Amazon's Echo Show 8 will appeal to those looking for a smart device that does more than just display music. This is also a great option for those who can live with the mediocre display and auto-frame video camera.
The Echo Show 8's 8-inch touch screen is not the best in terms of resolution but it is sharp and bright enough for most media. A 13-megapixel, wide-field camera is also included. This can automatically frame your subjects and has the ability to track you when you're making video calls.
Alexa allows you to easily control your music, movies and TV shows with voice commands. Amazon Prime Video is available, as well as music services such Apple Music, Hungama Music and Gaana.
As with many Echo devices, widgets can be added to the homescreen. This will give you a unique experience. These include weather, calendars as well as fun sticky notes to leave reminders. These are all easy to set up and can be added with one simple command. These widgets may not be as customizable on other Echo devices but they're a great tool to personalize the smart home experience.
It has a physical shutter you can slide closed if privacy is a concern. And you can turn off voice recognition. The microphone mute switch is on the right hand side of your device. It's a good idea also to muffle the camera when it's not being used.
Amazon App can be used on iOS and Android phones to control your device. Use an Echo Show along with a compatible loudspeaker to create a pair of speakers and increase the bass and treble.
It's also possible to use a Show with other Amazon Echo devices that support Alexa-enabled video calling, so you can chat with friends and family in your living room. This feature can be especially useful for video calls to remote coworkers or friends who don't have a Show.
Sound Quality
The sound of the echoshow 8 is very good. However, it may be too bassy when played at a low volume. It is possible to overcome this problem by either playing your favourite music louder or by changing the volume in the Alexa application on your smartphone.
Unlike the first-generation Echo Show 8, this device doesn't have a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary port for connecting to external speakers. This is a shame, as it would've made it more versatile.
As the echo show is an Amazon product it's important to note that you will need an Amazon Account in order for it to work. The Alexa app for iPhone and Android devices allows you to create an account.