Echo Show First Impressions

 

We've had both Amazon and Google speakers and have, in the end, decided to go with Amazon. A large reason is because we can have different trigger words for different devices, essential with an open floor plan. Alexa doesn't say thank you like Google but also has fewer accidental triggers. We opted for the 5" model that was on sale for Prime days. 

The good - the small profile allows it to sit on small surfaces and it fits nicely with our decor. I love that there is a physical camera shutter which will remain closed when we are home. It's neat that we can use it to monitor our Ring cameras. Our floor plan is open so it's easiest to just answer the door but for people with a kitchen out of sight of the front door it would be great. The screen has a wide viewing angle.

The only really bad thing is the sound. If using it to listen to music it's bad enough that I notice and I'm very forgiving. And S's are kind of sibilant - could get annoying for Podcasts. We'll have to see, Echo was newly delivered and it was cold when I tried watching a YouTube video.

Anyway happy to have an assistant that doesn't interrupt phone use and a small echo show is working for us. It's also nice to have a time and weather displayed,