Amazon Echo Show 8 of the second generation (model 2021) perfects the weaknesses of the first version that we have already defined best-buy. Let’s find out in this review the news of the new best smart display you can buy
Buying a new home automation assistant is no longer a matter of choosing between Alexa e Google Assistant. In fact, both voice assistants are able to perfectly perform all the tasks for which they are consulted, as well as being equally valid in the management of the home automation, despite the different approach in the management of skills. All you have to ask yourself when buying a voice assistant device is: what do I really need?
Smart speaker O smart display, the difference is, in fact, in the presence or absence of a display which, honestly, really makes a difference in everyday use. Already last year I replied Amazon Echo Show 8 the best among the smart displays on the market, also winning the comparison with the entire fleet of devices with Alexa on board. The line up, a year later, has changed, the second generation Echo Show 8 offers few but substantial differences in order to refine a product already best buy. Well, it goes without saying that he is the smart display to buy again this year. Let’s find out in detail why.
Technical features | Amazon Echo Show 8 2nd Gen review
If you were to find yourself in front of the first generation Echo Show 8 placed next to the second generation Echo Show 8, you would hardly be able to notice the differences. In fact, on an aesthetic level, there is none almost no news, the volume of the product and its conformation are perfectly identical. The only visible differences on the new model are to be found in the shape of the webcam (now placed in a square housing) and inabsence of the audio jack at the rear for connection to external speakers. It is not clear why Amazon has decided to give up a feature that is still interesting (albeit little used) such as the 3.5 “jack, thus removing the possibility of connecting the Echo Show 8 to an analog speaker, which would have made audiophiles happy. For the rest, the same identical design, characterized by a coating, now iconic, of the area used for positioning the two 10W speakers each, in a woven weave fabric. Present the classic keys for volume control and manual closing of the chamber, for the most anxious.
Confirmed the presence of 8 ″ touch display with 1280 × 800 resolution, absolutely perfect for this type of product. On paper there should be no differences with the panel used last year, but the feeling, by comparing the two devices, is that of having, with this second generation, a more defined display with significantly deeper colors. Not enough oleophobic treatment which, in the presence of reflections, tends to create many annoyances, while the brightness management with the automatic sensor is excellent. The real news advertised by Amazon, however, concerns the update to the front camera, which now becomes from 13 megapixel and expands its shooting range by becoming even more wide-angle. We will talk about how useful this can be in daily use later in the review. The Mediatek 8183 is the new processor chosen for the Echo Show 8 2021, in this case a tangible difference from the past, can provide more power to the whole system and therefore to make the browsing experience between the various software screens smoother than in the past.
Features and software | Amazon Echo Show 8 2nd Gen review
As mentioned, the brand new processor is able to guarantee a more pleasant experience than in the past, especially if you intend to interact with Alexa through the help of the touch display. There navigation in the various software menus it is now more reactive, as well as using the various “apps” including the browser and for example Prime Video it is even more enjoyable. Let’s be clear, we are not yet remotely close to the performance we would have on a mid-range smartphone of the latest generation, but let’s remember that we are still talking about a home automation assistant, which therefore has other priorities.
The new 13 megapixel camera offers higher resolution and sharper images than ever before. The wide field of vision guarantees instead group video calls without anyone having to give up showing themselves. An interesting feature in this regard and totally automatic, it allows you to lock a subject to follow and never lose within the scene, even if in motion. These innovations, in addition to giving greater depth to the possibility of making video calls via drop in Alexa and Skype, also allows you to add a new function. The second generation Echo Show 8 can indeed be used as surveillance room and can be accessed (with prior authorization) remotely through the Alexa application on your smartphone.
The remaining features of the device are then those that characterize Alexa regardless of the product taken into consideration. The assistant will always be there ready to answer your questions, start multimedia content e manage smart devices present at home through the various skills. By the way, since it is a question I am often asked, the skill of YouTube it is not yet present on Amazon devices and can only be used through the Silk browser in mobile mode. Present instead Netflix e Spotify.
Audio quality | Amazon Echo Show 8 2nd Gen review
Echo Show 8 comes with two 2 ″ speakers for 20W total audio power delivered as well as a passive woofer for bass management. Unlike the previous model, although there should be no particular differences in the hardware, the reproduced audio has less character (the first Echo Show 8 was incredibly unbalanced in the low frequencies) but is much more balanced, always resulting pleasant in any situation: both when watching a movie, as well as when playing music and chatting with Alexa. The maximum achievable volume is practically unchanged, perfectly suited for a medium-large room.
It is time to take stock
Amazon Echo Show 8 2021 is still the best buy to buy. The more performing processor and the camera that brings new features, help to improve and refine a product that remains superior to the Google counterpart, the Nest Hub 2. Al price of 129.99 € is placed at this moment at 40 € of difference from the first generation Echo Show 8, from which it differs positively but which is still an excellent choice to save a little bit. If, on the other hand, you are looking for your first smart display to make a reference hub at home, Echo Show 8 2nd Gen is the best choice you can make!