Amazon’s New Echo Show 8: A More Immersive and User-Friendly Smart Speaker
Amazon has unveiled a new Echo Show 8, with a number of improvements over the previous model. The new Echo Show 8 features spatial audio, a dynamic proximity-based UI, a new large language model, an improved camera, and a new smart home hub.
Spatial audio is a technology that creates a surround sound experience by using multiple speakers to project sound from different directions. This can make it feel like you are in the middle of the action when watching a movie or playing a game. The new Echo Show 8 has two speakers that are positioned to deliver spatial audio.
Proximity-based UI is a user interface that changes based on how close you are to the device. For example, when you are close to the Echo Show 8, the display will show more detailed information, such as the time, weather, and upcoming events. When you are further away, the display will show less detailed information, such as a clock and a few basic controls. The new Echo Show 8 uses proximity-based UI to make it easier to interact with the device without having to touch it.
New large language model: The new Echo Show 8 uses a new large language model that is designed to make interacting with the Alexa assistant feel more conversational. Users won’t have to use the wake word over and over again in order to ask the device questions. For example, you can say “Alexa, tell me about the weather today” and then continue to ask follow-up questions without having to say “Alexa” again.
Improved camera: The new Echo Show 8 has an improved, centered, 13-megapixel camera and new background noise-minimization features for better video calls. This makes the Echo Show 8 a great device for video calls with friends and family members.
New smart home hub: The new Echo Show 8 has a built-in smart home hub that supports Zigbee, Sidewalk, Thread, Bluetooth, and Matter devices. This means that you can use the Echo Show 8 to control your smart home devices even if you don’t have a separate smart home hub. For example, you can use the Echo Show 8 to turn on your lights, lock your doors, and adjust your thermostat.
Echo Show 8 Photos Edition: Amazon has also unveiled a new Echo Show 8 Photos Edition. This model is designed to be a digital photo frame, with your personal pictures displayed front-and-center as the primary view. The photos will change every 30 seconds and the device comes with 25 GB of storage through Amazon Photos. The Echo Show 8 Photos Edition is a great way to display your favorite photos and memories in your home.
The new Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 8 Photos Edition will be available in October. The Echo Show 8 costs $150 and the Echo Show 8 Photos Edition costs $160.
Overall, the new Echo Show 8 is a significant upgrade over the previous model. It offers a more immersive and user-friendly experience, with new features such as spatial audio, a dynamic proximity-based UI, a new large language model, an improved camera, and a new smart home hub. The Echo Show 8 Photos Edition is a great option for people who want to use their Echo Show 8 as a digital photo frame.
