I have several of the Alexa devices (kindle, dots, spots, echo, original show) this device is different for 2 reasons, speakers and size of screen. This is a great kitchen companion. The screen is large enough to view from across the room. Before adding an ingredient to a dish, you can confirm the measurement without walking away from the stove, bowl, mixer e.t.c. It has great speakers so you can fill the room with sound as you prepare your gourmet dish. I am hesitant about putting it in the bedroom, video calling :). When I purchased my show, Amazon offered a free smart light bulb. I wish they would bring back that offer. Not that I would buy another show, but it might help others purchase one, if they were considering having a smart home.
The new Echo Show is a must have!!!!!!
I purchased my Akexa Show from an Amazon kiosk in a mall. That is why this post doesn't detail "verified purchaser".
Edited 10/19/18: After 2 updates, the volume problem mentioned in my review is fixed. When using normal volume speech, but with the Echo volume set fairly low, Alexa now answers at a suitably low volume. And today, I was able to activate the new Whispermode, which works great! You whisper to Alexa, she whispers back to you.
I'm raising my rating to 4.5 stars. If Amazon would ever remove the annoying “Try this” messages ruining my home screen photo (and music screens as well), I would probably rate this as 5 stars. (This is unfortunately unlikely to happen, as Echo Show users have been complaining about this for a year and a half, but it hasn't changed.)
I upgraded from the first generation Echo Show. I’ll get my one real complaint out of the way first. On the second generation Show, you can lower the volume for music and videos, but not for the Alexa voice. Even with the volume set very low, so I can listen to music without disturbing anyone, if I need to interact with Alexa, her response will be very loud. This didn't happen with the first generation Echo. On that one, if I turned down the volume, everything was turned down, including Alexa. I did send feedback to Amazon about this, and I see someone else here commented on the problem. I'm eagerly awaiting the new whispermode, which isn't on my device yet, but really, I just want the voice volume to work the same way it did on the first generation.
I do really like the bigger screen size, which is a pleasure to watch. I'm also enjoying using the Silk browser to access YouTube. (You get to it by saying “Alexa, open Silk.” ) You can't use voice to search for YouTube videos, but if you're willing to sign into a YouTube account, you can access your saved video lists and get to the videos quickly that way. I also used the browser to access my local PBS TV station and watched some on demand video on that.
Edit - 11/26/2018
Updated review after approximately six weeks of ownership with daily usage.
I had the first generation of this product and received this the day it was released. I've used four of these Echo Shows daily. I don't want to repeat the other great reviews on here so will try to add extra seven extra pieces information that may be helpful to you.
1) I wish Amazon and Google would band together and get over their silent feud. I'm a huge fan of both companies (sorry Apple), but their products don't work well together. After Amazon removed YouTube from the first generation product, I was more than upset. Well, now you can get YouTube here via a workaround method. You can use either Amazon's Silk Browser of the Firefox Browser on this device. Neither works exceptionally well and I've found that Firefox works a little better, faster and with fewer hiccups. So, you can get YouTube - just not on the YouTube native application. It's not as good and linking your Google user account to the device and is much more difficult to do.
2) It's difficult to get a Google-branded doorbell, the Nest thermostat or the Google camera to work with this device. There are workarounds (many listed with a simple web search) that take a lot of time and technical knowledge to set-up, but everything seems like a workaround and isn't easy. Amazon wants you to purchase their Ring doorbell, another thermostat brand (EcoBee), and Amazon-branded cameras. This is very frustrating, to say the least. I beta test Google Products and it's the same thing there. Their new Google Home Hub doesn't support Amazon products well, but that's a different review for a different platform Again, these two behemoth awesome companies need to come to terms and support each other's ecosystems. I know it's a competitive "thing" that is supposed to benefit the shareholder via an increased profit margin. However, as the consumer, this is a sore huge spot for me and I assume others?
3) I've used the drop-in feature from the Amazon Application on my phone to this device. It's slow; painfully slow to connect and subsequently come into focus. Moreover, the camera on this device shoots up the ceiling so you can't really see the entire room you've "dropped-into" well. In order to see someone, they have to be directly in front of the device. Perhaps these are meant to be security/privacy features or are these just half-baked implementations?
4) I like that you can now issue a follow-up command to Alexa. That is, you can program the device to listen to your request without saying the wake word "Alexa" again.
5) The user interface seems rudimentary. - almost like a pre-schooler designed it. Sure the screen is larger, but simply displaying the weather, a clock or sports scores on a cartoonish-like background isn't enough. I'd really like to see my Google doorbell and cameras as a default dashboard here without purchasing the Google Home Hub. My hopes are this changes with future software updates. Amazon: you employ some of the smartest talent in the world so please upgrade this simplistic screen interface. It looks silly and very much like a Palm Pilot interface on the early 2000s.
6) Why oh why does Amazon Prime only display the last 60 shows in your library here? You need to use the phone/tablet/computer application to see your entire library. Amazon Prime shows are another fantastic thing about an Amazon membership, so why limit the ability to see a users' inventory? Also, the volume on Prime video is much softer than when playing Amazon Prime music.
7) If you care about someone seeing your personal pictures, you can restrict access to your Amazon picture library, That is, you can disable the picture feature on the settings menu via a toggle switch, the picture library comes "ON" by default. So....if you have any compromising/private pictures uploaded from your phone automatically to the Amazon Cloud, you may not want them to display on your Echo device.
All-in-all, this is an incremental improvement over the original product with the best feature being the larger screen size. The speaker sound is OK, but not fantastic as a few other reviews note and the sound is lower when using Amazon Prime video. I'd like to see a better and more modern user interface and better ability to integrate with Google products.
When I first saw the Echo Show Gen 1, I was on the fence of getting it. Looked promising but the screen was a bit small for the price tag. Glad I waited for Gen 2! The screen on this thing is beautiful. Full HD and vibrant colors. I'm amazed that I can watch my Prime shows and it looks great. I also love the lyrics on the screen for Amazon Music. Sometimes I just want a solo karaoke session in my kitchen.
The sound of the Echo Show was what impressed me the most. I'm upgrading from a 1st Gen Echo Dot and the moment I heard the sound of the Show, I was blown away! There is so much bass and the volume can get insanely loud for such a little device. The kitchen might be my second most favorite spot in the house. Touchscreen is also very responsive and works great. The only thing I wish it had was an app hub so I can choose exactly what I want. Sometimes Alexa doesn't understand what I want to watch. Best Amazon machine ever!! Can't wait to see what other devices they release.
The actual hardware has improved. The sound quality on this Echo Show is definitely better than the first generation. The screen is bolder as well. I own a first generation Echo Show as well... I do not love the new software update that hit all Echo Shows. For example, if I set my background to show my family photos from Amazon Photos, I do not want to see stock photos of news stories as well! I know I can turn off updates in my settings... BUT I like the words from the updates, I just want them over my photos like the old Echo software! As it stands now, a family picture will come up, then a news story photo. This is quite annoying!
I do not know how long Amazon will rule this market. The new Google Hub looks like a great device. However, the inferior sound and lack of a camera still puts it behind the Echo Show. But in a couple years if a Google Hub Max comes out... I may switch to that! The Google brain just is outpacing what Amazon’s articfical intelligence can do. (I have both Echos, Echo Shows, and Google Home’s in my house!) Facebook also just released an interesting device similar to the Echo Show that lets you video message FaceTime Messenger contacts. But as of 2018-2019, in my opinion, this is the best device of its kind on the market! I’m very happy with this Echo Show compared to the first generation Echo Show!!!
Feature Product
- Premium speakers with Dolby processing let you stream music and books in crisp, stereo sound. With a vibrant 10.1" HD screen for watching videos, movies, and TV shows-in a new fabric design.
- Ask Alexa to see lyrics and album art with Amazon Music. See weather forecasts, calendars, to-do lists, and your favorite playlists.
- Watch award-winning movies and shows from Prime Video, music videos from Vevo, or live TV and sports with a Hulu subscription.
- Make video calls to anyone with Skype, the Alexa app, an Echo Spot, or Echo Show.
- Your new kitchen companion-watch recipe videos, set timers and alarms, and add items to your shopping list.
- Set up compatible Zigbee devices without the need for a separate hub. See your front door camera stream with 2-way audio and notifications.
- With eight microphones and far-field technology, Alexa can hear you even while music is playing.
- With over 50,000 skills and counting, Alexa is always getting smarter. Skills are like apps and let you do more with Alexa.
Description
Premium sound and a vibrant 10.1” HD screen
For those people who mentioned the clock/weather is TOO SMALL, please look at the last photo. You can magnify the clock/information by going to Settings > Accessibility
I really like the larger 10.1 inch screen. But 720p really? The speakers are a lot better than than the 1st generation. And they get better the more you pump sound through them. And one big disappointment is that SiriusXM stations still do not show the artist, song or album. My Grace Digital can do that. At any rate I am happy so far. Also you can pair the Alexa remote to it. You just have to do it through on screen settings not the Alexa app tada....
First, this is an order of magnitude improvement in terms of hardware. Much larger screen, which looks great. Very bright, good color, all as expected. It looks nicer as well. This device is larger and heavier. The sound is much improved in terms of the speakers, drivers, etc. and it has bass response the 1st gen Echo could not dream of. All in all, much as presented here on Amazon.
As expected, there are some software issues and omissions. It's a new release, after all. So I'm sure Amazon will be fixing these soon. Many have noticed the LOUD Alexa voice response. It is truly annoying. Hopefully, they will fix this soon. Ideally they would let you set Alexa's voice response level independently from media. As it is, media volume is much lower.
Also, they appear to have used spatial processing to give you a stereo effect and it works great. But it's not always desirable. There should be an option to disable it. For example, it works great for some music, but not well at all for other music. Also, the bass response is overdone - for some things - even when I lower the bass in the equalizer to minimum levels. The equalizer adjustments need more range or tweaking, in my opinion. At first I thought, wow, I won't need my external speakers now, This thing sounds great. But as I went on, I soon learned that wasn't the case and reverted back to using my Bluetooth speaker. The spatial effect interference with mid-range (vocals) is the primary reason as it alters the balance of sounds, but the over-done boomy bass is also an issue. It's less of an issue at lower volumes.
Some music sounds great. And movies I watched from Prime Video all sounded very good. With movies the bass and spatial sound works very well and everything sounded fantastic. It made for a very enjoyable movie experience.
I was a beta user for the original Echo and we went through some of this with that device as well and Amazon did a great job of addressing the issues, so I am sure they will do the same this time around. The hardware is a huge step up in performance, so the results should be excellent.
So vastly improved screen and sound drivers, they just need to get the software tweaked for music. Also, as some have noted, not all of the functionality is working properly at this point. Most all of the basic stuff does. Some things still have glitches. But give them time.
I will try to come back and update as things unfold. Giving 4 stars for now as I like it even with the glitches.
Update:After lowering the bass (a lot) and moving the Echo to another location, sound has improved. Still would like finer controls, but it definitely has great sound potential. Some songs sound incredibly good. The spatial effect can be very enjoyable with the right source material. Also, as mentioned, it works extremely well with most movies.
The Echo Show 2nd gen is amazing.
The screen is not only bigger but your wallpapers look more vivid especially pics with Autumn Leaves
Echo Show 2 is louder then Echo Show 1
You can access your smarthome controls in settings eg lights,switches,plugs etc.
You can ask Alexa to pull up firefox and silk browsers and you can view YouTube. I was able to view all my YouTube favorites,history,subscriptions etc once I logged in.
Music sounds more crisp on the Echo Show 2 especially Dolby
Show 2 has a lot of base but you can cut that down in the alexa app or in the settings as well I think.
I recommend the Echo Show Gen 2 and the Stand Accessory sold seperatly thru amazon. The stand makes it look even better as you'll see in my picture.
An FYI Echo Show Gen 1 also now has the browsers,light controls,youtube etc since an Update. The advantage of the Echo Show 2 over the 1 is mainly the bigger screen size and it's HD Screen.
The Echo Show 1 is just a little brighter then the Echo Show 2 but the Show 2 looks better with your wallpaper pictures cause of the HD Screen. Show 1 isn't an HD Display.
I embraced voice-controlled applications and services on Amazon Echo devices over a year ago and was thrilled to finally get a chance to try out the new Echo Show. I had been wanting a display device for use in the kitchen where I could refer to recipes while I am preparing a new dish and was also interested in purchasing an Alexa-enabled video doorbell so I could check to see who was at the door whenever I hear the dogs start barking while I am working on my computer in my home office. I don't yet have the video doorbell but I did ask the new Show to display recipes for corn beef and cabbage, one of my husband's favorite dishes, and the images were sharp and the colors brilliant. I also enabled an ambient sound skill and enjoyed both hearing the mountain river and seeing a relaxing HD video of the stream. As a photographer, I hope to develop my own skills for the Show that will be both inspiring and educational!
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