Amazon has been steadily expanding its Echo line of smart devices, with the Echo Show series emerging as a standout for those who want the benefits of a voice assistant combined with a touchscreen display. The Amazon Echo Show 10 takes this concept to the next level by adding a motorized swivel base that can follow you around the room. This feature, coupled with an array of smart functionalities, makes the Echo Show 10 not just a stationary device but an active participant in your daily life. In this review, we’ll dive into the features, performance, overall experience, and our final thoughts on the Echo Show 10.
Features
The Amazon Echo Show 10 is much more than just an Alexa speaker with a screen. Here’s a breakdown of some of its most notable features:
- Rotating Display: The standout feature of the Echo Show 10 is its 10.1-inch HD display mounted on a motorized base. The screen rotates, tracking your movements during video calls, cooking sessions, or even while you’re watching videos. This smart tracking ability makes sure the screen is always within your line of sight, which is particularly handy if you’re moving around a lot.
- Audio and Video Calling: Video calling on the Echo Show 10 is a breeze. It supports calls to other Echo devices, Alexa app users, and Zoom. The built-in 13 MP camera ensures sharp video quality, while the screen’s auto-framing keeps you centered, allowing for a more natural conversation flow.
- Smart Home Hub: The Echo Show 10 serves as a central hub for your smart home, supporting Zigbee and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). This means you can control a wide variety of smart home devices without needing additional hubs or apps. Just ask Alexa to adjust the lights, control the thermostat, or check your security cameras.
- Entertainment Options: With the Echo Show 10, you can stream content from Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and more. The device also supports streaming music from services like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music. The screen’s size and resolution make it a great option for casual viewing in the kitchen or living room.
- Alexa’s Capabilities: As you would expect, Alexa is fully integrated, allowing for hands-free control of all the features and functionalities. You can ask Alexa to play music, set timers, check the weather, provide news updates, and much more. Alexa Routines also make it possible to automate a series of actions with a single command, further enhancing the Echo Show 10’s utility.
- Privacy Features: Recognizing privacy concerns, Amazon has included physical controls to disable the microphone and camera. There’s also a built-in shutter for the camera, ensuring that your private moments remain just that—private.
Performance
The Echo Show 10 isn’t just about its features; it’s about how well it performs those functions. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Display and Rotation: The 10.1-inch HD display is bright and clear, with vivid colors that make it suitable for watching videos, displaying photos, and reading recipes. The rotation feature is surprisingly smooth and responsive. The Echo Show 10 uses sound localization and computer vision to follow you around the room, and while it’s not perfect (it can lose track if you move too quickly or out of its range), it’s quite impressive overall. The ability to manually adjust the screen’s orientation via voice command adds to its practicality.
- Sound Quality: Audio has always been a strong suit for Echo devices, and the Echo Show 10 is no exception. Equipped with dual front-firing tweeters and a powerful woofer, the sound is rich and full. Whether you’re listening to music, watching a movie, or making a video call, the audio quality is top-notch. It’s not going to replace a high-end sound system, but for casual use, it’s more than adequate.
- Video Calls: The 13 MP camera performs well in various lighting conditions, and the auto-framing feature is a game-changer for video calls. You no longer have to sit in one spot; you can move around naturally, and the Echo Show 10 keeps you in the frame. Calls to other Echo devices and Zoom meetings were smooth, with minimal lag.
- Smart Home Integration: Setting up smart devices with the Echo Show 10 is straightforward, especially with Zigbee compatibility. I was able to connect and control lights, thermostats, and cameras effortlessly. The ability to use the screen to see live feeds from security cameras or video doorbells adds a layer of convenience and security.
- Voice Recognition: Alexa’s voice recognition is sharp, even when music is playing or there’s background noise. The far-field microphones are effective at picking up commands from across the room. This is crucial for a device designed to be used in different settings, such as a busy kitchen.
Overall Experience
Using the Echo Show 10 is a delight, especially in dynamic environments like the kitchen, living room, or office. The rotating screen is the highlight feature, providing a hands-free experience that feels futuristic and genuinely useful. Whether you’re cooking and need to keep an eye on a recipe, making a call while multitasking, or simply watching a show while moving around the room, the Echo Show 10 adapts to your needs.
The device also doubles as a digital photo frame, displaying albums from Amazon Photos or Facebook, and the images look great on this screen. This feature is a nice touch, turning the Echo Show 10 into ambient technology that blends into your home decor.
The smart home hub functionality is another major plus. I was able to streamline the management of various smart devices, which previously required multiple apps and hubs. The convenience of controlling everything through voice commands or on-screen controls is a significant upgrade.
On the downside, the Echo Show 10’s size and rotating base mean it takes up more space than other Echo devices. You’ll need to find a spot where it can rotate freely without knocking into objects. While the privacy features are a welcome addition, some users might still feel uneasy about a device that actively tracks their movement, even with assurances from Amazon about data security.
Final Thoughts
The Amazon Echo Show 10 is an innovative addition to the Echo family, offering a blend of smart home control, entertainment, and communication features, all wrapped in a package that can literally follow you around the room. Its rotating display is more than a gimmick; it adds real value by adapting to the user’s movements and ensuring that the screen is always visible. The excellent audio quality, smart home hub capabilities, and seamless video calling experience make the Echo Show 10 a versatile device for any modern household.
While it might not replace your primary TV or sound system, the Echo Show 10 is perfect for secondary spaces where flexibility and multi-functionality are key. Its ability to integrate into your daily routine, whether you’re cooking, working, or just relaxing, makes it a worthy investment for anyone looking to enhance their smart home setup.
In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a smart display that does more than sit on a counter, the Amazon Echo Show 10 is worth considering. It’s a clever companion that brings a touch of sci-fi to your everyday life, proving once again that Amazon’s vision for the connected home is more than talk.
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