Amazon Echo Show adds a 5 MP camera and 7" color touchscreen to Alexa's bag of tricks. So now Amazon's "ambient computing" presence in your home has eyes as well as ears.
Echo Show is powered by an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor and has an eight microphone array and stereo speakers built into a compact box small enough to sit on your kitchen counter or bedside table. Amazon, however, cheaped out on the radio, making it only a/b/g/n, not ac. At least they made it dual band. It comes in black or white, although both versions have a black front panel.
Amazon's new beastie supports all Alexa's skills including smart home device integration, Amazon shopping and music streaming. But with video now added, you can request video briefings from at least CNN, if the promotional video is accurate. Video calling is supported to other Echo Shows and to Android and iOS devices via apps.
By the time you read this, pre-orders will probably be all gone. But when the next batch is ready, you can order it for $230 for one or get $100 off if you order two. Pre-orders start shipping June 28.
