Amazon’s Echo Show devices are more than just smart speakers; they’re smart displays that bring Alexa to life with visuals. These devices, including the Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, and the expansive Echo Show 15, offer a range of capabilities that extend beyond voice commands. With screens and cameras, the Echo Show unlocks a suite of features not available on standard Alexa devices.
From enhancing communication through video calls and monitoring your home security to providing visual entertainment and acting as a digital photo frame, the Echo Show is a versatile smart home hub. Many of these functionalities also seamlessly integrate with Fire TV devices, expanding their utility throughout your home.
Widgets further personalize the Echo Show experience on models like the Echo Show 5, 8, and 10 (initially introduced with the Echo Show 15). These customizable widgets offer quick access to smart home controls, music streaming services, calendars, and to-do lists, making your smart display even more intuitive.
Let’s delve into the coolest and most practical things you can do with an Echo Show, revealing the full potential of this Alexa-powered smart display.
1. Effortless Video Calling
Amazon Echo Show best features
Making video calls is a standout feature of the Echo Show. Utilizing the built-in camera, you can easily connect with other Echo Show owners or anyone who has the Alexa app installed on their smartphone. The process is straightforward: ensure the person you wish to call is in your contact list, and you’re ready to initiate a video conversation. For a more spontaneous connection, the “drop in” feature allows you to instantly connect with other Echo Show devices, though it’s best used with close family or trusted contacts due to privacy considerations. The advanced Echo Show 10 (3rd generation) even incorporates face-tracking technology, dynamically pivoting its base to keep you centered in the frame as you move around the room during calls. Currently, the Echo Show supports voice and video calls through Alexa itself, Skype, and even Zoom, offering versatile communication options.
For detailed instructions, explore comprehensive guides on how to initiate video calls using your Echo Show, unlocking seamless communication within your smart home ecosystem.
2. Immersive Movie and Video Streaming
Echo Show best features
Entertainment is readily available on the Echo Show. Simply by asking Alexa, you can command your Echo Show to play movies, trailers, and a wide array of videos. For instance, saying, “Alexa, play the latest movie trailers” will prompt Alexa to present visual options directly on the screen. You can then refine your selection using voice commands or by directly tapping the intuitive display. The Echo Show supports a broad spectrum of video streaming services, including popular platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, NBC, CBS All Access, HBO, and Starz. Furthermore, Alexa skills extend your viewing choices to channels like Bloomberg, the Food Network, and FX, ensuring a rich and diverse entertainment experience right at your voice command.
3. Enhanced Home Security Monitoring
Amazon Echo Show 15
Integrating with your home security system is another powerful capability of the Echo Show. If you have some of the best video doorbells or home security cameras, the Echo Show can act as a central monitoring hub. You can effortlessly view live feeds from your security cameras directly on the Echo Show screen. Beyond visual monitoring, the Echo Show’s microphone and speakers enable two-way communication. This feature is particularly useful for interacting with someone at your door via a video doorbell, even when you’re not immediately available. The Echo Show seamlessly works with leading security brands such as Arlo, Blink, Ring, and Nest, providing a unified interface for your smart home security.
4. Baby Monitoring and Remote Caregiving
Echo Show best features
The Echo Show can also serve as a convenient baby monitor or remote caregiver assistant. Alexa’s Drop-In feature, when configured correctly, allows you to instantly access a live video feed from another Echo Show device. By placing an Echo Show in a child’s room, parents can virtually “drop in” to check on their child, ensuring peace of mind. It’s crucial to adjust the settings on the child’s Echo Show to restrict Drop-In access to authorized users only. The Echo Show also supports viewing feeds from dedicated baby monitors like the Arlo Baby monitor, expanding its compatibility.
For more comprehensive remote caregiving, Amazon’s Alexa Together service offers a subscription-based solution. Priced at $19 per month, this service enhances the Echo Show’s capabilities for monitoring loved ones living independently. Features include activity monitoring, easy video call connections for family, automatic photo sharing directly to their Echo Show display, fall detection, and collaborative tools for managing reminders and shared music streaming services.
5. Interactive Song Lyrics Display
Echo Show best features
Transform your Echo Show into a personal karaoke machine with its synchronized lyrics display. When you ask Alexa to play a song, the lyrics are beautifully presented on the screen in real-time, as the music plays through the Echo Show’s speakers. This feature isn’t limited to music; it also works with audiobooks, visually enhancing your listening experience. To connect your preferred music services, explore guides on integrating Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify with Alexa, unlocking a vast library of music for your lyrical enjoyment on the Echo Show.
6. Customizable Digital Photo Frame
Amazon Echo Show 15 displayed on wall
With its vibrant display, the Echo Show excels as a digital photo frame. The Echo Show 15, in particular, with its larger screen, is comparable to dedicated digital photo frames, albeit with added smart functionalities. However, all Echo Show models can effectively display your cherished memories. By default, the Echo Show cycles through generic background images, but you can easily personalize this. In the settings menu, you can set the background to display photos you’ve uploaded to Amazon Prime Photos or via the Alexa app. For Amazon Prime members, Prime Photos offers unlimited photo storage at full resolution, making it an ideal platform for curating and displaying your photo albums on your Echo Show.
7. Hands-Free Recipe Assistance in the Kitchen
Amazon Echo show best features
The Echo Show becomes an invaluable sous chef in the kitchen. Simply ask Alexa for a recipe, and it will present a range of options based on your request. Once you select a recipe, the Echo Show displays a clear list of ingredients and step-by-step cooking instructions. The voice-guided navigation is particularly useful in the kitchen, allowing you to proceed through recipe steps using voice commands, keeping your screen clean from sticky fingers and maintaining a seamless cooking workflow.
8. Streamlined Shopping List Management
echo show best features
Managing your shopping lists becomes incredibly efficient with the Echo Show’s barcode scanning capability. Using the front-facing camera, you can scan barcodes on products by simply saying, “Alexa, scan.” Once the barcode is recognized and present in the Amazon catalog, the item is instantly added to your Alexa shopping list. This feature provides a quick and convenient way to restock household essentials, from kitchen staples to toiletries and office supplies, directly through your Echo Show.
9. Visual Calendar and Weather Updates
Amazon Echo Show best features
Staying organized is simplified with the Echo Show’s visual calendar display. Saying “Alexa, show my calendar” brings up a scrollable daily planner, presenting your scheduled events for each day. You can also add new events to your calendar using voice commands, specifying the date, time, and event name. Beyond calendar management, the Echo Show also provides current and weekly weather forecasts on demand, keeping you informed and prepared for your day. Learn how to seamlessly link your existing calendars with Alexa to centralize your schedule on your Echo Show.
10. Guided Workout Sessions
A photo of Pamela Reif doing a side plank with leg raise
Stay active with workout guidance directly on your Echo Show. By saying, “Alexa, show me workout videos,” the Echo Show will compile a list of exercise videos from platforms like YouTube, Tubi, and other sources. You can also utilize the built-in browser to search for specific trainers or workout routines. While workout videos are accessible on all Echo Show models, the larger screens of the Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 15 offer a more comfortable viewing experience for following exercise routines compared to the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5.
Conclusion
The Amazon Echo Show devices are powerful smart home companions that extend Alexa’s capabilities with visual interaction. From simplifying communication and enhancing home security to providing entertainment, recipe assistance, and organizational tools, the Echo Show offers a wide array of functionalities. Understanding what the Alexa Show can do reveals its potential to become a central hub for your smart home and daily life, making it a valuable addition for both tech enthusiasts and those seeking to simplify their routines.
