Just as we unboxed the device, our first impressions were that it certainly looks bigger than we expected. The larger form factor can be attributed to the big 10.1-inch 720p display on the front surrounded by some sizeable bezels as against today’s standards. Unlike a smartphone though, you wouldn’t be viewing the display often or use it for content consumption on a regular basis so it shouldn’t really matter. There’s also a front-facing 5MP camera along with an array of four microphones on the top bezel. On the top side, there are 4 more microphones along with buttons to control volume as well as mute the microphones. The rear houses a micro-USB port for an ethernet dongle if for some reason you do not have a Wi-Fi network. There’s also the DC-in port along with a Kensington lock. The back of the speaker… or the display… ugh, the back of the Echo Show has a layer of fabric, similar to almost every other smart home device. Looks like fabric is the choice of material that brands are going for, and we’re not complaining as it looks minimalistic and premium at the same time. Once hooked up to the power outlet, you can set up the device using the Alexa app on your smartphone.
You can then use voice commands or the touchscreen display in order to navigate around the UI. The voice feedback and your music are played back through two 2-inch neodymium speakers powered by Dolby along with a passive bass radiator. The sound produced is crisp and has a lot of bass to it. Trust me, it can get REALLY loud! You can also use it as a smart hub with the help of Zigbee integration, so you don’t need to have dedicated hubs separately for devices like the Philips Hue lights.
