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Amazon is innovating again, bringing us another version of its Echo smart speaker, the Echo Show. What makes the Echo Show different is that it has a touch screen so you can see what Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, can do.
You may think that it was just yesterday that Amazon introduced a new Echo device. Well, it wasn’t yesterday, but you’re close. It was a mere two weeks ago that Amazon announced the Echo Look.
While the Look is for those who have (or need) a passion for fashion, the Show is for those who want to take Alexa to a new level.
What Echo Show Can Do
Echo Show shows off its touch screen with added features, making it more useful than previous Echo devices. Like the other Echoes before it, the Show has voice control so you can speak your commands.
Unlike the other Echoes, the Show has a 7 in (17.8 cm) touch screen that can show you the results of your commands. See your search results, weather, song lyrics, shopping items, news briefings, and more.
On the Show, you can watch videos from Amazon Video and YouTube, using your voice to search for, and control viewing, the videos.
If you have multiple Shows in the house, you can connect them as a video intercom to talk to other family members or keep an eye on a sleeping baby.
Check out => What Can Alexa Do? Here’s a New Way to Discover Her Skills
Show also works with other smart home devices to control them using your voice or see who’s at the door with the Ring doorbell.
Like previous Echoes, you can use the Show to stream music from Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio. The show will show you lyrics on its screen when you stream music using Amazon Music.
With Show, you can use your voice to shop and buy on Amazon. You can see what you’re purchasing on the Show’s screen before placing your order.
The show can also be used as a digital photo frame. You can view photos on Show that you’ve uploaded to Amazon Photos.
=> See, Amazon Family Vault for Photos – Another New Benefit for Prime Members
Alexa Calling and Messaging
Amazon is also introducing Alexa Calling and Messaging, letting you send voice messages and make video and audio calls using Echo devices and the Alexa app on smartphones.
Show has a camera so you can place Alexa video calls to other Echo Show devices or to smartphones that have the Alexa app installed. You can also place audio calls to other Echoes or to the Alexa app on smartphones. Alexa Calling works on the original Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show and the Alexa app for smartphones.
Both Alexa voice and video calls can be placed and answered using your voice with the Echo Show.
You will also be able to use Alexa to send and receive messages. Use an Echo device or the Alexa app to send messages in your own voice to others who have an Echo or the Alexa app. You can also use the Echo and Alexa app to receive Alexa messages.
Alexa Calling is free. Alexa video calls will be available on the Echo Show and Alexa app on iPhone/iPad, Android and Fire tablets. Alexa voice calls will be available on the original Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show devices as well as on the Alexa app.
Drop In
With a feature called Drop In, you can use the Show to see who has been active on their Show recently and place a video call to them. The person receiving the Drop In call has 10 seconds to reject the call or switch to an audio call, otherwise, the video call will connect.
Permission must be granted to give Drop In access to someone from your Echo Show.
Availability
The Echo Show is available in white or black from Amazon in the US for $229. If you enter the code SHOW2PACK, you can get a $100 discount off of two.
The Show can be ordered now is scheduled to be delivered on June 28.
Amazon plans to sell the Show in other countries, but the dates for international launches have not been announced.
Your Thoughts
Do you like the idea of the Echo Show having a screen? Do you think the screen will make the Echo more useful? Do you like the idea of Alexa Calling and Messaging?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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Seems like Amazon is giving tough competition to Google, Apple and Microsoft. Amazon is working hard on their gadgets. First Echo Look and now this new Echo.
Thanks for sharing this interesting update by Amazon
Hi Jayant, You’re right, Amazon is certainly ahead of the game with their Echo line of smart speakers. They were the first to introduce smart speakers and had a huge lead over their competitors. Now with the introduction of the Show they’ve taken the Echo to a new level.
Suddenly a smart speaker with just a speaker doesn’t seem so smart any more!