The Amazon Echo Show lineup took the features that made the Echo smart speakers a runaway hit and added in a screen and camera to open up even more possibilities.
The third-generation Amazon Echo Show 10 offers a number of new features to make it one of the best smart home hubs available right now.
So, in this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Echo Show 10, introduce you to its new features, and reveal how it compares to other Echo Show devices.
The Echo Show 10: A Screen to Move With You
The most notable new feature of the Amazon Echo 10 is its design. Unlike previous generations that combine both the screen and speaker in one package, the screen is connected to the speaker.
That allows for the screen to automatically rotate and move with you while interacting with Alexa, taking video calls, and much more.
While on a video call, a 13-megapixel camera will pan and zoom to make sure you are always in the frame. That’s a perfect way to use any of the video calling services compatible with the new device (including Zoom and Skype), to another person with an Amazon Echo Show device, or using the Alexa app for iOS or Android.
The rotating screen also works with the Alexa Group Calling feature that supports video chats with up to eight other friends or family members.
And that’s far from the only time the screen will rotate. For example, if you’re watching a Netflix show or instructional video while preparing dinner in the kitchen, the screen will rotate while you move around so you can always see what’s happening.
Amazon says that thanks to a brushless motor, there will be no sound while the Echo Show’s screen rotates. To help create the perfect viewing angle for the screen, you can also manually tilt it as desired. The rotation feature can also be manually turned off at any time.
When not in active use, the display can also be a showcase for your photos from Facebook or Amazon Photos. Anyone with an Amazon Prime subscription can also take advantage of free and unlimited photo storage through Amazon Photos.
The Echo Show 10 is also the first Amazon device to use adaptive color that will blend the on-screen colors with the tone and hue of the lighting in the room to show more natural images, including photos.
The Echo Show 10: A Rotating Security Camera
Since the camera is part of the rotating screen, the Echo Show can also help keep your home secure while you’re away.
Using the Alexa app, you can drop-in to the Echo Show 10 and rotate the camera to see a full, 360-degree view of your home. You can also zoom in to an area for a closer view.
The Echo Show can also help protect your home when using Alexa Guard. If you’ve never heard of this great feature, the free service will automatically alert you if an Echo device detects a smoke/carbon monoxide alarm or the sound of glass breaking. It will also automatically turn smart lights on and off to make it seem like someone is home.
An optional paid subscription adds additional features like the ability to sense activity sounds and sound a siren when activity is detected inside your home.
As part of the free service, when set to an away mode, the Echo Show 10 will pan around the room and send an alert if it detects someone in its field of view.
Perfect for Music and Smart Home Control
Two of the most popular ways to use an Echo device are to play music and control smart home devices with a simple Alexa command. And the Echo Show 10 is ready to help with both of those tasks.
Thanks to its larger size, the Echo Show 10 boasts two, 1-inch tweeters and a 3-inch woofer for a great experience while listening to music or anything else.
Smart home fans will also be happy to hear the Echo Show 10 also features a built-in Zigbee smart home hub. That will allow you to control those devices without needing an additional hub or separate app. Zigbee compatibility allows you to select from even more smart home products to control with Alexa.
And just like other Echo Show devices, the screen unlocks additional ways to control a smart home. Most notable is the ability to view video feeds from a wide variety of compatible cameras anywhere in your home and even doorbell cameras.
Comparing It to Other Echo Show Options
The 10-inch Show, available in either a charcoal or white color, occupies the top of the Echo Show lineup. You can also select from the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5. Those two models feature an 8-inch and 5.5-inch screen respectively. Hence the names.
Beyond the screen size, the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 are virtually identical. Both offer the same low-quality 1-megapixel camera which is much smaller than the 13-megapixel camera on the Echo Show 10.
The Echo Show 5 sports a single speaker and the larger model offers two. But don’t expect a high-quality music experience.
Neither of the smaller models features the Zigbee smart home hub. So that’s also something to consider if you’re looking to use your Alexa device as your main way to control smart home devices.
On the plus side, the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 do offer the same privacy protections as the Echo Show 10. Those include a built-in, physical camera shutter and a button to turn off both the microphone and camera.
But because of the small size and inexpensive price, the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 are made for use on a nightstand or as additional Alexa devices throughout the home.
With the rotating screen and large speakers, the Echo Show 10 is made to occupy a prime spot in your home.
A New Way to Show off Amazon Alexa
The new Echo Show 10 takes Amazon’s successful formula and makes it even better with the rotating screen and other improvements. It’s definitely something to consider if you’re looking for a new way to interact with Alexa.
It’s also one of the devices that can act as a special gateway for the new Amazon Sidewalk technology that can extend the range of smart home technology.
