Global electronics giant Amazon on Tuesday launched a new version of its popular voice-controlled Echo smart speaker with a 7-inch touchscreen display screen, dubbed as Amazon Echo Show. The new voice activated speaker can also be used to make video calls. Amazon Echo Show will be available in white or black and will start shipping on June 28, though the device is already available for pre-order in the US. The Echo Show comes with a price tag of $230 (roughly Rs. 14,900).
Like its previous generation Alexa-powered Echo devices, the Echo Show will respond to voice commands, play audio, and is capable of controlling smart home appliances. But unlike company’s previous voice-only smart speakers, it will also have a 7-inch touchscreen display to watch YouTube videos, display photos, make video calls, show results for questions and other visual information.
Here is some information that you need to know about Amazon Echo Show speaker
The 7-inch touchscreen display on the new Echo Show enables the speaker to supplement voice responses with visuals. With the display, users can also call up cooking tutorials on YouTube, hands-free, while making dinner in the kitchen. On the other hand, you can also make video calls to anyone who has the Alexa app on their smartphones or use an Echo Show speaker.
The Amazon Echo Show can also response to show YouTube videos, display photos, results for questions with simple voice commands. It integrates with Amazon Music as well, giving users the option of watching music lyrics on the screen.
Amazon Echo Show has a new feature called ‘Drop In’ for family and friends, which basically allows users to connect with another Echo Show users when the person on the other side may not even accept the call. With this functionality, the users on the other side can able to answer such calls only via voice. A cool security feature allows users to view the feed from their compatible security cameras directly on the screen of the Echo Show.
https://youtu.be/WQqxCeHhmeU
The device is compatible with several well-established smart home appliance brands, which include WeMo, Philips Hue bulbs, Nest Thermstats, Ring, Samsung SmartThings, ecobee and Wink.
For Music Streaming, Amazon has used multiple music streaming services which can be integrated with Echo Show. Those include – Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn. Play a music from these online streaming services can be operated using voice commands. You can also stream other popular music services like Apple Music from your smartphone or tablet.
To recall, the first Amazon Echo was launched way back in 2014, followed by a smaller Echo Dot, the Echo Tap and the Echo Look, which the company has unveiled last month. The Echo Look has an eye (camera) but no built-in screen. The Amazon Echo Show can also make voice calls to any Echo or Echo Dot speaker.
The Echo Show also comes with two Dolby-tuned stereo speakers in the front. Amazon says that the speakers are designed to deliver ‘crisp vocals and dynamic bass response’.
The Echo Show houses eight microphones on top, with far-field beam-forming technology for voice recognition and to pick up sound from any direction, even while music is playing on the speakers.
Since Alexa is a smart artificial intelligence (AI), it makes suitable to a user’s preferences, speech patterns and vocabulary over time. Users can also utilise Amazon Echo Show to order an Uber cab, ask movie showtimes, set sleep timer, stream CNN news flash video, ask for food recipes, make dinner reservations, track steps with Fitbit, and much more.
Other specifications of the Echo show include – a 5-megapixel camera on top of the display for video calling, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-band Wi-Fi support, and an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor.
