2nd generation Amazon Echo Show 8 Review: Camera resolution is 13 times, video calls progress

The second generation Echo Show 8, which was just released in Japan on June 9th.

Compared to the first Echo SHOW 8, the camera has a new automatic flaging function that automatically takes bread and zooming the movement of users in the angle of view during video calls, compared to the first generation of Echo Show 8.This is especially upgraded for video calls.The second -generation Echo Show 8 will deliver a review by reporter Florence in the US gis mode to see how it was actually used.

Everyone has a complicated relationship with parents, but after having a child (even if you don't want to talk so much), it's good to prepare an open way to be able to talk to your grandpa and grandmother.I came to change.My daughter is still 16 months old, but I understand that someone in her box is talking to her.Recently, the number of smart display products with children for children is increasing, so if your daughter can talk, it will inevitably use it.

Amazon's latest product, the second generation Echo Show 8, is a smart display for people to communicate more often.It is $ 130 (14,980 yen in Japan), but it also has a rich function of Alexa, but also has a kids mode (not on Echo Show 8, which can be purchased in Japan).However, the highest highlight is that the automatic framing function to automatically zoom in the movement of the user in the angle of view has been newly added.I think that this price is a bargain if you can also serve as a surveillance camera to check your home.

This time, my mother also tried a video calling function of the second generation Amazon Echo Show 8 on a review terminal.She realizes that her daughter is talking to her grandmother in Echo Show 8, she sees her smile, and she confesses that she has been healed to melt her heart.I had a heartfelt experience that I forgot the fact that Echo SHOW 8 has enabled the conjunction with Amazon's controversy "Sidewalk".

2nd generation Echo Show 8

What is this?: Smart display with Alexa

Price: $ 130 (14,980 yen in Japan)

Favorite place: A 13 -megapixel camera equipped with an automatic framing function.Just a good 8 -inch display.It is one of the optimal options as a smart home controller.

I don't like it: There is no simple casting function.Not all streaming services are available.Vibrate if it is loud.

14,980 yen

Soft and stylish, smart display

The second -generation Echo Show 8 -like curved design is cute and modern.It resembles the soft design of Google's "NEST HUB", but Echo Show 8 is more rounded.However, the Echo Show and Google Nest Hub also adopt the cloth cover on the back, so it is hard to clean it and it is almost impossible to replace it if it spills it, so I want you to use another material.I am thinking.

Echo Show 8 is 14 cm wide and 7.3 cm, with two 5 -wat stereo speakers and octacore processors inside.Echo Show's 8 -inch HD display is very bright and vivid.When I uploaded the edited photo as a wallpaper, I realized that it would be better to re -develop with Adobe Lightroom immediately.

At the top of the main unit is a camera cover, volume button, and microphone mute button.The power supply is inserted into the back, but those who have a powered adapter and (like me) who insert an adapter on the power tap needs to be devised.There is a microUSB port on the back, and wired Internet connection is possible.

I liked the exterior design of Echo Show 8 as a whole.The graser white body that Amazon sent for reviews matches the "Kawaii" taste that is popular in my office.There are other charcoal (black) for color variations.In addition, as an Amazon genuine option, the angle adjustment stand can be purchased for $ 15 (2490 yen in Japan).

Let's help your neighbors, "SideWalk function (not implemented in Japan)"

The setup of Echo Show 8 is generally normal or standard.We set up devices from smartphone Alexa apps and log in on the screen.

When you link an account, you can display the exemption of "Amazon Sidewalk" and select whether to enable or disable it.Amazon describes this technology as a "shared network that improves devices."(Sidewalk has not yet been installed in the Japanese version of Echo Show 8)

The reason why it is better not to enable this is in the US gis mode article, including the well -known fact that Amazon is full of suspicion of privacy.When this Sidewalk is enabled, Amazon will use it to "expand the target range" to smartlight "RING" and trackers that track pets and things.Sidewalk says, "I will use a small part of your Internet bandwidth to provide these services to you and your neighbors."

In addition, a separate screen that encourages you to find something in Sidewalk is displayed, but if you enable it, it will help you find your neighbors find pets and important items connected to Sidewalk.It is listed.I want to be a coordinated person, and I live in the suburbs, so it's important to help each other when you are in trouble.So I enabled Sidewalk.I don't know if my neighbors use trackers that are compatible with Sidewalk, but if the kittens of the neighborhood are gone, I will be able to find them at any time.But this requires trade -off with privacy.

The sound feels good

The Echo Show 8 speaker has a solid sound, and the sound sounds well when you play low -pound -hop -like music such as hip -hop.If you play music at a loud volume, you will feel vibration when it is in a light place such as a thin board shelf.During work, I often play music with a quiet volume, but I was able to listen to Chirhop's voice even with the smallest volume setting.It is also good to be able to pair additional Echo devices as subwoofers.

Echo Show 8 will be able to play something as a background, such as a children's room or a small office (for example, a revival version of "Beautiful Girl Sailor Moon Eternal" distributed on Netflix.Even anime full of action).Echo Show's 8 -inch display has a great appearance and sound, but with this size screen, the subtitles are small and difficult to see, so I have seen the dubbed version of English.

The biggest dissatisfaction of Echo Show 8 is that content is poor compared to Google devices.Of course, Google and Amazon are competing ecosystem, but if you compare them side by side, you can see the difference.I usually watch YouTube TV and cable TV services, so I didn't have anything I wanted to see on Echo Show 8.Popular streaming services such as "PLUTO TV", "Discovery+", and "Paramount+", which have recently attracted attention, are not currently provided on the Echo Show device.The same situation in music and podcasts, but you can synchronize sound playback on the cloud with apps like PocketCasts.

Also, personally, the open Google casting function is more convenient.Once a small Chromecast icon is displayed on the video, it is easy to understand and easy to understand that it is available, and you can watch videos regardless of the platform without any skill search.

Alexa, call grandmother

The new feature function of Echo Show 8 is an automatic flaging function for video calls.The default is turned on, but you can disable it as needed.I tried this function with my mother, but it can only be used with the default Alexa call function.(In Echo Show 8, you can also make video calls on Skype and Zoom.) The second generation Echo Show 8 announcement was also announced about the reaction function and AR effect, but it is not available yet.

My daughter can't talk enough yet.That's why I thought the camera that automatically zoomed bread and zoom was the best.Her daughter moves while talking.During the video call, my mother went out and out of the camera's angle of view, and she did not.Echo Show 8 cameras do not bread on both left or right, and the camera keeps her mother in the frame and always focuses on her mother's body.With the characteristic of a 110 -degree wide -angle camera, I was able to play with an exquisite visual effect.During a 30 -minute video call, especially when focusing on my mother and daughter's head, each other was gradually shifted.According to Amazon, the camera's "digital framing technology" may have interpreted each person as a thing because the person was too close to the frame.

One of the best smart home gadgets

Before writing this review, I had only used Amazon Echo Show 8, but I knew that many people prefer Alexa than Google Assistants.Alexa app skills and routines are very easy to access.Furthermore, all settings can be done from the device itself, which is not possible with Google Nest smart speakers.Also, if a new smart home -compatible gadget is added to the network, Alexa will actively display it.

The point of dating with Alexa depends greatly on the enabled skills, so if you do not train voice assistants, you may be irritated without mastering.

With Google Assistant, you need to program to some extent from your smartphone before activating a complex command.Devices like Echo Show need to be used while programming voice assistants.It may be thankful for those who want to associate with a digital entity without having to take the trouble of maintenance, but it may be troublesome for those who are particular about certain third -party services.

People who are worried about the privacy of Amazon products will have thrown out Amazon products, and those people will not buy devices that are connected to the Internet and have a camera or microphone in the first place.

If you already have the first Echo Show 8 and are worried about buying a new one, you don't need to buy a new camera or video call.The automatic flaging function during video calls is a minor function that you will not notice immediately.However, I think that the first one megapixel camera has become 13 mega pixels this time, and the resolution during video calls has improved dramatically.Unfortunately, my grandmother couldn't use Google Duo, so it's interesting to be able to use Echo Show 8 well for communication with her grandchildren.

For the time being, the second generation Echo Show 8 is the best to do "I don't want".

14,980 yen