Whether you’re in the kitchen with your hands full or just getting out of bed in the morning, one of the best smart displays can be an incredibly useful gadget. From getting quick recipes and setting timers to checking the weather or your schedule for the day, a smart display can be the perfect helping hand around your home.

If you’re looking to get your first smart display, you can’t go wrong with Amazon’s Echo Show 8, as it’s the perfect middle ground between the larger Echo Show 11 and the smaller Echo Show 5. Plus, unlike the wall-mountable Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21, it’s easy to move between rooms if you decide it will be more useful in your kitchen than in your bedroom.

First released in 2019, Amazon has continued to improve the Echo Show 8’s original design with each new generation. Currently, you can pick up the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) at a steep discount, as there’s a newer Echo Show 8 (4th Gen). While both are excellent smart displays and have many of the same features, there are some key differences between them.

To help you decide whether it’s worth paying more for the latest Echo Show 8 or picking up the previous model for less, I've prepared this face-off after extensively reviewing and using both smart displays in my own home.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) and the new Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), along with whether or not it makes sense to upgrade to the latest model if you already have the previous one.

Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen): Pricing

With its larger display, more powerful internals, and early access to Alexa+, the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) carries a higher $179.99 price. This is $30 more than the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), which costs $149.99. However, it has fallen to as low as $99 thanks to early Black Friday deals and other big sales events, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to pick up the older model.

Likewise, Amazon’s optional stand for the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) has also gotten a price increase. While the Tilt Stand for the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) now costs $30, the Adjustable Stand for the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) is priced slightly higher at $40.

The stands are available in Glacier White or Graphite to match both color options of either version of the Echo Show 8. However, the Adjustable Stand for Amazon’s latest 8-inch smart display is also compatible with the new Echo Show 11.

In addition to allowing you to tilt its display, though, it also rotates 360°. When magnetically attached to the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), it reminds me of how the latest iteration of the Echo Show 10 could rotate on its own.

Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen): Specs

Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen): Design

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) might have looked similar to the model it replaced from the front, but around back, Amazon trimmed down its larger hump and went with a rounded instead of an angled design. Although this might seem like a minor change, it’s what allows that smart display's edge-to-edge glass display to stand out more prominently.

Now with the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), Amazon has taken things a few steps further. Instead of a hump that spans the entire backside of the device, this upgraded smart display now has a significantly smaller spherical base. At first glance, it almost looks like its display is held up by one of Amazon’s new Echo Dot Max smart speakers, albeit with a more elliptical profile.

Button placement is another big change between these two Echo Show 8 models. While the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) had its volume and mute buttons on top of the display like its predecessor, with the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), Amazon has moved these buttons to the side of the display, just like you’ll find on most of the best tablets. Likewise, the newer model has much smaller buttons overall, too.

For the privacy-conscious, you are losing out on a physical camera shutter with the latest model of the Echo Show 8. While past generations had a convenient slider to cover the camera directly above the display, the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) now relies entirely on a software-based approach to disable its camera.

This means the camera lens is never physically covered, though you can still use the camera toggle in the Quick Settings menu to disable it (or press the dedicated mute button) when you swipe down from the top of its display.

But the most significant change between the design of the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) and Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the display. With the latest model, you could almost call it the Echo Show 9 as it has a larger 8.7-inch HD display, compared to the 3rd Gen’s 8-inch HD display.

The screen is also much more prominent: the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) sports uniform quarter-inch bezels on all sides. This is a major upgrade that gives the device a more modern look compared to the previous model’s half-inch bezels.

The Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) has been completely redesigned from the ground up and is definitely a sleeker-looking smart display. However, the Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) will still look quite good in your kitchen or bedroom.

Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen): Audio, video and performance

Amazon has continued to improve the audio quality in its Echo Show smart displays with each new generation, and that’s definitely the case here too.

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) features dual two-inch tweeters, which are twice as large as those found in its predecessor, and they definitely help improve both audio clarity and bass. The other big improvement with this smart display is that Amazon added spatial audio, along with its proprietary room adaptation technology, which automatically analyzes the acoustics of the room where you have the device set up.

With the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), Amazon has taken these audio upgrades to a whole new level. For the first time ever, this 8-inch smart display features a dedicated 2.8-inch custom woofer, which gives it a substantial bass boost. This is paired with two full-range drivers to handle both mid-range and high-frequency sounds. This enhanced hardware dramatically improves the spatial audio feature too, making the sound field more accurate, immersive, and truly room-filling.

The biggest functional difference lies in the chip: The Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) sports the AZ3 Pro chip with an AI accelerator, which is a significant jump from the 3rd Gen's AZ2 chip. This new processing power is noticeable across the board, making the 4th Gen faster at loading widgets, switching tasks, and handling the complex, free-flowing conversations of Alexa+.

When it comes to streaming, the biggest difference between the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) and the (3rd Gen) comes down to their Wi-Fi specifications. While the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) uses the older Wi-Fi 5 standard, the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6E.

You can stream video content from many of the best streaming services on either model of the Echo Show 8. Amazon’s own Prime Video and its live FireTV Channels have their own dedicated apps. However, third-party streaming services like YouTube TV, Peacock, HBO Max and others open in the company’s Silk browser instead.

If you have one of the best Wi-Fi routers or best mesh Wi-Fi systems with support for Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, you’ll be able to stream content using the much faster and less congested 6 GHz band. On the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), videos open faster and you don’t have to waste time waiting for them to buffer. The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) still delivers a good streaming experience, but if you plan on watching a lot of video content on your smart display, going with the newer model makes the most sense.

Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen): Cameras

Both the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) and the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) have centered, high-resolution 13 MP cameras. Aside from the lack of a physical privacy shutter on the newer model, the camera itself is physically smaller than on its predecessor and looks a lot more like the kind of camera you’d find on a tablet or smartphone.

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) made a big addition with Amazon’s auto-framing tech, which keeps you centered in a video call even when you move around a room. With the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), the company has built on this by adding 3.3x digital zoom. This lets the camera frame you more tightly and smoothly follow you as you move away from the smart display.

Whereas the camera was mainly used for video calls and the now removed Photo Booth feature on the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), with this new model, it plays an integral role in what Amazon calls its Omnisense sensor platform. In addition to Visual ID, which recognizes specific people in your household to give them a more personalized experience, the camera on the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) can also be used to set up more complex routines that use presence detection.

Either model is a good choice for video calls using Amazon’s Drop In feature. However, if you like being able to physically disable the camera when you’re not using it, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the better option. Conversely, if you have your smart display in the kitchen or somewhere else where you’ll move around a lot while on video calls, then the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) makes more sense. This is also true for smart home enthusiasts who want to make full use of Omnisense to create automated routines.

Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen): Smart home and connectivity

The Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) and Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) can both serve as a smart home hub with Zigbee, Matter over Wi-Fi/Thread and Thread Border Router support, and you can use either your voice or the display itself to control all of your smart home devices with both models.

As I mentioned before, the big upgrade for controlling your smart home devices on the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) is the inclusion of Omnisense. By fusing the data from multiple sensors and signals together, this new smart display has a greater understanding of its environment. You can then use Omnisense to create truly unique routines specific to your space.

For instance, let’s say you have your Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) in the kitchen where you also have a few of the best smart lights. In that case, you can set up a routine where, when you enter your kitchen in the evening for a late-night snack, the device will automatically turn your lights on at a dim setting when it detects you. The possibilities are truly endless with Omnisense and a few smart home devices, but this gives you an idea of what the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) is capable of.

The other big upgrade for controlling your smart home and interacting with your smart display is that with the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), you get immediate access to Alexa+. This also includes a new, modern user interface.

Amazon’s new AI-powered assistant comes with several powerful benefits, like the ability to have natural, contextual conversations with Alexa+ (no repeating the wake word), better memory based on your previous conversations, and how you can get more done, like making dinner reservations, booking trips or managing your children’s school calendars using the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen). However, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is expected to get the Alexa+ upgrade eventually, which will give it these same improvements.

When it comes to connectivity, you’re getting Wi-Fi 6E support as opposed to Wi-Fi 5 with the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen), as I covered in the streaming section. However, both models also feature Bluetooth, and while the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) has Bluetooth 5.2, this newer device comes with Bluetooth 5.3, which also adds support for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This might seem like a small upgrade, but with BLE, devices like your phone or tablet connected to your smart display will use less battery during communication.

If you have a handful of smart home devices and don’t care about automation, then the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is a perfectly adequate smart home hub. However, if you want that magic feeling where your lights or your smart thermostat spring to life when you walk into a room, then the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) is definitely worth spending more on.

Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen): Which should you get?

The Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) and Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) are quite similar in some ways but differ drastically in others. Which one is best for you comes down to your budget, whether or not you want to use Alexa+ right away, and how you’ll use either device.

If this is your first smart display and you want to do more with less, I recommend the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen). You’re getting a capable smart home hub, good audio and video and most importantly for some, a physical camera shutter.

Now, if you want the latest tech and features and have the money to spend, the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) is the right choice and the better long-term investment. You’re getting a faster and sleeker experience overall, immediate Alexa+ support right out of the box, and Amazon’s Omnisense sensor platform for impressive, proactive, ambient automation.

For those who already have an Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), you might be wondering if upgrading is worthwhile. As someone who has tested and reviewed both devices, I would definitely say so. Unlike the jump from the 2nd Gen to the 3rd Gen Echo Show 8, this new model has been completely redesigned from the ground up. Not only does it look and feel much more modern, it’s gotten a big performance boost thanks to its more powerful chip and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, too.

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) or the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), especially if you’re already invested in Amazon’s smart home ecosystem. However, the steep deals you often see on the previous model make it a much better budget-friendly option right now. If you’re fine waiting, though, I expect the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) will see a similar but not as drastic price cut next year.

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I check my email countless times each day but the same can’t be said for my mailbox but for good reason. Unlike with my inbox, I almost never get physical mail I’m actually excited to open. Instead, it’s usually just a pile of bills and junk mail and the latter would be much better off in my spam folder.

Due to this, unopened mail has a tendency of piling up in my mailbox. In fact, it actually got so bad a few years ago that the post office stopped delivering mail to my home. This was the wake-up call to finally do something about it which is why I installed a smart sensor in my mailbox.

Last summer though, I woke to find my mailbox and the smart sensor inside it lying on the ground. Who knows, maybe it was the weather or a reckless driver but either way, I needed a new mailbox with a sturdier post. While it did take a bit of work installing the new mailbox, doing so gave me the opportunity to upgrade to a new smart mailbox sensor. Given that I went with a plastic mailbox with a backdoor this time around, this allowed me to pull off a much cleaner install.

If you dread checking the mail as much as I do or often forget to check like I used to, here’s how I gave my mailbox the ultimate upgrade and let my smart home handle one of my most annoying tasks.

A different kind of motion sensor

If you're a smart home enthusiast like myself, then you’re likely familiar with motion sensors and know all about how you can use them to turn on the lights or trigger other actions. The Ring Mailbox Sensor works in much the same way but it’s specifically designed to be placed inside your mailbox.

Back when I got my first Ring Mailbox Sensor, you needed to have a Ring Bridge ($49, Amazon) to get it to work.

Now though, thanks to Amazon Sidewalk which works just like Apple’s Find My network, you no longer need one. However, if you don’t feel comfortable having your devices connected to Amazon’s low-bandwidth wireless network, you can also use either a Ring Bridge or a Ring Alarm Pro Base Station to add the Ring Mailbox Sensor to your home network.

The Ring Mailbox Sensor is powered by three AAA batteries and pairs with your smartphone through the Ring app. Depending on how often your mail gets delivered, its batteries should last for up to a year before you need to replace them. If you’re setting up a brand new Ring Mailbox Sensor, it may take a few minutes as several updates need to be installed before you can mount it.

Second time’s the charm

As I mentioned before, the Ring Mailbox Sensor comes with an antenna to help its signal reach other Amazon Sidewalk-enabled devices or your Ring Bridge. Installation is optional if you have a plastic mailbox instead of a metal one but I chose to install it anyways.

Getting your Ring Mailbox Sensor installed begins with drilling a hole in the back of your mailbox for its antenna. Fortunately, Ring includes a large drill bit for this in case you don’t have one on hand. Keep in mind though that if you plan on using the antenna, you'll want to drill a hole and run the cable before attaching your Ring Mailbox Sensor to the back of your mailbox.

The reason for this is that the antenna plugs into the back of the sensor and can’t easily be accessed once you attach it using adhesive tape. You also want to leave a bit of room on either side so that you can easily detach the sensor when you need to change out its batteries.

I just recently put new batteries in the Ring Mailbox Sensor and doing so was very easy. You just pull out the tabs on either side, remove the sensor, swap out the old batteries with new ones and then reattach the sensor. After which, it took a minute or so for the Ring app to recognize that it was back online but then I was good to go for about a year.

The antenna’s cable is about a foot long so that you have enough room to position it on either side of your mailbox. Since I live on a cul-de-sac, I decided to place the antenna on the left side of my mailbox where it would be clearly visible. The antenna itself is made of black plastic but Ring gives you a sticker to put over it which looks nice but could also help deter porch pirates.

You’ve got mail

With my replacement Ring Mailbox Sensor installed on my new mailbox, it was time to add it to my smart home. If you don’t have a smart home or aren’t interested in starting one, don't worry as you still get alerts from the Ring app whenever the sensor detects motion. However, the Ring Mailbox Sensor is actually what got me started with the best Alexa speakers in the first place before I eventually upgraded to the Echo Show 15 and then later, the Echo Show 21 in my kitchen.

If you have an Alexa-enabled smart speaker or one of the best smart displays from Amazon, you can easily incorporate the Ring Mailbox Sensor into your smart home. From having a security camera record when your mail arrives to having your porch lights turn on, there’s a whole lot you can do with this little motion sensor.

As someone who grew up with AOL back in the 90s though, my first thought was “You’ve got mail” so here’s how I set it up.

Once you have your Ring Mailbox Sensor added to the Alexa app, tap on More at the bottom right corner. Then tap on the Plus icon to create a new routine and select your Ring Mailbox Sensor after tapping on Add an event under WHEN. From there, you need to choose the Detected option. Under Alexa Will, you need to select Alexa Says and enter a phrase like “You’ve got mail.” Finally, you need to pick which smart speaker or smart display Alexa will speak from. To finish off your routine, just tap Save at the bottom.

With a routine like this one in place, anytime someone opens your mailbox, you’ll hear “You’ve got mail” on your preferred smart speaker or smart display. However, you can also have Alexa deliver this line from your phone if you want too.

Making the mail fun again

Now, adding a smart sensor to your mailbox likely won’t change what kind of mail gets delivered to your house but with the right Alexa routine, it just might make getting junk mail a bit more exciting, especially if you’re a fan of the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan film. Even if you’re not, at least letters won’t pile up in your mailbox when you forget to check.

I swear by the Ring Mailbox Sensor and think it’s one of the best smart home devices you can get. Not only is it inexpensive but it’s also fairly easy to install and use. Likewise, it lets you turn a mundane task into something a bit more interesting.

Now that you don’t need to buy a $50 bridge separately for it to work, the Ring Mailbox Sensor is almost a no-brainer if you’re a smart home enthusiast like myself.

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Last week, Amazon's 2025 devices event debuted two new Echo smart speakers with Amazon's latest Alexa Plus (Alexa+) voice assistant. Now, Echo Show owners are reporting that its AI-powered updates brought with them a tidal wave of ads that make the device practically unusable.

Previously, Amazon's Echo Show smart displays showed ads mostly through the Shopping Lists feature or Alexa's "By the way" features. It also occasionally played audio ads when using Alexa to listen to Amazon Music. However, several reports on the Alexa subreddit and from The Verge’s Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, who owns more than one Echo Show, found that the number of ads has skyrocketed in recent months.

Full-screen ads marked "sponsored" now pop up between photos in the Photo Frame mode slideshow as well as between content cards for music, recipes, and news. Some Reddit users reported ads showing up alongside the alarm clock and other basic functions as well. To add insult to injury, the displays have also started showing ads for Alexa Plus itself, even though it's still in early access.

The ads are so pervasive that many users said their smart display feels more like a billboard for Amazon these days, and some are considering returning the product outright. It really shouldn't come as a shocker, though. CEO Andy Jassy has promoted the revamped AI-powered voice assistant Alexa Plus, as a new revenue driver for the company's hardware division.

"We have over 600 million Alexa devices out there today, and expect Alexa+ to play an even more vital role in the lives of these hundreds of millions of customers in the future," Jassy said in his annual shareholder letter back in April.

Amazon’s Devices division has long struggled to turn a profit, so it's no surprise that Amazon's pushing ads, one area where it is making money, so hard on them. According to Amazon, the Echo Show is designed to show home screen ads if someone even so much as gets close to the device.

Unlike with the best Kindles, there's no option to buy an ad-free version of the Echo Show. But there are some settings you can tweak to make the ads on your Echo Show a little less obnoxious.

How to limit ads on your Echo Show

To make the Echo Show's ads less obnoxious, users on Reddit have shared two workarounds. For the first, you'll need to set a routine in the Alexa app. Tap the More option at the bottom (the icon with the three stacked lines), select Routines, and tap the plus icon. Select Add an event to choose when your trigger will start, tap Add action, select Custom, and type in: Alexa, start Photo Frame.

Alternatively, changing the language on your Echo Show device to English/Canada also seems to do the trick. Just swipe down from the top of the device, select Settings, scroll down, tap Device Options, then Device Language.

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Amazon's rolling out Alexa+ in early access, and it's finally the virtual assistant people imagined when these devices first appeared. Unlike the original Alexa that repeats predetermined responses, this upgraded version uses generative AI to have actual conversations.

The difference is substantial. Alexa+ remembers what you said earlier in a conversation and maintains context throughout, so you don't need to say "Alexa" before every follow-up question. It recalls your preferences from previous chats and generates responses on the fly rather than pulling from a script.

While Alexa+ isn't widely available yet, Amazon's offering free early access through two routes: joining the waitlist or buying a compatible Echo device. Here's how to started.

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As the Autumn semester of college gets into the swing of things, you may be looking to add the final touches to your dorm room. When I moved into my college dorm, I forgot to bring my Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Alexa speaker from home, so I ended up ordering a Google Nest Mini.

My Amazon speaker eventually made it to college with me too, but after using them both for years, I know which one to recommend to everyone else.

Both of the speakers are pretty tiny, and won’t take up much space in your small dorm. Like most smart devices, they can both help with daily tasks like making lists, setting alarms and provide help from a smart assistant.

I’m going to go through what I love about both speakers and let you know which one is best to get the most out of your college dorm setup.

Amazon Echo Dot

The Amazon Echo Dot gives all of the perks of larger Echo models at a fraction of the size and price. As I mentioned, Alexa has always been my go-to device at home. This is because of the simple access to third-party apps such as Spotify.

The speaker is also great for keeping on top of your Amazon orders and deliveries. This really came in handy when I was at college, as I could re-order essentials simply by asking Alexa.

Amazon now only sells the new version of the Echo Dot speaker, and while its functions and performance are pretty much the same, the design is very different. The new version of the speaker is shaped like a sphere and is therefore quite a bit bigger than the 3rd generation I was using at the time. This redesign also makes the speaker a lot bigger than the Google Nest Mini.

The speaker is still bound in cloth over the speaker with tactile buttons on the top to control the volume, voice commands, and to mute the speaker. Of course, you don’t need to use the buttons, as you can simply ask Alexa.

The sound of the Echo Dot packs quite the punch if you need it to, but to make sure you get on with your roommate and neighbours, the speaker can also be used at very low volumes. I often used the low volumes to just have some background noise while catching up on work, and found the Echo very easy to control when doing this.

Google Nest Mini

The Google Next Mini added a lovely textured look to my dorm room, but it’s also small and discreet enough that it’s not going to get in the way if you are short on space. It is far more compact than the Echo Dot.

Since the smart speaker is so small, it can sound tinny at higher volumes and won’t give much depth to songs. But when I was at college, I listened to music at low levels at all times because I was living in such close quarters with others.

I think the Google Nest Mini is a great option for anyone who uses Google organization apps like Google Calendar, as you are able to access the information on these instantly with the Google Voice Assistant. By just saying “Hey Google”, I was able to stay completely organised with all of my plans.

The controls of the Nest Mini are touch sensitive and are only the cloth over the speaker. They light up to guide you to the controls. I sometimes missed the controls as I much prefer a tactile button like the Echo Dot has, but the ultrasound sensing built into the Nest Mini made it easier to locate the buttons each time.

In my opinion, the design of the Nest Mini is more convenient for saving desktop space. It is pretty flat, and I never felt it got in the way.

Which one is my winner?

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The long-awaited Amazon Alexa revamp is finally here, and Amazon is upgrading its familiar voice assistant with plenty of AI-powered features that you can check out right now.

Called Alexa Plus (Alexa+), it builds on its predecessor with enhanced conversational abilities with memory and emotional capabilities akin to that of chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini.

Best of all, it's rolling out in the U.S. this month. As Amazon announced this week, Alexa Plus will be free for Prime members, or you can pay $19.99 a month if you don't have an account. The new generative AI-powered Amazon smart assistant will offer more thorough personalized assistance along with a suite of new features aimed at integrating into users' daily lives

However, it won’t be available for everyone. Alexa Plus will only be available in English for customers in the US with a phased rollout beginning in March.

That being said, Amazon is offering access to the service for free during an Early Access period. If you're itching to take Alexa Plus out for a spin, here's how to sign up to experience Amazon's new smart assistant early.

How to sign-up for Alexa+ early access

First, you'll have to head over to Amazon’s landing page for Alexa Plus, which invites you to "Meet the new Alexa." Scroll down a bit, and you should see a box on the right side that says "Alexa+ is coming soon." Once you tap on the link, it'll ask you to sign in with your Amazon account.

Once you have access and opt-in, you'll receive an email confirmation, and Alexa Plus will start working across any compatible Echo devices, Fire TV and Fire tablets you have.

Only a few Amazon devices have been updated with support already, with other devices likely to join their ranks in the coming months. Right now, you’ll need an Echo Show 8, 10, 15 or 21 to get Alexa Plus access. You'll also be able to access it via your web browser or the existing Alexa app — there won’t be a new app to download.

Parents can also get their kids in on the Alexa Plus experience by creating and enabling a child profile. If you set up voice ID for any kiddos in your home, the device will employ Alex Plus Kids when it recognizes an enrolled child.

"When an enrolled child profile is recognized or on a device with Amazon Kids enabled, our GenAI content moderation extends the multi-layered controls for a general audience with additional guardrails that are purpose-built for children," Amazon says on the Alexa Plus landing page.

During this Early Access period, Alexa Plus will remain free, and Amazon has said that users won't be automatically charged once the period ends. It will remain a free benefit with your Prime membership or cost $19.99 per month on its own.

Alexa Plus key features

With this Alexa overhaul, Amazon is aiming to redefine the role of its virtual assistant in day-to-day life.

By using generative AI, Alexa Plus aims to provide more human-like interaction experiences. Its enhanced conversational abilities make the assistant better at understanding and responding to users' emotional tones, like detecting frustration. to adjust its responses as the situation calls for.

Alexa Plus also boasts improved task management skills to streamline your to-do list. It can now perform complex tasks like booking a table at your favorite restaurant, adding events to your calendar, ordering groceries from GrubHub, and more.

On the security front, Alexa Plus collaborates with Ring camera systems to bring you detailed insights and summaries of camera events or let you monitor suspicious activity in real-time.

That's only skimming the surface of what this new AI-powered Alexa can do. You can check out our full breakdown of what you need to know about Alexa Plus here.

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Amazon has finally unveiled its upgraded Alexa Plus virtual assistant which features a more conversational tone, better personalization and AI smarts to help you get even more done.

While we initially thought all of this extra functionality might be locked behind yet another subscription service, Alexa Plus will be available for free for everyone with an Amazon Prime membership. Alternatively, if you don’t have Prime, Alexa Plus will cost $19.99 per month.

Amazon also revealed that you won’t have to wait too long to try out Alexa Plus for yourself as it will be released in the coming weeks. The initial rollout will be U.S. only and in order to get access, you’ll need to own or purchase an Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, Echo Show 15 or an Echo Show 21. But what about the rest of your existing Echo devices and the best Alexa compatible devices?

If you’re wondering which of your Alexa-powered smart speakers, smart displays and other smart home gadgets will work with Alexa Plus, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about which Amazon devices are compatible with Alexa Plus and which ones won’t support this new AI-powered virtual assistant.

Alexa Plus supported devices

Although you’ll need an Echo Show 8, 10, 15 or 21 to get access to Alexa Plus as part of the initial rollout, it will be available on all Echo devices with a few exceptions I’ll cover below.

These are the Echo devices you already own that will support Alexa Plus with a voice-only experience:

• Echo (second gen and later)
• Echo Dot (and Echo Dot Kids) second-gen and later
• Echo Pop
• Echo Spot (second gen)
• Echo Show 5 (and Echo Show 5 Kids)
• Echo Hub
• Echo Studio
• Echo Auto
• Echo Buds

At the same time, you will also be able to access Alexa Plus through your web browser, using the Alexa app and on compatible Fire TVs and Fire tablets.

Alexa Plus unsupported devices

With over 600 million Alexa-enabled devices sold so far, it’s understandable that the new Alexa Plus experience won’t be available on all of them. Many of them are close to a decade old or even older, so chances are, you might not even be using them anymore.

Here are all of the Echo devices that won’t support Alexa Plus:

• Echo Dot (1st Gen)
• Echo (1st Gen)
• Echo Plus (1st Gen)
• Echo Tap
• Echo Show (1st and 2nd Gen)
• Echo Spot (1st Gen)

What about Alexa Built-in devices?

At its Devices event today unveiling Alexa Plus, an Amazon spokesperson explained to Tom’s Guide that its upgraded virtual assistant isn’t currently supported on Alexa Built-in devices.

These include products like the Sonos Era 100 smart speaker and the Ecobee Smart Thermostat as well as the company’s own Amazon Astro home robot. The good news though is that Amazon is looking to bring Alexa Plus to these devices in the future.

Standard Alexa still works (for now)

Another great thing about Alexa Plus is that at least for now, it will be an optional upgrade and if you don’t want to use it, you don’t have to. In addition to those unsupported Echo devices, in the Alexa Plus FAQ on its site, Amazon explains that “if you prefer using the original Alexa, it will remain available on your devices.”

There are plenty of exciting new smart home features to try out in Alexa Plus but not everyone uses Amazon’s virtual assistant this way. For instance, you might have an elderly relative that you bought an Echo Dot or an Echo Show to check up on that’s using Alexa Emergency Assist for help in case of emergencies. Adding an AI-powered virtual assistant to the mix might overcomplicate things for them.

Amazon also hasn’t said when or even if the original Alexa will be discontinued in favor of Alexa Plus. Likewise, we don’t know yet if you’ll be able to easily switch back and forth between the two if you end up favoring one experience over the other.

Alexa Plus has been in the works for years and now that it’s finally here, we can’t wait to test it out for ourselves so stay tuned to Tom’s Guide for everything you need to know about this brand new Alexa experience along with when it will arrive on your Echo devices.

More from Tom's Guide

• I bought an Echo Dot to help cool down my garage — here's how
• How to use an Echo Dot as a mesh Wi-Fi extender
• Your Amazon Echo is also a motion detection security device — here’s how to set it up

Amazon has finally unveiled its upgraded virtual assistant at its Alexa event today and Alexa Plus is going to completely transform your smart home.

From remembering your favorite foods, movies and music to updating your calendar, planning dates, booking restaurant reservations, and even calling your babysitter, Alexa Plus is the massive upgrade we’ve been waiting for. And the best part, it will be included as part of your existing Amazon Prime membership.

If you don’t have a Prime though, Alexa Plus will cost $20 per month. Likewise, not all of the best Alexa-compatible devices will support Amazon’s upgraded virtual assistant when it starts rolling out in early access across the U.S. next month. Instead, Alexa+ will be available first on the Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21.

Here are some of the cool new ways that you can use Alexa Plus to control your smart home, get more done and harness the power of AI using just your voice right from your Echo devices.

Transforming your existing devices

After you get access to Alexa Plus, you’ll be able to try out a bunch of new things on any compatible Echo Show devices.

For starters, you'll be able to create new Alexa Routines for your smart home using just your voice. This was previously only possible from within the Alexa app but now, you can use your voice to set up complex Routines right from one of the best smart displays which should save you a lot of time.

Chatting with Alexa will be more natural too and with Alexa Plus, you can easily get new music and movie recommendations just by asking. The same goes for when you have music playing in one room and want to move the tunes to a different part of your home. If you have a favorite scene in a movie that’s on Prime Video, you will also be able to jump directly to a specific scene by asking Alexa Plus.

For those with one of the best video doorbells or best home security cameras from Ring, Alexa Plus will make it easier to know what’s going on in your smart home by providing you with a detailed summary of events detected by your cameras.

For instance, you can see that a package was delivered and that the dog walker took your pet outside right when you step into your home through the highlights from that day.

This feature will also integrate with Ring’s Smart Video Search functionality and you can ask specific questions about whether or not someone took out the trash or when was the last time the dog went out for a walk.

Taking control of your calendar

One of the best things about having a large smart display like the Echo Show 15 or Echo Show 21 in your kitchen like I do is that everyone can see important info at a glance while getting ready for the day.

Now though with Alexa Plus, you’ll be able to share documents like emails, recipes and more with Amazon’s virtual assistant, and it can extract and remember relevant information from them. This info is used to provide you with helpful summaries but it can also be used to add events to your calendar based on specific requests.

One of the coolest Alexa Plus features for busy families is that you can forward emails from your child’s school and then it will break down all of the essential information for you. For example, if there’s an upcoming school event, you’ll be able to ask if you need to bring anything beforehand.

Fun for the whole family

Alexa Plus isn’t just for adults and at its unveiling, Amazon showed off two new features for Amazon Kids+ subscribers that should make learning a bit more fun.

With Explore with Alexa, kids will be able to ask Alexa Plus all sorts of questions about geography, biology and more, and she’ll respond in a conversational tone. While this will be a great help with homework, it can also help satisfy your child’s curiosity so that you don’t have to field all of the questions they come up with.

If your kids are tired of the same old books, by using Stories with Alexa, they can have Amazon’s virtual assistant make up new ones for them. This starts with a prompt like “Alexa, create a story about a bearded dragon that plays the saxophone.” Then from there, Alexa will ask them additional questions to fill out their story further.

Like the rest of these new Alexa Plus features, these two will be available on Amazon’s larger smart displays. As of now, it doesn’t look like the Echo Show 5 Kids will work with the company’s improved virtual assistant but that could change in the future or we might potentially see a Kids edition of the more powerful Echo Show 8 in the future.

Experts and agents at the ready

Just like with the best Alexa skills, integrations can add even more functionality to Alexa Plus and Amazon plans to work with tens of thousands of partners and developers to make this happen.

By using Experts and deep knowledge integration, Alexa Plus will be able to work behind the scenes to seamlessly coordinate multiple services for you and these integrations are done directly through APIs. One example Amazon provided at its event was having Alexa Plus make a dinner reservation for two using OpenTable, texting these plans to a friend and then being able to book an Uber for them so that they can meet you for lunch.

That’s not all, though, as Alexa+ will be able to use its AI agent capabilities to do things on your behalf. For instance, if you need a recommendation for a repair person, Alexa Plus will be able to find one for you, send a request to them and then book a service appointment for them to come to your home to take a look at a broken appliance.

AI agents will also be able to help you create new things and Alexa Plus already has an integration with the AI music generator Suno. At its event, Amazon showed off a demo where Suno was used to turn a simple, creative request into a complete song complete with lyrics, vocals and instruments. Capabilities like this will continue to expand too, as Amazon showed off a preview of its new Alexa I Multi-Agent SDK that will allow brands to showcase their agents alongside Alexa.

Alexa Plus: Outlook

So far, everything Amazon showed off about Alexa Plus has us pretty excited. Not only are your existing smart displays getting a ton of new features and functionality, but you won’t have to add another monthly subscription to your budget since Alexa Plus is included with Prime.

Amazon Prime has seen several price hikes in the past, so we’re a bit worried that another one could be coming down the road. For now, though, you just need a compatible Echo Show smart display and a Prime membership to get started with Alexa Plus.

Amazon’s upgraded virtual assistant will roll out first in the U.S. but we haven’t heard anything about availability in other countries yet. However, we likely will once the rollout begins.

As someone with multiple Echo Show smart displays and an active Prime membership, I can’t wait to dive into all these new features and test them out for myself. Stay tuned to Tom’s Guide as we plan on putting Alexa+ through its paces as soon as we get access ourselves.

More from Tom's Guide

• 5 things you didn't know the Amazon Echo Show 15 could do
• The Echo Show 5 turned out to be the perfect tiny smart display for my desk after all
• Amazon Echo Show 15 vs Echo Show 21: which wall-mountable smart display should you buy?

It's time to meet the new Alexa.

Amazon's Devices event, which was held earlier today, was all about Amazon's assistant. Amazon didn't release any new hardware.

This time the event focused solely on Alexa Plus, its new and improved smart assistant, now augmented by AI.

This new conversational Alexa can do more things on your behalf, including the ability to do multiple things in sequence. Here's all the highlights of the Amazon event as it happened, plus the latest updates.

Amazon Alexa Plus cheat sheet

• Alexa Plus will cost $19.99 per month, but will be free for Amazon Prime members
• Alexa Plus will be released in the coming weeks, but will only be initially available on the Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, Echo Show 15, and Echo Show 21.
• Alexa Plus will be powered by Anthropic, and will let you use a more conversational voice to make queries.

Will Amazon charge for Alexa?

Among the other rumors surrounding the new-and-improved Alexa (codenamed “Remarkable) is that it could cost anywhere from $5 to $10 per month to use. While many AIs require a subscription to use their advanced features, it will be interesting to see if everyday consumers will pay for Alexa, given that Google, Samsung, and Apple offer their AI services for free.

Alexa on tap?

One of the biggest questions surrounding the event will be if we’ll see the new and improved Alexa that was teased in the September 2023 Amazon Devices event. At that gathering, which took place at Amazon’s Washington, DC headquarters, we saw an AI-enabled Alexa that was able to respond in a more conversational tone, answer more complex questions, and provide greater context and personalization. Initial rumors said that it was using an in-house AI, while a later report said that Alexa would be powered by Anthropic's Claude AI.

However, since that event, there’s been very little announced about Amazon’s assistant, except for the fact that it was being delayed, first to October 2024, and then even later, according to a report in November.

Meet the new boss

This Amazon Devices event will the the first hosted by Panos Panay, who took over Amazon's hardware division from Dave Limp back in 2023. Prior to Amazon, Panay worked at Microsoft, where he launched the Surface line of laptops and tablets in 2012, as well as Windows 11 in 2021. Limp has gone on to become the CEO of Blue Origin, another one of Jeff Bezos' companies.

Everything we saw at the last Amazon Devices event

At all of the Amazon Devices events I’ve attended, the company typically releases a dozen or more new products at one go, which can be a dizzying experience. Here’s everything that was announced the last go-round:

• Fire TV Soundbar ($119)
• Fire TV Stick 4K ($49 / AU$79) features a 1.7GHz processor, and supports Wi-Fi 6 and 4K Ultra HD streams
• Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($59 / AU$119) offers Wi-Fi 6e, 2GHz quad-core processor, Dolby Vision and HDR 10+ and Dolby Atmos Audio.
• eero Max 7 ($599) Wi-Fi 7 mesh router delivering speeds of up to 4.3 Gbps and wired speeds of up to 9.4 Gbps.
• Blink Sync Module 2 ($49) lets you place your Blink Outdoor 4 cameras further away for better coverage in large homes.
• Echo Hub ( $179 / AU$329): a smart home controller with an 8-inch screen for controlling smart home devices and viewing your security cameras.
• Echo Frames ($269): The latest generation of Amazon's smart glasses boast 6 hours of battery life, better audio and speech-processing technology. They also now come in seven different styles.
• Echo Show 8 ($149): The second-gen model now has an edge-to-edge display, a centered camera, and spatial audio. In addition, it can adapt it sound based on the room in which it’s placed.
• Echo Pop Kids ($49): The Echo Pop, but with either a Marvel-themed or Disney-themed face, and includes six months of Amazon Kids+.
• Fire HD 10 Kids and Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablets ($189)
• Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera ($129): The Blink Outdoor 4, but with two large LED panels.
• Ring Stick Up Cam Pro: This comes in three configurations - the Battery and plug-in models cost $179.99, and the Solar model is $209.99.

A new Amazon Echo?

It's now been three years since the Echo Dot (5th gen) was released and four years since the 4th-gen Amazon Echo. Previously, Amazon would only wait between 2-3 years before waiting to update its flagship Alexa devices.

Sadly, Amazon discontinued the Echo Dot with Clock last year, which was one of our favorite smart speakers, and replaced it with the Echo Spot, which has a larger, more functional display, but costs $80, compared to the $50 price of the Dot with Clock.

Apart from its design going from a puck to a sphere, most changes to the Echo Dots the past few years have addressed the internals, such as adding support for eero mesh routers and compatibility with the Matter smart home standard.

However, last summer, a Wall Street Journal article reported that Amazon was losing billions on its smart speaker business, because it sold the devices at a loss, but never figured out how to monetize Alexa on the back end. So, it’s no surprise that the company has slowed down the release of new products.

Here's how polite we are to digital assistants

When it comes to talking to Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, it looks like most of us are minding our manners. According to a new study from Future (the parent company of Tom's Guide), "more than 55% of respondents say they consistently use polite language when interacting with AI, up from 49% in the previous survey." This could be a reflection of the growing sophistication of digital assistants, or our growing comfort using them in everyday situations.

Still, a good chunk of the survey respondents (20 percent) were more brusque in their dealings, while another 13 percent said that these assistants weren't worthy of politeness.

How polite (or rude) are you to Alexa?

What we don’t expect to see

One thing we’re pretty sure that won’t be announced is a new Kindle. Amazon announced four new Kindles in October: the Kindle Scribe, the Kindle Colorsoft, the Kindle (2024), and the Kindle Paperwhite (2024). The Scribe, Amazon’s only Kindle that’s compatible with a stylus, also recently got an update that makes note-taking a lot easier. Two of these made it to our list of the best Kindles.

Considering the last time Amazon updated its Kindles was 2022, we’re confident that there won’t be any new e-readers.

Will Alexa retain skills?

Assuming the event does announce an upgraded Alexa, we wonder if the smart assistant will retain some of its skills.

Currently, Alexa skills are basically audio apps that adds to the assistant's capabilities. There are tons of skills available to Alexa right now and it can be a slog to find the best Alexa Skills.

With the push toward AI and Amazon reportedly wanting a more robust Gemini-like or agentic AI assistant will these skills be folded into the LLMs used by Alexa or will they still be separate pieces that you mod on to the platform?

At the end of the day how new will Alexa actually be is the real question? What will get added and what will disappear?

For now we don't know but we expect to hear much more tomorrow.

The Future may be announced but when will it arrive?

With tomorrow's announcement we expect to learn about the future of Alexa. But when will it arrive?

A recent report from earlier this month revealed that an AI-enhanced Alexa is likely delayed to the end of March, possibly further down the calendar.

The reason appears "“due in part to the new version of the assistant giving incorrect answers to test questions, at a recent meeting, the employee said.”

The event will go on but when we'll get to try out things announced may be some time away.

Alexa vs Google vs Siri

This year is shaping up to be a huge year in smart home voice assistants.

Alexa may get an upgrade tomorrow and while Google isn't expected to update the Nest lineup this year, its Gemini assistant is continuously being upgraded.

And then there's Apple which should make a big push into smart homes with the HomePod 3, in whatever form that takes.

We've compared the trio before but this year should take the rivalries to a new level.

Check back tomorrow for Amazon's event

Amazon's Devices event starts tomorrow, February 26, at 10 AM Eastern, 7 AM Pacific and 3 PM in the United Kingdom.

We'll be following along with the event and bringing you all of the details as Amazon reveals them tomorrow.

Good morning!

We're back and it's Alexa event day! We're looking forward to seeing what the next generation Alexa will bring to the table. Will it compete with the likes of ChatGPT advanced voice? It's all to play for.

And of course, Amazon's competitive edge here is all the home devices it can be put into. It could be the equivalent of having your very own Jarvis around the home! Check back in, as I will be pulling apart all the last minute news and leaks if they come out.

Could we see a new Amazon Echo today?

It's been a while since we last saw an Echo — four years since the 4th-gen Amazon Echo to be exact. So it's fair to say it's growing a little stale. Because sure, the audio was good for the price and the sleek spherical design made it fit in well in any living room. But audio quality has moved forward quite significantly since then.

On one side, I get it. The Wall Street Journal reported that Amazon was losing billions on its smart speakers, because the devices were sold at a loss and Alexa was never monetized properly. Maybe that's what this event is about? Figuring out a way to make money from Alexa by giving it all the AI smarts, so the company can move forward with new hardware?

What generative AI in Alexa could mean

Everybody's doing generative AI, but what's important is that it's not just a gimmick for the sake of being there. So what could it provide to the Alexa ecosystem? Let me get my pondering hat on and figure this out.

Natural interactions

At the moment, your smart home control is very much rudimentary — you have to remember the key phrases for each individual piece of connected home tech or build the logic paths to certain words to make multiple things happen.

With gen AI, the situation could be a lot more interesting. For example, you could talk about a feeling you want to evoke and watch your smart home adapt to suit without needing to give it specific instructions.

The ability to remember

You see this a lot with the memory updates ChatGPT makes with every prompt you make. It learns about you and helps with more questions in an increasingly tailored way to you.

If Alexa's new AI injection gets a memory, this could mean more suited reactivity to your every whim and maybe even some proactivity. For example, asking for a bedtime story for my nephew could end up creating a fun verbal adventure game for him with the voice he always likes.

Potentially agentic?

Let's think about the vastness of Amazon's ecosystem, from the massive online store to Prime Video, Prime Music and more. So what would happen if all of this is tied together with a generative AI bow?

I know a lot of companies are actively pursuing agentic AI — be it OpenAI Operator or Rabbit R1's LAM Playground. But if there's any company that is in the perfect position to make this happen, it's Amazon.

Example: say it's figured out my routine. After a busy Friday at work, I like to grab some snacks, kick back and watch The Office (yes I'm basic — don't judge me). Imagine if ahead of time, Amazon's already proactively thinking about this — playing a chillhop playlist to get me through the day and asking whether I want it to order "the usual" ahead of a relaxed night in.

Any predicted no-shows?

Kindles are one of the biggest backbones of Amazon, but don't expect them at this event.

Normally, you see the big A give these their own special event. And given that Amazon announced four new Kindles in October: the Kindle Scribe, the Kindle Colorsoft, the Kindle (2024), and the Kindle Paperwhite (2024), it's highly likely that there won't be any new e-readers.

Now if there's going to be AI updates to the Kindle...that's a different story.

It pays to be polite to your new Alexa AI

According to a new study from Future (the parent company of Tom's Guide), "more than 55% of respondents say they consistently use polite language when interacting with AI, up from 49% in the previous survey."

One thing this got me thinking about, especially with the memory collection of generative AI (and inevitably Alexa) is how it could impact its future decisions. With that in mind, I gave ChatGPT the classic trolley car test and...well... Let's just say it pays to be nice.

A rumored paid tier for Alexa AI

If Alexa goes all-in on generative AI then it wouldn't be surprising to see Amazon couple it with a paid-for subscription price. Rumors (discussed at length on the Alexa subreddit) have suggested Amazon could charge between $5 and $10 a month (around £5-£10 in the U.K.) for full access to an AI-powered Alexa.

The obvious question then becomes whether or not access to Alexa AI would be included or in addition to an Amazon Prime membership. Prime members already benefit from the obvious — like fast and free shipping, access to Prime Video and Prime Day retail events. Adding a ChatGPT-rivaling AI service to the mix could be another big reason for people to stay signed up.

Could we see new Echo Frames?

Hi, this is global editor in chief Mark Spoonauer, and I'll be your guide on our Amazon event live blog for a bit.

There's no question that the Meta Ray-Ban glasses have stole the thunder from Amazon's Echo Frames, which are now on their third generation. You may not even know that Amazon had Alexa-powered smart glasses.

In our review we liked the longer battery life and find my glasses feature, but the Echo Frames are not nearly as capable as the Meta Ray-Bans when it comes to AI features, whether it's AI vision, helping you remember things or even helping you pick out an outfit.

This could be a chance for a rebirth for the the Echo Frames with a new Alexa inside.

When will we actually get the new Alexa?

While we expect to get a ton of details today about the new Alexa and its AI capabilities, it may not actually roll out to consumers for a while.

According to a recent report from The Washington Post, the new version of Alexa was expected to release this month. But it's now ben pushed to the end of March.

This is reportedly due to Alexa giving incorrect answers to questions and possible hallucinations. In other words, Alexa has a ton of brand equity and Amazon is trying to make sure it gets the new version just right.

Here's what the new Alexa will do

Heading up to the Amazon event there's been several reports detailing the capabilities for the new Alexa.

According to Reuters, "the new Alexa AI service will be able to respond to multiple prompts in sequence and, company executives have said, even act as an 'agent' by taking actions for users without their direct involvement. That contrasts with the current iteration which generally handles only a single request at a time."

That sounds promising, but this new service could reportedly cost as much at $10 a month. Don't worry. Apparently, will be keeping "Classic Alexa" around for free.

We're here at the Amazon event!

Our U.S. editor in chief Mike Prospero is on the scene in New York City for the Amazon Alexa and devices event. There's no line yet for check in but we expect that to change quickly as we get closer to 9 am et.

Alexa + Anthropic = ?

There's been several reports that Amazon is relying on Anthropic in order to catch up in the AI race, but it's hard to say how prevalent the company will be today during the Amazon event.

Amazon invested another $4 billion in Anthropic just in November, bringing the total to $8 billion.

But with the number of delays that we've seen around the new Alexa, it's not clear how much of the "Remarkable" Alexa will use home-grown AI versus Anthropic, which is one of OpenAI's biggest rivals.

The line forms here

The line is starting to form at the Alexa event to see what Amazon is set to announce. The event gets underway at 10 am ET / 3 pm UK time, but we should be let in at 9 am ET. So we should have plenty of time to get settled to bring you a blow-by-blow of all the big Amazon event news.

All checked in

Amazon is now letting members of the media check in before the Alexa event. Mike Prospero has his badge and says they're just hanging out for now. Stay tuned for all the big news.

Waiting for the new Alexa

Right now Amazon has members of the press gathered in a lobby before we take our seats. In the meantime, here's our way of saying hello and welcome to our Amazon event live blog.

How much do we trust AI — or not?

A new survey of over 1,000 Americans from the email and SMS marketing firm Omnisend reveals that we're not super trusting in AI yet, especially when it comes to shopping.

We'll have to see if the new Amazon Alexa can overcome this obstacle.

• 66% of consumers refuse to let AI make purchases on their behalf, even if they would get a better deal.
• 58% worry about how AI handles their personal data, reflecting significant privacy concerns.
• 42% view current AI as more of an upselling tool than a genuine shopping assistant, citing targeted ads as the main drawback.
• 39% have abandoned purchases due to frustrating AI interactions, such as inaccurate recommendations or poor chatbot experiences.
• 48% believe AI should prioritize improving customer service rather than making automated purchase decisions.

About to go in

We're just waiting now to be seated but in the meantime if you look closely you can make out our colleagues from TechRadar — Lance Ulanoff and Jacob Krol — as well as Avi Greengart, one of the smartest analysts out there.

We're in!

Our own Mike Prospero and John Velasco are inside the Amazon devices event and we should be getting started very soon.

No pressure, Amazon. You just need to prove that Alexa is still viable in an AI-centric world more than a decade after the initial launch of your assistant.

A new Echo show?!

The event hasn't started yet but we're already seeing what looks like new hardware at the Amazon devices event.

This Echo Show in particular has a new interface, even if the device itself is not new. And Amazon is showing off a TV and soundbar as well.

The room where it will happen

Media are filling up the room, which looks to hold around 100 or so people. There's a big stage up at the front, which is flanked by three Echo Show 21 displays on one side, and an Echo Show 21, a TV, and a Fire TV soundbar on the other.

As mentioned in the previous post, the Echo Show has a completely different interface than what's on current models - this one looks a lot more sophisticated, and it looks like it can be configured to your liking.

The challenge with adapting Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant for the AI era

The challenge with incorporating AI into Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant is that these digital assistants have a completely different architecture. When they were originally designed, they were coded to listen for specific words and phrases, and then to respond to them with a specific set of actions. As these assistants became more complex, more and more lines of code had to be added. (Here’s Amazon’s explainer on how a voice request works).

So, adding something along the lines of ChatGPT isn’t simply a matter of plugging an AI into what’s existing; the entire assistant needs to be rebuilt to allow for more natural language inputs, while maintaining everything that it can already do. What's the use of a smarter assistant if it can't turn your lights on reliably?

Amazon isn’t the only one struggling to update its assistant; Apple too, has had its challenges with Siri 2.0, with it running into numerous bugs.

Will Alexa 2.0 work on every Echo?

One rumor that's popped up in recent days is that the new and improved Alexa might not work on every Echo device, especially the older models. If that's the case, then those with first- or second-generation Amazon Echos might have to upgrade their otherwise perfectly functional smart speakers for one that will work with the smarter Alexa.

Andy Jassy kicks things off

And here we go! Andy Jassy, the president and CEO of Amazon, takes the stage and immediately dives into AI. "We have been using AI at the company for 25 years...we use it to solve real customer problems."

However, he says, things really changed recently with generative AI and foundation models.

Amazon's AI investments

I'm not sure there's a company with a larger AI investment than Amazon. Jassy talks about the three layers of AI at the company

Bottom layer - People who build models from scratch are pining for better price performance. Which is why we've built our own silicon. 30-40% better. Sagemaker AI, for example, to build, train and deploy machine learning.

Middle laker - Amazon Bedrock - works with multiple AIs to smooth things out and get things working together. Jassy mentions Amazon Nova,

Top layer - For the generative AI applications that are being built by third companies. This targets two things - cost avoidance and customer experience. Jassy mentions Amazon's chatbot, as well as a way for sellers on Amazon to more easily fill out product information,.

Customer Review Highlights

AI is being used to summarize customer reviews on Amazon, so you know what customers think rather than having to read through hundreds of reviews.

This also looks at things like how well a shirt fits, and which brands run large or small, so shoppers can know if they should buy something in a smaller or larger size.

Panos takes the stage

Panos Panay now takes the stage to talk about AI and Alexa, and how he was blown away the first time he used the original Alexa. "It was seamless and it just worked."

Millions of new customers every month

Alexa has millions of new customers every month, says Panos, but it's important to know what they love and don't like about it. Next we get a little reel of "customers" using Alexa.

Yet, he says, there are plenty of times when it doesn't work. Until this moment we've been limited by its technology.

Where AI chatbots fail

Most of the time, AIs can't help you complete the tasks you want, says Panay. "It won't order your groceries."

An AI chatbot on its own doesn't get to where we want Alexa to be. It needs to connect to things and actually take action. Panay compares it to an orchestra - on their own, each individual instrument works, but it takes a conductor to bring it all together.

How the new Alexa works

Another reel showing how the new Alexa will work - Booking reservations, letting you know when tickets for your favorite artist go on sale, creating morning routines using your smart home devices, and more.

It's called Alexa+ (of course)

Meet Alexa+

She can plan a date, but also book the restaurant but also call the babysitter. She can book a trip and send it to everyone's calendar. Remembers your favorite food, movies, music. She'll know all your smart home devices and program them for you.

Now Panay is about to demo Alexa+

Alexa+ demo begins

Everything is fully live, says Panay. He then starts chatting with Alexa+ and asks a very long question, and asks what could go wrong. "let's just say Murphy's Law is probably sharpening his pencil right now," Alexa responds.

Contextual awareness

Now Panay turns the Echo Show's camera to the audience and lets her look at us. "Looks like you have a room full of tech enthusiasts ready to be wowed."

The pizza test

Panay is asking really long questions of Alexa. It's like a real conversation. He rambles for a little before asking Alexa about pizza places near where we are. After she gives some recommendations, he then tells her that his son says that Joe's pizza is the best. She responds, saying yes, it's a popular place with celebrities.

From here, you can then make reservations via Alexa, either to go to the restaurant or to order takeout.

Introducing Alexicons

The blue Alexa bar is changing. Now, "Alexicons" - small icons at the bottom of the screen ,will change based on Alexa's reaction, such as a smile of a heart.

New smart home interface

As I thought, there's a new smart home interface to make using your devices a lot easier. But aside from a configurable panel, you can also use Alexa to make smart home routines more easily.

Better audio control

There's a bunch of Echo Studio devices set up around the room. Panay starts playing Lady Gaga's "Shallow Ground," and then tells Alexa to play the music on the left, and on the right, and she automatically changes which Echo Studios are playing the song.

He then says "move the music to the TV," and it automatically switches to the Fire TV.

Smarter smart TV

Panay then says "Can you just jump to the scene in the movie?" and Alexa then automatically brings up the movie on the TV to where the song is playing. That's pretty neat.

Security camera smarts

"Amazon, what happened around my house today?" Panay is introducing Moments with Alexa and Ring, which shows you the highlights of what happened around your house using Ring's security cameras.

He then asks if anyone has walked his dog, and Alexa digs up footage of Panay's husky Ares being walked around - including the dog hopping into an Amazon delivery truck, and the driver giving him a treat. It's a very cute dog.

Alexa+ experience

Panay leaves the stage, and Mara Segal, the director of AI comes up.

Now, Segal says, you can share everything from school schedules to recipes to emails with Alexa, and she'll summarize it for you and give you guidance. Here are some examples:

"From the HOA documents, am I able to add solar panels?"

"According to the HOA documents, you can add panels, as long as they're not visible from the front."

"Grandma's zucchini bread recipe - how much oil do I need?"

"Any interesting South by Southwest AI events?"

Managing schedules

Sagal does another demo for her daughter Olivia's soccer practice - Alexa added all of the practices to her calendar, let her know if she needed to bring snacks to the next practice, and to get a reminder the night before.

Alexa+ for kids

Amazon is announcing two new Alexa+ features, aimed at kids.

Explore with Alexa: Kids can ask Alexa all sorts of questions about geography, biology, and more, and she'll respond in a conversational tone.

Stories with Alexa: Kids can ask Alexa to make up stories for them. One example is "Alexa, create a story about a bearded dragon that plays a saxophone." Alexa will then ask additional questions to the kid to help fill out the story.

Take me out to the ballgame

As reported earlier, Anthropic is being used as a base for Alexa+. Amazon is also working with dozens of news and sports outlets for the latest news and information, so that you can ask all sorts of things about current events.

The current presenter, Daniel Rausch, a Red Sox fan, asks about the Sox's latest additions to the lineup, and how well they're expected to perform this season. He then asks when the Red Sox are playing the Yankees, and then asks if she can find tickets to the first game.

Next, he asks Alexa to watch for lower ticket prices for the game, to see if they fall below $200.

Alexa+ Experts

Aside from baseball trivia, Alexa will work with tens of thousands of other partners and developers, who will be connected in a few ways.

They can be integrated directly through APIs, so for example, when you want to book a dinner reservation, it will connect you directly with OpenTable. Next, you can send an Uber to pick up someone from the airport and bring them to the restaurant. Alexa gave us the estimated cost, as well as updates on when it was coming, and then also sent a text message to the person to let them know an Uber was on its way.

Alexa+ AI agents

If a partner doesn't have externalized APIs, Alexa+ will be able to navigate a partner's website to complete a task. Rausch shows how this would work in a kitchen emergency.

"Alexa, my Miele oven isn't working. Can you get someone out to the house?" Alexa then returned a bunch of appliance repair services, and then after he picked one, Alexa then contacted them via the Thumbtack website.

Alexa, write me a song.

The third way that Alexa+ will interact with third parties is through a new framework that will let it work with other AI agents. Rausch brought up the partnership with Suno, and asked Alexa to create a reluctant love song about Russell, the bodega cat, in a country style.

We've used Suno AI before, and it's pretty fun

Ordering groceries

One more demo: "Alexa, I need some things from Amazon Fresh."

Rather than just listing ingredients, Rausch says things like "I need everything for banana bread except for the spices," and just keeps adding and changing things, with plenty of pauses in between. For example, he changes a gallon of milk to two gallons, and adds more eggs to the list.

Halfway through, he mentions there's a kid coming over for dinner, asks for a recipe, and then adds those ingredients to the list. It's a whole stream-of-consciousness that just works.

Everything Alexa+ can do - and how much it costs, and when you can use it

Panos Panay returns to wrap things up, and goes over everything that Alexa+ can do. There's now Alexa.com, as well as a new smartphone app.

$19.99 per month, but free if you're a Prime member.

Early access will roll out next month. It will work in almost every Echo device that exists (we'll have to find out which ones later).

We're off to try out Alexa+, so stay tuned!

Device compatibility

Device compatibility was a lingering question during Amazon's event. Thankfully, the company detailed which of its devices will support Alexa+.

Amazon says Alexa+ will start rolling out in the U.S. in the next few weeks and subsequently in waves in the coming months. It will start with households with Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21. If you have an older Echo machine, you'll unfortunately have to upgrade to take advantage of Alexa+.

Will Amazon Prime cost more?

Amazon announced that Alexa+ will cost $19.99 per month but will be free for Prime members. However, that begs the question: will that affect the price of Amazon Prime?

We can't say for sure at this moment. But given the increasing price of Prime, some customers might not appreciate a price hike—especially if it's due to a service they might not use. Hopefully, Amazon won't surprise Prime users with a bumped-up price, but we'll have to wait and see.

How does Alexa Plus work?

Daniel Rausch, vice president for Alexa and Echo, briefly detailed how Alexa Plus works.

As posted in Amazon's Alexa+ live blog, Alexa+ will "work behind the scenes to seamlessly coordinate multiple services—from making a dinner reservation for two via OpenTable to booking an Uber for your friend to meet you at lunch and texting them your plans.

"Alexa+ also features cutting-edge agentic capabilities to complete tasks on your behalf. Daniel highlighted an example that involved getting recommendations for a home maintenance provider who can fix an oven, contacting them to book a repair for you, and sending the request to the provider via Thumbtack to complete the service appointment booking behind the scenes.

"Talking about a future full of agents with specialized skills and interoperability between agents, Daniel showed Alexa+’s integration with Suno where you can turn simple, creative requests into complete songs, including vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation. He announced a preview of the new Alexa AI Multi-Agent SDK that will let brands showcase their agent alongside Alexa.

"Lastly, Daniel showed a glimpse of a future capability that will enable customers conversationally create and edit grocery lists on the fly, revise a list based on dietary preferences, and add ingredients to an Amazon Fresh order. The experience will also integrate with Whole Foods and partners like Grubhub."

Alexa Plus natural conversation demo

Here is a live demo of Alexa Plus' natural conversation abilities applied to one of the most universal user features: hands-free music playback.

Instead of having to list off speaker groups or names, Alexa+ powered by generative AI can make adjustments based on much broader cues and context.

Alexa Plus helps in the kitchen

The Amazon Alexa+ kitchen demo we experienced at the Amazon event showed how you can give Alexa the dietary restrictions for a number of guests and have it provide you with recipe suggestions.

Then, it can set food preparation reminders so you know when to start cooking various things to have everything ready at the same time. It can also send all the ingredients to your shopping list and suggest substitutions for things you don’t have

Amazon announces Alexa Plus pricing

Alexa+, the new generative AI assistant experience via Echo Show smart displays, will start rolling out to users in the coming weeks.

Prime members will get Alexa+ for free, while non-Prime members can pay $19.99 per month to access the upgrades.

Alexa Plus smart home integration

Integrating with Ring security systems, Alexa Plus can provide summaries of detected events and display relevant footage on compatible Echo Show devices. This feature offers users an overview of daily activities, such as package deliveries or visits from service providers.

The integration with Ring’s Smart Video Search allows users to query specific events, like "Did someone take out the garbage bins?" or "When was the last time the dog went out for a walk?" enhancing home monitoring and security.

Alexa Plus is also a lot smarter than its current iteration. For example, if you have a smart light you call “sofa light,” you could say Alexa, turn off the light in the sitting area, and it’s smart enough to guess that you mean the sofa light. You can also ask Alexa her favorite light colors and have her cycle your smart lights through those colors and tell her to change the speed of how quickly it does that.

Sports talk with Alexa Plus

The NEW Amazon Alexa+ generative AI assistant experience can carry out natural conversations on popular topics such as sports.

In this demo, Alexa+ can continue a conversation with follow-up prompts and even make some predictions, like how the Red Sox will fare in the 2025 season based on the team’s off-season acquisitions.

Alexa+ for entertainment

With Alexa+, users can now establish complex routines through simple voice commands, eliminating the need for manual setup via the app. This feature allows for personalized automation, enabling Alexa+ to assist seamlessly throughout the day.

Alexa+ offers improved music discovery capabilities. Users can search for songs with minimal information, such as recalling a tune from a TV show's credits without knowing the artist or title. Additionally, Alexa+ can suggest new music within preferred genres and facilitate seamless music transitions between rooms. Commands like "play the music upstairs" or "play the music everywhere, but don’t wake the baby" allow for dynamic control over multi-room audio setups.

The assistant's capabilities extend to media playback, particularly with Prime Video. Users can request specific scenes by describing details such as the actor, character, or a quote. For example, saying, "What’s that movie where Bradley Cooper sings a duet? Jump to that scene…" prompts Alexa Plus to locate and play the desired segment on Fire TV devices.

Alexa Plus is for the whole family

Alexa Plus isn’t just for adults, and at its unveiling, Amazon showed off two new features for Amazon Kids+ subscribers that should make learning a bit more fun.

With Explore with Alexa, kids can ask Alexa Plus all sorts of questions about geography, biology, and more, and she’ll respond in a conversational tone. While this will be a great help with homework, it can also help satisfy your child’s curiosity so that you don’t have to field all of the questions they come up with.

If your kids are tired of the same old books, by using Stories with Alexa, they can have Amazon’s virtual assistant make up new ones for them. This starts with a prompt like “Alexa, create a story about a bearded dragon that plays the saxophone.” From there, Alexa will ask them additional questions to flesh out their story further.

Like the rest of these new Alexa Plus features, these two will be available on Amazon’s larger smart displays. As of now, it doesn’t look like the Echo Show 5 Kids will work with the company’s improved virtual assistant, but that could change in the future, or we might potentially see a Kids edition of the more powerful Echo Show 8 in the future.

Alexa Plus in your kitchen

One of the best things about having a large smart display like the Echo Show 15 or Echo Show 21 in your kitchen is that everyone can see important info at a glance while getting ready for the day.

With Alexa Plus, you’ll be able to share documents like emails, recipes, and more with Amazon’s virtual assistant, and it can extract and remember relevant information from them. This info is used to provide you with helpful summaries, but it can also be used to add events to your calendar based on specific requests.

One of the coolest Alexa Plus features for busy families is that you can forward emails from your child’s school, and then it will break down all of the essential information for you. For example, if there’s an upcoming school event, you’ll be able to ask if you need to bring anything beforehand.

Experts and agents at the ready

Just like with the best Alexa skills, integrations can add even more functionality to Alexa Plus, and Amazon plans to work with tens of thousands of partners and developers to make this happen.

By using Experts and deep knowledge integration, Alexa Plus will be able to work behind the scenes to seamlessly coordinate multiple services for you, and these integrations are done directly through APIs. One example Amazon provided at its event was having Alexa Plus make a dinner reservation for two using OpenTable, texting these plans to a friend, and then being able to book an Uber for them so that they can meet you for lunch.

That’s not all, though, as Alexa+ can use its AI agent capabilities to do things on your behalf. For instance, if you need a recommendation for a repair person, Alexa Plus will be able to find one for you, send a request to them, and then book a service appointment for them to come to your home to take a look at a broken appliance.

AI agents can also help you create new things, and Alexa Plus already has an integration with the AI music generator, Suno. At its event, Amazon showed off a demo where Suno was used to turn a simple, creative request into a complete song, complete with lyrics, vocals, and instruments. Capabilities like this will continue to expand, as Amazon showed off a preview of its new Alexa I Multi-Agent SDK that will allow brands to showcase their agents alongside Alexa.

Here are the 7 biggest Amazon event announcements you missed.

Transform your existing devices

Alexa Plus has a ton of new features you can try on any compatible Echo Show device.

For instance, you can create new Alexa Routines for your smart home using just your voice. This was previously only possible from within the Alexa app but now, you can use your voice to set up complex Routines right from one of the best smart displays which should save you a lot of time.

Chatting with Alexa will be more natural too, and with Alexa Plus, you can easily get new music and movie recommendations just by asking. The same goes for when you have music playing in one room and want to move the tunes to a different part of your home. If you have a favorite scene in a movie that’s on Prime Video, you will also be able to jump directly to a specific scene by asking Alexa Plus.

For those with one of the best video doorbells or best home security cameras from Ring, Alexa Plus will make it easier to know what’s going on in your smart home by providing you with a detailed summary of events detected by your cameras.

For instance, you can see that a package was delivered and that the dog walker took your pet outside right when you step into your home through the highlights from that day. This feature will also integrate with Ring’s Smart Video Search functionality and you can ask specific questions about whether or not someone took out the trash or when was the last time the dog went out for a walk.

The Echo devices that will — and won't — work with Alexa Plus

One of the nice things about most of Amazon's smart speakers is that even the earliest models still work pretty well. Unfortunately, due to the requirements of Alexa Plus, some of the oldest Echo devices will not be able to run the new smart assistant.

When Alexa Plus rolls out, these are the devices it will initially run on:

• Amazon Echo Show 8
• Amazon Echo Show 10
• Amazon Echo Show 15
• Amazon Echo Show 21

Additionally, Alexa Plus will be available via a web browser, the Alexa app, and compatible Fire TVs and Fire tablets.

Representatives told me that Alexa Plus was designed to use both voice and visuals, so they have to figure out how to deliver a voice-only experience, but eventually it will come to these smart speakers:

• Echo (second gen and later)
• Echo Dot (and Echo Dot Kids) second-gen and later
• Echo Pop
• Echo Spot (second gen)
• Echo Show 5 (and Echo Show 5 Kids)
• Echo Hub
• Echo Studio
• Echo Auto
• Echo Buds

Here are the devices that Alexa Plus won't work on - but you'll still be able to use the original Alexa:

• Echo Dot (1st Gen)
• Echo (1st Gen)
• Echo Plus (1st Gen)
• Echo Tap
• Echo Show (1st and 2nd Gen)
• Echo Spot (1st Gen)

An Amazon representative said that Alexa Plus is not currently supported on Alexa Built-in devices (like the Sonos Era 100 and Ecobee Smart Thermostat) and Amazon Astro, but that the company is looking to expand Alexa Plus to those devices in the future.

Alexa Plus cheat sheet

If you're a bit confused about what Alexa Plus is and what it can do, we have a summary of the 7 biggest announcements today from the Amazon event.

The most promising news is that you won't have to pay extra for Alexa Plus if you're already an Amazon Prime subscriber. And the most frustrating news is that you'll need a recent model Echo Show device to take advantage of the new AI features.

Alexa Plus service integrations

We've mentioned OpenTable a few times today, but Amazon announced that Alexa Plus "seamlessly integrates with tens of thousands of services" like OpenTable.

A partial list includes:

• GrubHub
• OpenTable
• Ticketmaster
• Yelp,
• Thumbtack
• Vagaro
• Fodor’s
• TripAdvisor
• Amazon
• Whole Foods Market
• Uber
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• Pandora
• Netflix
• Disney+
• Hulu
• Max

You can use Alexa Plus generative AI to interact with the various services like getting OpenTable to set a reservation at a restaurant.

What's next?

Alexa Plus won't be available immediately. Amazon spokepeople told Tom's Guide that the new generative AI assistant experience will start rolling out to US users in the coming weeks.

We know which devices will support the rollout, but not exactly when we'll get to access it.

As Alexa Plus becomes available Tom's Guide will put the latest AI assistant through its paces to see how it compares to Alexa 1.0 and current assistants like Google's Gemini, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and Apple's upgraded Siri, whenever that arrives.

There's no double that voice-controlled assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google, and Siri have become an indispensable part of today's connected world. With these smart devices, we can all do things we wouldn't have been able to dream about ten years ago — like adjusting our lights or ordering takeout using just our voice.

But you're not limited by the commands the tech companies came up with, as you can create brand new commands for your assistant whenever you want. Using custom commands, you can teach your assistant new tricks that make your life easier (or more fun). Imagine coming home and, with one phrase, the lights come on, a playlist starts, and your coffee starts brewing.

Of course, it's important to understand how these digital helpers actually work: listening for a wake word before converting your speech to text and interpreting what you want. In this guide, we'll tell you how to get the most out of your assistants, turning them into a helpful digital ally in your home.

FAQs

Why won't my smart assistant listen to me?

There are few things more annoying in a modern home than having a smart assistant that seemingly ignores your requests on a regular basis.

To communicate successfully, make sure you speak clearly and at a natural pace. If your assistant doesn't respond as expected, rephrase the command.

You can also improve things by making sure your smart speaker is placed away from loud noises like the TV, and ensure all software is updated.

What are some examples?

Saying, "Hey, Assistant, I'm heading out," can lock doors, turn off lights, and change the thermostat to save energy.

In the kitchen, asking "Assistant, how many tablespoons in a cup?" gives you hands-free help.

You can get weather updates, traffic info, and your schedule for the day just by saying, "Good morning, Assistant."

Saying, "Assistant, it's movie night," could dim the lights, start the TV, and order pizza for you and the family.

Creating a smart home can make life more convenient, increase your energy efficiency, and maximize home security. Whether you want to lock your doors remotely, play music from a smart speaker using Alexa, or curate your home's lighting, there are dozens of home smart devices you can use. By looking into the device's features and planning ahead, you can build the ideal smart home.

Update Feb 25: Our Amazon Alexa event live blog is up and running. Follow along for the last-minute rumors and latest news.

It's been a minute, but Amazon is holding an event this Wednesday, February 26, in New York. The last time Amazon held a "Devices and Services" event was September 2023, so the company is more than overdue to announce new products and features.

The last time around, we were treated to a new Fire TV stick and soundbar, an eero Wi-Fi 7 router, Echo Frames, and the Echo Hub, but the biggest reveal was that Amazon was retooling Alexa with AI to be faster and provide more in-depth answers in a more conversational voice.

However, it's been a year and a half since that announcement, with nothing to show. So, here's what we think we're going to see at the event.

Amazon Devices Event: Date and time

Amazon's February Devices event will kick off at 10 am ET on Wednesday, February 25 in New York. As with most of its events, it will not be live-streamed, but Tom's Guide will be live-blogging the event.

According to the invite, Amazon SVP Panos Panay and the Amazon Devices & Services team will be on hand.

Amazon Devices Event: A new Alexa?

Thanks to our eagle-eyed colleagues at The Verge, Amazon sent out five versions of the invite which, when put together, spell "Alexa" in the background. So it's more than reasonable to assume that we'll see Amazon's revamped digital assistant.

Last January, Amazon rolled out the first improvements to Alexa with AI-enabled skills. For example, you can use it with Character.ai, or create music or play a 20 Questions game.

We're still waiting for the ChatGPT-like Alexa that we saw demoed, where you could interact with Alexa more naturally, complete with pauses and breaks in the conversation.

It was rumored that this renewed Alexa — dubbed "Remarkable" would debut this past October, and possibly cost $5 to $10 a month to use. And, instead of an in-house AI, it was rumored that Alexa would be powered by Anthropic's Claude AI.

However, October came and went without a new Alexa, and a report in November revealed that Amazon was still struggling to make everything work properly.

So, we're interested to see if Amazon's new voice assistant is finally ready for the public.

Amazon Devices event: Possible hardware

Of course, it wouldn't be an Amazon Devices event without, you know, devices. In the past, the company has announced upwards of a dozen new gadgets, from Fire TVs to smart glasses to microwaves. However, the last event was a more toned-down event, hardware-wise, which reflected the company's larger struggles to sell more of the best smart speakers.

That said, it's now been three years since the Echo Dot (5th gen) was released and four years since the 4th-gen Amazon Echo. Now, not much changes in this hardware from generation to generation, but those are pretty long product lives.

More from Tom's Guide

• Best Alexa skills
• Help improve Tom's Guide — your chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card
• Best smart speakers

With an Alexa-themed event scheduled for February 26, it seemed like the long wait for the generative AI-powered Echo upgrade trailed all the way back in September 2023 might finally be over.

But it appears Echo owners eager to see Alexa’s major upgrade will have to wait a bit longer, as The Washington Post reports the actual rollout to users has been pushed back again.

According to internal messages seen by the newspaper, employees have been told that the “smarter and more conversational” version of Alexa, originally scheduled for this month, has been pushed back to the end of March.

An internal source within Amazon echoed this, adding the potential for it to slip further. The Washington Post claims the source said it won’t be available until “March 31 or later”. As the paper notes, that will be a full 18 months after it was originally unveiled as a response to OpenAI and the rise of ChatGPT.

Protecting “customer trust”

The reason behind this is all too predictable to those who have been on the sharp end of generative AI’s frequent hallucinations. It’s “due in part to the new version of the assistant giving incorrect answers to test questions, at a recent meeting, the employee said.”

This isn’t something unique to Amazon. Famously, Google’s parent company Alphabet managed to lose over $100 billion of market value after Bard — its original AI chatbot — made an incorrect statement about the James Webb telescope during a live event in 2023.

Coincidentally, $100 billion is also the figure that Amazon has revealed it will spend on AI technology this year — “much of it on data center development”.

So it must be frustrating for shareholders that something that could offer a return on investment — the new version of Alexa is expected to be a paid upgrade — has failed to materialize a year and a half after first being trailed.

According to the Washington Post’s source, the cautious approach is all down to customer trust. “As a popular product that is a decade old, the Alexa brand is valuable, and the company is hesitant to risk customer trust by launching a product that is not reliable,” the report explains.

Though Alexa has always had some strange answers in the mix, the caution seems sensible. While Google’s introduction of AI in search results has already caused plenty of problems, at least it’s easy to fact-check, with sources clearly labeled to give an insight into its thought process. With Alexa on an Amazon Echo, it’s not clear how you’d get a look inside that black box, which means accuracy is even more important — especially when you consider that children may be asking questions unsupervised too.

Nonetheless, it means that while the upcoming February 26 event will give us a look at the future, it’s a future that’s still at least a month away — and possibly more.

Amazon plans to announce several improvements for Alexa to help it compete against the competition from Google and Apple.

According to a report from Reuters, Amazon sent out press invites on Wednesday for the event in New York. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the event will be Alexa-focused but wouldn't offer more details on what this might mean.

In recent months, there's been a lot of push to make AI assistants as capable as possible. For instance, Google has been working to improve Gemini with Gemini Live, creating a more conversational experience while improving functionality. Apple, meanwhile, has been pushing to improve the intelligence boost that Apple Intelligence brings to Siri.

Amazon, in comparison, appears to have not done much to upgrade Alexa past what it was initially capable of. While Alexa is capable of helping us order from Amazon or telling us the weather, that appears to be the most capable of doing so.

However, we might be able to get an indication of what changes are coming, thanks to the changes to ChatGPT and Gemini. For instance, Alexa could offer more natural feeling conversations, like we saw in Gemini Live. Amazon could also help Alexa differentiate between multiple speakers. There are also rumors that Alexa will be able to act as an "agent" for you and take actions without your direct involvement.

We heard rumors back in 2024 that Amazon is planning to use Anthropic's AI to supercharge Alexa. This will, in theory, improve Alexa's ability to remember user preferences, which means better recommendations for customers when using features like Amazon Music.

Now, there is some bad news as it seems that Amazon reportedly plans to offer this improved AI under a $5 to $10 monthly fee. However, the current iteration of Amazon Alexa, which will be called "Classic Alexa," will still be available to users for free.

For now, we can only wait and see what is announced during the event, but this could be a big shakeup to the AI Assistant market.

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• Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra just got revealed — and it wants to beat the Galaxy S25 on AI
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In the last day, there’s been a flurry of reports suggesting that Apple has taken leave of its creative instincts and will be equipping the next Magic Mouse with voice controls.

Thankfully, however, as 9to5Mac has concluded, this seems to have more to do with the perils of machine translation than Apple’s actual plans.

It all started with a post on Naver by the prolific leaker yeux1122. It’s written in Korean, but running it through Google Translate brings up this:

“Apple's design team has been working on prototype versions of the accessory in recent months to better fit the modern design. (*Ergonomic design for modern computing that combines touch screens, voice commands, and hand gestures)”.

But at the very top of the page, it actually credits Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman for the insights, and here’s where some sites writing this up have got the wrong end of the stick. Gurman’s original text from mid-December reads:

“Apple’s design team has been prototyping versions of the accessory in recent months, aiming to devise something that better fits the modern era. In a computing world now infused with touch screens, voice commands and hand gestures, the mouse isn’t as crucial as it once was.”

In other words, Gurman is writing that the mouse isn’t as important as it once was thanks to voice controls, not that it’s going to accommodate them.

Indeed, Gurman acknowledged the reports later, agreeing that “the rumor making the rounds today is just an incorrect back-and-forth translation” of the aforementioned line. But in the same thread of posts on X, he did concede that voice controls aren’t necessarily off the table.

“Voice control in the new Magic Mouse I wrote about this month makes sense in light of AI — and the fact that Apple is on a decade-plus cycle,” he wrote. But then added that from what he’s heard, the “big focus is [on] ergonomics and gestures” with a relocated USB-C port.

I’m still dubious though. Putting voice controls on a mouse is like adding a stylus to your Apple Watch: it’s just adding a frustrating layer of extra complexity for no reason at all.

Don’t speak

I can think of precisely three instances where I regularly use voice controls:

• Asking Alexa to turn off my bedroom light to prevent a toe-stubbing incident on the bed.
• Setting a timer on my watch so that my lunch doesn’t burn (I tend to wander too much around the house for a fixed alarm to work).
• Dictating the name of a show I’m looking for into the Apple TV remote to avoid awkwardly typing it out using the trackpad.

What do all these instances have in common? I only do them because there’s nothing more reliable to hand. And, frankly, almost anything is more reliable than voice controls.

If I’m using an Apple Magic Mouse, there’s simply no way I’m thinking of using voice controls, because I have a brilliant, accurate and reliable navigation method literally at my fingertips. A mouse and keyboard never serenade you with Bryan Adams when you’ve asked for Ryan Adams, or make shopping lists because a character on a TV show you’re watching is called Alicia. This is why forcibly removing Cortana was always the first thing I did when installing Windows afresh, and presumably, I wasn’t alone, given Cortana is no more.

And I suspect this wider apathy towards using voice for anything important is why Amazon is reportedly planning to monetize Alexa with a smarter version. Nobody wants to use voice controls for shopping, and opening up my “to do” and “shopping” lists on the Alexa app demonstrates why. I don’t intentionally use either function and yet they somehow contain things like “Dog bosch”, “five huxley cream” and “put the laundry light on in America”.

Siri is seen as less useful than Alexa, so why would Apple add something so unreliable to the simple, reliable mouse — a tool that has simplified computer tasks for over 50 years?

Hopefully, it doesn't. Until it gets over its reliability problem, I and millions of others will only use voice controls as an absolute last resort. Any attempt to add it to my mouse will be a waste of perfectly good plastic that will be roundly ignored.

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When it comes to the best smart displays, nobody does it quite like Amazon. While Google pivoted away from more traditional ones with its Pixel Tablet last year, Amazon has released new and updated models with different screen sizes, mounting options and features.

Several years ago, the ecommerce giant tried something that no one else has with a smart display when it released the original Echo Show 15. This smart display could be used with an optional stand but its main draw was the fact that it was wall-mountable. With the Echo Show 15 mounted on your wall, it serves not only as a smart home hub but also as one to keep your family’s calendars, to-do lists, grocery lists and everything in between organized and right there at a glance.

Now though, Amazon has released an even bigger wall-mountable smart display with its new Echo Show 21. Equipped with a larger screen, improved speakers and faster Wi-Fi, it also ships with a remote in the box so that you can make full use of its built-in Fire TV functionality. Alongside its largest smart display yet, Amazon has also given the Echo Show 15 a similar revamp after many people (including ourselves) thought that the original had been discontinued earlier this year.

If the Echo Show 8 or the Echo Show 10 just aren’t big enough for your needs, or maybe like me, you’re completely captivated by the idea of a smart display you can mount on your wall instead of using on your kitchen counter or at your desk, here’s everything you need to know about the brand new Echo Show 21 and the all new Echo Show 15.

Echo Show 15 vs Echo Show 21: Pricing

The original Echo Show 15 launched at $279, but you had to buy an Alexa Voice Remote or an Alexa Voice Remote Pro separately. Now, though, both the all-new Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21 ship with one in the box.

The all-new Echo Show 15 costs $299 (£299.99, $399 AUD), while the Echo Show 21 is $100 more at $399 (£399.99, $599 AUD). Both models ship with a wall mount in addition to an Alexa Voice Remote. However, Amazon also sells a Premium Adjustable Stand ($99, Amazon) for both the all-new Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21. Although they feature an identical design, the Echo Show 15 is 11.32 inches tall when mounted on its stand, while the Echo Show 21 is 14.4 inches tall when mounted on its respective stand.

Echo Show 15 vs Echo Show 21: Specs

Echo Show 15 vs Echo Show 21: Design

The all new Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21 feature a nearly identical design. It’s worth noting though, that in the pictures throughout this article, I’m using the original Echo Show 15 to compare it to the Echo Show 21.

Design-wise, the original and the all-new Echo Show 15 are almost indistinguishable except for the fact that Amazon has moved its camera from the upper left corner to the center and its cutout is now square instead of circular. Likewise, from here on out, I’ll just be referring to this new model as the Echo Show 15 since the original is no longer available to purchase.

The Echo Show 15 has a 15.6-inch 1080p display, while the Echo Show 21 has a 21.5-inch display. The Echo Show 15 is 16.1 inches wide, 10.1 inches tall and 1.4 inches thick, and the Echo Show 21 is 21.4 inches wide, 13.2 inches tall and 1.5 inches thick. The biggest and most noticeable difference between the two, besides their respective screen sizes, is their weight. The Echo Show 15 weighs 4.96 pounds, while the Echo Show 21 weighs just over twice as much at 10.7 pounds.

Both smart displays can be used in landscape or portrait mode and they have a built-in accelerometer to instantly swap between orientations when rotated. If you’re just using the Echo Show 15 or the Echo Show 21 as a family organization hub, then you can have it in either landscape or portrait mode. However, if you want to use their Fire TV functionality, then you will want to mount either smart display horizontally since this feature only works in landscape mode.

As for buttons and switches, they can all be found at the top of both devices when mounted in landscape mode. There’s a mute switch, volume up and down buttons and a physical camera shutter you can slide over to cover the camera when you’re not using it. If you have friends and family who use the Echo Show’s Drop-In feature to check in on you and your household, you may want to use either device’s camera shutter for some extra privacy.

There are also two microphones on the top of the Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21, and both devices have two 2-inch woofers and two 0.6-inch tweeters on the left and right sides. Just like with the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10, the Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21 use the same 18V, 1.67A DC power supply and both devices have a recessed power port on the back. There’s also a Micro USB port next to it, which is designed specifically to be used with a Micro-USB-to-Ethernet adapter ($15, Amazon) which can come in handy if your smart display isn’t within range of one of the best Wi-Fi routers or one of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems and you want to use a hard-wired network connection instead.

Echo Show 15 vs Echo Show 21: Installation

There's a square cutout for the included wall mount on the back of the Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21. The mount itself needs to be attached to your wall using the included hardware. While you get screws and drywall anchors in the box, the Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21 can be mounted to drywall, solid wood, brick or concrete.

In addition to the slots for the included wall mount, both devices also have 75x75 VESA mounting holes at the back, which means you can use them with a monitor stand or even a monitor arm if you don’t want to use Amazon’s wall mount or purchase its Premium Adjustable Stand.

If you do go with the optional first-party stand, it does — as its name suggests — have a premium look and feel. Made from anodized aluminum with a sleek finish, Amazon’s Premium Adjustable Stand can swivel 360 degrees as well as tilt upwards and downwards for a better viewing experience.

The Echo Show 15 or the Echo Show 21 attach to the stand using four Allen head screws, and there’s a cutout in its neck or stem to run the power cable through so that it isn’t visible. The base of the stand is also weighted, so your smart display can’t be easily knocked over.

Echo Show 15 vs Echo Show 21: Features

Both devices have an identical feature set and to see all of their available features, check out our Echo Show 15 review and our Echo Show 21 review. Here, I’ll be highlighting a few of my favorites.

For starters, there are several widgets you can use to customize the home screen of either device. These include ones for your calendar, the weather, controls for your favorite smart home devices, a commute widget with a map and more. For the most part, Amazon’s first-party widgets offer the best experience, but there are also some third-party widgets.

You can have one extra large widget on both smart displays and several smaller ones. In the picture above and throughout this article, I’m using the extra large Calendar widget on the Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21. In total, you can add up to eight widgets to the home screen on either device.

The Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21 both come with built-in Fire TV functionality with support for all the best streaming services. You can use your finger to navigate these menus and pick a TV show or movie to watch, but the Alexa Voice Remote included undoubtedly makes things easier. It has shortcuts to four streaming services and volume control buttons, so you don’t have to get up and change the volume on the Echo Show 15 or the Echo Show 21.

Both smart displays allow you to control the rest of the best smart home devices throughout your house. You can control them using your voice with Alexa or add the Smart Home Favorites widget to your home screen if you’d rather interact with them using touch. Likewise, the Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21 both have built-in Zigbee and Matter support and a Thread Border Router, so they can serve as a smart home hub.

One of the biggest upgrades under the hood with both of these new devices is that they now ship with Wi-Fi 6E instead of Wi-Fi 5, as the original Echo Show 15 did. This means they can utilize the new, faster 6Ghz band in addition to the 2.4 and 5 GHz ones. You will need one of the best Wi-Fi 6E routers or one of the best Wi-Fi 7 routers to use the Echo Show 15 fully and Echo Show 21’s faster Wi-Fi, though. From my testing, the addition of Wi-Fi 6E helped the Echo Show 21 feel snappier overall since TV shows and movies loaded faster, and Alexa was able to respond quicker.

Finally, you can actually play games on both the Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 21. While you can download indie and retro games from the Amazon Appstore, you can also play more demanding games over the cloud using Amazon Luna. For this though, you’ll need a Luna controller ($69, Amazon). It’s as expensive as a PS5 controller but Amazon’s Luna Controller frequently goes on sale during Prime Day and other big sales events.

Echo Show 15 vs Echo Show 21: Which is right for you?

Deciding on whether the Echo Show 15 or the Echo Show 21 is right for you really depends on how you intend to use either device. If you have the space, the more expensive Echo Show 21 offers a better experience overall thanks to its larger screen. However, the Echo Show 15 is $100 cheaper and comes with the same features and functionality as its larger sibling.

During my time with both devices, the Echo Show 21 felt a bit too large when mounted to Amazon’s Premium Adjustable Stand and placed on a countertop in my smaller kitchen. If you have a big kitchen with lots of counter space though, it might work better this way. I found the Echo Show 21 to work best when mounted to the wall since I could have it at eye level when watching TV shows and movies through Fire TV.

Meanwhile, the Echo Show 15 does a great job as a wall-mounted smart display too, especially if you’re sitting or standing closer to it. Its smaller size does make it more ideal to be used with a stand on your kitchen countertop though.

You really can’t go wrong with either wall-mountable smart display since they give you access to Alexa, a customizable home screen with loads of useful info at a glance and built-in Fire TV functionality. Which one you ultimately pick up will depend on your budget and how you intend to use it.

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As we come out of what could seemingly be called the summer of AI, it's clear that the forcefully everywhere tech of the future is here to stay. With giants like Apple and Google bringing their own AI models to the fore, we're also seeing purpose-built AI companies like OpenAI and Perplexity get larger and more integrated in other systems.

And yet, one of the potential foremothers of AI remains struggling to catch up, Amazon's Alexa. 

A new pay-walled report from Bloomberg this week revealed that Amazon is still struggling to figure out how to make an "AI brain" work for Alexa. If you've been following the increasingly desperate attempts by Amazon to improve Alexa, much of the reporting by Bloomberg won't be a surprise. 

At the start of summer in June, Fortune released a similar breakdown suggesting that Amazon is miles away from getting Alexa 2.0 out of the door. At the time, Google was announcing massive improvements to its Gemini AI assistant, Apple was gearing up to reveal Siri 2.0  and Apple Intelligence and OpenAI had just announced GPT-4o.

Since then, AI has only gotten more embedded or upgraded. OpenAI just released ChatGPT Search, meant to rival Google Search and Apple is just now rolling out new Apple Intelligence features including ChatGPT integration with Siri. Meanwhile, Google is expected to announce Gemini 2.0 in December.

As introduced by Fortune and reiterated by Bloomberg, the failure to get a "smarter" Alexa off the ground has a myriad of fault points. One source told Bloomberg that Alexa "has more in common with an automated phone tree than AI."

A new wrinkle from Bloomberg's reporting is that it sounds like Amazon leadership isn't providing a clear direction and combined with an outdate system makes it hard to move forward.

According to the report, Alexa was built on a rules-based system that produced formulaic responses, which isn't the conversational assistant that Amazon seems to ultimately want. Unfortunately, those responses meant that Alexa couldn't answer off-the-cuff questions or even find sports scores for games that just happened.

Interestingly, since 2023 the Alexa team has improved how Alexa works as Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy took over and gave the machine learning team some direction. That said, it has lead to a voice assistant the hallucinates, rambles, or went on strange tangents.

Somehow, all of these attempts to make Alexa a better chatbot have made the voice assistant worse at managing smart home requests. 

At the time, it was believed Amazon would have something to ship in 2024. And Amazon did announce new generative AI skills for Alexa in January. That timeline slipped to October 2024 and since then into a vague future point in 2025.

Tom's Guide reached out to Amazon for comment and will update this story if the company sends a response. In June, Amazon spokespeople told Fortune that their information was dated or disputed claims that Amazon couldn't even access AI from companies it already owned like the Claude LLM. For Bloomberg's report, it appears that Amazon was not inclined to give a comment.

In the meanwhile, competitors are lapping Amazon in both the chatbot and AI-powered smart home space. 

As it appeared in June and now, Alexa is falling behind and it's not clear Amazon knows how or what they want the original voice assistant to be capable of doing.

Amazon responds

Amazon responded to our inquiry today.

“Our vision for Alexa remains the same—to build the world’s best personal assistant. Generative AI offers a huge opportunity to make Alexa even better for our customers," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. 

They went on, "We have already integrated generative AI into different components of Alexa, and are working hard on implementation at scale. We are excited about what we’re building and look forward to delivering it for our customers.”

We were not given a timeline of updates to Alexa or other information about how Alexa is getting improved AI. 

For now, Alexa remains behind, but Amazon seems to be working on it.

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I just bought my first Prime Day deal of the season, and it features some of the best smart home devices you can get for less than $10 each. Amazon's $20 Christmas tree bundle consists of a smart speaker, smart plug, and miniature pre-lit Christmas tree to control it with. This is the perfect entry into starting a smart home or makes for a great gift.

Right now, you can get an Echo Pop, Amazon Smart Plug, and National Tree Company pre-lit Christmas Tree for only $20 at Amazon. Just click the link, add the 2-foot tree to your cart, and enter the code ALEXATREE24 at checkout to add a free Echo Pop and Amazon Smart Plug to your order. The smart speaker and plug bundle costs $65 on its own so you're simply paying for the Christmas tree. 

The Echo Pop may be the most affordable Echo smart speaker but its audio performance packs a punch. Although it lacks the smart temperature and motion sensing capabilities of the more expensive Echos, it's still one of the best Alexa speakers you can buy. In our Echo Pop review, we liked how great it sounds for the price. Meanwhile its more compact shape is ideal in smaller spaces like a bathroom or office, which is where I keep mine.

Amazon's Smart Plug adds smart home controls to your existing outlet-powered devices. For example, you can connect a stick lamp or the included Christmas tree into the plug and then attach it to your wall outlet. Once Alexa recognizes the plug, you can turn the your connected gadgets on or off remotely, set them on a schedule to operate at certain times, or link them up to a routine with a motion sensor. That way, you can set them to turn on when you enter a room and turn it off after motion isn't detected after a certain amount of time.

The National Tree Company Mini Christmas tree is the only product of the bunch that I haven't tried, but its reviews praise the realistic fir and bright lighting. Of course, it's tiny at 2 feet, but this would make a great office desk companion, which is where I plan to place mine once it arrives this week.

Amazon's Echo speakers are among the best smart speakers we've tested. If you're looking to build out your smart home without breaking the bank, we've spotted a great bundle going on at Amazon.

Right now, you can get the Echo Pop for $30 at Amazon. That's $10 off the normal price of the cheapest Alexa speaker, plus Amazon's throwing in a free Sengled Smart Color Bulb with it as a bonus. But stock can sell out fast, so make sure to jump on this deal while you can. 

While it lacks the features of its more expensive cousin, the Echo Dot, you really can't go wrong with the Echo Pop, especially at this price point. In our Echo Pop review, we praised Amazon's cheapest Alexa speaker as a well-rounded device that offers a compact design, solid sound quality, and great value for your money. 

The Echo Pop isn't loud enough for a party and it won't be replacing larger smart speakers you may already have any time soon, but its tiny size makes it perfect to tuck away into your home office or bedroom for listening to music and podcasts. And despite being smaller than the Echo Dot, the two offer comparable sound quality. Using Alexa routines, you can schedule your lights to turn on at specific times or create a sunrise simulation to gently wake you up in the morning. Just note that this smart bulb is not compatible with the Sengled app. 

At this price, this bundle is a great value and a terrific first step toward automating your smart home's capabilities. If you're looking for even more ways to save, be sure to check out Amazon's huge sale on Ninja kitchen appliances and early Prime Day sales on Amazon products. 

With the rise of AI assistants like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, Amazon has been working on relaunching its voice assistant Alexa with revamped AI features. 

According to a new report from The Washington Post, Alexa AI is coming back in October with several new features, with a slight catch. The upgraded Alexa Plus will reportedly cost "as much as $10 a month," with the current version of Alexa rebranded as "classic Alexa."

The Post claims they obtained "internal documents" that reveal the potential subscription and some new features. 

Apparently, the price and subscription structure isn't final, as the report says Amazon is planning to "make decisions on pricing, subscription structure and the product name" this month.

This comes amidst a summer of reports that Amazon has been struggling with updating Alexa and the company's Echo speakers. Reportedly, Amazon has been losing billions on Alexa and their smart speakers. In June, it was reported that Alexa 2.0 AI was nowhere near ready. 

At the time, Amazon was claimed to be "an organization beset by structural dysfunction and technological challenges that have repeatedly delayed shipment of the new generative AI-powered Alexa. Overall, the former employees paint a picture of a company desperately behind its rivals Google, Microsoft, and Meta in the race to launch AI chatbots and agents, and floundering in its efforts to catch up."

At the same time, it was reported in late June that Amazon has been working on a new chatbot internally dubbed "Metis." It's unclear if the potential AI chatbot is being integrated into the new Alexa.

New features

The new Alexa will be able to recognize the individual voices of customers and learn about them by asking questions. Like many chatbot assistants, Alexa will reportedly be more conversational and "charismatic" than the classic Alexa.

Voice ID already exists for Alexa, which seems like an expansion of that feature. 

The big AI feature appears to be something called "Smart Briefing." The tool is meant to deliver "daily, AI-generated summaries of news articles" with the types of articles "selected based on a customer's preferences." 

How accurate this feature will be remains to be seen, and it needs to be clear and accurate, especially in an election year.

The internal documents state, "AI features that help customers curate, summarize, and explore current events was also rated as one of the top customer requests."

Additionally, Alexa 2.0 will help you find recipes and work with you on dietary restrictions. The leaked documents claim that recipe help was among the "top three areas where customers want more help." Whether or not Alexa will tell you to eat glue like Google's AI overviews remains to be seen.

A shopping scout is being added to get people to use Alexa to shop on Amazon. Using conversational language, you can ask questions like "Do you have any deals on headphones?" or "What colors do the shoes come in?" It will also let you know when something you've looked at has gone on sale.

Perhaps the most controversial new feature is a shopping assistant that Amazon apparently hopes will "prove compelling to children."

The Posts report says the leaked documents introduce a new experience called "Explore with Alexa 2.0" that will let "verified" children have "back-and-forth exploratory conversations with Alexa about any topic under the sun."

Seemingly, this experience will be "safe and moderated," but experts are split on whether or not smart speakers are good for kids.

The leaked documents suggest that a new experience called 'Explore with Alexa 2.0' will let verified children have "back-and-forth, exploratory conversations with Alexa about any topic under the sun."

Finally, it looks like Amazon will also launch a web UI version of Alexa for the first time. This version of Alexa is meant to compete directly with ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

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Last week, a Wall Street Journal article detailed how Amazon is losing billions on its line of Alexa-powered smart speakers, because it sold the devices at a loss, but never recouped the money because all of those Echos are being used as glorified egg timers. 

Amazon vastly overestimated the Downstream Impact (DSI) of Alexa. The company anticipated that consumers would use Alexa to order products and services through the smart speakers, which would make up the difference between the cost of Echo speakers and the price at which they were sold.

As a result, Amazon has severely cut back its Amazon devices division, laying off several thousand employees and killing off a number of products, such as the Halo fitness band and Amazon Glow. 

But the losses have continued. Having used Echo devices and related products since Alexa was first introduced, I have three thoughts on how Amazon could turn around its business.

Stop selling Echos at a loss

There are currently more than 500 million Alexa devices in the world, so Amazon has definitely achieved its aim of saturating the market. You’re far more likely to see an Echo or an Echo Dot than you are a Google Nest Mini, as Google hasn’t been as bullish as Amazon at releasing new smart speakers each year. 

Now that Amazon devices are so pervasive, there’s less of a need to mark them down so aggressively to saturate the market, especially when your main rival is so far behind. However, it still makes sense to bundle them with products from Amazon that are profitable - like Ring video doorbells.

And, like Ring devices, Amazon should make some features of future Echo speakers available only via a subscription. Consumers will hate it, but if the fee is nominal enough, they’ll probably pay for it. 

The nuclear option, as Avi Greengart explained on Techsponential, “is that Amazon could insert ads into every interaction, weather the inevitable consumer backlash, and see how many people keep their Echos plugged in anyway.”

Incentivize ordering by voice

Amazon’s hope when it launched the Echo was that people would use its smart speakers to order more products by voice, which would help justify the lower price of the devices themselves. However, it’s just not proved a very popular method. 

But, instead of reducing the price of the speakers, Amazon should instead reduce the price of what you buy via voice. It would still be losing money, but it would at least get consumers into the habit of ordering products with Alexa, rather than through the Amazon app. 

If I could order toilet paper and batteries cheaper through Alexa, then I might be inclined to see what else I could get at a discount. And chances are, the discounts that Amazon offers here could be less costly than selling Echo devices at a loss. 

Make Alexa smarter - for shopping

This one is already in the works, as Amazon previewed Alexa Enhanced last fall. Not to besmirch all the work that people have done on it and other smart assistants, but the advent of OpenAI ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence has shown Alexa to be pretty dumb. I can’t think of a single suggestion it’s given me — outside a random Dad joke — that I’ve wanted to hear. It’s why I, like many others, only use it to set timers, turn on my smart lights, and play music. 

When I saw a preview of the new Alexa, it indeed seemed a lot smarter and more natural. However, people have become so accustomed to using Alexa and other smart assistants for such limited purposes that you have to get them adjusted to a new habit, and making them pay for Alexa Enhanced isn’t going to cut it. You have to give them a reason. 

If Alexa were to say to me “by the way, those paper towels you always buy are currently 20% off - would you like to order some?” then I would be a lot more likely to ask it to order something for me. 

Until then, I’ll probably just continue to use Alexa to let me know when my hard-boiled eggs are ready.

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I've tested dozens of the best smart home devices since joining the Tom's Guide home section a few months back. Amazon's Echo Dot with Clock has proven to be the most useful of the bunch. This all-in-one gadget sounds phenomenal, can trigger my automated smart home routines, and adds calling capabilities to any room. That's not just my opinion, my colleague Kate Kozuch gave the compact round speaker a full five-star rating in her review.

Overall, the Echo Dot with Clock's sound-centric shape and built-in sensors offers the best performance for the price. So it's a real shame when you can't even buy it on Amazon. There hasn't been an official statement as to why it's currently unavailable whether it's production issues or if Amazon is phasing it out in favor of the Echo Spot. One thing is for certain—Amazon not stocking the Dot, especially so during Prime Day, is a big mistake. Here's why.

The Dot has the best sound of any smart speaker under $100

I've only recently discovered that the Echo Spot is currently unavailable after spending the past week reviewing Amazon's new Echo Spot alarm clock. I'd argue that the Spot is the best-looking Echo smart speaker yet. The Spot has a similar design to Amazon's most affordable smart speaker, the Echo Pop, but with a sleek glass touchscreen. Aside from the three vibrant body colors it comes in, you can customize both the clock face and color theme to make it match a room's aesthetic on the fly. 

So the Echo Spot has a better design, offers improved visual info compared to the limited pixel text displayed on the Dot, and can control smart home devices with a tap. However, when I compared the Echo Spot against the Echo Dot with Clock in a faceoff, I preferred the richer sound and advanced smart sensors found on the cheaper Echo Dot. The Dot's rounded design fills the entire room with immersive audio whereas the Spot's front-facing speaker needs you to sit in front of it.

The Dot has sensors the Echo Pop and Spot lack

While it's nice to see album artwork, I use a smart speaker for the listening experience, not the eye candy. The richer vocals and deeper bass on the Dot give it a leg up over the new Echo Spot. But beyond sound, the Dot has two other features I use regularly that the pricier Spot lacks. The first is the built-in temperature sensor which detects the exact climate of the room it's placed in. This has been a game-changer in my bedroom routines because it kicks on my air conditioner or electric fireplace when a room is too hot or too cold.

If you own an Eero Wi-Fi system then the Dot also acts as a beacon for your network to expand and strengthen the Wi-Fi signal around your home or yard. At $60 it costs less than adding a standard beacon, plus you're getting smart speaker and temperature sensor functionality. If Amazon was going to phase out the clock in favor of the Spot then the extensive feature set should've remained.

The Dot is affordable

At $59, the Dot is half the price of the HomePod Mini or the larger Amazon Echo. It makes for a great gift and can be used in any room, sounding better than most smart displays. Its focus on maximizing sound in every space and less distracting text display has a place, especially for those who aren't crazy about the Spot's always-on screen. During last year's Prime Day you could grab one for only $30, which is an absolute steal. 

If the Echo Spot is expected to replace the value that the Dot with Clock offers it really needs to incorporate the sensors and antennas it had. As it stands, the Echo Dot remains the best way to easily and cheaply add core smart home functionality to your space. Let's hope they go back on sale.

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Think of the new Amazon Echo Spot as a cross between an Echo Dot and Echo Show smart display. It primarily focuses on excellent sound but it comes with a tiny LCD touchscreen to show you the essentials. This displays basic information like the time, weather, album art covers, and smart home control widgets with large colorful icons.

At just $80, the Echo Spot is cheaper than the best smart displays we’ve tested but lacks a camera and core functionality like watching shows, making video calls, or viewing security camera feeds. On the other hand, it offers visual info that the best smart speakers lack. In fact the closest model it competes with is its little brother, the Echo Dot with Clock which uses LEDs to show pixelated text and icons through the front mesh of the smart speaker. 

Both the Echo Dot and Echo Spot are great additions to your living space because they get loud, are affordable, and offer the same Alexa smart assistant experience. Which Alexa smart speaker you should buy comes down to your style preferences and the smart home features you need. Read on to see which one’s right for your smart home setup.

Echo Spot vs. Echo Dot: Pricing

The Echo Spot smart speaker features a colorful touchscreen display and comes in a glossy Black, Glacier White, or Midnight Teal finish for $79. That's $20 more than the $59 Echo Dot with Clock, which shows basic text information like the time and song titles using LED lights. 

However, at the time of this writing, the Echo Spot was priced at just $44; the Echo Dot with Clock wasn't available at Amazon, but you could get it from Best Buy for $59.

Winner: Echo Dot with Clock

Echo Spot vs. Echo Dot: Design

Between its more vibrant and customizable screen themes to its gorgeous flat-fronted body, the Echo Spot is a sexy piece of hardware. At 4.5 inches, it's compact enough to fit into any room but it looks especially great bed or desk side. You can use its color touchscreen to control smart home devices, view the weather, or look at album artwork as the music plays. All of its icons are unique and pop from the screen.

The smaller and rounder Echo Dot (3.9 x 3.5 inches) doesn't look as sleek since it takes a utilitarian approach to maximizing audio quality. Its fabric exterior and pixelated LED lights look a generation behind the Spot. If aesthetics matter to you, then it's important to keep in mind that you can’t customize the Dot's light color like you can on the Echo Spot, and it comes in more basic finishes to boot.

Winner: Echo Spot

Echo Spot vs. Echo Dot: Sound performance

The Spot’s flat front and sloped back forces audio directly from the front of the speaker. It still creates a rich enveloping sound as long as it's angled towards you. This directional audio doesn't provide as wide of a soundstage as the rounded Echo Dot, which gives all the layers a bit more room to breathe and travel around the room.

The Echo Dot gets louder and fills the room to provide a surround sound experience no matter where you are on the side of the speaker or how far away you are from it. The Dot lets vocals and bass breathe more for a richer overall sound. And while neither speaker is great on bass, the Dot has a noticeable thump that the Spot lacks.

Winner: Echo Dot

Echo Spot vs. Echo Dot: Smart home management

The Spot’s sharp microphones and bloat-free touchscreen makes for an excellent smart home command center. You can use either voice commands or touch to control widgets for lights, adjust the temperature on your smart thermostat, or lock your door with a tap. Even something as little as answering a call is more convenient with a press rather than having to tell Alexa to answer the call.

The audio-only Dot requires you to speak your commands rather than tap a button. Meanwhile, you have to listen intently to your weather forecast for the day since you won't see it sprawl out across a screen. I prefer the Spot because it can show me if a light is on or if your door is locked without having to listen out for it.

Winner: Echo Spot

Echo Spot vs. Echo Dot: Features

The Echo Dot crams a bunch of useful smart home features into an affordable package. The Spot is newer but its functionality is a bit more basic since it lacks some built-in sensors to trigger specific automations and can't act as a mesh Wi-Fi node for an Eero system.

Motion Detection
Both smart speakers can recognize motion and room occupancy. This can help you create routines to adjust the temperature or turn on lights when you enter or exit a room. This cuts down on energy waste to help you save money.  

Temperature Sensor
The Spot lacks a temperature sensor. That's a shame because the cheaper Echo Dot has one that can show you the current temperature of the room it's placed in. Even better, it can be used as a trigger for Alexa smart home routines such as kicking on air conditioning or heating if your room falls below or exceeds a certain temperature. 

Eero Mesh Wi-Fi node
Another handy feature the Spot is missing. The Echo Dot can serve as a beacon to extend your Eero Wi-Fi network throughout your home. 

Screen
You can view album artwork, weather animations, and the time on an always-on screen with the Echo Spot. While the Echo Dot has LED lights that can show pixelated text like time and song titles this isn't as attractive or informative. Plus you can even touch the screen to control alarms, smart home devices, or pop open notifications.

Advanced Sound Detection
Both smart speakers can detect sounds like appliance beeps or glass breaking to send a push notification to your phone. You can even use these sounds as a trigger to kick off a routine like flashing lights around the house when a laundry load is finished. 

Winner: Echo Dot

Echo Spot vs. Echo Dot: Overall Winner

While the Echo Spot is newer and sports a nifty touchscreen, the Dot's advanced sensors and features still give it an edge for those who want to integrate it into their smart home. The ability to monitor a specific room's temperature, extend your Wi-Fi range, and experience a wide soundstage from anywhere in a room is better for most people. On top of that, it's more affordable. 

With that said, the Echo Spot offers more personalization with the option to pick the colors and clock face. Should you want touch controls for ease-of-use or simply not wanting to wake up a partner while you sleep, this is the better option.

You can’t go wrong with either device but the Dot fits into more settings with its versatility and skill set. Especially so if you're like me and pair it with a smart speaker battery base to cut the cord and take it everywhere around the house with you.

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• Amazon Echo Spot review

Amazon’s revamped Echo Spot alarm clock moonlights as a discrete smart speaker with a tiny touchscreen for your bedroom. A cross between the Echo Dot and the Echo Show lineups, the Echo Spot lacks a camera, but has a small basic LCD panel that shows the time, weather, album cover art, and smart home controls with large colorful icons. 

At just $80 it's cheaper than the best smart displays we’ve tested but lacks their core features like watching shows, making video calls, and viewing security camera feeds. On the other hand, it offers more visual info than even the best smart speakers. So where does the Echo Spot’s hybrid approach stand amongst the competition and is it worth it? Read on to see if it’s right for you.

Amazon Echo Spot review: Price and availability

Launched in July of 2024, the Echo Spot smart alarm clock costs $79.99. It comes in three colors; Black, Glacier White, and Ocean Blue. It sits between the $59 Echo Dot with Clock smart speaker and the $89 Echo Show 5 smart display.

Amazon Echo Spot review: Design

Much like the Echo Pop, the Echo Spot has a rounded flat front that slants backward to make room for the speaker. The 4.5-inch body fits comfortably in smaller bedroom or office spaces. I appreciate the variety of colors and customizable theming which gives the Spot more personality than other Echo devices. Your focus is immediately drawn to the colorful 2.83-inch LCD touchscreen encased within a half-circle tinted cover glass. Despite its paltry 240 x 230-pixel resolution, both text and icons look sharp even from the other side of a king-sized bed.

Below the screen sits a 1.73-inch directional full-range speaker grille. Flip the Spot around and you’ll find its power port and array of microphones lining the back. On the top sits physical volume up, down, and microphone mute buttons for instant control.

Amazon Echo Spot review: Performance

Just plug the Echo Spot in using its proprietary power plug on the back, scan the QR code that pops up on its face, and it’ll open to the device discovery page in your Alexa app. You’ll get your first taste of the Spot’s unique animations from the start once it searches for your Wi-Fi with a vibrant network signal. 

Once connected, you can select from six different clock faces and six colors to match your style. You’ll want to put some effort into this as it’s the main display you’ll see over 90 percent of your day, save for breaking essential info like weather alerts or when album artwork pops up while playing music.

The clock face I chose shows the time and weather at any given moment but adjusts its brightness using a built-in light sensor. This dims down the display brightness at night but it never fully turns off. I’m one of the people who appreciates that when I wake up in the middle of the night but some can find this annoying.

Speaking of music, you’re getting rich audio despite the flat compact shape thanks to the powerful 1.7-inch directional speaker on the front. Every song I threw at the Spot relayed the deepest sound layers often lost in basic car or phone speakers. Whether it was the low synths in the opening of Chappell Roan’s song Good Luck, Babe! or backing strums of The Psychedelic Furs Love My Way, each effect surrounded my head as the clock faced me in bed. 

Vocals are slightly more condensed than my full-sized Amazon Echo and the high hats on drums aren’t as crisp. In my opinion, it comes over 90 percent as close to the sound quality, and if you’re lying in front of the Spot while you’re in bed, you’re unlikely to notice much of a difference. With that said, it does lack bass so if you like your thumps, then you’re better shooting for a HomePod 2 or regular Echo smart speaker.

Even the Spot’s  basic alarm clock performance feels ahead of the best alarm clocks. It’s especially helpful for someone whose bedtimes vary each night. I set alarms for whatever time using my voice and ask to be woken up to the music I’m into that day. It takes just under 10 seconds and makes waking up each day feel fresh. 

You can use your voice, tap the snooze icon, or turn off the alarm using the touchscreen. But the classic physical tap-to-snooze function works well even in the deepest of stupors. 

Amazon Echo Spot review: Features

The original Echo Spot (2017) acted as a smart display with a camera for calls, drop-ins, and watching videos. However, the screen was too small to get much use from the latter. While you’re losing functionality, you can easily see the most essential information and the gorgeous icons which is a much more effective use of this space. 

I found the touchscreen useful for checking alarms, tapping on the notification bell to hear updates, and adjusting my Alexa-compatible smart home devices. You can pull up controls for your smart lights, smart thermostat, and smart lock on the fly so you don’t have to wake up the person next to you. Just a few taps can cool down your room in the middle of the night or you can easily access your smart plug to run the A/C if your room gets stuffy.

Despite costing more than the Echo Dot, the Spot loses two helpful smart home functions. The first is a built-in temperature sensor for the room it’s placed in, which is useful to automatically crank up the heat or A/C if you don’t have a probe in your bedroom or office space. The other is the ability to act as a wireless node for an Eero mesh Wi-Fi system. This range extension and automation trigger adds some serious value to the Echo Dot, which the Spot lacks.  

Fortunately, the Echo Spot retains Ultrasound Motion Detection, so you can create occupancy routines. These can be as simple as turning on lights when you walk into a room and off when nobody is detected for 30 minutes. This was highly accurate as I added a “Hi” announcement before taking each action to see how long it took for the Spot to recognize my presence. If you can go without the pretty colors and icons you can opt for the Echo Dot offers more smart home value with built-in sensors and functionality. 

Amazon Echo Spot review: Verdict

The Echo Spot is a welcome addition to the Echo lineup and works well in a bedroom or office. If you want just a bit more information from your smart speaker without dealing with the ad-bloat or camera of a smart display, this is a convenient device. I love using it in my bedroom but I’d be hesitant to swap out an Echo Show 5 or Echo Show 8, which can let me make video calls or watch TV from my office desk while I work.

Its lack of smart home sensors is disappointing since they’re found on cheaper, smaller Echos. However, the Echo Spot is an effective alarm clock and smart speaker that doubles down on the essentials while looking good doing so.

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Amazon has unveiled a brand new version of its Echo Spot alarm clock complete with a hefty discount for Prime Members ahead of the retailer's Prime Day 2024 event next week.

Like the original Echo Spot, this device is intended as a customizable alarm clock for your nightstand and comes with a variety of clock faces to choose from as well as a gradual lighting display that makes it comfortable to view whether it's time for bed or you're just waking up.

As with all the best Alexa speakers, the Echo Spot uses Amazon's virtual assistant for functionality, so you can ask it to play a specific song, set an alarm for weekday mornings at a specific time or give you a look at what the weather forecast is for the day.

The all-new Echo Spot features a 1.73” front-firing directional speaker to make the most of music, podcasts and audiobooks. It comes in a choice of three colors: Black, Glacier White, or Ocean Blue.  

Perhaps one of the Echo Spot's most appealing features is the price. The original cost $129 at launch, making it a cheaper alternative to the more pricey Echo Show. But for the 2024 model, Amazon has cut the price down to just $79/£79. 

Furthermore, the retailer has put in place a limited time discount for Prime Members to take advantage of — meaning that $79/£79 price drops to just $44/£49. This discount runs while stocks last from July 8 to July 17.

“Thanks to customisable clock faces, personalised designs, new alarm sounds and colourful visual animations, Echo Spot is the best smart alarm clock designed for any bedside table,” said Eric Saarnio, vice president, Amazon Devices International.  

Given the obvious privacy concerns many might have about putting a smart speaker next to their bed, Amazon has included a physical on/off button for the device's microphone and the ability to view and delete any voice recordings it has made.

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Not to be left behind by Apple, Google, and Microsoft, Amazon is overhauling its voice assistant to add artificial intelligence, and could charge users a monthly fee of $5 to access the enhanced capabilities, according to a report by Reuters.

The new, enhanced Alexa represents a major reworking of the assistant, which debuted 10 years ago and has been built into every smart speaker that Amazon has released since then. However, adoption and use of Alexa has stalled in recent years, as most Amazon Echo owners have been content to use it primarily for things such as setting timers, requesting music and controlling smart home devices.

The new AI initiative is codenamed "Banyan," and the new voice assistant has been dubbed "Remarkable Alexa," according to the report. The company has been working towards an August deadline, which would make sense if Amazon wanted to thoroughly test it so it could reveal it at its annual product announcements, which are typically held in September. 

Last September at Amazon's Devices & Services event, the company announced it was adding generative AI to Alexa, but little more has trickled out since then. The only major AI announcements have been Rufus, an AI shopping assistant, and a new Fire TV AI feature, which allows you to more easily search for programming you like. 

Just this past November, Amazon laid off hundreds from its Alexa division, as it redirected its energies to AI.

What will the new AI Alexa do?

The Alexa currently in use now would be replaced with one enhanced with AI. A basic tier would be free, but if you wanted to ask more complex queries, it would cost $5 per month; Amazon has reportedly toyed with a $10/month tier, too. 

A paid version of Alexa was hinted at in a Business Insider report in January, but there was no information about pricing at that time.

The paid tier would enable you to use Alexa to do such things as composing and sending emails as well as ordering dinner from Uber Eats with a single prompt. The new Alexa will also offer more personalization, according to the Reuters story. Additionally, the new, smarter Alexa could learn a person's smart home routines intuitively, rather than them having to program a particular routine in the Alexa app. 

Whatever it has planned, Amazon has its work cut out for it, as iOS 18 will roll out officially this fall with Apple Intelligence, which will incorporate ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads, and Macs. 

Google also announced a raft of new AI features at Google I/O in May, and we expect that Samsung will also announce some AI features for its devices at Galaxy Unpacked in July. 

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Turning your house into a smart home is the kind of thing that starts small but can quickly grow out of proportion if you’re not careful.

As I spend most of my time working from home, I’m rarely away from my smart home. However, it wasn’t until I left for vacation and went on a few work trips that I realized how having a fully decked-out smart home has ruined analog living for me.

My own smart home journey began when I wanted to add a few of the best smart lights to my apartment. Of course, I needed another way to control them besides my phone, so I picked up one of the best smart speakers for those times when I needed to turn them off and on by using my voice. From there, it made sense to put a smart speaker in every room.

It wasn’t until I moved into my first home that the best home security cameras got added to my smart home. I originally had just one to watch my dog back in my apartment but with a baby on the way, I mounted one to the ceiling in all of the major rooms of my house. This way, I’d be able to keep an eye on him throughout his terrible twos and beyond.

Just like with my smart lights, keeping an eye on all of my cameras from my phone proved to be a bit of a hassle. Fortunately though, the best smart displays were there to help. For instance ,I have an Echo Show 5 on my desk to watch over my house while I work and an Echo Show 15 in the kitchen so that others can also see what’s going on during parties and other big events.

Getting out a bit more made me realize just how accustomed I’ve grown to having a smart home instead of an analog one.

Missing my smart home

Once you grow accustomed to having Google Assistant or Alexa at your beck and call, it’s hard to go back to flipping light switches and using your phone to look up the weather or to answer simple questions.

It’s one of those things where you don’t really miss it until it’s gone. I notice this the minute I step into a hotel room, when a request to Alexa to turn on the lights goes unanswered. It takes a few days to get used to having to turn on and off all of the lights by yourself. I also forgot how awkward it can be controlling lights that aren’t reachable by a switch, like that lamp in the corner of the room.

Another one that gets me almost immediately is not being able to ask Google to cast a movie or show to the TV. Granted, we now use a Roku Ultra solely in our living room but the other rooms in my house still have TVs equipped with a Chromecast.

Normally when I’m on business trips, I spend so much time working that after a few days, I don’t even notice my smart home isn’t there. It’s a different story on vacation though. For instance, the last time I visited my grandmother in New Jersey, I packed a Google Home Mini with me for the trip. I know I can use “Hey Google” on my phone to accomplish the same thing but since I have so many Google Home speakers and Nest smart displays throughout my house, I usually have this functionality turned off.

A few years ago, my family and I rented a beach house for the weekend. I wasn’t sure how the TV situation would be there, so I brought my projector with a Chromecast just in case. In order to use it though, I had to set up a separate home in the Google Home app which proved to be quite annoying, especially when I got back home and I had to choose which house to add every new device to.

Home is just a tap away

While getting reacquainted with not having a smart home is one of the worst things about traveling, once you do, there is one big upside. Your smart home is able to travel with you in your pocket.

Just a week or so ago when I was in Taiwan for Computex, I was easily able to check in on my family right from my phone. Whether it was seeing my dog lying down on the couch or my son getting ready for bed, it was nice to have another way to see what was going on back home without having to do a video call. Don’t get me wrong, we video-called plenty during my trip, but those slice-of-life moments I got to see from my security cameras really kept me going when I missed my family the most.

Besides informal check-ins, I used my smart home devices to make sure all the lights were turned off, that any new packages were brought inside and that nothing was askew in my office while I was gone. One of my favorite things about the Echo Show 8 and Google’s larger Nest Hub Max is that they come equipped with built-in cameras for those blindspots where you might not have a proper security camera installed.

Having a bird’s eye view of your home and all of the devices in it just a tap away does help soften the blow of not being able to control all of the gadgets in your hotel room or beach house with your voice.

Your experience may vary

Depending on how you configure your own smart home, you might not feel like you have a phantom limb while you’re traveling. If you only have a few smart home devices you don’t rely on in your day-to-day life, it’s probably a lot easier to leave them behind.

Likewise, if you’re the kind of person who requires a digital detox every now and then, leaving your smart home at home could be just the thing for you. I’m not one of those people, though and while I couldn’t bring my smart home with me, I did leave for Taiwan with a bag packed full of gadgets.

Even now though, I wouldn’t do things differently. Having a smart home and adding new devices to it has taught me all sorts of things and has genuinely made my life better overall. I just need to find a better way to take the best parts of my smart home with me and then I’ll be set.

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In a surprising bit of news, a new report suggests that Amazon is nowhere close to releasing a new version of its Alexa voice assistant. With Google announcing its Gemini AI assistant, Apple previewing Siri 2.0 and OpenAI showing off  GPT-4o in recent weeks, Amazon's rivals are leaving the shopping giant behind.

It's a surprise considering last year, Amazon was showing off an Alexa that seemed miles ahead of where Google and Apple were at the time. Just this past January, Amazon was announcing new generative AI skills for Alexa. Last month, a CNBC report suggested that the company wants to turn the voice assistant into a conversational chatbot. 

But a new report from Fortune indicates that Amazon is fighting an uphill battle with integrating generative AI into Alexa. Fortune is pay-walled but the lengthy report is available in full via Yahoo syndication.

The reasons that Amazon is failing to produce an updated Alexa appear to be myriad but broadly, according to Fortune, it's because Amazon "is an organization beset by structural dysfunction and technological challenges that have repeatedly delayed shipment of the new generative AI-powered Alexa. Overall, the former employees paint a picture of a company desperately behind its rivals Google, Microsoft, and Meta in the race to launch AI chatbots and agents, and floundering in its efforts to catch up."

The information in Fortune's report is drawn from interviews with multiple former employees who described the dysfunctional organization as blowing its shot at dominating AI. A simple example is that Chat-GPT caught Amazon by surprise. 

An Amazon spokesperson told Fortune that the data for the story was "dated" and did not reflect the current state of Alexa. It should be noted that it was reported in November 2023 by The Verge that several hundred employees were laid off from the Alexa and Fire TV teams. 

Other than layoffs, the former employees told Fortune that they left because they didn't believe Alexa would ever be ready. 

One reported problem is that Amazon doesn't seem to have an idea of how to integrate what Alexa currently does into what the company wants it to do. A demo in September showed off a friendly, conversational voice assistant, similar to what OpenAI demonstrated with GPT-4o before Scarlett Johansson shut the Sky voice down. 

Apparently, since that demo, the Alexa LLM has struggled to actually understand conversational language. And customers have an understanding of how to actually talk to the assistant in "Alexa language." An employee told Fortune, "we need to basically burn the bridge with the old Alexa AI model and pivot to only working on the new one."

Employees told Fortune that Amazon isn't utilizing the assets that it actually owns like Anthropic AI, which makes the Claude LLM. Some of that is due to privacy concerns and some of it is Amazon lacking the access to AI-specific chips like Apple's new M4 chip or Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite. An Amazon spokesperson disputed both of those reports.

Tech companies in the modern era like to use agile management techniques that can lead to huge teams that are increasingly siloed from each other. It requires scrum leaders that understand how to communicate product and team needs across team leadership. It sounds like Amazon's decentralized organization doesn't have that communication, which would cause friction in getting teams to communicate.

One concrete way this affects Alexa is that the Amazon Home team makes changes to Alexa to get the assistant to be helpful for everyday Home tasks. Then the Music team comes in and tweaks Alexa to work for playing music. These separate teams making changes to Alexa cause the program to completely fail.

Wherever Alexa and AI currently are at Amazon, they are clearly behind. 

Even with Microsoft fumbling its Recall feature, Copilot and AI PCs are coming this summer. Apple's new Apple Intelligence is expected to hit iPhones this fall and Google is slowly rolling out new Gemini AI features since they were announced at I/O 2024. And OpenAI is getting into bed with everyone. 

Eventually an updated Alexa LLM might roll out, but it sounds like it'll be a case of "what could have been" rather than a forward look to the future of AI assistants from a company that was leading the pack until recently.

Amazon is behind, and unless something changes soon, Alexa is being left in the dust.

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Wyze makes some of the best home security cameras we've tested, thanks to features like AI subject tracking, a high-quality 2K resolution image, and local video storage for under $40 — without a subscription. However, TP-Link's Tapo camera lineup has a new player aiming to exceed Wyze's value.

The latest of these hybrid models are the Wyze Cam v4 and Tapo C120. Both cameras are useful additions to any living space because both are water-resistant, cost less than $40, can be used without a subscription, and fully integrate with the Amazon Alexa and Google smart home platforms. Which you should buy comes down to which features you need. Read on to see a breakdown of the capabilities and costs of both to find which is the best fit for your smart home.

Tapo C120 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Pricing

The Tapo C120 security camera comes in a glossy white finish for $39. It features a magnetic adjustable base that sits atop flat surfaces or easily mounts to metal just like Wyze Cams but features a longer 10-foot power cord.

The even cheaper Wyze Cam v4 comes in either a matte white or light grey for $35. It also ships with an adjustable magnetic base but its 7-foot power cable is shorter. 

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Tapo C120 vs Wyze Cam v4: Specs compared

Tapo C120 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Design

Both the Tapo C120 and Wyze Cam v4 share a similar weatherproof body that consists of an adjustable head attached to a magnetic base. This base can be moved quickly between rooms sticking to metal like the corner bead of my walls or even screws. You can pivot both cameras heads up and down or along the sides of their bases which lets you capture video at different angles. Both also have the same hardware layout with a bright spotlight along the top, camera lens in the center, and speakers placed on their backside above the power port.

I like Wyze's design better since its base folds flat against the bottom to form a compact cube that can be folded out to add height while you stand it up or install it on a wall. I found the Tapo's rounded head more limited since it's a bit top-heavy and its thicker base has more gaps between the magnets on its underside. That meant the Wyze fit better on shelves and stuck to more surfaces like the screws on metal plant hanger in the picture above.The Tapo struggled between placements and would slide down corner beads more often.

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Tapo C120 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Image quality

Both cameras have a sharper-than-average 1440p camera. And while resolution isn't always the end-all, be-all, in our side-by-side tests, we found that the Wyze Cam v4 delivered slightly more washed-out images and colors, both indoors and outside. 

When we took a photo of a bright window from indoors which you can see in the gallery above, the Wyze Cam focused on the sunlight, obscuring what was happening outside. The Tapo camera gave us a sharp look at the vibrant green trees outside and retained their prickly texture.

The Tapo cam did a much better job illuminating a yard at night; you can see the greens in the grass and shapes more clearly than on the Wyze camera. However, the Wyze camera is still the better option for a security deterrent because its spotlight gets brighter and its siren is louder. 

Winner: Tapo C120

Tapo C120 vs. Wyze Cam v4: App

Both security cameras have a similarly simple setup process that involves downloading the app and connecting to the cameras wirelessly. Then you just enter your Wi-Fi password and update both to their latest firmware. Once you establish your live view you can easily create privacy zones from both cameras apps. With Wyze you just tap in the areas you want blocked using a grid system. Tapo has you stretch the corners of a rectangular shape to draw over the specific zones you want it to ignore.

Tapo's ad-free interface is quite simple. You can easily see your devices, jump through event clips, and get into granular settings like motion sensitivity in just a press. It does have a useless "Vacuums" tab in the center of its shortcut bar. And if you're not invested in the Tapo (formerly Kasa) ecosystem for things like smart plugs and smart lights, then its "Smart" tab is another redundant button. Still, navigating its five tabs is fluid and doesn't feel like it's trying to upsell you on unlocking more functionality.

The Wyze app's home page is streamlined with thumbnails from each of your devices. Above these sit rule buttons for one-touch routines. These include programs such as "I'm away" which arms all of your security cameras and locks your door. While helpful, these buttons and suggestions make the app feel much busier. Wyze also has dedicated sections for "Home Monitoring" and "New (products)". Both apps are for smart home power users but ultimately Tapo has the more straightforward controls.

Tapo also has a more streamlined automation creation and device scheduling system. For example, it's easy to tell the Tapo to turn the Kasa smart plug connected to my lamp on when the camera detects motion in my living room.

Winner: Tapo C120

Tapo C120 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Features

The Wyze Cam v4 focuses on advanced AI-assisted security and smart home features. Tapo is a bit more basic because it doesn't track and zoom in on subjects as they move throughout a space and doesn't have an option for 24/7 live agent monitoring. 

Person and Package Detection
Both cameras are equipped with tech that can recognize and alert you to motion events triggered by a person. This cuts down false alerts from animals or swaying tree branches. Wyze takes things even further with package detection that Tapo lacks.  

Smart subject tracking
Tapo cameras do not zoom into and track subjects. The Wyze Cam v4's intelligent Smart Focus feature zooms in and follows a person as they move around a space. This enhances your footage as it grabs more detail like the text on their shirt or tattoo design.

Custom motion zones

Both cameras make it easy to create custom motion zones to reduce unnecessary motion alerts. Tapo has you draw a shape over your dead zones while Wyze employs a grid system so you can easily tap on boxes to identify the sections you want the camera to ignore.

Trigger smart home routines
The Tapo and Wyze camera can be used as a trigger for smart home automation. For example, if it detects you've entered a room it can turn on lights or raise your smart thermostat.

Siren

Both cameras light up paths and deter thieves using the built-in spotlight and siren which can be activated by motion or manual controls. This can light up and create a loud shriek to alert neighbors and scare off trespassers.

Advanced Sound Detection
The Wyze Cam can detect sounds like glass breaking, crying, talking, barks, or even gunshots. It also passively listens out for CO or smoke alarm beeps (standard T3 or T4 tones) and can alert you with a push notification if they go off while you're away from home. Tapo lacks the alarm and gunshot sound detection. 

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Tapo C120 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Smart home compatibility

Since Tapo and Wyze are independent third-party companies they work with both Alexa and Google smart homes. They are more universal than Blink, Nest, and Ring cameras plus they can be used with IFTT for even more complex automations. Tapo has a wider ecosystem of devices thanks to being part of the Kasa lineup and a more advanced scheduling system which makes it easier to control their popular lights and smart plugs.

Winner: Tapo

Tapo C120 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Subscription costs

While both cameras can be used without a subscription, Tapo's is a truly subscription-free camera that includes all of its AI features without making you pay. Wyze cameras function just fine without a subscription and let you record video to local storage. However, Wyze heavily nudges you to "enhance" its cameras with a subscription. 

If you don't pay the monthly fee you only get notifications every five minutes due to an artificial cooldown period and miss out on AI event detection that tells you if an animal, person, package or vehicle triggered your camera. The fact that you can save video to a MicroSD card is already a hell of a lot better than most security cameras which don't offer video recording or local storage at all, but it's less than TP-Link's option. 

With a Tapo camera you won't have to pony up the cash to get consistent notifications or intelligent alerts which means you'll spend less time looking through events. 

Both Tapo and Wyze do offer cloud storage subscriptions if you don't want to pay for a cheap MicroSD card for local storage. These will set you back $3 per month for a single-camera subscription, and $11 per month for an unlimited number of cameras — both are among the better security camera storage plans. However, Wyze only gives you 14 days of video clip history, while Tapo offers 30 days. 

Winner: Tapo C120

Tapo C120 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Overall Winner

While the Wyze Cam 4 is cheaper and has more advanced features like smart subject tracking and more versatile placement options, it's still not enough to give it an edge over the Tapo C120. The C120's richer picture, stronger Wi-Fi range, and included smart AI event detection are better for most people. Its app is also easier to use and lets you screenshot recordings and clips directly from it. 

With that said, the Wyze Cam v4 offers stronger security deterrents with a better spotlight and siren. Should you want the most advanced level of smart home protection you can subscribe as needed for features that Tapo lacks like facial recognition and 24/7 live agent monitoring.

Ultimately, your choice comes down to what level of protection you're looking for. For a next-level home security system, you'll want to go with the Wyze Cam v4 since it can follow a subject as it moves around your space and can listen out for fire or smoke alarm chimes to send an alert. But if you simply want to pop in on your home, quickly manage clips, or want a wider field of view then the Tapo C120 is the better option that doesn't lock time-saving or important features behind a paywall.

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One of the best streaming devices in the market today is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. For such a small device it can do so much to change your viewing experience, including giving you access to platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. And all you have to do is plug it into your TV. 

But what happens when you find yourself endlessly scrolling through Netflix, unable to find anything that suits your taste? Yes, we’ve all been there, and it’s something I waste so much time doing. 

Don’t worry, because today is where that frustrated scrolling ends. Now you can find your next favorite show or movie just by speaking, rather than picking up a remote and scavenging every streaming service. With Fire TV’s new AI-enhanced search, you can use natural language and phrases to explore the vast amount of entertainment on your TV. 

Alexa will provide personalized recommendations based on what you enjoy, whether that’s a chilling horror movie or an intense minseries to binge over the weekend. This feature can remove complicated search menus or the need to type out long search queries. So, essentially, Alexa will do all of that work for you. 

Find your perfect watch

This new search experience on Fire TV uses an Amazon-built Large Language Model (LLM) that helps Alexa find the right entertainment for you. It's designed to understand and generate human-like text based on what you say. This model is trained on various amounts of data to ensure it can learn and understand natural language queries. 

With this advanced feature, you can now use natural language and phrases, making your search for content both intuitive and convenient. 

Say you’re in the mood for a psychological thriller that has a twist ending. All you need to say is “Alexa, show me some of the best thrillers with surprising plot twists.” The intelligent AI will present a list of personalized options tailored to what movies and shows you enjoy. Amazon Prime, as well as other connected streaming apps, will show the most relevant content along with anything that costs a rental fee. 

Why not search using other words too? Alexa will even understand what type of plot, character, actor, and quote you’re searching for. As an example: 

•  “Show me movies about an unexpected romance.” 
•  “Show me the best dramas with only six episodes.” 
•  “What movie has the quote, ‘You’re gonna need a bigger boat’?” 

As you continue to use Alexa for your entertainment needs, the recommendations will become increasingly aligned with your interests. This can turn your Fire TV into a smart, responsive tool, meaning no more endless scrolling through lists or struggling with remote controls. Just ask Alexa, and let AI find your next favorite movie or TV show. 

The great thing about this new AI feature is that the recommendations are contextual and personalized just for you. They will include the best choices from your Prime Video account or other streaming subscriptions, so you know which content is free to watch right now.

This new search experience will be available to use today on select Fire TV devices, and will roll out to everyone in the U.S. in English on all eligible devices running FOS6 and later in the coming weeks.

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There’s been talk of Amazon adding generative AI and conversational skills to Alexa for a while now, and those rumors don’t seem to be going away. A new CNBC report claims that Amazon will be unveiling a “souped-up” version of its voice assistant later this year — though you may need to pay if you want to have access. 

That’s right, sources claim that this subscription will not be part of Amazon Prime subscription. So unlike services like Prime Video or Amazon Music, which are bundled into the Prime plan, everyone may have to pay extra for Alexa 2.0. However it’s claimed that the price of this subscription hasn’t been finalized just yet.

Apparently the focus here is to ensure that Amazon can position itself with a product that “holds up amid the new AI competition” — presumably meaning ChatGPT, Google Gemini and every other chatbot hitting the market. 

Some of that pressure has come from CEO Andrew Jassy, who is reportedly “underwhelmed” with Alexa’s current capabilities. Apparently the current Alexa development team have also been concerned that Alexa could be seen as “an expensive alarm clock, weather machine and way to play Spotify music”. Which, admittedly, is exactly how I use Alexa and I bet I'm not the only one.

It’s claimed that Amazon’s new goal is to create artificial general intelligence, but considering that’s a very science fiction concept and unlikely to happen anytime soon they’re apparently working on smaller goals and building from there. 

The first goal is to create a chatbot with generative AI capabilities, using Amazon’s Titan large language model. This could be one of the first times Titan has been available to non-business users, and may potentially grant Alexa a whole string of new features in the process.

Which all sounds well and good, even if it does feel like Amazon is playing catch up. Whether anyone will actually be willing to pay for this new generative AI-infused Alexa is another matter entirely. While premium subscriptions are nothing new in the chatbot world, there is still typically a free version anyone can use. 

It may be limited, but for the casual user it’s probably enough. At the very least it’s a tool that could prompt some people to pay for premium access and see how much better it is. So if Amazon is thinking about locking the new Alexa behind a paywall, it would be wise to offer some kind of free access as well. At the very least, free to Prime members. 

Obviously we’ll just have to be patient and wait to see how this all plays out in the future. Because right now we have no idea when the Alexa chatbot might launch, let alone all the details about pricing and features.

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Amazon and Google often like to portray the best smart displays as the types of gadgets you’d want to use in the kitchen or next to your bedside table. While both of these use cases do have some merit to them, in my experience, I’ve found that incorporating a smart display into your desk setup can be a whole lot more useful. 

From getting answers to simple questions to checking on your home security cameras or even watching a video here and there during your downtime, it can be very convenient to have another display on your desk that’s separate from your computer — especially since you can control a smart display with your voice while keeping your hands firmly planted on your keyboard.

I first decided to add a smart display to my desk setup after realizing there was loads of wasted space beneath my ultrawide monitor. I had used one of Google’s Nest Hub smart displays in a similar way in the past, which is why I decided to upgrade to the larger Nest Hub Max and put it under my monitor in the center of my desk.

Although I typically prefer a smart display with a larger screen, there’s one with a much smaller display that has always caught my eye: the Echo Show 5. I held off on buying a second generation Echo Show 5 after reading reviews which noted that its performance just wasn’t up to snuff when compared to the Echo Show 8.

Earlier this year, though, Amazon sent over the new Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) for review and alongside it, they also included the new Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen). I’ve been using the Echo Show 5 for the past two months, and now I really think it's the perfect tiny smart display for your desk.

From smart display to touchscreen monitor

As someone who’s constantly trying out new standing desks, office chairs and gadgets in general, my desk setup remains a work in progress that’s gone through several iterations over the past years. As I noted before, it all started when I set up a Nest Hub Max underneath my ultrawide monitor.

Shortly after this though, Google announced the Pixel Tablet and when the Universal Stylus Initiative reached out to see if I wanted to try one out, I jumped at the offer. After all, this new device was the first of its kind: an Android tablet/smart display hybrid. While I still consider the Pixel Tablet to be one of the best Android tablets you can get today, the same can’t be said for its smart display functionality which is why Google recently announced that it would begin selling the device without a dock.

It was hard to go back to the larger bezels on the Nest Hub Max after using the Pixel Tablet for a week, so instead I decided to try something new. My ultrawide monitor already serves the purpose of a dual monitor setup but I wondered what it would be like having a smaller, touchscreen monitor under my main display. To that end, I picked up a mini monitor and added it to my desk setup. While it was great while it lasted, that cheap touchscreen display died after only a few months. 

I was surprised by just how much I liked having a smaller monitor under my larger one, so once again, instead of going back to the Nest Hub Max, I got a portable monitor with a touchscreen from UPERFECT to replace it. I’m two months into using it so far and I haven’t noticed any issues at all. This is likely because UPERFECT has a lot more experience designing and manufacturing all manner of portable monitors like the dual display one I’m currently in the process of testing out.

Although this new touchscreen monitor was able to fill the gaping hole underneath my main display, there was still one thing missing from my desk. With a pair of the best computer speakers and mid-size PC on top of my desk, there just wasn’t enough space to try and cram either a Nest Hub Max or a Nest Hub on the edge of my desk. Fortunately, I had the Echo Show 5 on hand.

The best of both worlds

Since my touchscreen monitor is positioned directly underneath my main display now, I decided it would make more sense to have a smart display off to the side of my desk instead of at the center. The Vari Curve Electric Standing Desk I’m currently using as my main desk has two grommets on either side for running cables. While the grommet on the right is filled with cables from my PC, there was still some space in the one on the left, so I used that to run the Echo Show 5’s power cable to the surge protector under my desk.

Getting everything set up only took a few minutes and honestly, the hardest part of the entire install was plugging in the power adapter under my desk and running the other end of it up to the top of my desk. Once this was done, I now had an always-on-display that shows the time, date, weather and more that I can easily glance over at when my other screens are occupied.

I mentioned checking in on my security cameras before and the Echo Show 5 is perfect for this. Whether I want to look at the one on the side of my garage to see if someone has pulled into the driveway or check in on my sleeping toddler while working at night, this is one of the handiest features of the Echo Show 5 and other smart displays like it. Although I have a Nest Doorbell I can’t check on this device at my front door, I also have a Eufy security camera pointed at my front porch for when I want a wider view.

Even though it may seem like the right idea to stick to one particular ecosystem when building out your smart home, I’ve found that having devices from both Amazon and Google has proven beneficial. I tend to rely on Google for straight information whereas Alexa is a lot better and faster at controlling my smart lights and other smart home devices.

Smart displays don’t get nearly enough credit

Though the hype around smart homes seems to have died down a bit in recent years, these inexpensive, little devices can really help make your life a lot easier. For instance, with a few of the best smart speakers, you can play music across your entire house for a fraction of the cost that you would pay to have wired speakers in every room. I’ve also found that you can do a whole lot with smart bulbs from using one with a motion sensor to have your pantry light up as soon as you open it to using coloring changing bulbs in the laundry room to keep track of whether or not you flipped that last load.

Smart displays are antoher beast entirely. People like to think of them as something you put in your kitchen for recipes or on your bedside table to act as an alarm clock. However, I use the Echo Show 15 in my kitchen as a TV, as a calendar to keep track of my schedule and let everyone else know when I have meetings and even as a photo booth when friends and family come to visit.

I thought having a second, touchscreen monitor underneath my main display would be enough at my desk setup but old habits die hard and it’s been great being able to ask Alexa for help again throughout the day. 

If you were on the fence about the Echo Show 5 like I was, Amazon has made some significant improvements with this latest model and while it’s still not nearly as powerful or feature-packed as the larger Echo Show 8, it’s now more responsive, faster and has an improved microphone array to better hear your commands. The Echo Show 5 has earned a place in my desk setup, and I don’t think I’ll be swapping it out for another device anytime soon.

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I've amassed a collection of a number of the best smart plugs over the years. Smart plugs work by simply allowing or blocking power flow to turn connected appliances on or off. These affordable gadgets attach to your electrical socket and then connect to your Wi-Fi network. You can plug any of your outlet-powered devices like lamps, fans, and appliances into this middleman to control them from anywhere through an app or voice assistant. 

The newest models are both much smaller and smarter with advanced energy monitoring and complex scheduling features. Yet smart plugs aren't so smart in my eyes. My biggest beef with what most would argue as one of the best smart home devices is that they cannot retain the settings of gadgets plugged into them once they lose power. There's a variety of devices with adjustable settings like the flashing modes on a string light to the brew strength of a coffee maker—a challenge since you can't select your preference because smart plugs don't do any more than enable or take away power flow to your gadgets. 

Why can't a smart plug return devices to previous power states?

Smart plugs lack onboard memory or processing capabilities to store or recall what settings you've applied to an individual device. That's unfortunate since most older devices don't remember their state upon power failure. My older window air conditioning unit and Christmas tree lighting are two great examples of where this becomes a problem. 

I can't just use a smart plug to have my older window A/C unit turn on to the exact temperature settings I want. Instead, I have to set it to 66 degrees by hand each night before I hop into bed. The smart plug turns the A/C unit off when the smart temperature sensor in my room detects that its reached 66 degrees. However, if I use the smart plug to turn on my A/C when the temperature rises, it sits in a selection standby mode that waits on a physical button press to manually select between a fan or cooling mode. Oftentimes this means my room gets uncomfortably hot by the time I wake up.

While a smart plug can turn my tree's string lighting on or off, I have to manually click the power button down three times each morning to enable the gradual color-fading effect I like. My tree doesn't just turn on to my preferred lighting effect preset. For a gadget with smart in its name, a smart plug really just a simple on-and-off switch that can't recall the previous operating mode of a connected device after a power cycle. So how can you get around that?

Look for devices with physical setting controls

Admittedly it's not up to the plugs to get smarter. Certain devices like air conditioners have built-in monitors to recall power states after they turn off. That way when a temperature sensor hits a desired temperature it can turn off and pick back up when it gets too hot.

In the meantime, you can simply opt for devices with manual mode dials, buttons, and sliders that you have to set in place to select a preset option. This leaves the device in its desired mode once power is restored. (Or pick up one of the best smart air conditioners). So for a heated blanket that may look like a slider on the "Heat on" setting. For a fan that might be cranking the dial to a numeric speed setting and leaving it there. And for a set of string lights that might be pushing down the button that corresponds with a gradual twinkling effect. 

I've watched the prices of smart plugs come down over time. These are still the best way to easily and cheaply add core smart home functionality to your space including scheduling and remote management from anywhere. The options below are some of the best smart plugs you can buy right now. At least that's unless there's a category breakthrough model that remembers pre-selected modes and settings.

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Amazon's Smart Air Quality Monitor ($69, Amazon) tells you about your indoor air quality with a simple score on a 100-point scale. This compact white cube sucks in air to break down humidity, harmful particles and the temperature of your environment in a visual report. It also notifies you about air quality changes and can talk to your existing Alexa smart home devices. 

That means you can use it to trigger smart home routines. For example, it can automatically turn on your air purifier when the air quality score falls below 80% or dehumidifier when your room is a bit too damp. As someone who has considered a smart air quality monitor for quite some time, I put this gadget through its paces over the past week. Read on to see if Amazon's Smart Air Quality Monitor is accurate enough for its $70 price tag.

Air quality impacts your health

I’ve been through a number of rentals that have lacked HVAC systems that can tell you about your air. It wasn’t until I moved into my first studio apartment that I realized how much your air quality makes a difference in all aspects of your life. With everything from sleep to work, it's hard to focus when your room smells like the chicken cutlets you just fried or paint from a remodel.

Amazon’s air quality monitoring system is an affordable and easy way to enhance your home. It can tell you when your air is bad to take steps like opening a window (or closing it if you live in a city). I've been staying in an older apartment that stored heavy-duty sanding machines and wood stains. Although I've cleaned it many times, I use this gadget to monitor the air quality at a glance. My place typically scores in the low 80s. This gadget automatically kicks on my air purifier when the air quality dips too low.

Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor setup

Amazon's Smart Air Quality Monitor arrives in a compact rectangular box comparable to the size of a smart plug. Inside you’ll find the all-white white air monitor, a wall plug and a Micro-USB power cable.

The device enters pairing mode once you plug it into the wall. Setup is quick and painless—all I had to do to get started was open the Alexa app, hit the add device button and scan a QR code on the included manual. This immediately connected the air quality monitor to my saved Wi-Fi network and assigned it to my Living Room group of smart home devices.

The monitor takes 7 minutes to calibrate to the room you place it in and takes readings through its silver mesh air intake vent located on the front. Once the monitor is ready you can quickly assess air quality with a glanceable LED light at the top of the monitor that’s either green (good), yellow (moderate), or red (poor). Alexa packs the more detailed stats into visual report complete with graphs. 

This can be accessed from the Alexa app on your phone or pulled up on your Echo smart displays or Fire TV. I simply asked my Echo Show 15 "Alexa, how's my Indoor air quality?" and was shown levels for temperature, humidity, particulate matter (PM), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and Carbon monoxide, which you can see in the picture above. 

Amazon Alexa smart home integrations

In addition to real-time data, Amazon's Smart Air Quality Monitor lets you see air quality trends over time. Insights are shown by an hourly, daily and weekly basis. Throughout my testing, the monitor snappily sent notifications to my phone when my room's air quality dropped. These instantly told me if a guest was vaping or when my dog used her wee wee pad. It took just two seconds from spraying a cologne bottle towards the monitor to receive a popup on my phone and Echo devices. 

Beyond having all of this information handy, the monitor uses it to improve your smart home's air quality in real time. When the humidity climbs too high my smart home turns on my dehumidifier's smart plug to make the room more comfortable. If the temperature in a specific room is too cold I can tell my smart thermostat to kick up my baseboard heating. And when hazardous particles or dust appear my fans and air purifiers kick on automatically. This is a seamless way to optimize your air and keep everyone in your home feeling healthy.

The wide range of readings this monitor looks for are especially helpful to have when you’re cooking or spring cleaning with your Echo. The only thing that could make this air quality monitor better would be if it were wireless. I doubt a battery-powered version would be possible with how frequently it checks the air. As it stands it's still easy enough to move between rooms. You just have to wait for the 7-minute calibration process. Overall, this is a versatile device to keep in your main living spaces like a living room, bedroom or basement.

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Up until now, I had a love/hate relationship with my Echo Show 15. Sure, it’s the only smart display you can wall mount, but I kept wishing it had a bit more functionality as I got it with the intention of using it as a digital dashboard in my kitchen.

The Echo Show 15 does have widgets that are somewhat customizable, though there aren’t as many as I’d like nor can you create your own. I also really enjoy the fact that the Echo Show 15 can take quick photos or even act as a photo booth which is great for family gatherings.

While it’s certainly one of the best smart displays available today, I just felt like something was lacking. Amazon managed to address many of these shortcomings when it added Fire TV functionality to the device a year after it was first released. The only problem was that I had never intended to use it in this way.

I’ll spare you most of the details but when I first moved into my house, there was an old alarm control panel hanging from the wall where I ended up mounting my Echo Show 15. This covered up the damage to the wall that was left there from when I took it down. However, as I mounted the device right next to a door frame, repositioning it from portrait to landscape mode just wasn’t possible and the Echo Show 15 needs to be horizontal instead of vertical for Fire TV mode to work.

I considered picking up a wall mount that would let me rotate back and forth between portrait and landscape mode. However, at the time, all of the ones available looked more like the best monitor arms and one of my favorite things about the Echo Show 15 to begin with was how the mount Amazon includes with it allows the device to sit flush with the wall.

The other day while looking for some of the best Amazon deals though, I came across a new rotating wall mount for the Echo Show 15. This one kept what I like about the stock wall mount with the added benefit that I could easily switch between portrait and landscape mode. Here’s how the upgrade went along with how it transformed my boring stationary smart display into a much more versatile one.

Time for a new mount

As I got my Echo Show 15 before Amazon added Fire TV mode, I decided to wall mount it vertically instead of horizontally. Not only did this cover up the blemishes on the wall from where the old alarm control panel used to be, but it also let me put a small key rack under the smart display. My Echo Show 15 is mounted on the wall next to the door to my garage and with the Calendar & Reminders widget right under the time, I can quickly see what I have planned each day.

Once Fire TV mode got added to the Echo Show 15, though, I knew it was time for a new mount and fortunately, I stumbled across the Sanus Rotating Wall Mount ($30, Amazon). This was a small price to pay to be able to use my wall-mounted smart display in a brand new way.

In the picture above, you can see my new wall mount on the right and a 6-foot extension cable ($15, Amazon) that’s also made by Sanus on the left. I didn’t realize they were from the same company until I went to open the package but there are plenty of extension cables for Amazon’s smart displays available online, whether you need a longer one, a flat one or even a black one to better blend in with your home décor. 

The Echo Show 15 comes with a 5-foot cable out of the box and though I did make it work, it was barely long enough for how I had it mounted before. If you don’t want to use the stock power adapter for your own smart display, there are plenty of third-party ones available that are even longer than the original one. 

What I like about the Sanus Rotating Wall Mount is that it comes in two pieces. One you attach to your wall with two included screws and wall anchors while the other attaches to the back of your Echo Show 15. The piece that goes on the wall also has a hook at the bottom so that you can leave some slack in the device’s power cable for when you rotate it back and forth.

I have to admit, I did install and then have to reinstall the rotating piece several times until I got it just right. I didn’t realize that the power cable needed to be plugged in first before you install it as I was in a rush to get everything done before my family got home. Since it rotates, you are going to want to turn it before you start screwing in the four included screws, as this makes them easier to reach and you’re less likely to strip one of them.

With my new rotating wall mount installed on both the wall and on the back of the Echo Show 15, it was time to test it out. I’m happy to report that the smart display can easily be turned from portrait to landscape mode with minimal effort. Likewise, the mount's hold is strong enough that your Echo Show 15 isn’t going to switch positions on its own.

Landscape mode trumps portrait mode

Now that my Echo Show 15 could freely rotate from portrait to landscape mode, it was time to test out its Fire TV mode again. I had used it briefly when it was first released, but there have been a number of improvements since then like the addition of Fire TV Channels. I watched some of these while working on my review of the latest Echo Show 8 and I really liked being able to channel surf on my smart display.

Although you can access and use the Echo Show 15’s Fire TV mode just by tapping on the display, the whole experience is a lot better with a remote. These days, Amazon frequently sells the smart display in a bundle with the remote at a discount. Fortunately for me, I had a Fire Stick 4K Max lying around and just used that remote. 

As part of this upgrade though, I ended up picking up an Alexa Voice Remote Pro to go with my new kitchen smart display set up. If you go this route though, do note that the two customizable buttons on Amazon’s back-lit remote don’t work with the Echo Show 15. Still, I like how it looks at night and it was time for a new remote anyways.

With the extra screen space I got from having my Echo Show 15 in landscape mode, I also got to try out viewing multiple cameras at the same time. As I have several of the best home security cameras set up throughout my house to keep an eye on my toddler and my dog, this feature is really handy. It also reminded me of what it was like watching all of the feeds at once on my friend’s hardwired security camera system.

There was one last thing I wanted to try on my Echo Show 15 in portrait mode: Amazon Luna. Just like Google used to with Stadia, Amazon has its own cloud gaming service. While you do need a subscription to Luna+ for $9.99 a month to play over a 100 different games on the service, some games are included for free as part of your Amazon Prime membership.

Just like they do with the rest of Amazon’s Prime Gaming offerings, the games available to play through Amazon Luna on your Echo Show 15 periodically change. For instance, last time I tested it out, I played a bit of Tetris Effect on the smart display. When I loaded up Amazon Luna this time around, I saw that I could play Epic Games’ Rocket Racing, though I would need to load up Fortnite to do so first.

I’ve been playing Rocket League since it first released on Steam and it’s one of my favorite games, so naturally, I was right at home with Rocket Racing. There were a few dropped frames and a bit of stuttering here and there but I managed to come in first place in a race despite never having played the game before.

I don’t know how often I’m going to game on my Echo Show 15 but it’s nice that I have that option. Theoretically, you could play through Resident Evil 2 or even Assassin’s Creed Mirage on your smart display. I also noticed that there are a number of Jackbox games available with a Luna subscription as well and these would actually be perfect party games to play on the smart display with everyone sitting at the kitchen table right across from it.

A worthwhile upgrade

In total, this whole project cost me around $65: $30 for the rotating wall mount, $15 for the extension cable and $17 for the key rack shelf ($17, Amazon) that I mounted underneath my Echo Show 15. The shelf really ties my upgraded kitchen smart display set up together and I like how there’s space above the key hooks for my remote.

While getting a brand new device is always fun, sometimes though, you can completely change how you use the things you already own with a few inexpensive upgrades. I do wish Amazon would let me further customize the home screen on my Echo Show 15 and add a custom widget builder in the Alexa app but I’m really pleased with how this project turned out.

If you want a smart display that your whole family can use that sits flush on the wall, the Echo Show 15 is the one to get. Just don’t forget to pick up a rotating wall mount to go with it.

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I spent this past weekend spring cleaning my apartment with some help from my bestie Alexa. Amazon's smart assistant is one of my most essential everyday tools. I keep an Echo in every room to control the best smart home devices, act as an intercom to talk to my family, and remind me of tasks such as taking the trash bins out to the street on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

My Echo Dot ($49, Amazon) is indispensable when it comes to cleaning. Most people simply use their smart speaker to play music while they clean. Some might even use them to control the best smart lights. However, Echo smart speakers and smart displays are capable of so much more. Here's 5 ways how a smart assistant can help you be more efficient and make your chores more convenient.

Create an Alexa cleaning routine

When it's time to kick off a deep cleaning session, I simply say "Alexa, clean" to my nearest Echo. This phrase triggers a routine I built in the Alexa app to focus on the task at hand. First, it turns off both my Roku TVs, enables Do Not Disturb, plays a specific Spotify music playlist, and ends by sending out my Shark IQ robot vacuum. I find that this helps me lock in when the cleaning bug bites and pushes the overall thoroughness to the next level.

You can use my routine as a blueprint to get started but you can do a lot more than that. If you have smart blinds they can open up to let in some sun. Or if you get hot cleaning, you can have your smart thermostat automatically kick on the A/C. There are endless possibilities if you're creative enough and have a handful of connected devices around your smart home. 

Set reminders & timers to work in blocks

Speaking of saving time, I use my Alexa to keep track of it. You can set up daily, weekly, or monthly reminders. For example, you can say "Alexa, remind me to unload the dishwasher every day at 5:30 p.m." or "Alexa, remind me to take the trash out at 9 p.m. tomorrow." You can also add tasks to a To-do list to manage them and check them off as they're completed.

My ADHD brain is at its best when I use the Pomodoro time technique to get work done. I use Alexa to set a 25-minute focus timer followed by 5 minutes off to break and gather my thoughts. This breaks tasks into shorter, more manageable chunks so I can see the progress of putting clothes away or mopping one-half of the floor. Try saying “Alexa, set a 25-minute timer” or longer if you prefer to work for 45 minutes and take a 15-minute break.

Entertainment while cleaning

Beyond music, you can also ask Alexa to play your favorite audiobooks and podcasts to catch up on your backlog while you clean. If you have Echo devices sprinkled throughout your living space you can take advantage of Multi-room listening. you can play the same content throughout your home by saying "Alexa, play music everywhere." This comes in handy while I mop between rooms.

Monitor your air quality

Amazon's Smart Air Quality Monitor ($69, Amazon) relays indoor air quality in an easy-to-understand score. It breaks down humidity, harmful particles, and temperature to rate the quality of your environment. You can use it to kick off routines like turning on your Alexa-enabled devices such as air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and fans when the indoor air quality drops too low. In fact, Alexa can send you notifications on your phone or even announce a hazard on your Echo devices.

I bought one because I've been staying in an older apartment that stored heavy duty sanding machines and wood stain. Although I've cleaned it a few times, I continue to use this gadget to monitor the air particles and kick on my air purifier automatically when the air quality get too low. I just wish my window could be automated to open itself up.

Reorder cleaning supplies

If you notice you’re out of an essential like toilet paper or cleaning spray, you can say, "Alexa, reorder [item name]" or "Alexa, add [item name] to my shopping cart" and checkout when you’re ready. Alexa completes the entire process in just a few steps by voice so you can stay focused on the task at hand. You can also set up smart notifications and automatic reorders which allows Alexa to track and automatically reorder staple household items like plastic bags, laundry pods, soap, toilet paper, ink cartridges, and more.

If you've been around the smart home block long enough you may remember Amazon's Dash buttons. These physical buttons could be placed in your kitchen or bathroom to reorder frequently used supplies such as paper towels with a tap. The Echo makes things even simpler.

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Blink and Wyze make some of the best home security cameras we've tested. Both companies focus on affordable smart home devices, but Blink is owned by Amazon, whereas Wyze is a smaller, independent company. These brands have established a David and Goliath-like rivalry over the years to earn a place as the best budget security camera.

Both companies' flagship security cameras cost less than $50 and are IP65 weatherproof so they can be placed indoors or outside. The latest of these hybrid models is the Wyze Cam v4 and Blink Mini 2. Both cameras are useful additions to any home, but which you should buy comes down to the way you plan to use it and which smart home platform you use. Read on to see a breakdown of the features and costs of both to find which is the best fit for your smart home.

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Pricing

The Blink Mini 2 security camera comes in either black or white for $39. I recommend buying it with the outdoor power kit for $49 if you plan to use it outside. This will seal the rear port and the longer, tougher power cord better withstands the elements.

The Wyze Cam v4 comes in either white or light grey for $35. It ships with a weatherproof power connector installed right out of the box. 

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Subscription costs

To use all of the features of either camera — such as the ability to save videos in the cloud or enable person detection — you'll need to pony up for their respective subscriptions. 

Both Blink and Wyze will set you back $2.99 per month for a single-camera subscription, and $10 per month for an unlimited number of cameras — both are among the better security camera storage plans. However, Wyze only gives you 14 days of video history, while Blink offers 60 days. 

Winner: Blink

Blink Mini 2 vs Wyze Cam v4: Specs compared

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Design

Both the Blink Mini 2 and Wyze Cam v4 share a similar 2 x 2-inch cube body style. Both designs are weatherproof and allow the cameras to pivot along their bases to capture video at different angles. Both have the same hardware layout with a bright spotlight along the top, camera lens in the center, and speakers placed on their backside above the power port.

Blink's Mini 2 is a bit smaller and features a Go-Pro-like ball joint on its underside so it can pop on and off a base or sit flat. I like Wyze's design better since its base folds flat against the bottom of the cube and can be folded out to add height while you stand it up or install it on a wall.

Although you won't be able to remove the Wyze Cam v4 from its base, you won't want to. Its versatile magnetic design lets you instantly mount it in different places. I've moved it quickly between rooms using the metal corner bead of my walls or even the screws on an outdoor plant hanger as a contact point. Plus I don't have to swap power kits when I move it outside like you do with the Blink Mini 2 which is one less thing to worry about.

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Video quality

Blink's camera has a resolution of 1080p while Wyze has a sharper 1440p camera. And while resolution isn't always the end-all, be-all, in our side-by-side tests, we found that the Wyze Cam v4 delivered better images, both indoors and outside. 

When we took a photo of a bright window from indoors, the Blink camera focused on the sunlight, turning the entire room black. The Wyze camera overexposed the view through the window so we couldn't see what was going on outside, but it properly exposed things indoors.

Outside at night, the Wyze cam did a much better job of illuminating our backyard than the Blink; we could see our grass and outdoor equipment far more clearly on the Wyze camera. However, the Wyze camera has a much narrower field of view, at 116º to the Blink's 143º. 

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: App

Both security cameras have a similarly simple setup process that involves downloading the app and connecting to the cameras over Bluetooth. Then you just enter your Wi-Fi password and update both to their latest firmware. 

Blink's lightweight interface lacks ads and feels spacious since it's free from tips that clutter most camera app interfaces. You can easily see your devices, jump through event clips, and get into granular settings like motion sensitivity in just a press. Navigating these three tabs is simple and doesn't feel like its trying to upsell a device or subscription. 

Creating privacy or motion zones is equally easy on the Blink and Wyze apps because both use a grid system. You don't have to stretch the corners of shapes or draw barriers to ignore certain zones. You just tap grid points to activate the zones you want the camera to focus on and double tap the zones you want ignored.

On the other hand, the Wyze app is built for smart home power users. Its home page is streamlined with thumbnails from each of your devices. Above these sit rule buttons for one-touch routines. These include programs such as "I'm away" which arms all of your security cameras and locks your door. While helpful, these buttons and suggestions make the app feel much busier. Wyze also has dedicated sections for "Home Monitoring" and "New (products)". 

This home monitoring feature lets you arm or disarm the camera as an alarm system if you subscribe to the service. If the armed camera detects motion it will send the clip to a live agent who can dispatch emergency services on your behalf 24/7. This is helpful if you're away on vacation. With that said, this tab is useless if you don't pay for its subscription. Additionally, the shopping tab to buy other Wyze devices feels like unnecessary UI bloat. 

Winner: Blink Mini 2

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Features

The Wyze Cam v4 focuses on the most advanced AI-assisted security and smart home features. Its higher resolution and bigger sensor creates a smoother, more vibrant image that shows more detail. Blink's basic HD camera embraces simplicity so you can set and forget motion zones and only receive notifications when a person is detected. 

Person Detection
Both cameras are equipped with computer chips that can recognize and alert you to motion events triggered by a person. That way you won't have to receive a notification if an animal or swaying tree branch enter their view. Wyze takes things even further with package and vehicle recognition for more specific alert types.  

Subject tracking
Bink cameras do not track subjects. The Wyze Cam v4's highly intelligent Smart Focus feature zooms in and follows a person as they move around a space. This enhances your footage as it grabs more detail like the text on their shirt or tattoo design.

Custom motion zones

Both cameras make it easy to create custom motion zones to reduce unnecessary motion alerts. Both Blink and Wyze employ a grid system so you can easily tap on boxes to identify the sections you want the camera to ignore.

Trigger smart home routines
The Wyze camera can be used as a trigger for smart home automation. For example, if it detects you've entered a room it can turn on lights or raise your smart thermostat. The Blink Mini 2 is tied to the Alexa smart home, it can't be used to kick off automated actions in the same way.

Siren

Both cameras light up paths and deter thieves using the built-in spotlight which can be activated by motion or manual controls. Once again, Wyze takes things a step further with its 99-decibel siren that provides a loud shriek to alert neighbors and scare off trespassers.

Advanced Detection
The Wyze Cam can detect sounds like glass breaking, crying, talking, barks, or even gunshots. It also passively listens out for CO or smoke alarm beeps (standard T3 or T4 tones) and can alert you with a push notification if they go off while you're away from home. If you're subscribed to the Cam Plus plan you can also use Wyze's Friendly Faces feature to recognize up to 10 people. Registered faces will set off custom notifications that tell you exactly who set off what camera and where. 

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Smart home compatibility

Both the Blink Mini 2 and Wyze work with Alexa. Since Amazon owns Blink that's as far as the Mini 2 goes. Wyze's independence gives it an advantage as its more universal third-party approach can be used with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT for even more complex automation.

Wyze's Cam v4 can be used to trigger smart home devices and display live video feeds on more of the best smart displays and web browsers. The best Blink has outside of the Blink and Alexa apps are that it doubles as a doorbell chime for the Blink Video Doorbell which is admittedly quite handy.

Winner: Wyze Cam v4

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Overall Winner

The Wyze Cam 4's sharper image quality, advanced features like subject tracking, and more versatile placement options give it a clear edge over the Blink MIni 2. The Wyze Cam v4 is both cheaper and offers security help in way more scenarios thanks to its advanced sound detection and ability to connect to a 24/7 live agent (provided you pay the subscription fee). The Blink Mini 2 has a much more limited value, especially if you don't have an Amazon smart home.

With that said, the Blink Mini 2's cleaner app is much easier to use and integrates nicely with your Alexa smart home. These simplified controls make it the stronger option for someone who simply wants a camera to check up on your home. There's no artificial cooldown period between notifications, its timeline makes it easy to swipe between events, and you can quickly share captures if you get overwhelmed by tons of buttons or feature options. 

Ultimately, your choice comes down to what you're looking for in a security system. For top-of-the-line home management, you'll want to go with the Wyze Cam v4. But if you simply want to pop in on your home, quickly manage clips, or want a wider field of view then the Blink Mini 2 is the better option.

More from Tom's Guide

• Wyze Cam v4 review: The new king of budget security cameras
• Your Echo Show can be used as a security camera — here's how
• Best home security cameras

Amazon reigns king of the best smart displays we've tested. The brand's Echo Show lineup is perfect for watching shows, listening to music, and controlling a handful of the best smart home devices. These screens come in a variety of options that range from a 5-inch Echo Show 5 to the sizable Echo Show 15. But smart home management frequently takes a backseat to ad bloat and new content recommendations.

That's where the new Echo Hub smart home controller comes in. This Alexa smart display has a clean, completely customizable interface that consists of live widget panels front and center—so you can see multiple live camera feeds, the status of your home devices, and controls. Mount it to your wall like you would a smart thermostat or alarm panel and it'll show the time and your favorite photos from a distance. 

Both the Echo Show 8 and the Echo Hub smart displays are useful additions to any home, but which you should get comes down to the way you plan to use it and how many connected smart home devices you own. Read on to see a breakdown of the features and costs of both to find which is the best fit for you.

Echo Hub vs. Echo Show 8: Pricing and options

Editor's note: This section relies on the original pricing for all of the various smart displays, but prices tend to fluctuate due to frequent Amazon sales, which may make one smart display a better bargain than the other. 

Amazon's Echo Hub comes in just a single 8-inch model for $179.

The Echo Show lineup comes in four different options named after the size of their screen: the Echo Show 5 ($65), the Echo Show 8 ($149), the Echo Show 10 ($199), and the massive Echo Show 15 ($279).

For this showdown, we're going to compare the $179 Echo Hub to the Echo Show 8 $149, since they're the same size as well as most alike in price and features. 

Winner: Echo Show

Echo Hub vs. Echo Show 8: Specs compared

Echo Hub vs. Echo Show 8: Design

Amazon's Echo Hub is a sexy touchscreen panel that's both smaller and flatter than the Echo Show 8. The Echo Hub can be mounted flush against your wall, but it can be placed on a stand as well. By comparison, the Echo Show 8 is a relatively chunky device that needs to be placed on a surface such as a counter or a shelf. 

While both smart displays are equipped with vibrant 8-inch screens, the Echo Show's beefier 5-inch depth stores much stronger speakers that fill a room and support spatial audio. Unfortunately, this addition leaves a thick overhang out the back of the screen and prevents the device from being installed on a wall.

The Echo Show 8 comes in a black or white option versus the Echo Hub's single glacier white colorway, but the sleeker Echo Hub outshines it in terms of looks and versatility any day of the week.

Winner: Echo Hub

Echo Hub vs. Echo Show 8: Interface

Both smart displays have a similar setup process that involves authenticating the device with a code and then picking a background photo. That's where the shared user experience ends.

The Hub's lightweight interface is well spaced out and entirely customizable—you have your individual rooms and routines laid out in a list on the left hand side of the screen so you can quickly hop between them. Meanwhile, you can fill the screen's main section (center and right side) with dozens of widgets like a multicamera live feed and controls such as the temperature of a smart thermostat. You can add more widgets to the main screen and access them by scrolling to the right. Since you can arrange each widget block you can move less pressing information like the week's weather forecast further from the center of the screen. Along the bottom of the screen is individual device categories that you can reorganize.

On the other hand, Amazon's Echo Show is more locked down and filled with bloat. You can only add four tiny widget buttons at a time which you have to tap to access things like your top connections or controls for your favorite smart home devices. That's an added step to getting things done and the Show just feels busier at all times switching between a digital photo frame and billboard as you can see in the picture above.

Winner: Echo Hub

Echo Hub vs. Echo Show 8: Features

The Echo Hub focuses on smart home management with sacrifices that make it a less ideal lifestyle device for consuming media or making video calls, since it lacks decent speakers and a camera. 

When it comes to video performance both share an equivalently bright screen but the sound is much richer from the Echo Show. Plus, its built-in camera to act as a security system and center for video calls.

Video Calls
While both Echos can be used as a home intercom system to drop in on all of your other Echo devices, the Echo Show has a camera for two-way video calls. You can make video calls with it on Alexa or third-party platforms like Zoom. 

The Echo Hub doesn't have a camera at all; just a proximity and ambient light sensor to switch from a digital photo frame to a command center when you get close and ensure the screen brightness matches the environment.

Customizable Interface
The Echo Hub's highly customizable widget-based menu lets you put live information and interactive controls for your most important devices at your fingertips. These widgets are always in view so you can see if your front door's smart lock is active and track tasks with a calendar and to-do list. 

The Echo Show's main menu is a rotating carousel of visuals that switches between a digital photo frame and information that it cycles through. It squishes four widget buttons into the top right corner which is not only difficult to select these tiny options but adds a layer of friction to getting things done.

Trigger smart home routines
The Echo Show's camera can be used as a trigger for smart home automation. For example, if it detects you've entered a room it can turn on lights or raise your smart thermostat. The Echo Hub has a proximity sensor but can't be used as a trigger for smart home automation in the same way.

Spatial Audio
Sound on the Echo Hub is acceptable but falls flat and lacks bass entirely—Amazon encourages you to hand off music to your connected smart speaker or speaker group. The Echo Show has room-filling speakers with deep rumble, spatial audio to place layers in a space, and richer for a better overall media playback experience.

Eero Wi-Fi
Neither the Echo Hub nor Echo Show 8 have built-in Eero Wi-Fi support like the latest Echo Dot smart speakers. 

Winner: Echo Show

Echo Hub vs. Show: Smart home compatibility

Both the Echo Show and Echo Hub will run any Alexa smart home smoothly. The Echo Hub doubles down on being a smart home panel and hub.

They both act as capable smart home hubs with the addition of Zigbee, Thread and Matter. These protocols help you bolster your smart home without needing to setup individual device hubs, improving action speeds, and letting you still turn on your smart home devices when the internet service is off. Additionally, you can easily link new smart home gadgets by saying Alexa search for devices.

Yes, the Echo Show 8 can do almost everything the Hub can do, but some features give the Hub an advantage. For one, it can view up to six live cameras simultaneously. The Hub also acts as an alarm panel for arming or disarming the Ring security system, which the Echo Show lacks.

Winner: Echo Hub

Echo Hub vs. Show: Overall Winner

The Echo Show 8's more versatile tool set, like the ability to make video calls and act as both a security camera as well as automation trigger will give it the edge over the Echo Hub for most people. The Show fits into more scenarios whereas the Echo Hub has a much more limited value if you don't have a smart home kitted out with devices to control.

With that said, the Echo Hub's better smart home interface and controls make it the stronger option if you have anything more than just a handful of smart lights and plugs sprinkled throughout your home. Between a better design and a richer smart home experience that lets you quickly lower the temperature or dim the lights, the Hub is a streamlined device for a busy lifestyle. 

The best middle ground between both devices is the Echo Show 15, provided you have the space for it. This larger and more expensive Echo Show smart display blends the best of both devices with support for live widgets that are always on the screen as well as a full Fire TV interface into a package that can double as a TV in your kitchen or office. It can even be wall-mounted to boot. However, its speakers are arguably not as good as the Echo Show 8's.

Ultimately, your choice comes down to what you're looking for in a smart display; if smart home device management is your biggest concern, then go with Echo Hub over the Echo Show. But if you want something that doubles as an entertainment device, the Echo Show 8 is the better pick.

More from Tom's Guide

• Amazon Echo Hub review: A great Alexa smart home controller
• 15 best Alexa widgets to use on your Amazon Echo Show
• Best home security cameras

If you own more than a handful of smart home devices, then you know it can be a total PITA to manage them all. Amazon’s Echo Hub aims to streamline your controls as the ultimate command center for your Alexa smart home. Its vibrant 8-inch screen can be mounted to your wall or placed on a stand to quickly show you the status of your connected devices, live security camera feeds, and real-time widgets at a glance. I’ve been using it for the past week to control dozens of the best smart home devices I have installed throughout my home, and it does the job as advertised.

But with the Echo Show 8 offering stellar value and the Echo Show 15 providing the large shared family hub experience, where does the Echo Hub fit in? And how much better is its smart home management experience? Here’s how it performs and where it sits among the best smart displays we’ve tested.

Amazon Echo Hub review: Price and availability

The Amazon Echo Hub is available on Amazon for $179.99 and comes in a single Glacier White colorway.

Amazon Echo Hub review: Design

The Echo Hub’s body leans a bit thick at 0.6 inches, which is the size of two Google Pixel Tabs pressed together. Its all-white body looks and feels premium with a sleek glass finish over the touchscreen display.

This display features a proximity sensor on top that uses infrared technology to detect when someone is nearby to naturally transition from a screen with a clock and photo display (selected from curated backgrounds or personal photos) to a smart home control panel. Though the 8-inch screen is rather smaller, it’s still sharp enough to see time, weather and photos from across the room. 

The display is powered by an included 6-foot USB-C wire, which plugs into the single port on the back. There’s a cavernous cut-out with clips on the back to wrap the additional cord length around so you can neatly mount the Hub to your wall where it looks like a smart thermostat or alarm panel. That said, you can purchase a stand separately if you imagine you’ll be moving the Echo Hub around your home. 

Physical buttons rest along the right-hand side and include volume up, down and a mute switch for the four-microphone array, which is pretty standard fare for an Echo device. Audio comes out from the top of the Hub out of dual stereo speakers. It sounds crisp enough, even at loud volumes, but you’re not getting any form of bass with this device. Amazon makes it clear that this isn’t a media-first device and emphasizes this point within the its “Active Media” tab that nudges you to share your sound to your preferred connected Alexa smart speaker or your whole-home audio group instead.

Amazon Echo Hub review: Alexa and Smart Home Features

Once you plug in your Echo Hub, it asks to connect to Wi-Fi so that you can sign into your Amazon account. This will sync your existing Alexa smart home devices and room groupings with the Hub. After set up, you’ll see the Echo Hub is much different from the media-focused Echo Shows. The Echo Hub’s main menu is a simple, well-thought-out smart home dashboard with panels and shortcuts that neatly organizes your rooms and routines on the left side in a list. You can effortlessly tap between the panels and live widget titles. By default, the widget collection includes a multi-camera live view, a grouping of devices for the room the Echo Hub is placed in, and a device favorites tab. This provided quick access to my most- used devices like the Switchbot attached to my garage door opener to open up for my truck each morning.

Device categories are always in view since this bar lives along the bottom of the screen. That way you can quickly jump into your smart lights, plugs, locks, the list goes on. You can organize how you want your rooms to be listed, move widgets around the screen, and access the Amazon Widget Gallery to add things like your to-do to the view. Everything is so cleanly laid out that even if you want to add a widget for recent deliveries or music recommendations, they don’t bombard you as they do on Echo Show and keep your smart devices at the forefront of the experience.

The Echo Hub is a built-in smart home hub, too. It supports Bluetooth, Matter, Thread, and Zigbee so it's almost universally compatible with a wide variety of existing smart home devices and more to come. 

I had no problem connecting to my older Zigbee smart lock and smart plugs and this mesh protocol is just nice to have since it lets you control devices locally even if the internet goes down. What I found super cool is the way it streamlines pairing a new device. From a Sengled smart light to a mix of the best smart plugs, I just had to say “Alexa discover my devices” to see them pop up on the screen and could add them into the mix quickly with a press.

Amazon Echo Hub review: Performance

Throughout the week the Echo Hub naturally fit into my everyday routines. I used it primarily as an intercom to drop in on my other Echo smart speakers to check in on my younger sisters as I cooked. As I typed away at my dining room table I could see who was at the door through my Ring Video Doorbell Pro plus know exactly when packages were getting delivered. Even something as simple as toggling down my smart thermostat felt smooth because the animated buttons were right there in plain view rather than asking or jumping through hoops to reach it. Plus I added extra functionality by accessing Amazon’s widget gallery to add the Sticky Notes app to make reminders that sit on the screen.

On other Echo Shows the Hub’s size or smaller, widgets are squished into buttons you have to tap on to expand. I was pleased to see Amazon make the most of the screen—live widgets are the reason I like the Echo Show 15 so much. They make operating your smart home seamless by leaving multiple apps open and running so I can simply drag down the light brightness slider on the fly, adjust light colors, or dial in my smart thermostat without hopping through menus. There’s no perceptible delay when I input these actions and the Hub almost feels like a hardwired switch connected directly to the bulbs or the actual smart thermostat itself. 

Its new MediaTek processor is snappy—asking Alexa questions like what time it is or the weather nets you an immediate answer. This also applies to how fast the assistant applies actions, with Alexa turning on the lights within a second of receiving the request. Even taxing activities like hopping between multiple live Ring camera feeds felt buttery smooth and they looked great even when zooming in. 

Amazon Echo Hub review: Verdict

This Echo control panel is worth the price for any Alexa smart home and a great choice for those who want an Alexa-powered smart display with the live widgets of the bulky Echo Show 15 without the size. The streamlined and hyper-customizable dashboard puts every aspect of your smart home at your fingertips, and its versatile connectivity as a home hub means it can connect to thousands of devices effortlessly. 

If you’re not someone with a home decked out in security cameras or care more about media playback, then this might not be the best smart display for you. However, the live widgets, ease of kicking off routines, and quick access to devices makes managing my smart home so much easier to the point that I want two more Hubs, one for my bedroom and another for my kitchen at all times. This could be even cooler if Amazon let you mount it between wall panels in rooms or dock it to a speaker system like the Google Pixel tablet. Still this first pass feels great to use and is easily one of the more exciting smart home devices of the year.

More from Tom's Guide

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As any parent will tell you, babies cry a lot. In times gone by, the solution was to interrupt your precious sleep (yet again), to go and sing them a lullaby.

Well, it's 2024 now, which means that tech is here to help. Specifically, Amazon Echo devices, which have a feature that will detect when your baby cries and automatically play soothing sounds like lullabies to send them back to sleep. That way, if it isn't serious (which as a parent, you'll know best) you can get back to your own vital rest.

This is very similar to Alexa's ability to detect your dog barking while you're out and play sounds to soothe them. Just like that feature, it's easy to set up baby crying detection, although there are quite a few steps which we'll guide you through here. It's features like these — designed to make your life easier — that help make Echo devices some of the best smart speakers around.

Without further ado, let's look at how to set up baby crying detection on your Amazon Echo device.

How to set up baby crying detection and automatic lullabies on Amazon Echo devices

This feature uses your Echo device's microphone, so it should work on pretty much all devices, from the Echo Pop to the very latest Echo Show 8.

If you want to read more Echo-themed tutorials, check out our guides on how to use Alexa as secret security camera, how to set up motion detection on your Echo device and how to see and delete your Alexa recordings.

Google Assistant has scrapped more than a dozen of its more "underutilized" features in the new year, and the culling's latest victim appears to be the best Samsung TVs. Samsung confirmed this week that it's winding down support for the search giant's virtual assistant, and Google Assistant will soon no longer be available on its line of smart TVs, including existing models. 

On a Samsung support page, the company said that, as of March 1, Google Assistant functionality will be removed from all compatible devices:

"Due to a change in Google's policy, Google Assistant will no longer be available on Samsung TVs beginning March 1st, 2024. Check out other options for voice assistants on Samsung TVs."

The sets affected by this change include all 2022 and 2021 smart TV models, 2020 8K and 4K QLED TVs, 2020 Crystal UHD TVs, and 2020 Lifestyle TVs. Users who wish to keep using a voice assistant on these TVs will have to switch over to available alternatives like Samsung's own virtual assistant Bixby or Amazon Alexa. Check out our guide on how to connect your Samsung TV to Alexa if you need help making the switch. 

While Samsung cites a “change in Google’s policy” that prevents continued support for Assistant, it's not entirely clear what the South Korean manufacturer is referring to. Google Assistant is available on just about all Android TV and Google TV products, and beginning in 2020, Samsung announced it was bringing support to its TV sets as well. However, starting last year, Samsung began moving away from Google Assistant, as functionality suddenly disappeared from Samsung's 2023 lineup of smart TVs without explanation. 

One possible reason could be that Google is overhauling its virtual assistant with better generative AI support. So Google Assistant as we know it could look very different after its AI glow-up.  In March, Google reportedly plans to integrate Assistant with its large language model chatbot Bard, enabling users to access all the functionality of Bard's web version by just saying "Hey, Google." 

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Amazon has been working on an upgraded version of Alexa that will allow you to hold a natural conversation, similar to the way ChatGPT works — but it will reportedly come at a cost.

Alexa Plus is expected to launch later this year, a new version of the voice assistant built on a large language model similar to Microsoft Copilot or Google Bard.

To cover the increased cost of running generative AI at scale Amazon is expected to charge a monthly subscription, according to a report by Business Insider. No details on pricing have been revealed.

The company already has a raft of subscription products including Prime, Kids+ and Kindle Unlimited, so this plan is likely to work in a similar way.

What do we know about Alexa Plus?

In September Amazon held an Alexa event where it revealed it was working on a serious upgrade for Alexa that would use generative AI to give it better reasoning and communication abilities.

One of the more significant changes, beyond being able to hold a conversation, will be its ability to recognize the difference between taking a pause and actually being finished with the request.

The company has been testing this version of Alexa on 15,000 users across the U.S. and dubbed it “Remarkable Alexa” due to its communication skills.

With the announcement, Amazon also unveiled new developer tools that allowed for the launch of Alexa Skills built on a large language model. The first of those launched last week included on to make music from a simple voice prompt.

Why charge for AI?

Artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, isn’t cheap. Running these large language models currently requires significant compute resources. 

Alexa currently uses a form of natural language AI that relies on specific datasets that it can draw on to respond, such as contributor answers or Wikipedia. The next version of the assistant will be built on generative AI technology.

Companies like Microsoft are now charging for Copilot Pro and Google is expected to launch a paid version of Bard this year. 

Disagreements over the direction

To build the large language model, integrating with third-party services and the new approach to voice assistance, Amazon is said to be creating an entirely new technology stack with a more centralized structure.

The report from Business Insider suggests there is some disagreement between the team that built the original Alexa and those assigned to create Alexa Plus.

The older team wants to keep elements of their work in Alexa going forward but that is causing a bloat to the technology and leading to undesirable results.

Whatever approach ends up winning through, it is certain we will see the rise of a new generation of premium voice assistants this year. Apple is likely launching its own Siri GPT at WWDC and Google is adding Bard to Assistant. 

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Amazon announced it would allow developers to incorporate large language models into skills for Alexa late last year. 

The first three to launch include a customizable character chatbot, a 20-question game and a music creation tool called Splash Music.

There will be more AI-based games and activities on the smart assistant in future, and Amazon is giving Alexa itself a ChatGPT-style personality later this year. For now I decided to take a closer look at making music with Alexa.

How to use Alexa to make music

Splash Music is an Australian AI startup available through a range of services including Discord, Roblox and as a pro tool online. It is also a new AI skill for Alexa, allowing you to talk your way into a song. This is how it works.

You now know how to use Alexa to make music. If you'd like to see more ways you can use AI, we have plenty of tutorials to help. Check out our guides on how to use ChatGPT, how to create your own chatbot with ChatGPT, how to use Microsoft Copilot on iPhone and iPad, and how to use Google Bard AI to plan a vacation.

Next: Your iPhone could have a hidden AI camera built into the Magnifier app — here's how to find out and use it

Amazon has announced several new Alexa skills built using generative AI. Confirmed at CES 2024 the new tools include custom chatbots, music creation and an immersive quiz.

The new skills are part of a bigger change to the Alexa ecosystem including a new version of the voice assistant coming later this year built on a large language model. This is the same technology that powers OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Alexa isn’t the only voice assistant getting a large language model upgrade. All of the big voice assistant providers are integrating large language models.

Apple is rumored to be working towards a WWDC launch for Siri 2.0 and Google is close to releasing a version of Assistant with Bard integrated. Even OpenAI is looking to launch ChatGPT as a voice assistant.

What are the new Alexa AI skills?

In September last year, Amazon gave developers the ability to add large language model-based experiences to their own Alexa skills. The first of those are now ready to be used.

All of the new generative AI skills first warn the user it makes use of artificial intelligence and responses can’t be guaranteed as accurate. However, they’re easy to access and even easier to use once enabled.

Check out our CES 2024 hub for all the latest news from the show as it happens. Follow the Tom’s Guide team in Las Vegas as we cover everything AI, as well as the best new TVs, laptops, fitness gear, wearables and smart home gadgets at the show.

And be sure to check out the Tom's Guide TikTok channel for all the newest videos from CES!

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If you just received a new set of smart light bulbs or want to unlock the full potential of your existing setup, then you've come to the right place. Smart lights are some of the most popular smart home devices—they're affordable, easy to install, and streamline your everyday life. However, there's a lot more you can do than simply power them on or off with your voice or schedule what times they should be in use.

Hop into your smart home platform of choice and you can program your lights to respond to certain triggers. For example, you can have your lights automatically flash or change colors as a response to someone walking past a motion sensor. Dive a bit deeper and you can even have your lights react to live information such as the progress of a football game. Below you'll find five bright ideas to get more out of your smart lights.

Wake up to a gentle sunrise effect

Using your smart home platform's automation tool — such as an Alexa skill — create a routine that turns on your bedroom's smart light bulbs at one percent a few minutes before you normally wake up. Next, set their brightness to gradually increase to full power by the time your alarm goes off. For example, if you wake up at 8 A.M. you can have your lights turn on at their minimum brightness level at 7:45 A.M. and ramp up to 100 percent by the time you need to get up. This gentle lighting effect mimics a natural sunrise and slowly eases you into your day. It's far more pleasant than a blaring alarm and is cheaper than buying a sunrise alarm clock. At night you can even create a wind-down routine that slowly turns your lights off with a sunset effect.

Sync your smart lights to sporting events

You can use live sports games as a trigger to switch colors when a game is about to begin, at halftime, or when a game ends. For example, when a game starts you can have the lights all over your house flash your team's color or have your smart speaker blow a whistle at halftime. The Alexa app makes this as easy as selecting the "Sports" trigger, picking the team you want to follow, and deciding on what points of the game you want your lights to act on. If you really want to dive into the weeds, you can use an advanced smart home platform like IFTTT to program bulbs and light strips to flash or change colors when a team scores. For example, the NHL has an open API that can act as a trigger to tell your lights to fade in and flash colors when a goal is scored in real-time.

Turn lights on and off while you're away to appear home

If your smart home platform or lighting app has an away mode, you can activate it to have your smart lights automatically cycle on and off in different rooms to make them appear occupied. This security feature is an excellent deterrent to ward off potential thieves while you're away from your property. You can also use your smart home's scheduling features to manually control each light.

Visualize your notifications

You can work your lights into your existing notification routines. For example, I've created an automation that plays a sound, sends me a notification, and turns my lights green when my laundry machine completes a cycle to tell me to take out the wet clothes. Or if you stick a motion sensor in your mailbox you can have your lights turn colors and flash to let you know mail has arrived.

Set the mood for the holidays with festive colors

One of the easiest ways to celebrate the holidays is to adjust the color of your lighting to match. While it's easy to set and forget your smart lights in an ambient white light mode, even today's budget bulbs are multicolored for a variety of options. During the winter you can give rooms a warm green and red glow. Or for the Fourth of July, you may have red, white, and blue lighting throughout your home.

More from Tom's Guide

• Best smart speakers
• Best Alexa skills
• Best smart lights

If you're like me, and have dozens of the best smart home devices in your house, it can be a PITA to manage them all from a crowded list in the Alexa app. Amazon's new Map View feature makes finding and controlling these gadgets easier by using your phone's camera to accurately scan your home and create a digital floor plan from the Alexa app. You can then drag and drop your devices (represented by pins) atop this map to mark their exact placement in your rooms to control them with a tap. 

Map View's streamlined interface feels fresh and is easy to use — giving Alexa an edge over the device grids you'll find in Google Home and Apple HomeKit. With Map View I don't have to scroll through text or guess which smart light "Bulb 7" is — I can simply tap on the specific bulb I want to operate and dim its brightness instantly. And when I need to view a live security camera feed I can click on it to open directly into it. 

Map View rolls out for everyone later this year, but I've been using it for a little over two weeks and have been impressed for the most part.

After opening the Alexa app and selecting the "My Devices" tab, you'll find the Map View button (indicated by a pin) in the top right corner of the screen. Click it and select which floor level you'll be scanning (the feature supports multiple levels, so you can stack your basement, ground floor, and upstairs then switch between them with a press.) You'll need a LiDAR-enabled Apple phone or tablet (Pro models of the iPhone 12 and newer or a fourth-gen iPad Pro or newer) to kick off your scan.

To get started, I used an iPhone 14 Pro to capture my 600-square-foot open living room. The process is simple; your rear camera view will be displayed on the screen as if you're taking a video or picture. As you pan your phone around, the depth sensor can detect surfaces and overlays virtual white lines atop your real walls, floor, and furniture on the screen. At the bottom of your phone's display, you'll see a 3D model showing your scan progress, which gets more fleshed out as you move around.

I was impressed by how quickly and accurately Map View rendered furniture and detected the doorways in my space. It was also spot-on with window measurements, even with objects sitting on their sills and an overhead air conditioning unit in the way. Once I finished this initial room scan, I hit the finish button and then stood in the doorway of the next room to stitch it onto the diagram.

In under ten minutes, I not only scanned each room of my home but dragged and dropped my smart lights, security cameras, and smart thermostat onto this personalized floor plan. Map View is so detailed that it even captures furniture sitting atop your surfaces, like the dual monitor setup I had on my desk. Should you decide to shake up a room's layout in the future, the scan process is painless. You can add or remove devices easily and move them around by pressing down on their icon. 

Opening into Map View and seeing the status of my smart home devices from where they're placed in a room feels much more intuitive than the tedious grid or lists of other platforms. Rather than scrolling through my sloppy collection of unnamed smart lights such as "Bulb 9" (I've tested a bunch of smart light brands over the years, sue me) to turn off the overhead light in my kitchen, I can simply swipe to it, pinch to zoom into the bulb, and tap on it to control it directly. Plus, I can see live information like the current temperature of my smart thermostat, the status of my smart lock, and which lights are turned on at a glance.

Map View is the start of an exciting new era for the Alexa smart home platform that not only looks great but greatly improves usability. However, it is limited to owners of recent iPhone and iPad Pro models at the moment. While Android devices like the Samsung S20-series have LiDAR sensors, they cannot use Map View. 

And while it would seem like a no-brainer that Map View would be a perfect fit on Amazon's Echo Show smart display or Fire TV screen, it is currently locked to the mobile app. Map View should be available on the Alexa Echo Hub when that device launches (its Amazon listing says "coming soon!"), and we'd be surprised if Amazon didn't roll it out to its other Alexa smart displays, too. 

We're looking forward to testing the feature out more, especially as its made available to more devices and smartphones.

More from Tom's Guide

• Best Alexa skills
• 10 things you didn't know the Echo Show could do
• By the way, did you know Alexa's annoying suggestions can be turned off?

This week I learned one simple phrase that eliminates my biggest frustration with Amazon's Alexa devices, and today I'm going to teach it to you.

See, for years I've been trying to figure out how to stop Amazon's chatty smart speakers from bugging me with additional suggestions after you ask them to do something. Ask for an update on the weather, a package delivery or the definition of a word and often as not Alexa will answer, then throw in an extra “by the way, did you know I can…” suggestion advertising another feature or service.

I'm sure some people find this helpful, but I hate it. When I bought a cheap Amazon Echo Dot in 2020 for basic tasks like setting timers, playing music and answering questions, I felt like I got a great deal. Sure, I had an Amazon device listening to me at all times, but it's in the kitchen and if Bezos & Co. want to listen in on my cooking playlists they're more than welcome. I figured the small sacrifice of privacy was worth it to get one of the best cheap smart home devices on the market.  

But then the annoying suggestions started. I initially found them harmless, even cute in a way, but the charm soon wore off. Pretty quickly I found myself shouting at this cheap little orb to shut the hell up on a regular basis, much to the chagrin of my neighbors next door.

Of course, like any good Millennial I immediately turned to the Internet for help. Multiple times over the past few years I've tried to research how to turn these annoying Alexa suggestions off, but until this week I never found the right answer. Instead, I'd find guides outlining how to diminish these suggestions by disabling various features and notifications in the Alexa mobile app. 

So at various times in the past I've hopped into that app and scrolled through every single menu looking for any setting I can tweak to stop Alexa's nagging. And while there are a lot of potentially unwanted behaviors you can put an end to via that app, the "By the way, did you know..." suggestions were never one of them. At least, I never managed to figure out how to stop them—until now. And all I had to do was ask an Amazon representative for the answer.

The solution, as it turns out, is simple: You just need to say "Alexa, stop by the way" and your device should stop it immediately. 

I know because I tried it, and sure enough the little smart speaker chirped back "Sure! I'll avoid sending follow-up suggestions in the future," which was music to my ears.

According to Amazon, this won't just turn the feature off for a little while or diminish the frequency of suggestions, either—it should stop them for good. 

However, note that this only disables the "by the way" follow-up suggestions. If you want to quiet other Alexa notifications, do things like disable Alexa's invasive Drop In feature or delete Alexa's recordings of you you'll still need to dig into the Alexa app's labyrinthine settings menus.

But now, after years of frustration, I can finally rest easy knowing the most annoying feature of my little Echo Dot has been silenced for good.

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• 25 funny Amazon Alexa tricks and Easter eggs
• Your Amazon Echo Show can be used as a secret security camera — here’s how to set it up

Amazon is keen to get its new Echo Frames onto early adopters' faces. The company is offering a $75 discount on all three styles.

That means you can buy the prescription-ready frames for $195 instead of $270, the blue light filtering models for $225 rather than $300, or the sunglasses for $255 instead of $330. All three have square or circular designs to choose from, and are available in a handful of different colors. 

Like previous models, Amazon’s take on smart glasses don’t try to emulate Google Glass by putting a screen on your face, nor Meta by letting you record your surroundings. Instead, Echo Frames bring Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant to your face, letting you ask questions, control your smart home or play audio from your phone via the tiny built-in speakers.

Of course, early adoption comes with risks and Amazon doesn’t say exactly how long the introductory pricing will last for. While it’s sensible to see what the critics say, our own Kate Kozuch’s Echo Frames 3 hands-on review suggests they’re firmly a step in the right direction. 

For starters, the company has made great progress in terms of hiding tech in plain sight. While early editions looked like a cross between a computer and Dollar-store frames, these pass far more convincingly as regular glasses with slimmed-down temples and a generally more understated design.

As well as feeling a bit lighter and more balanced, Amazon has also introduced multi-point pairing. The idea here is that you can jump between your phone, laptop, smart speaker or tablet without having to reconnect every time. 

In our short hands-on time, we weren’t able to put the battery through its paces, though Amazon is promising improved battery life with 40% more continuous media playback and 80% more talk time. And while we could give the speakers a listen, the noisy preview environment was such that we could really only conclude that the bass is improved. 

But if you’re concerned about bothering neighbors, you’re right to be. Even in said demo area, our test music was clear enough for those nearby to identify the song in question. So not one for public transport, then.

All the same, early impressions point to a big improvement over the previous generation, which got a middling 3.5 stars in our Echo Frames 2 review. “The Echo Frames need to sound a lot better before I’d shell out $250,” concluded our U.S. Editor-in-Chief, Mike Prospero. We’ll find out if the third generation gets our seal of approval soon.

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• YouTube is getting its own AI chatbot — what you need to know

I've spent the past few years reviewing the latest gadgets ranging from the best laptops to the best TVs. However, the budget-friendly Echo Show 5 remains one of the most used tools in my collection, and is one of the best smart displays. This compact smart display fits neatly into any space it’s placed in and adds a new point in a room from where you can pull up music and TV shows, check the day’s schedule, or run tasks such as a timer. 

Versatility like this makes the Echo Show 5 as essential in my kitchen cooking workflow as it is in my office as a secondary live dashboard screen for the time, weather, and video calls. Yet these examples only scratch the surface of what this table-side tablet is capable of.

Take a look at some of the ways I use the Echo Show 5 below to see how you can enhance your own smart home whether that be with a discrete intercom system in each room or bolstering your home security setup. These tips apply to the Echo Show 5

Scan barcodes and items to easily track and restock

Most Echo Show owners I talk to aren't aware that saying “Alexa, scan” activates the Echo Show’s built-in camera. Whether you want to add an item to your shopping list or just check its price, simply line up the product’s barcode with the rectangular overlay that pops up on the screen. Your Echo Show can add the scanned item to your cart or a specific list for effortless reordering.

Scanning isn’t just geared towards shopping. Additionally saying “Alexa, what am I holding” can identify an item in your hand. For example, I rotated a can of Pam cooking spray in the camera’s view and the Show gave me a detailed readout of the product. This feature is a boon for the visually impaired.

Manage your home security system

Although the Echo Show 5 has just 5.5-inches of screen real estate, it can still function as a smart home security center. You can control and view the feeds from some of the best home security cameras and video doorbells. And when you're away, it can cycle your smart light bulbs to make your house appear occupied with the "Alexa, turn on away lighting" command. 

Alexa Emergency Assist is an optional security feature that you can subscribe to for $5.99 per month. This service allows you to request emergency services from any Echo device with the phrase "Alexa, call for help" as well as notifies you if alarms such as smoke or carbon monoxide detectors go off. If you have basic detectors this can inform you and help you respond to an emergency without swapping out hardware. To check out the service hit the "More" button in the bottom right corner of the Alexa app, and select "Emergency Assist" from the settings dashboard.

Create a home intercom system

The Echo Show 5 punches well above its affordable price thanks to the built-in camera that makes it ideal for checking in on kids (or as a pet monitor), telling a family member in their office that dinner is done, or announcing that a guest has arrived. Amazon's Drop-In feature works on all Echo devices to instantly connect you to other Alexa-enabled devices in your home. It supports both audio and video calling, and you can even use it remotely from your phone when you're away from home for a modern room-to-room intercom setup. 

To use this feature from an Echo Show, tell Alexa to drop in on the name of the Echo device you’d like to communicate with. If you'd like to view the Show’s camera from your phone, open the Alexa app and hit the "Communicate" tab indicated by the icon that looks like a message. You can navigate this section to pick the specific device you want a live view of then select the "Drop-In" camera button located at the top of the page. Not only is this an affordable way to keep an eye on rooms in your home but uploading some photos to the Amazon Photos cloud turns the Echo Show 5 into one of the best digital picture frames you can buy.

Add a smart dashboard to any desktop

My Echo Show 5 is an office essential—its main screen shows my work calendar, to-do list, and serves as a separate space for video meetings to free up my primary computer monitor. When I need to relax I can easily pull up my favorite music or TV shows. Hell, it can even give me a live feed of up-to-the-minute sports scores when I'm working late.

When I need to manage my smart home there's a dedicated dashboard that neatly displays all of my connected devices like cameras, lights, and my smart thermostat so that I can monitor and control them with a tap. Whether it's adjusting the color of a smart light bulb or dragging the temperature dial of my smart thermostat this is beyond nice to have. You can open up this dashboard by saying “Alexa, show me my Smart Home dashboard” or by swiping right from the main screen and hitting the Smart Home shortcut.

Make video calls, audio calls, and find your phone

You can use the Echo Show 5's built-in camera to video chat across platforms with services like Skype and Zoom or directly with another Echo Show owner using the Alexa calling app. Amazon's video chatting service is cross-platform so if you call someone who is away from their Alexa devices they can still take calls from their phone through the Alexa mobile app. For non-Amazon calls just tell Alexa to open the compatible service you need to use. 

The Alexa Calling feature uses your existing mobile number and contacts to convert your Echo Show into a phone capable of dialing out. Simply open the Alexa app on your phone, click the "Communicate" tab on the bottom of the screen, then register your phone number. Once added, you will receive a verification text message with a code. Use this code to authorize and enroll in the free program to start making calls from your Echo devices. 

Alexa Calling also comes in handy because it can help find your phone: Say "Alexa, find my phone" and it will ring your cell so you can keep an ear out to listen for a ringtone or vibration.

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• This one feature makes the Amazon Echo Show 15 the best TV for sports
• Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review: A better Alexa smart display
• I added a smart display under my monitor and it's changed the way I work

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) may very well be the upgrade you’ve been waiting for with an improved design, a faster processor and finally, a centered camera. This 8-inch smart display offers the perfect middle ground for those who think the Echo Show 5 is too small but don’t have the space for the Echo Show 10 in their kitchen or bedroom. It’s also one of the best Alexa devices for dropping in on loved ones, thanks to its auto-framing 13MP camera that’s now directly above the screen instead of off to the right side.

With this latest generation, Amazon has brought over some of the best features from its larger sibling like the Echo Show 15’s Fire TV integration and home screen widgets. In fact, you can now watch more than 400 live and ad-supported video channels right on the Echo Show 8 in addition to Amazon Prime Video and some of the best streaming services. Besides these new features, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) can also serve as a smart home hub with Zigbee, Thread and Matter support built-in while its new processor improves local smart home requests like asking to turn on one of the best smart lights by 40%. It costs a bit more than its predecessor at $149.99 but there are enough improvements to justify the higher price,

Our Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review will help you decide if this is the best smart display for your home and whether or not it’s worth upgrading from a previous generation.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review: Price and availability

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is available in either Charcoal or Glacier White directly from Amazon for $149.99. However, for those with older family members or relatives, there’s also a version that comes with a subscription to Alexa Emergency Assist ($5.99 per month) for $156. Both configurations come with the device itself, a 30W power adapter with a 4.9ft cord and a quick start guide.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review: Design and display

At 7.9 x 5.5 x 4.2 inches, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) actually has a slightly larger footprint than its predecessor even though it doesn’t seem that way thanks to its new, more streamlined design. The large hump at the back of the device has been trimmed down, which allows its 8-inch, edge-to-edge glass display to stand out more prominently. The edges of the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)’s display are also now curved instead of straight.

The buttons at the top of the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) have been changed as well to accommodate its centered 13MP front-facing camera. To the left of the camera’s privacy shutter, there’s a mute switch while its volume up and volume down buttons are on the right. Likewise, all of these buttons are now wider and pill shaped, which makes them easier to both find and press.

While the original Echo Show 8 and its predecessor both had a micro USB port next to the power port, it’s been removed in the third-gen model. If you’re wondering what this port was for, it was included for micro USB to Ethernet adapters for those without one of the best Wi-Fi routers. Although small, this change certainly helps make the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) look a lot more modern.

At the base of the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), the anti-slip rubber has been trimmed down and there are now several small feet to provide better airflow to the underside of the smart display. Likewise, all of the regulatory information is now on the device itself, instead of printed on the rubber.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review: Camera features

Even though the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) still has the same 13MP camera as its predecessor, the placement of the camera has been changed to make video calling and taking photos more natural. Now with the camera centered in the middle of the device, you can look right at the screen instead of slightly off to the right like you had to with the previous generation.

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) also retains its digital pan-and-zoom abilities which can be quite useful if you have the smart display set up in the kitchen and are making video calls while cooking. The camera also has a wide field of view which is great for capturing more of the scene behind you.

When I tested Amazon’s Drop In feature for video calls, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) did an excellent job of following my movements as I walked around the room. In fact, even when I was quite far away from the device (more than 15 feet), it was able to keep me in the shot and follow me around. On the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)’s home screen, there’s also a new Top Connections widget which you can use to quickly find your favorite devices and contacts to drop in on. If you want to make video calls to friends and family that don’t have an Echo Show though, don’t worry as you can connect your Skype account from within the Alexa app.

Besides making video calls, you can also use the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)’s camera for taking selfies and as a photo booth. I really like using the photo booth feature to take pictures with my son; in addition to single shots, you can also take a Four Shot just like in a real photo booth. All of the pictures taken by your Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) are then automatically uploaded to Amazon Photos and you can look at them on your smart display or on your computer or phone.

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)’s picture quality is also quite good as you can see in the selfie above. My face is lit well and you can make out the details in my beard and hair. While you can’t see them clearly, it’s obvious that there are pictures in the frames on top of the shelf at the bottom left corner of the frame. While you’re more likely to take out one of the best camera phones for taking photos, it’s nice that you can use the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) to take some quick snaps in a pinch.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review: Sound quality

The previous Echo Show 8 did a good job of playing music from either Amazon Music or from the best music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music. If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber though, it’s worth noting that you can listen to Amazon Music’s full catalog for free on the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) without having to sign up for Amazon Music Unlimited. However, there are skip limits and you can only listen on one device at a time.

During testing, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) was able to put out room-filling sound despite its small size. Amazon made some upgrades to the device’s speakers and they now feature two 2-inch full range neodymium drivers with a passive bass radiator. The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) also comes equipped with the company’s own spatial audio and room adaption tech, which automatically analyzes the acoustics of the room the device is placed in.

While listening to the Spanish version of Hotel California by the Gipsy Kings, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) sounded crisp and it was easy to make out the lyrics and the strum of the guitar. I was also impressed by just how much bass the upgraded version of this 8-inch smart display was able to put out.

Still though, there are better-sounding smart speakers from Amazon like the Echo Studio or the Sonos Era 100 if you just want to listen to music. However, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) does a great job of giving you the smart display experience while still getting quite loud.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review: Alexa and smart home features

When you’re not using the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) for video chats or listening to music, you can use it for in-home communications or to control the best Alexa compatible devices. Thanks to the new spoken language understanding model this device is running, Alexa can now process your queries and smart home requests even faster. In fact, local smart home responses like asking the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) to turn off a light are now 40% faster than they were on the previous gen smart display.

If you don’t want to use your voice, you can tap on the smart display and drag your finger down from the top of the screen to access the Smart Home menu. Here, you’ll find all of the devices you’ve added to Favorites along with tabs at the top for Groups, Lights, Plugs and Cameras. This is quite useful if you want to check on your security cameras or quickly turn your smart lights on or off.

Another big upgrade with the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is that you now have access to the same Widget Gallery available on the Echo Show 15. On the device’s smaller 8-inch screen, you can up to three widgets shown on your home screen at the same time. From the weather to your shopping list to sticky notes, there are a lot of different widgets to try out and with the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)’s new Adaptive Content home screen experience, every member of your household can customize their own widgets.

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is also quite useful in the kitchen. For instance, you can ask Alexa to pull up recipes, play videos, set timers, make shopping lists and order things through Amazon Prime. Personally, I really liked how I could pull up a video feed of the local news while washing dishes to make my time spent doing chores pass a bit quicker.

Speaking of the local news, it and other live TV channels and videos are now available on the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) thanks to Amazon’s Fire TV Channels. There are more than 420 live and ad-supported video channels you can watch for free on the device in addition to content from streaming services. You just have to say “Alexa watch TV” to bring up the new Fire TV Channels menu.

The addition of Zigbee, Thread and Matter support is another big upgrade as you can now use the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) as a smart home hub. While Zigbee and Thread have been around for longer, Matter is a newer protocol that’s designed to make setting up and adding new devices to your smart home faster as well as easier. You also still have Amazon Sidewalk support built in which is a Wi-Fi sharing protocol that lets devices connect to the cloud via a low-power, long range network. While these other protocols are for the connected devices inside your home, Amazon Sidewalk ensures that your outdoor smart home devices will always have a connection.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review: Verdict

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) packs in some significant upgrades that make it one of the best smart displays you can currently get in an 8-inch form factor. Its new design is more modern and the edge-to-edge glass display has a more premium feel to it when compared to the previous generation. The centered camera is another big plus as video calls and even snapping selfies now feels more natural than it did with previous Echo Show 8 devices. Still, if you want the best video calling experience that Amazon has to offer, the Echo Show 10 may be a better choice as its display and front-facing camera can literally rotate and follow you around the room.

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is a worthy successor to its predecessor and a great choice for those who want an Alexa-powered smart display that isn’t too big or too little.

If you’re in the kitchen or just getting out of bed, one of the best smart displays can really come in handy when you want to have glanceable information about the weather, your schedule, recipes and more right there in front of you.

Although Google also makes smart displays, Amazon has the widest selection of them available in a range of different screen sizes and form factors. If the Echo Show 5 is too small for your needs and you don’t have enough space for the larger Echo Show 10 or Echo Show 15, the Echo Show 8 is the perfect middle ground.

First released in 2019, the Echo Show 8 has an 8-inch HD screen, stereo speakers and even a 13MP camera for video calls and checking in on your home when you’re out and about. Now though, Amazon has released an upgraded version of the Echo Show 8 with an all-new industrial design, an improved processor and additional smart home features.

Whether you’re looking to pick up your first Alexa-powered smart display this Black Friday or you’re considering upgrading to the latest version of the Echo Show 8, this is everything you need to know about the differences between the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) and the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen).

Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): Pricing

The new Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is available for $150 on Amazon in either Charcoal or Glacier White. It’s slightly more expensive than the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) which was priced at $130 back when it was released in 2021. If you don’t need all of the features and upgrades in the latest version, the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) is on sale for $60 at Amazon right now which is over 50% off its original price.

Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): Specs

Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): Design

Although the 3rd and 2nd generation Echo Show 8 look somewhat similar from the front, it’s when you turn them around that you really notice how Amazon has tweaked the design of its 8-inch smart display. The large hump at the back of the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) has been trimmed down and this allows the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)’s edge-to-edge glass display to stand out more prominently.

At the same time, Amazon has removed the micro USB port next to where the power plug goes in at the back of the latest Echo Show 8. If you’re wondering what this port was for, it was included for micro USB to Ethernet adapters for those without one of the best Wi-Fi routers. Although small, this change certainly helps make the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) look a lot more modern.

One of the biggest changes with the new Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is where the front-facing camera is located. As a result of this, Amazon has changed where the buttons are placed on the top of the device. To the left of the camera’s privacy shutter on the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), there’s a mute switch while its volume up and volume down buttons are on the right. Besides moving these buttons around, their shape has also been changed and while they were smaller and circular on the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen), they’re now wider and pill shaped on the Echo Show (3rd Gen) which makes them easier to find and press.

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is definitely a sleeker-looking smart display thanks to its improved design but the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) still looks quite good in your kitchen or bedroom. 

Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): Display and audio

As their name implies, both the 2nd generation and 3rd generation Echo Show 8 have an 8-inch, HD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800. I played Book Club: The Next Chapter from Amazon Prime Video on both devices and while picture quality is similar, scenes from the film on the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) appear slightly brighter.

Although you can watch content from the best streaming services on both devices, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) now lets you watch over 420 live and ad-supported video channels for free with Fire TV Channels. From news to sports to cooking programs, you always have something to watch and all you have to do to get started is say “Alexa, watch TV.” 

On the audio front, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) has seen some major upgrades over its predecessor. While the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) comes equipped with dual one-inch tweeters, this latest model has dual two-inch tweeters which help improve clarity and bass. That’s not all though, as the latest Echo Show 8 also features spatial audio and Amazon’s room adaption technology automatically analyzes the acoustics of the room the device is placed in. 

If better audio and picture quality are what you’re after, then the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the obvious choice. However, the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) still holds its own when compared to Google’s Nest Hub (2nd Gen).

Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): Cameras

While we may not be making as many video calls as we used to, dropping in on friends, family and loved ones is one of the best features built-in to Amazon’s smart displays. Drop in lets you instantly start a conversation with someone else inside your home using another Echo Show or with any of your contacts. However, if you don’t wish to be disturbed, you can use the built-in privacy shutter on either the 2nd or 3rd generation Echo Show 8 or disable the feature altogether.

With the latest generation of the Echo Show 8, Amazon has done something its users have been requesting for quite some time: it moved the camera from the right side to the center. While both the 2nd and 3rd generation Echo Show 8 have auto-framing to keep you in the center of the frame even as you move about the room, having the camera dead center makes video calls feel more natural.

In addition to video calling, you can also use the camera on either Echo Show 8 to check in on your house when you’re away just like you would with one of the best home security cameras. This feature works equally well on both devices since they both have a 13MP camera but on the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), it’s easier to get a centered view of the room your device is currently in due to the placement of its camera.

If you just want to be able to check in on your home when you’re away, the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) might be all you need. However, if video calling is one of the reasons you’re interested in Amazon’s 8-inch smart display, then the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the better choice.

Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): Smart home and connectivity

Both the 2nd and 3rd generation Echo Show 8 make it easy to control the best smart home devices. With either smart display, you can use your voice to control your smart lights, smart plugs and other connected devices but if it’s late and you don’t want to disturb anyone, you can also tap on their displays to do so as well.

One of the biggest upgrades with the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) though is that Amazon has added a built-in smart home hub to the device. Unlike its predecessor which ships with Wi-Fi Bluetooth and Amazon Sidewalk, it now also includes Zigbee, Thread and Matter support. While Zigbee and Thread have been around for longer, Matter is a much newer protocol that’s designed to make setting up and adding new devices to your smart home faster as well as easier.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) runs a new spoken language model which enables Alexa to process common smart home requests locally 40% faster. Even though Alexa is already faster than Google Assistant when it comes to controlling lights, this should help speed up the process of carrying out the requests you make to your smart display.

Some of the best Alexa speakers like the Echo Dot (4th Gen) can also serve as a smart home hub as they ship with Zigbee support, but only the latest Echo Show 8 comes with Thread and Matter too. If you’re after one device to manage your entire smart home, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the smart display to get. However, if you already have a smart home hub, the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) is more than capable of giving you full control over all of your smart home devices.

Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): Which should you get?

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) and Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) share a lot of similarities but if you’re buying one of Amazon’s 8-inch smart displays for the first time, it could be worth paying more for the latest model if you need all of the new features and upgrades it includes. However, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t plan on using the device for video calls or controlling a lot of smart home devices, it might make sense to pick up the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) at a steep discount now that a newer model is available.

It’s up to you to decide which version of the Echo Show 8 will work best for your needs and household but you can’t really go wrong with either one. Still though, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) offers a number of improvements that really go a long way to making it one of the best smart displays you can get today.

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