110 Things to Know About New Amazon Echo Show Smart-Home Hub
The smart-home battle is ramping up with Amazon’s announcement of the Echo Show, a new smart-home hub. The device, which is expected to launch in June, is the first smart-home hub to come with a built-in screen. The screen provides contextual information based on what users are saying in their interactions with Alexa, the Echo Show’s onboard virtual personal assistant. The Echo Show, which has a decidedly different design than the original Amazon Echo, also supports a wide range of third-party apps and is designed to act as a virtual assistant throughout the day. It can even be used as a video conferencing solution. This slide show will discuss in detail the Echo Show’s features and why Amazon believes it justifies its $230 price tag.
2An All-New Design
3An Important Display Addition
Amazon’s Echo Show is the first from the company—and the first major smart home hub—to come with a display. The screen, which allows for touch input and measures 7 inches, will allow users to perform tasks such as read music lyrics, host conference calls or get the latest news, adding a new dimension to using a smart-home hub.
4Amazon Talks About the Smart Home
Amazon is clearly targeting the smart home with the Amazon Echo Show. The device is fully compatible with a wide array of smart home platforms, including WeMo, SmartThings and Hue, and will even display video from the Ring Doorbell, among other products. Look for the Amazon Echo Show to be a major smart-home improvement over the Amazon Echo.
5A Wide Array of Third-Party Apps
6Alexa Lives Inside
7A Built-in Camera for Communication
8A Push for Two Echo Shows
Amazon believes two Echo Shows could be better than one for certain homes and, in some cases, the office. Video conferencing is available between two Echo Shows, which might make it useful for the office. Amazon also envisions the Echo Show being used by families to communicate. Those who order two Echo Shows will get $100 off on the purchase.
9Critical Specs to Know
The Echo Show’s specs are worth mentioning. For one, the device connects to wireless networks with up to 802.11n, so those who have 802.11ac WiFi systems won’t get the full benefit of that technology. The two speakers inside are 2 inches, which Amazon says should deliver solid stereo sound. The Echo Show runs Intel’s Atom x5 processor and it comes with a one-year limited warranty.
10It Hasn’t Replaced the Amazon Echo
11What to Know About Its Price and Availability
Amazon’s Echo Show is available now for preorder and is scheduled to ship to customer homes June 28. It is priced at $230, making it far more expensive than Amazon’s other Echo devices.