Amazon Echo Show Reviews: Privacy Concerns, Sound Improvements, and Video Calling as Killer App

[breather]

I think apple made a smart choice by making great speaker, thats smart.

 

[melendezest]

I love it when a well thought out product comes to market.

This is one of them. Looks like Amazon did their homework on how such a device would be used, instead of slapping a screen onto their existing product and calling it good.

People other than Apple are succeeding in giving us tech products that are genuinely useful. And I thank God for that.

 

[handsome pete]

And with this, there was a collective sigh of relief from governments all around the world. "Thank god we now have a device that can film and record audio, 24/7 in people's homes. And they are not only not being forced to use it, they're actually paying money for it".

Completely unlike those devices everyone keeps on them 24/7 whether they're at home, work, driving, etc.

Seriously, why the sudden concern about privacy when you likely own a smartphone?

 

[69Mustang]

They want early access to companies' wares so they always tread carefully and are usually too quick to praise. If video calls is Echo Show's killer app, then it sounds like it's DOA.

I mean, it's not hard for anyone here to figure out that an iPad or the iPhone they already have is better for video calls because of its portability... not to mention, it does 10x more than the Echo Show without the same privacy concerns.

You mention portability as a shortcoming of a device that is not meant to be portable? What privacy concerns are you referencing, the mic or camera? Both of those can be turned off.

 

[rocknblogger]

The Drop-In feature is because they understand that the Echo and probably the Echo Show are big hits for children of elderly parents. Older people who aren't keen on technology love the Echo and I'm sure the idea of video calling that doesn't involve a whole "operating system" and apps and updates and accounts and is sandboxed in to prevent any settings from getting weird... that's amazing for that audience.

And that's exactly the person you'd want to have the option of checking-in on.

Props to Amazon for understanding that and not trying to fixated on making the "cool young people device" to the exclusion of all other use cases.

This is exactly right. My wife and I were going to buy this primarily for my mother in law. She was both hard of hearing and couldn't see very well. At 94 she kept forgetting how to answer her flip phone. It would have been perfect to park this echo where she sat most of the day to be able to check in on her when we went out for a bit.

Unfortunately she passed away on Wednesday morning so we'll never get the chance to test it with her.

 

[d21mike]

I ordered 2. Mainly for use with my new outside Ring Flood Cams. Alexa show front door camera.

My iPad Pros are too expensive to be dedicated standalone hands free devices.

I have been using the dot for about a month. I really like it better then SIRI as an assistant. But will be getting the HomePod. Can't have too many assistants.

 

[Swift]

Not a killer app until it gets you in touch with smartphones, even telephones. Not enough Echos for a killer app.

 

[Moonlight]

"Killer app" LOLZ

 

[litmag01]

I ordered 2. Mainly for use with my new outside Ring Flood Cams.

I like that idea for this device! Didn't think of that.

Also, curious (and off to pic) how do you like those Ring Flood Cams? I saw them at Home Depot for $450 for a pair and was interested, but we have a lot of deer and other small animals that come by and I've had to set my current flood sensors to their lowest setting. Think that this would be an issue with the Ring Flood Cams??

 

[Scubadiver]

Got to hand it to Amazon for taking one of their $50 tablets and putting it inside a new plastic shell, then sell them for $230.

Seriously though, how long until someone ports this over to an Android tablet?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Phone, tablets and laptops are MOBILE devices that leave homes with their owners. Something like this is like a television. It stays home and serves those who aren't with you and your phone, tablet or laptop.

Else, make the very same argument against anything & everything else covered by a phone, tablet and/or laptop too... including questioning why one needs more than any one of those 3 when they have at least one of them.

Stretch that argument a bit more and question why you need an Apple phone, an Apple tablet or an Apple computer when cheaper versions of the same can do most of what those can do? And again, why do we need the cheaper versions of all 3 of those when any one of those might suffice?

Point: think beyond yourself. Not everyone is single living alone. Those left behind when mobile devices are on the go might want to do these kinds of things during those times. A cheap thing like these kinds of things can fill such a want well.

It certainly does fill a niche, but that's all. Whether that niche is the already-connected person who'd rather not have his smartphone in his hands (or pocket) at all times, or an aging parent who can't manage a smartphone or computer at all.

Of course, something of this sort is going to be pitched as a threat to Apple. It doesn't come close. Apple's existing installed base vs. Amazon is a very long, uphill climb. S

In the end, video/audio calling requires a contacts list. Where does that contacts list come from? Garbage in, garbage out. Is Grandpa going to dictate the contents of his dogeared, illegible paper phone list to Alexa (and woe unto him if Alexa misunderstands), or will he end up getting video calls only from the children/grandchildren who set this up for him? I sure hope "killer app" was a backhanded compliment.

 

[deany]

It certainly does fill a niche, but that's all. Whether that niche is the already-connected person who'd rather not have his smartphone in his hands (or pocket) at all times, or an aging parent who can't manage a smartphone or computer at all.

Of course, something of this sort is going to be pitched as a threat to Apple. It doesn't come close. Apple's existing installed base vs. Amazon is a very long, uphill climb. S

In the end, video/audio calling requires a contacts list. Where does that contacts list come from? Garbage in, garbage out. Is Grandpa going to dictate the contents of his dogeared, illegible paper phone list to Alexa (and woe unto him if Alexa misunderstands), or will he end up getting video calls only from the children/grandchildren who set this up for him? I sure hope "killer app" was a backhanded compliment.

Apple, surprisingly, are friends again with Amazon - Apple recently allowed Alexa access to icloud Calander. Very limited, early stages, but it works.

With this happening I imagine Alexa will have access to iCloud Reminders and Contacts soon.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

It certainly does fill a niche, but that's all. Whether that niche is the already-connected person who'd rather not have his smartphone in his hands (or pocket) at all times, or an aging parent who can't manage a smartphone or computer at all.

Of course, something of this sort is going to be pitched as a threat to Apple. It doesn't come close. Apple's existing installed base vs. Amazon is a very long, uphill climb. S

In the end, video/audio calling requires a contacts list. Where does that contacts list come from? Garbage in, garbage out. Is Grandpa going to dictate the contents of his dogeared, illegible paper phone list to Alexa (and woe unto him if Alexa misunderstands), or will he end up getting video calls only from the children/grandchildren who set this up for him? I sure hope "killer app" was a backhanded compliment.

First off, not everything posted/referenced here has to automatically be viewed as some gargantuan threat to the mothership. And thus, Apple doesn't need a bunch of us jumping in to defend by finding every possible fault with any other bit of technology not branded Apple. This is not 1997. Apple doesn't need it's fans working hard for free to save Apple from bankruptcy. Apple is just fine with or without us.

Second, knowing how Alexa works now, I suspect calling a contact is going to be as easy as "Alexa, call ApfelKuchen" and it's going to dial you right up for me. It's probably not going to reply back saying it doesn't know what I mean by ApfelKuchen and/or offer to look up ApfelKuchen on the web like another, oft-confused "assistant" we all know.

For what it is, these Alexa speakers work great. From my own perspective, Alexa seems to be many years of hearing & comprehension ahead of Siri... like one is in high school while the other is still working toward Kindergarten. The latter was basically first but then seemed to just languish in pre-school for what 5+ years. Then, along come these smarter alternatives and it finally stirs Apple up to maybe try to do something (better) with Siri. I welcome that. Competition is good.

The catch here is that Apple has "copied" these other players by our own (collective) definition of product copying. We can't be so quick to put down this whole technology because of our (apparent) obligation to prop up Apple's foray into it. So this one has a screen and we're faulting it vs. a full-on tablet that costs much, MUCH more. Maybe buyers don't want to pay so much for a full tablet?

Another version has no screen and is basically a cylindrical speaker and we want to fault it for audio quality because Apple claims there's has a better speaker. If Apple is right, guess how hard it is for Amazon to roll out a version of their cylinder with a better speaker? Certainly much easier than Apple rolling out a version with a Siri capable of hearing and processing better than Alexa.

Does this thing need a "killer app"? No, it only needs enough people to buy for it to be considered a success... not by Apple or us... but by Amazon. Amazon has enough confidence to launch it. They managed to sell a bunch of non-screen speaker cylinders in a market where "everybody" has mobile devices that already have speakers, a built-in screen and the wondrous Siri- all made by Gods at Apple.

Will this variation of that sell well? We don't know. But what's it matter to us? Those of us that worship at the alter of Apple can scratch whatever itch this thing might scratch with our iDevices or Apple's cut of a Siri-based speaker cylinder this winter. Maybe the rest of the world will be the ones to find something to really like about this thing... or not.

 

[ani4ani]

And with this, there was a collective sigh of relief from governments all around the world. "Thank god we now have a device that can film and record audio, 24/7 in people's homes. And they are not only not being forced to use it, they're actually paying money for it".

Yea, thankfully they no longer need to rely solely on your TV, tablet, Mac, PC or your mobile phone!

 

[mi7chy]

For the price you're better off getting a more versatile tablet that you can move around the house or even an inexpensive prepaid phone.

 

[Karma*Police]

You mention portability as a shortcoming of a device that is not meant to be portable? What privacy concerns are you referencing, the mic or camera? Both of those can be turned off.

No, I mentioned portability as an advantage of one device over another device for performing a specific task that was cited by some reviewers as the main reason for buying the product.

Privacy, as in Apple doesn't store queries in the cloud like Amazon. In fact, they go above and beyond to protect user privacy. This might not be a big deal to you, but it's a growing concern for many.

 

[MistrSynistr]

Like a poster said above. This is too funny. They took one of their cheap tablets and make it worse and charge an extra $200 for it, and you can't move it! Lol. This is great.

 

[ginkobiloba]

If 20 years ago you said that in the near future, people will actually pay good money to have devices at home that listen and watch them continuously and send all that to various companies, they would just roll down on the floor laughing.

Cue 2O years later...

 

[ApfelKuchen]

First off, not everything posted/referenced here has to automatically be viewed as some gargantuan threat to the mothership. And thus, Apple doesn't need a bunch of us jumping in to defend by finding every possible fault with any other bit of technology not branded Apple. This is not 1997. Apple doesn't need it's fans working hard for free to save Apple from bankruptcy. Apple is just fine with or without us.

Second, knowing how Alexa works now, I suspect calling a contact is going to be as easy as "Alexa, call ApfelKuchen" and it's going to dial you right up for me. It's probably not going to reply back saying it doesn't know what I mean by ApfelKuchen and/or offer to look up ApfelKuchen on the web like another, oft-confused "assistant" we all know.

For what it is, these Alexa speakers work great. From my own perspective, Alexa seems to be many years of hearing & comprehension ahead of Siri... like one is in high school while the other is still working toward Kindergarten. The latter was basically first but then seemed to just languish in pre-school for what 5+ years. Then, along come these smarter alternatives and it finally stirs Apple up to maybe try to do something (better) with Siri. I welcome that. Competition is good.

The catch here is that Apple has "copied" these other players by our own (collective) definition of product copying. We can't be so quick to put down this whole technology because of our (apparent) obligation to prop up Apple's foray into it. So this one has a screen and we're faulting it vs. a full-on tablet that costs much, MUCH more. Maybe buyers don't want to pay so much for a full tablet?

Another version has no screen and is basically a cylindrical speaker and we want to fault it for audio quality because Apple claims there's has a better speaker. If Apple is right, guess how hard it is for Amazon to roll out a version of their cylinder with a better speaker? Certainly much easier than Apple rolling out a version with a Siri capable of hearing and processing better than Alexa.

Does this thing need a "killer app"? No, it only needs enough people to buy for it to be considered a success... not by Apple or us... but by Amazon. Amazon has enough confidence to launch it. They managed to sell a bunch of non-screen speaker cylinders in a market where "everybody" has mobile devices that already have speakers, a built-in screen and the wondrous Siri- all made by Gods at Apple.

Will this variation of that sell well? We don't know. But what's it matter to us? Those of us that worship at the alter of Apple can scratch whatever itch this thing might scratch with our iDevices or Apple's cut of a Siri-based speaker cylinder this winter. Maybe the rest of the world will be the ones to find something to really like about this thing... or not.

I don't think I was disagreeing with you to the extent you make it seem.

Saying that this will be pitched as a threat to Apple does not mean I believe it is a threat, or am worried that it may be one. It was just a comment on our binary us vs. them society.

The key factors that make smartphones so valuable are that they are self-sufficient communications devices, and because portability extends communications beyond the normal boundaries of home and office. Smartphones are a celebration of freedom from those physical tethers. In the home, there's a long and growing list of internet-connected devices that can serve a similar purpose to this device - computers, tablets, smartphones, game consoles, TVs... even refrigerators and washing machines. That's what makes this a niche product. It's a particular form factor, with specific capabilities that will appeal to some people and have no appeal at all to others. For now, Apple and Samsung have their fingers in far more of these pies, so again, as good as Alexa is, she has a long way to go before achieving the ubiquity of Apple, Samsung, and Google. Since neither Apple nor Google are standing still, it's most definitely an uphill battle. That's a dispassionate assessment of the situation, no judgement on whose product is best or who deserves to win.

Any success for Alexa will be a win for Apple, Samsung and Google as well - the more popular these things are, the greater opportunity each company has to sell similar items to its existing customer base as well as competing for the public at large. Growth of the category will float many boats. Amazon has a huge platform for selling its products, in those countries in which it operates. It'll profit handily by selling Alexa-capable Apple and Samsung products that fill gaps in the Amazon-branded product line. That's just the way it works.

But as far as Alexa knowing how to setup a video call with ApfelKuchen?? Undoubtedly, the day will come when the Alexas of the world will be able to analyze my posts, mine the web, and make a fairly accurate guess at my identity. If I've been sloppy, it may be a spot-on accurate guess. And any smart assistant should be capable of finding my profile at a public forum and present a link that can be used by a fellow forum member to send me a message. However, if Apple, Google, or Amazon develops and uses bots that can bypass the privacy preferences of forums like this, a lot of people will be quite displeased. And if my dad asks for a video call to ApfelKuchen and reaches a total stranger, Dad isn't likely to ask Alexa to place more calls. No, this kind of thing depends on quality data, and for the time being, quality data means a user-generated contacts list. GIGO.

 

[d21mike]

I like that idea for this device! Didn't think of that.

Also, curious (and off to pic) how do you like those Ring Flood Cams? I saw them at Home Depot for $450 for a pair and was interested, but we have a lot of deer and other small animals that come by and I've had to set my current flood sensors to their lowest setting. Think that this would be an issue with the Ring Flood Cams??

They are being installed tomorrow. I read about the ECHO Show integration on both Ring and Amazon sites. I had already ordered the Flood Cams (took a bit to get hear) because they stated the security chip is already in them for Home Kit support. And my kids were already using the Ring Doorbell Pro and it works very well to took a chance.
[doublepost=1498523123][/doublepost]Regarding the Contact List. They already support voice calls between Echo's and also with the Alexa App. The way it works is when you install the Alexa App on your iPhone it will scan your Contacts and create a list of everyone in your Contact List that registered a Echo. So you just ask Alexa to call that person by name. There was a lot of negative feed back because you would not want everyone in you contact list to call your Echo. I have 1 business contact that has an Echo and he showed up in my list. Shortly Amazon came out with a way to BLOCK Contacts but not remove them. I would like to see more options with this. Regarding the Echo Show you can also do Video Calls but I suspect the Contact list is the same. You may want to check out the "Drop in" feature in the Echo Show. Like Alexa Drop In on Grandma.....

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The key factors that make smartphones so valuable are that they are self-sufficient communications devices, and because portability extends communications beyond the normal boundaries of home and office. Smartphones are a celebration of freedom from those physical tethers. In the home, there's a long and growing list of internet-connected devices that can serve a similar purpose to this device - computers, tablets, smartphones, game consoles, TVs... even refrigerators and washing machines. That's what makes this a niche product. It's a particular form factor, with specific capabilities that will appeal to some people and have no appeal at all to others. For now, Apple and Samsung have their fingers in far more of these pies, so again, as good as Alexa is, she has a long way to go before achieving the ubiquity of Apple, Samsung, and Google. Since neither Apple nor Google are standing still, it's most definitely an uphill battle. That's a dispassionate assessment of the situation, no judgement on whose product is best or who deserves to win.

First, this things not trying to be a complete replacement for a smart phone- just do a few things that can also be done on smart phones really well. Similarly, my TV remote control is not trying to replace a smart phone, nor is my television, nor is my stereo system. Yes my Apple iDevices can do the jobs of all of those things... but I own all of those things anyway. Why? Because- for me- each of those things does something they do BETTER in some way than my iDevice can do it.

No doubt, it IS a niche product... just like the TVs, stereos, refrigerators & washing machines.

I make no argument about ubiquity, but, on that topic, I do know that Alexa is being offered to many competing companies to be their tech's voice assistant, unlike Siri which is locked down inside a walled garden. For example, in the last month or so an update to DISH networks STBs now offers Alexa voice controls of those boxes. Where's the Siri alternative on any STB other than TV? Nowhere to be found. Siri can't even search my own video content in iTunes on my own Mac in my own house. But there's Alexa able to work with a SATT box I've had for a few years.

Am I saying that Alexa is better than Siri? Well actually I think Alexa IS "smarter" than Siri. It is more ubiquitous? I doubt it's as readily accessible as all the phones that Apple has cranked out since Siri's introductions. But do I care about a ubiquity contest? About as much as I care about the "...but which cell phone is the most profitable one?" just so Apple can "win" a contest during revenue or market share discussions.

But as far as Alexa knowing how to setup a video call with ApfelKuchen?? Undoubtedly, the day will come when the Alexas of the world will be able to analyze my posts, mine the web, and make a fairly accurate guess at my identity. If I've been sloppy, it may be a spot-on accurate guess. No, this kind of thing depends on quality data, and for the time being, quality data means a user-generated contacts list. GIGO.

I'm surprised you are so doubtful about Alexa's ability to properly call anyone's contacts. I doubt it will require some kind of advanced internet scanning and connecting dots between random posts all over the internet to divine contacts and match up with phone numbers. Instead, I'm guessing it will either connect to contacts via iCloud (with permission of course) or via an App on iDevices or similar.

For example: the dreaded Comcast has an iDevice app that is basically a VOIP app (voice calls, texting, etc). I'm confident there is little love between Apple & Comcast. However, open the Comcast app and it asks permission to import my iDevice contacts to address this very "problem." Click Yes and they all are then accessible via the Comcast app. I want to make a call or start a texting session, one click on whoever I want to call. If Comcast worked with a voice manager (like Alexa), I'm certain it could scan my address book and dial the correct number. No problem. No trouble setting up numbers. No guessing on Alexa's part.

Do I know that this device from Amazon will work just like that? No I don't. But I do know that Alexa seems to have much less trouble than Siri playing what people want it to play. I'm guessing contacts will be as easy.

Do we even know if Apple's HomePod is going to be able to make/take calls or not for sure yet? Last I read, we don't even know if it can do that. If it can, do we have faith that Siri will be smart enough to make voice commands for that functionality very fluid? I lack such confidence but am hopeful.

 

[DaveTheRave]

Phone, tablets and laptops are MOBILE devices that leave homes with their owners. Something like this is like a television. It stays home and serves those who aren't with you and your phone, tablet or laptop.

Point: think beyond yourself. Not everyone is single living alone. Those left behind when mobile devices are on the go might want to do these kinds of things during those times. A cheap thing like these kinds of things can fill such a want well.

Yes! I actually like that my Echo has to be plugged-in on our kitchen counter. That means it stays put. Unlike our iPad, I don't get annoyed that someone moved it to another room or drained the battery. The Echo reminds me of when I was a kid and we had a small radio in the kitchen. It doesn't need audiophile sound quality. Besides streaming music it can still tune in radio stations to hear the news (via the web), and the narrow cylinder shape gives it a small footprint.

FWIW the regular Echo is $50 off today on Amazon.

 

[zkadda]

Morons will be "impressed" by this junk and buy it by the boatload.

 

[andiwm2003]

I think this is where these things will excel, with older folks who can't figure out tablets, smartphones, etc.

seems quite a number of us agree that the simple video calling feature is a great idea. I have several relatives that would use this but would not use an iPhone. Having a few of those around the house would make it so much better to stay in contact. I can see amazon having a winner here and maybe they can dominate the market with this for good or bad.

I think smart phones have gotten too complex because they are more computer than phone. I hope this becomes a template for simple smartphones that are primarily phones and videophones and not toys.

 

[kdarling]

If 20 years ago you said that in the near future, people will actually pay good money to have devices at home that listen and watch them continuously and send all that to various companies, they would just roll down on the floor laughing.

Cue 2O years later...

Except, of course, they don't continuously "send all that" info. It's only sent when requested.

And yeah, actually a lot of us grew up assuming that we'd have digital assistants that listened to everything. Okay, we thought they'd be more like Robbie the Robot, but hey, little steps