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If it had Apple logo it would look nicer? You guys sure?


DolPSck.jpg

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They sure look awesome to me.
 
I'm confused. So I basically have a less functional, ugly Amazon tablet that I can't pick up?

Disappointing device, zero ability to connect it to a stereo receiver, no ethernet. I'll wait to see what Apple brings to the market. This might have had great potential as a music streamer alone but not if one can only rely on those internal speakers. Although it does have bluetooth so it depends on how reliable that will function.

And this goes for all network stereo receivers, why does spotify not allow for its app to work internally? I would pay $10 a month if Spotify did not require a smartphone or tablet app for it to work with all of these so called Spotify Connect devices. The wording on the Amazon website is not clear, this could be one of the rare devices that does not require a smartphone or tablet to control Spotify, if so that is a positive.

For anyone that is paranoid about the camera, cover it with black tape.

Will the Apple/Siri speaker device have TuneIn, Spotify, Iheart Radio etc.? Because the last time I checked, Apple TV did not have a TuneIn app.
 
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Why would someone use this over an iPad with a stand and enable 'Hey Siri?' (or a competitor equivalent tablet)?

Because Siri is so consistently incompetent compared to Alexa. Amazon music has better personalisation than Apple Music and an iPad on a stand isn't always there and isn't designed to be spoken to from across the room. Additionally the speakers on this are likely to be close to the echo which are good, although not amazing.

I have a few echos and dots about the house, hue lighting, smart plugs, etc. and Alexa is brilliant for controlling it all. Alexa is good for timers, news, weather, etc. And with sonos integration coming soon, it is looking to get even better.

Alexa isn't perfect though, because I use iCloud and because she does struggle with some sounds (I have to be careful what I name lights etc for fear of her misunderstanding). I'm happy to see Apple enter this space, but a good looking speaker with current Siri and Apple Music at its centre won't do it for me.
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What a unique and inspirational design!

(said no one)

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It's $230. It looks pretty OK, like the echos. It will be robust for the money as well. I've been a lover of apple design, but great looks over good looks come second to great functionality over ok functionality.
 
Video calling on it seems weird - do you just have to stand in front of it the whole time?

Is that any different to all other implementations ? Be it a laptop or notepad?

Also you don't need to stand in front of it, as you don't have to stand in front of a laptop. I'm sure you can also make calls without video
[doublepost=1494394150][/doublepost]It's okay . The apple versions will look super sexy, have the far inferior Siri for $800 :) And ship in 2020, if ever .

In my meantime lots of people will be able to enjoy communication with their families and friends via phone calls using this Star Trek looking "ugly" device .

Personally I'd take 4 of these over one of Apples. My echo and dots are not the best looking decices, though I have been enjoying the home automation for over 12 months at a cheap price while all apple does is talk talk talk about great product pipeline and they can't even improve Siri .....

I'd take a tangible product over .....talk talk talk .... and Even if we see something from apple, great hardware that is sexy is useless if it's running Siri, which needs much loving.
 
What a unique and inspirational design!

(said no one)

echo-show-1-800x543.jpg


70960d1258154736-any-interest-5-year-old-rear-projection-tv-dsc_0535.jpg

There is no doubt that this design is hideous. And it does make me think of a rear projection TV from years ago. I think at this price point, it's going to be not an easy sell. But ultimately, I think Amazon is on the right path.
 
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There is no doubt that this design is hideous. And it does make me think of a rear projection TV from years ago. I think at this price point, it's going to be not an easy sell. But ultimately, I think Amazon is on the right path.

To me the design follows modern phones , where they are at an angle for ease of dialing / access. If you go past the looks, I believe useabiltiy might actually be very good.

For me it looks like intercom/baby monitor , taken a step further where you can communicate with friends and family.

From my point of view, I don't care how fugly this is , this could be the first device my grandma will have no issues with in regards to video calls, and that is huge. A game changer really, not only for elderly but disabled individuals . Going to order just for that .
 
To me the design follows modern phones , where they are at an angle for ease of dialing / access. If you go past the looks, I believe useabiltiy might actually be very good.

For me it looks like intercom/baby monitor , taken a step further where you can communicate with friends and family.

From my point of view, I don't care how fugly this is , this could be the first device my grandma will have no issues with in regards to video calls, and that is huge. A game changer really, not only for elderly but disabled individuals . Going to order just for that .

Aesthetically looking, it looks awkward . But then again, I'm not an engineer. But I understand the evolution of how technology continues to improve with hardware refinements over the course of its lifespan. Which, at a $230 price point, I question the stability of this product in a shaky and undefined smart speaker market. If someone finds the benefit of how this could convenience their life that much more, then great. But it's not going to be an easy start at that price point. Especially being this is such a niche product.
 
Aesthetically looking, it looks awkward . But then again, I'm not an engineer. But I understand the evolution of how technology continues to improve with hardware refinements over the course of its lifespan. Which, at a $230 price point, I question the stability of this product in a shaky and undefined smart speaker market. If someone finds the benefit of how this could convenience their life that much more, then great. But it's not going to be an easy start at that price point. Especially being this is such a niche product.

Be interesting what the appetite is for video calling in an appliance . That aside, I think amazon might be onto something here. This also makes voice calls right ? My opinion is that if this plays nice with existing echo units $230 is very well positioned .

Even if you don't buy the show, echo enabled voice calling is a big move. You can call other echo users and also devices with echo app. And entry level is $50 for the dot. Now that is good value.

My believe is that the show will have slow uptake, while the echo ecosystem will do very well due to cheap entry into voice calls. Apples closest offering super expansive compared to $50 when you want to get a multi house setup going with lots of users
 
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By specific location, I mean in regards to the camera and display. In theory, those new elements of the Echo replace functionality that up to this point are handled by a tablet or smartphone. Making a video call on my phone, tablet or even laptop doesn't require me to be in a fixed location. Same goes for using the display to read whatever information you've requested. That's an inferior experience, IMO.

I like the verbal command elements of these assistants--don't see the point or benefit of the camera or display on it.

Good points but "inferior" is a relative term. Sometimes my hands are tied up cooking dinner so receiving a video call (or any call for that matter) on my phone is inconvenient. It just depends on the situation. I tend to think that through testing, the folks at Amazon have probably figured all this out already. We will just need to wait and see. I still think nothing will change regarding the voice command and spoken information. Nothing should be missing, the display simply adds functionality that wasn't there before.
 
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Yes, yes, yes. But its still my problem. I would love to grab a few Echo Dot units for the house, but for what purpose? I use Siri on my iPhone now to integrate with my calendar and reminders. I am going to wait for the WWDC (possible) announcement of a Siri-speaker. If they do release one, I sure hope its price compatible w/Echo dot.

Exactly! You are one of the very few that actually get it. We have Skype, FaceTime even Video Calls over 3G network and now you need to have Echo Video chat on top of gazillion video IMs. Redundancy 101.

Consumers love to be put in corrals of their own choice instead of running free.
 
I think apple will eventually come out with one of these but Amazon will always undercut Apple making it the economical choice.
 
Don't understand the need for this. There are times when I don't want a screen, I don't want to touch, I just want to use my voice. THAT'S WHY I BOUGHT AN ECHO!!

no the point of the Echo Show isn't to touch.. i'm not even sure that it is a touchscreen. You're supposed to interact with it by voice, and doing everything hands free. It can show youtube videos, video calling, show you lyrics - all by just using your voice
 
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Surprised so many people fund it ugly. It's actually nice and elegant.
If you find that ugly, then how you're able to use your iPhones 6/6s/7? That's the ugliness.
 
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