If you’re one of those folks who keep hanging their TV too high on a wall for some reason, Amazon has you covered with two new Alexa-powered smart displays.
We’re happy to report that rumors of the Echo Show 15’s demise were premature. As noted in our Echo Show 15 review, this versatile device is perfect as a small kitchen TV or a smart TV you can take to any room. Now, it’s been upgraded with new features. But if you need an even bigger screen to hang on your wall, Amazon has created an all-new Echo Show 21 that provides nearly double the viewing area of the Echo Show 15.
Both Echo Show 15 and 21 are now available for purchase. These wall-mountable devices ship with an Alexa Voice Remote and wall mounting equipment included in the box, and you can customize them with white frame accessories or a counter stand.
The built-in camera on Echo Show 15 and 21 has been upgraded with more than double the field of view, meaning it can now fit more people in the scene. A wider field of view also enables better automatic cropping during video calls, so you should fit in the frame even as you move around the room. The cameras don’t use AI processing, but you’ll enjoy clearer images thanks to noise reduction, a feature missing from previous Echo Shows.
According to Amazon’s announcement, the new screens offer improved audio quality compared to the original Echo Show 15, “delivering immersive sound, double the bass, and room adaption technology.” Thanks to a built-in smart home hub, the new Echo Show 15 and 21 will also benefit savvy homeowners. The screens support the Matter protocol to ensure compatible smart home appliances play nicely. Both Echo Show 15 and 21 work as Matter controllers and can directly connect with Wi-Fi, Thread, and Zigbee devices.
“They can also control a range of devices locally, such as lights, switches, and plugs, for even faster device response time,” Amazon said. “Plus, these are the first Echo devices equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, making experiences like Fire TV video and music streaming smoother.”
Like before, you can stream your entertainment from thousands of Fire TV apps like YouTube, Paramount+, Peacock, Max, and many others, listen to morning news segments, and more. And with AI-powered search, you can find something new to watch using natural prompts and phrases. If you start listening to some music or a podcast episode, you can easily add other Echo devices to play the same content on them. Similarly, videos can be sent to your Fire TV to finish watching.
Echo Show 15 costs $300, and Echo Show 21 costs $400. Customization options include light brown or white frame accessories that snap around the edges, priced at $35 for Echo Show 15 and $40 for Echo Show 21, and a premium counter stand that costs $100.
Source: Amazon
