Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), With Spatial Audio, Smart Home Hub, and Alexa, Charcoal

Love this device… wish I could watch cable DVR on it!
We had an original Amazon Echo in the kitchen. Tiny… plugged into a socket…done! It wasn’t very loud, and had a crappy speaker, but I figured it was good for turning things on/off, basic stuff. So when the annual sales came around, I saw a deal on this thing. Compared it to other devices…the smaller, rounded ones, even the larger Show… this one is perfect! It’s nestled inbetween things against the wall on the counter – didn’t think it would look good mounted. It’s for the kitchen. When cooking, I can watch some channels, even Amazon Prime video. Too bad it won’t connect to our Verizon DVR – need a larger Echo Show for that, apparently! But it’s got a fast response, can get very loud, and so far, the WiFi has been decent.Not sure how to limit pictures of things I’ve been searching using my Amazon account, though! Sometimes, I don’t want my wife to see the gifts for her that I’m investigating! This thing gives it away. Probably a setting to fix that. Once we get the AI up to ChatGPT-level, you’ll be able to have full-blown conversations!A plus.. we have an ARLO camera system. Until this, we’d only been able to view them via the app. I can simply say, “Ziggy,” – yeah, we named it Ziggy – “show me the Front Door..” and voila, the Front Door appears! That’s very handy for checking when someone’s at the door and we’re in the kitchen. Like all the other Alexa devices, this one does the same things, and has other features, like gestures..which I tried, but didn’t figure out how to use yet. Mostly, we use it to turn the multiple WiFi-based Kasa devices I have in the kitchen – LED under-cabinet lights, color-changing, and overhead lighting. It’s pretty durable.. and the basic stand works well. It doesn’t take up much room, which is a plus, but the screen is very clear, and bright! And…it’s the best sound I’ve ever heard from an Alexa device. It’s definitely changed the kitchen experience for us!

A Perfect Smart Display for Home Control and Entertainment
I recently bought my Amazon Echo Show 8 and here are my thoughts in terms of its pros and cons:It is a versatile smart display that offers excellent balance between size, functionality, and price. With its 8-inch HD screen, decent audio quality, and Alexa capabilities, it makes an ideal choice for both entertainment and smart home control. Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of the Echo Show 8, particularly focusing on its smart home integration features.### Pros1. **Crisp Display**: The 8-inch HD screen is a great size for viewing content, checking recipes, and video calling. The screen is clear and responsive, making it easy to navigate.2. **Decent Audio Quality**: It has better speakers than smaller Echo devices. Its sound quality is suitable for listening to music, podcasts, and watching videos with reasonable bass and clarity.3. **Alexa Capabilities**: With Alexa, the Echo Show 8 can manage reminders, answer questions, play music, and control smart home devices. Alexa responds quickly to voice commands and is always improving.4. **Smart Home Integration**: It integrates well with a wide range of smart home devices. It can control lights, thermostats, security cameras, and more. The screen makes it easy to view live feeds from compatible cameras, such as Ring doorbells, giving you real-time control over your home’s security.5. **Video Calling**: The 13 MP camera allows for clear video calling, with features such as auto-framing that keeps you centered in the shot as you move. It works with Alexa-to-Alexa calling and supports Skype and Zoom.6. **Privacy Controls**: Amazon includes privacy features, including a physical shutter to cover the camera and options to manage microphone and camera permissions, which is reassuring for privacy-conscious users.### Cons1. **Screen Resolution**: While the display is HD, it’s not as sharp as some high-end tablets or competing smart displays. Some users may find it adequate for the price, but others may wish for a higher resolution.2. **Limited App Compatibility**: The Echo Show 8 supports streaming from platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix, but it lacks native support for some other popular services, like Disney+.3. **Occasional Lag**: Some users have reported occasional lag with certain features or apps. While it performs well for most tasks, the Echo Show 8 can feel slightly sluggish with more intensive usage.4. **Heavy Amazon Ecosystem**: It is very much tied into the Amazon ecosystem, so users who aren’t invested in Alexa or Amazon services may find some limitations in their experience.### Smart Home IntegrationThe Echo Show 8 really shines when it comes to smart home integration. Through Alexa, the device can connect to a broad array of smart home gadgets, including lights, plugs, cameras, and locks from popular brands like Philips Hue, Ring, TP-Link, and more. The screen enables unique capabilities, such as monitoring video feeds or managing device groups (e.g., turning off all lights in one room with a single command). Additionally, Alexa routines allow you to automate complex tasks across multiple devices, making it easy to personalize your home automation.### VerdictThe Amazon Echo Show 8 is a strong choice for anyone looking to add a smart display to their home. It’s reasonably priced, offers solid performance, and integrates well with most smart home systems. While it’s not without its drawbacks, particularly regarding screen resolution and app limitations, the device remains a valuable addition to a connected home. Whether you’re new to smart displays or looking to upgrade, the Echo Show 8 offers a great balance of features and value.

Esta excelente y el sonido es increíble

Lots of features that are fun for my family to use! I haven’t learned how to use it fully yet and it’s been so easy to navigate and sounds amazing in my kitchen!

Es muy agradable el que aparezca en la pantalla la portada del disco, el nombre de la canción y el intérprete, además de tener un buen sonido.