I want to get an Amazon Echo Show, but can’t decide between the 8 or 10 or which version. Can you provide your recommendation?
Rodney in Nevada
Absolutely! First things first, here’s how I like to use mine:
Both are totally solid, but I would go with the Echo Show 10. It’s bigger, faster and newer, and just about every spec is upgraded. The Echo Show 8 is certainly more affordable, but this is something you want to buy once and forget about for a few years. This model is already over two years old.
A nice in-between budget-wise is a certified refurbished version of the 10. You can return it if there are any issues, but it’s really in Amazon’s best interest to make sure anything refurbished is tested and ready to go. You can get the Echo Show 10 for around $145 this way.
Now that you have the perfect Echo Show let’s do a little cleanup when it comes to privacy.
Drop In connects you to another Echo speaker or display for an instant conversation. “Alexa, drop in on the kitchen Echo Show.” You can announce things through all your Echo devices at once, too. For example, to get the family to come for dinner, the command is “Alexa, drop in on all devices.”
But remember, the Echo speaker or display goes both ways. It lets someone immediately listen in or watch what’s happening in the room after 10 seconds. With the Echo Show, you don’t necessarily want someone with the ability to pop in and see what you’re up to all the time.
You can set permissions to enable or disable a specific device. Here’s how:
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When cooking, it’s easy to say, “Alexa, remind me the cauliflower pizza is done in 15 minutes.” That’s one of the most useful and basic ways to use the Amazon-owned smart assistant.
The downside is that it can pick up conversations we’d rather it didn’t. Tap or click for steps to listen to and erase any errant recordings. I do this regularly. That’s not the only vital privacy step if you have an Echo or more at home. Tap or click here to ensure your smart speakers are locked down correctly.
Got kids? Amazon’s Echo Show 5 Kids (45% off right now) includes kid-focused Alexa services — think “Alexa, help me with my homework!” It also has parental controls, like time limits, language filters and activity reviews.
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Alexa-ly what you need: The Echo Show 21 ($399) has a big 21-inch 1080p display, better sound than previous models and is Wi-Fi 6E ready. If you prefer a smaller model, there’s the upgraded Echo Show 15 ($299). Both include wall-mounting equipment. If you want a countertop stand, that’s an extra $100. Both make great gifts for any Echo lover.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
It can be challenging when caring for an aging loved one. There aren’t many tools to make the job more accessible, and with COVID-19 around, face-to-face meetings are difficult.
But when you can’t physically be with your loved ones, companies like Amazon attempt to make the world a smaller place. Through initiatives such as Alexa Together, the service can send you daily check-in alerts or dispatch emergency services if a fall is detected.
Smartphones have had a significant impact on how we shoot photos. Now everyone has a powerful camera in their pocket at all times and can snap thousands of pictures without worrying about the cost of film.
But what about your old physical photos and negatives? You can keep them in a dusty old album on a shelf, or you can digitize them and easily share them with anyone. Tap or click here to check out some apps that make it easy to digitize your photos and negatives.
As news broke this week that eufyCam’s server update allowed strangers to view other people’s feeds, many might be looking at other options. Anker, the company that makes the security cameras, quickly patched the flaw. But much too late for some people’s liking.
Virtual assistants will revolutionize your home and you’ll wonder how you ever managed to get through your day without one. If you don’t have a smart speaker yet, you might be surprised to find out just how much they can actually do.
Travel has essentially come to a halt this holiday season. The pandemic has taken a swift upward trajectory over the last month, and many states are starting to restrict travel or gatherings again.
These restrictions are going to cause issues with visiting extended family this year. Many of us have already been keeping a distance from elderly relatives or family members with health conditions due to the pandemic. You can still use tech to check in on your older family members, though — even if you can’t be there in person.
It’s Memorial Day weekend and we’d like to begin by thanking everyone who has served in the U.S. military. So, thank you!
Now, with Memorial Day picnics and parades, we’ve also come to expect another major seasonal milestone: Memorial Day sales. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home to score these awesome tech deals.
At last, you’ve found yourself with an Amazon Echo speaker and it’s the perfect time to have a virtual assistant since you’re spending so much time at home. The Echo (or Echo Dot, or Echo Tap, or Echo Show, or Echo Plus, or Echo Spot) is now in your kitchen, and it’s ready for your every command.
It’s only been a few short years since Amazon’s Alexa came into our lives, and we’ve got to say a lot has changed. Not only are we interacting with our tech in brand new ways, but Alexa also triggered a boom in smart home products and accessories.
