The Echo Show 8 (2nd generation)(opens in a new tab) is a glossy, sensible addition to the Echo lineup, boasting an 8-inch HD touchscreen, an excellent responsive auto-panning and zooming digital camera to maintain you in focus throughout video calls, twin stereo audio system, and the ever-adaptive Alexa.
As a central hub in your dwelling, it actually can’t be overwhelmed, however it wants a bit of extra work to be a very good match for the work-from-home crowd.
Giant and in cost
In the event you’re acquainted with the 1st gen Echo Show 8(opens in a new tab), you recognize it’s not precisely a compact gadget — and the 2nd gen Echo Show 8(opens in a new tab) is identical measurement, measuring in with an 8-inch display and a 4-inch x 8-inch footprint. That may very well be a professional or a con, relying on what you’re seeking to get from the gadget (and the place you need to put it).
I really like the scale for my kitchen as a result of it’s good to have a big display there for recipes, and it’s a gathering space for the household the place we are able to simply make video calls. Then again, it might be approach too huge for my desk — the Echo Show 5(opens in a new tab) could be a greater choice right here.
Its giant display makes watching movies simpler than ever.
Credit score: Amazon
I cherished it for pulling up recipes as I cooked.
Credit score: Amazon
In the event you plan to make use of your Echo Present for streaming, you’re going to need to spring for the larger Echo Present 8 relatively than the Echo Show 5.
And since this gadget was primarily made for video calls and connecting, you need to put it someplace the place the family would naturally collect anyway. There are many locations that I might put it, however they’re not areas the place we sometimes congregate.
Zoom… possibly
Due to the type of work I do (writing), I attend numerous on-line cooking courses and workshops. And one in all my little pet peeves is having to maneuver my laptop computer into the kitchen for these conferences so my telephone’s not tied up.
So, one of many options of the Echo Present 8 that I used to be most enthusiastic about was that it supposedly works with Zoom with primarily no setup required. I used to be tremendous pumped to check out the function with a cooking class. After a fast Google search, it was straightforward sufficient to get every thing in place. I synced my Google calendar to Alexa, waited for the assembly time, and stated the magic phrases: “Alexa, be a part of my Zoom assembly.”
And… she stated there was no dial-in quantity so it was a no-go. I even generated some conferences of my very own to attempt to take a look at out the function however none of them had a dial-in quantity both, so all of them acquired the identical message.
I had that stunning Echo Present arrange all good in my kitchen however nonetheless needed to transfer my laptop computer into the kitchen for my class. Womp, womp.
Then again, I like that the Echo Present 8 offers me useful calendar reminders with out intrusive notifications so I can simply see when my subsequent assembly is.
One of many new options of those 2nd gen gadgets is motion-activated Alexa routines, which might actually be a game-changer for setting dwelling workplace hours. Think about a low-key instrumental playlist beginning whenever you stroll into your workplace whereas Alexa mechanically begins studying your calendar. Good.
Word: From my understanding, the Echo Present 8 is the ONLY Echo Present gadget that may be a part of Zoom conferences. So if that’s one thing that’s essential to you, that is the one you need. I’m anxiously awaiting a repair for the “dial-in” subject as a result of it might make the Echo Present 8 a virtually excellent gadget in my eyes.
Arms-free kitchen assistant
I subscribe to a meal equipment supply service that shares its recipe playing cards digitally. On that observe, I created a routine to mechanically open the browser so I can navigate to the meal equipment web site once I say, “Alexa, let’s make dinner.” It was good to have Alexa set timers once I pop one thing within the oven, relatively than setting it manually on the oven.
And once I simply want to tug up a recipe, it’s a lot simpler to make use of the Echo Present 8 than to always examine my telephone or run forwards and backwards to my laptop computer. Possibly it’s as a result of I spend a lot time within the kitchen between work and feeding my crew, however I actually really feel prefer it’s the place the Echo Present 8 shines. The smaller Echo Present 5 is sweet, however it undoubtedly wouldn’t be close to as helpful for taking a look at recipes because of its compact display.
Nonetheless, it’s far more than only a high-tech cookbook stand.
Simple, flawless video calling
In the event you’re all about video calling, that is completely the Echo Present gadget you need. The digital camera is a major improve from the first gen Echo Present 8, leaping from one megapixel to 13.
Throughout calls, the digital camera will pan and zoom mechanically to remain centered on the people who find themselves within the digital camera’s view — and that’s an enormous plus for fogeys of squirmy youngsters and individuals who’d prefer to multitask on a video name as a substitute of holding their telephone in entrance of their face.
Video calling is less complicated than ever with an auto pan and zoom.
Credit score: Amazon
It’s additionally so very straightforward to video chat with different Alexa gadgets in your family — simply say, “Alexa, drop in on [so and so].” You can even use your Present as an intercom to relay messages to all the opposite Alexa gadgets in the home. It’s the dinner bell of the long run.
Easy dwelling safety
With Alexa Guard mode, the gadget can interface along with your present safety system, detect alarms and glass breaks, and mechanically flip sensible lights on and off. The Echo Present 8 (and different Echo Present gadgets, too) may also function safety cameras.
Even when you’re out of the home, all you want is a WiFi connection to examine in on the home utilizing the Alexa app and the Echo Present’s digital camera.
For safety features, Amazon permits you to delete your voice recordings and swap off the digital camera shutter when you don’t need it in use. You’ll be able to learn extra about steps they take to protect your privacy here.
Add to cart?
The brand new Echo Show 8(opens in a new tab) is made for connecting with folks each inside and outdoors your house. The digital camera has had an enormous glow-up and now boasts 13 megapixels (in comparison with the first gen’s 1 MP), and the Echo Present 8 affords extra Alexa performance than ever.
I bumped into some points getting Zoom to work on the Echo Present 8, which was one of many primary attracts of the gadget, however aside from that I’m really impressed.
