Amazon Smart Display: Huge Echo Show 21 and new Echo Show 15 46 comments
Image: Amazon
Amazon announces Echo Show 21, the biggest Echo Show yet and introduces a new Echo Show 15. Echo Show devices combine the popular Alexa voice control of Echo speakers with a smart display and control via screen .
The Echo Show combines voice control functions with visual information such as a family calendar, reminders, messages or family photos. They also allow you to stream video content, for example via Prime Video.
Bigger and better sound
Customer feedback on the Echo Show 15 (review), which, as the name suggests, has a 15.6-inch screen and can be wall-mounted, showed that users want both a better sound quality and a larger screen than the smart device screen. . Amazon fulfills this wish with the Echo Show 21, which is the largest Echo Show to date and is equipped with almost twice the display area.
Echo Show 15 (2. Gen.) (Image: Amazon)
Amazon also promises to have improved the other aspect, the sound quality. Not just the Echo Show 21, but also the redesigned Echo Show 15. According to Amazon, both models have “lively, room-filling sound and twice the bass performance.”
Built-in Fire TV
With these two improvements, the new devices are intended to become even more of a media center. Amazon stats show that Echo Show 15 customers watch seven times more videos per month than owners of other Echo Show devices. The new Echo Show also offers an integrated Fire TV with which Netflix, Disney+, Wow or YouTube can be streamed and live TV from providers such as ARD, ZDF, Joyn, waipu.tv or Zattoo.
Echo Show 21 and Echo Show 15 in comparison Echo Show 15 (2nd generation) Echo Show 21 Dimensions 41 × 26 × 4 cm (L x H x D) 54 × 34 × 3.8 cm (L x H x D) Weight 2 .2 kg 4.9 kg Screen 15.6 inches (39.7 cm), resolution: 1920 × 1080 21 inches (53.3 cm), Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Camera 13 MP camera with cover Audio Two woofers (51 mm) + 2 tweeters (15 mm) WLAN Wi-Fi 6E (802.11a/b/g/n /ac/ax), Tri-band Wi-Fi Bluetooth Supports A2DP for streaming audio from a mobile device to Echo Show and from Echo Show to a Bluetooth speaker. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices. Octa-core SoC processor with Amazon AZ2 Neural Network Engine ALS RGB sensor + accelerometer Scope of delivery Echo Show 15 (2nd generation), Alexa voice remote control (2024) with batteries, power supply (30 W), power cable (1, 5 m) length, white), wall bracket, wall plugs, screws, mounting template and quick guide Echo Show 21, Alexa voice remote control with batteries, power supply (30 W), power cable (length 1.5 m, white), wall bracket, dowels, screws, assembly template and quick instructions Price 329.99 euros* 439.99 euros*
Better camera and noise cancellation
The camera has also been improved and centered for video calls, also possible through the screens. It features automatic image adjustment, more than twice the field of view, and 65% greater zoom than the camera on the first-generation Echo Show 15. Additionally, both models now suppress noise, so call quality should be improved in the presence of background noise. The camera can be completely hidden and disabled using a slider.
Echo Show 21 (Image: Amazon)
Smart home hub with Matter, Thread and Zigbee
Both new models can also be used to control devices in the smart home. Additionally, they both also function as an integrated smart home hub, Matter controller and thus connect directly to WLAN, Thread and Zigbee devices. Many devices can be easily controlled locally, such as lamps, switches and sockets, to reduce response times. Additionally, the Echo Show 15 and 21 are the first Echo devices to support 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E.
Echo Show 21 (Image: Amazon) Image 1 of 3
Customization via widgets
As with other Echo Shows, widgets can also be created on the new models, which contain, for example, shopping or to-do lists or display upcoming appointments in the family calendar. The Smart Home widget can be used to control smart devices in the home or display camera feeds. You can display personalized video recommendations using a Fire TV widget. With the “Active Media” function, you can, for example, start a Prime Video series while cooking on the Echo Show 15 or 21 and then seamlessly transfer the content to another Fire TV device in the living room to continue watching.
The redesigned music and audio widget displays favorite music, podcasts, and radio content. You can also use the Active Media function to group Echo devices together to play a song on multiple Echo speakers. You can also add additional Echo devices to playback later.
Echo Show 21 (Image: Amazon) Image 1 of 7
Giant digital photo frame
When the Echo Show is not in use, it can also be used as a digital photo frame in standby mode. If you don’t want to display personal photos, you can choose from a selection of artwork. The full-screen digital slideshow can be started manually at any time by using “Alexa, start photo frame”. Prime members also get unlimited storage for high-resolution images on Amazon Photos.
Pricing and availability
Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21 are available now. The 2nd generation Echo Show 15 costs €329.99*. The new Echo Show 21 costs €439.99*. Both models come with an Alexa voice remote and wall mounting accessories.
Customers can personalize the Echo Show 15 or 21 with an optional beige or white frame (39.99 euros for Echo Show 15 and 43.99 euros for Echo Show 21) or a premium stand (109.99 euros) to acquire.
Techtip received information about this article from Amazon under NDA. The only requirement was the earliest possible publication date.
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