A Comprehensive Guide to the Amazon Echo Show 2nd Gen
The Amazon Echo Show 8 2nd Gen has really grown by leaps and bounds since its initial release. There are so many new features that have been added and improved upon since the original version. One such change is the Smart Screen capability. This is fantastic for consumers as it enables them to use their voice to control the device. As well, it enables them to access information stored on their device.
I’ll be honest – I was a bit worried about this feature coming into the Echo Show. The Amazon Echo Show 8.2 (S), like most phones in the Amazon marketplace, uses a touch-screen and not a virtual keypad like the Amazon Kindle Fire or the iPhone. It is my contention that the virtual keypad was not designed with voice recognition in mind. I’m sure others feel differently, but after testing the Amazon Echo Show 8.2 with the Smart Screen feature, I came away disappointed. My concerns were justified.
In terms of voice recognition and voice command abilities, the Amazon Echo Show 8.2 (S) performed admirably. Even with the large display and the large number of features available, it was difficult to navigate around the on-screen interface. That being said, however, the addition of a Smart Screen functionality makes it easier than ever to control all of the Echo Show’s functions with your voice. You no longer have to touch the screen with your finger in order to activate or deactivate the different functions of the Echo Show. Thanks to Amazon, you can now punch in a phone number, ask for directions to your home, and activate or deactivate your TV, Bluetooth, and media features with your voice.
The Amazon Echo Show also has an indoor gyroscope and a heart rate monitor as standard features. Like the Amazon Echo HDC, which also has a touch screen, the gyroscope can locate your exact position in three dimensions and measure your heart rate in real time. It will also automatically trigger a workout session with the included HRM-based training videos.
One of the biggest problems I had with the Amazon Echo Show (8) – regardless of whether you bought it or selected it via the promotional campaign – was its lack of a self-contained camera. The voice recognition worked fine enough for my needs, but I wanted a camera included so I could capture some quality images for use as wall art or screen printing material for family and friends. Thankfully, I found an application for the smart display that makes it possible to capture images using your smartphone, tablet, or webcam. This way you don’t need to send your Echo unit out to a professional photographer, and you can take better care of your investment by keeping your digital camera safe with an Amazon Echo Show smart display.
Even if you aren’t a digital camera buff, this application is fun to use. You can easily upload any picture you take of your favorite place – be it your office, your house, your car, or your garden – and then use the Amazon Echo Show’s built-in camera facility to create a collage of your favorite images. The Amazon Echo Show software has several other clever features, including the ability to play MP3s while you watch TV. The Amazon Echo Show can connect up to 100 devices, including smart home gadgets like thermostat monitors, fireplaces, security systems, and baby monitors. The device also integrates with the Amazon Echo application, so you can control your TV viewing directly through the Echo device, rather than having to use the television’s remote control.
If you’re looking for something a bit more entertaining, the Amazon Echo Show features a cutting-edge video-centric feature: the Amazon Video app. Video fans can now watch their favourite videos on their smartphones, tablets, and computers with the help of an integrated video player, thanks to Google Assistant. The only thing that makes the Amazon Echo Show different from the Google Assistant is the fact that it offers you the ability to watch live TV on your computer, without having to have an internet connection. The video-playing function works only on the Amazon Echo Show, which means that it won’t work with any other devices that support video playback like the iPhone or Android devices.
Video calling is another feature of the second generation, and it’s been enhanced with Amazon’s Alexa intelligence. With the Amazon Echo Show, you get to experience video calls from your smartphone, tablets, and computers. The Alexa intelligence helps you decide when to make video calls, and also what video calling service to use. When you launch a video call, it will start at the exact moment when you decide to initiate it, so you never miss a thing. You also have the option to start the video call from a specific location, so you won’t have to jump from one spot to another.
