price way down because at one point wasn’t it almost as expensive as the iPhone? I don’t remember, but I remember it being abnormally higher than other phones that had a good reputation. I think the problem that people who were getting it were annoyed with the lack of apps at the time. I know a lot of the stuff I expected to be on there because it was a “modified version of android” made it look nothing like what I was expecting. Also it was way too much like my Kindle Fire, but slower and buggier. Despite my mediocre to annoyed feeling of their phone, I would actually like to see them give it another shot. You’re right they learned a lot of lessons and I think they have a lot of potential to turn it around and be amazing.

        1. The Amazon phone was a huge flop for many reasons. The pricing was absurd. Amazon was trying to position it as a premium phone, and priced it similarly to the iPhone. Consumers did not feel the phone was worth the money. An iPhone or flagship Android was a much better value. It wasn’t a bad phone at all, but for the price it was awful. If they had marketed it sub $200 then they could have brought even more people into the Amazon World. Nobody really cares if the phone runs a modified version of Android that limits their access to the regular Android store, as long as they got the phone at a great deal. Consumers didn’t want to pay a premium price for a phone that would not allow them to do what they were already in the habit of doing with a cheaper phone.

          1. I hope Amazon comes out with another phone, but only if they do it right this time. Make it specced out like a premium Samsung phone, but price it at a very economic price. Even if Amazon loses a few dollars on each sale, the could potentially reap so much in new customers who would begin using Amazon and then get in the habit of buying everything from there. Some low-income people view Amazon Prime like Costco, something that’d be nice to have, but not affordable. If a cheap phone that could show these poorer people that, “yes, Amazon actually does save my family money”, then Amazon would gain so many new Prime subscribers. When a poor person with limited income actually begins to use their Prime benefits, then they often consider cutting out Netflix. For the cost of Netflix, you can get Amazon Prime and it includes their video streaming.

    2. Oh I’m with you on the screen size. I am speculating that Amazon will eventually release a larger screen once they see how consumers tend to utilize this the most. I know there are Amazon smart TVs made that are full-sized televisions, but I’d like to see not just an Amazon branded smart tv, but an actual Amazon device that is a large screen television but has all of the Echo features. Instead of scrolling through the on-screen guide to find a channel you can just ask it to switch you to the History channel. That would be a product I’d buy on day one!

  2. I never heard of the Amazon Echo Show before. This is really cool and I could see our family using it. Our parents live in the carriage house behind us and it would be nice for us to have one and our parents to have the other so we can keep up with what’s going on and ensure their safety while we are not there. God forbid they ever had an emergency or anything – we would be one voice call away at all times while they were home. I think that the Amazon Echo Show can really change how people interact with one another. I think it could be something that almost every household has to keep in contact with long distance (or not so long distance in my case) family members. I have friends who are always complaining that their parents and their grandparents can’t figure out how to use Skype on their computers and this would be much easier for them to learn. I am always hearing wonderful things about how easy Amazon products are to use.

    1. Amazon doesn’t necessarily offer top of the level products such as their line of Fire Tablets, but they are very affordable and very reliable. I have multiple Amazon products including a Kindle Paper White and a Kindle HD7 Tablet. They both work as advertised. Although the table isn’t as powerful as say an Apple iPad, the Kindle Fire Tablets work great for my use. I use them to stream music, stream Amazon Prime Movies, and read magazines on.

      I could see myself buying a Amazon Echo Show to play movies at night while I fall asleep. I usually fall asleep with my big screen playing, but I really don’t care for the light or the movie, I just want the noise as it helps to to relax and fall asleep.

  3. I admit our family doesn’t have many Amazon products other than our kindles that as of late haven’t gotten much use. I had no idea what Alexa was or what it could do until I watched a demo on this Amazon Echo Show and I will say it is super cool! This is something I never would have even thought of to get and now I am wondering how we have lived without it all our lives. I can see the Amazon Echo Show being an integral part of our household. Often times our kids get home from school before one of us gets out of the office. I’d love to be able to check in to see what they’re up to without them having the ability to ignore me (plus see what is going on). I can’t wait for it to come out at the end of the month. We will definitely be keeping our eyes peeled in stores so we can try it out for ourselves before committing to the purchase.

    1. Click the “Check it Out” link above and order one. Amazon is great with returns. Get one in your hands, play with it, use it for a couple of days, and then if it isn’t the product for you then ship it back to Amazon. Amazon is great with this because they want to replace tradition stores for out day-to-day shopping.

      I love the Amazon Dash Buttons. I got one in my bathroom for my toilet paper. When I grab a roll of toilet paper and see it is that last roll I simply push the Amazon Dash Button and 2-3 days later I have a box on my front door from Amazon with my toilet paper in it. It is cheaper than my grocery store for the brand I buy, but it is also hassle free. I never have to make a quick trip to the store just to buy toilet paper.

      Amazon wants us to use Prime Products and send back if not happy because they want to be our first choice when it comes to shopping. Give it a try, I bet your family will end up keeping it. Right now they are running a special that if you buy 2 Amazon Echo Shows you will get $100 off.

  4. Not a bad idea for people who use Alexa. I am more of a Google Home guy myself but things like this may make me change my mind. I do like the voice command but having a screen like this just keeps everything more simple. Also, making video calls on that would be better than walking around with my phone lol

  5. I can’t speak on the Echo show as I haven’t had a chance to use one yet, but here are my thoughts on the Amazon Echo vs Google Home.

    Sound quality- For quality of sound, Google Home definitely sounds better. It has better speakers and not as “tinny sounding.” Although Google home has better quality sound, the Amazon Echo has louder speakers. Personal choice here. I would choose the Echo for being louder, but others feel that Google Home is the better choice.

    As a Youtube Red Subscriber, I get Google Music for free. With Google Home I can listen to Youtube, Youtube Red, and Google Music. I can’t stream those with Echo. With Echo I do get to stream Amazon Prime music, which I can’t do on Google Home. If I wasn’t a subscriber to Google Music then I would choose the Echo as I can stream music for free with my Prime membership. Either home assitant device is fine here, it just depends on what service you like to use for streaming music. Both of them can stream Spotify!

    I definitely prefer interacting with the Google Home assistant over the Echo Alexa voice. The Google Home Device has much better web searching abilities. Other than search, Echo wins out because it has so many more skills you can add to it. Most people though will be fine with the skills you can add to Google Home. Both devices are constantly getting new skills added that you can then download onto the device.

    Both devices are great. Both devices are still being updated regularly and expanding what you can do with them. You really cannot go wrong with either one, but the Echo definitely is the winner in my mind. Amazon is the “Apple” of personal home assistant devices.

    The Amazon Echo Show is a huge step forward for the Echo device, and will have Google Home rushing to get a screen on their device in the future.

    1. I never realize you got get Google Music Premium for free if you are a Youtube Red subscriber. I’m not going to renew my Spotify and then sign up for it. If you like to watch Youtube and subscribe to a premium streaming music service, then it is insane not to subscribe to Google Music.

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