Amazon's Echo Show 8 makes a great choice for those who are looking for a smart display with a low price tag that does more than play music. It's a good choice for those who don’t mind a mediocre camera and screen, or if they are okay with an auto-frame when making video calls.
The Echo Show 8 has an 8-inch touchscreen with a resolution that isn't the highest of all Echo devices, but it is still bright and clear enough to view most media. A 13-megapixel wide-field of view camera can automatically frame the subject and is capable of tracking so that you stay in frame when making video calls.
Alexa lets you control music and entertainment using your voice. Amazon Prime Video lets you watch TV and movies, while Alexa can play your favorite music on Amazon Music, Spotify or any other service.
Like most Echo devices you can add widgets on the homescreen to personalize your experience. It includes news, weather, calendars with fun sticky reminders, and fun notes. The widgets are simple to install and can be added by a single voice command. The widgets themselves aren't quite as customizable as on some other Echo devices, but they are a great way to personalize your smart home experience.
The voice-activation feature can be turned off by using the microphone mute button, which is located on the right side of your device. You can also use the microphone mutes button on the right-hand side of the device to mute your camera when not in use.
You can also use the Amazon App for iOS or Android to control the device. Use an Echo Show along with a compatible loudspeaker to create a pair of speakers and increase the bass and treble.
This feature is especially useful for video calls to remote coworkers or friends who don't have a Show. This feature is especially useful when video calling remote coworkers and friends who do not have a Show.
Sound Quality
The echo show's sound quality is good, although it can get a bit bassy at low volume. You can easily fix this by increasing the volume on your favorite music or adjusting the Alexa volume on your smartphone.
Unlike the first-generation Echo Show 8, this device doesn't have a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary port for connecting to external speakers. This is a pity, because it would've been more versatile.
You'll need an Amazon account in order to use the Echo Show 8. Alexa is available on iPhones and Android devices.