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It can resemble Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me” music video to live in a home filled with Alexa gadgets. That effect is not diminished by Amazon’s newest smart display, the Echo Show 10, which can practically follow you around a room. The third-generation Echo Show 10’s display rotates so that you are always the centre of attention. Like all the best smart displays, the Echo Show 10 includes a screen positioned atop a speaker.
Although it differs from the typical smart display, it exemplifies how these gadgets are employed in public spaces. As my family and I tested the Echo Show 10 for this review, I was relieved—and partially surprised—to discover that neither of us found the motion tracking creepy. Instead, we soon adapted to it and began playing music, looking up recipes, podcasts, and other things. It’s one of the greatest Alexa speakers available if you have the space and the money.
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) review: Design
Once you’ve placed the Echo Show 10 down, made sure it has enough space, and performed the calibration, you probably won’t want to move it very often because it weights more than 2.5 kg. When we attempt to move it, the Show 10 alerts us that the screen is about to touch objects and asks for a recalibration. It is intended to stay and follow you from a specific location.
The main body of the Show 10 is buttonless and covered in fabric manufactured entirely from recyclable materials. A basic camera cover slider that not only conceals the camera but also disables movement is located at the top of the screen next to volume controls, three small microphones (one facing forward and two on either side of the mute button), and a mic on/off button. You can buy this smart display from its official website.
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) review: Motion tracking
The Echo Show will wake up and spin to face you when you say the wake word (“Alexa,” “Amazon,” or “Computer”); initially using its microphones, the display subsequently depends on computer vision to recognise your face and then maintain it as centrally located in its frame as possible. (However, it lacks facial recognition.) It will continue turning as you move around the room as long as you are in its field of vision and range of motion.
Additionally, it includes digital pan and zoom, similar to the cameras on the Facebook Portal and Google Nest Hub Max, which is very useful when moving about. However, those cameras have a smaller field of view than the Echo Show because they are physically immobile. (The Portal has a 114-degree FOV, while the Nest Hub Max has a 127-degree FOV.)
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) review: Video calling
Alexa can play audio and video from a few sources upon request for entertainment. Although YouTube isn’t accessible via voice commands, Alexa can call up the Firefox browser and then use it to get to YouTube on the Echo Show 10 device. Alexa can also bring up videos from streaming services on the Echo Show 10’s screen. Alternatively, you may ask Alexa to play audiobooks through Audible or stream music from services like Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, and TuneIn.
You may pair your phone or another device with the Echo Show 10 and use it as a Bluetooth speaker if the selection of audio services seems meagre. The Echo Show lacks a 3.5mm line in/out for a wired audio connection, unlike dedicated Echo speakers. Alexa is able to manage the majority of popular smart home brands, including Arlo, Kwikset, iRobot, Ring, and TP-Link. You may converse through the Echo Show 10 while bringing up the video stream for video-based devices like home security cameras and video doorbells.
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) review: Audio performance
The simplicity, convenience, and, of course, the voice-activated access to information and audio-based entertainment make Amazon’s Echo line of smart speakers appealing. The Echo Show range, on the other hand, is significantly more spectacular in my opinion and merits much more attention for enhancing the range with visual signals and display-based features. Although there have already been a few Echo Show devices, the most recent model is both the most expensive and most advanced ever.
The largest model in the product family is now the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), which costs Rs 24,999. The Echo Show 10 is a smart display and smart speaker featuring a 10.1-inch screen and a three-driver speaker system on the base, just like the rest of the line. The device does, however, have a special trick: the screen mechanically rotates to face you so you can clearly see what is being displayed from anywhere in the peripheral view of the device.
Price and availability
The most costly smart gadget Amazon has created is the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Generation), which costs £20 ($20, AU$50). However, the price increase starts to seem totally acceptable when you take into account that its 10.1in Full HD screen can now tilt and twist to follow you around the room and that both the speaker and camera performance have been greatly enhanced from the previous-generation model.
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) review: Verdict
My kid screamed in fright as soon as she saw it, and I had to conceal the robot in a closet to quiet her. The third-generation Amazon Echo Show 10 following your movements has a slight creep factor, but my daughter was asking it to play the Elmo Slide rather than shrieking in terror. (Perhaps the absence of wheels makes a difference.)
The spinning display of the Echo Show 10 offers more options for using smart displays than the digital pan and zoom features of the Nest Hub Max and Facebook Portal. If your home has one of those airy, open floorplans you only see on HGTV, you’ll benefit from it the most.