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As the back-to-school season kicks off, families everywhere are gearing up for the return to busy schedules filled with school runs, homework, extracurricular activities, and more. Have you memorized the district calendar? Fit in Meet-and-Greet day with the new teacher? Figure out how to upgrade the dorm fixtures with smart bulbs? Well, same. With so much to juggle, staying organized can feel like an overwhelming challenge; however, the use of technology to enhance a "family center" has made it easier than ever to keep your household on track.
One of the most useful, comprehensive devices in our home is the Echo Show 15, and if you're in the market to buy, this might be the best time. Amazon just released its newest generation with enhanced audio, view, and upgraded camera quality. They also shocked consumers with an all-new Echo Show 21 ($499.98 with stand). The 21" Full-HD display would be great for homes that want an even larger organization hub.
Devices in Amazon's Echo Show lineup are designed to help you manage your daily routines, keep everyone in the family on the same page, and reduce the stress that comes with a busy school year. "With the help of Alexa, managing a home is made easier, and different Echo devices can serve different organization purposes based on the type of room and size of the space," shared Kenzie Harkey, Founder and CEO of Simply Dare. "For larger homes, I recommend having an Echo Show in the kitchen to serve as a catch-all for all family notes, to-do lists, and calendar updates." Big, easy-to-read icons help keep the whole family on track.
Why the Echo Show 15?
Prior to the release of the 21, Echo Show 15 was the largest device in the Echo Show lineup. Its 15.6-inch HD screen size works nicely in centralized locations, such as the kitchen or living room. It's sleek and mounts flush to the wall, plus is loaded with lots of great features within its Alexa-powered widgets:
- Shared Family Calendar: With the shared family calendar feature, you can view daily schedules at a glance. This (helps to) ensure that no one misses their JV practice, the PTA's book fair, or early morning intramurals. The large screen makes it easy to see upcoming events, and voice commands allow you to add new events or reminders quickly and effortlessly.
- Digital Sticky Notes: Remember the days of sticky notes cluttering up your fridge? This digital alternative is both cleaner and more efficient. Whether it’s a reminder to take out the trash, a note to pick up groceries on the way home, or a motivational message to start the day, these notes help make sure that everyone is on the same page. If you have older kids like we do, it's nice to be able to list daily chores or requests in a central location. Of all the widget panels, it's one of our favorite features.
- Make Video Calls: Yes, there's a built-in camera! The Echo Show 15 is a great device for communication and lets you easily connect with family and friends through video calls. It’s like FaceTime, but this video streaming is seamlessly integrated into your smart home setup, simplifying the way you stay in touch.
- To-Do Lists: Keeping track of to-do lists is another area where the Echo Show 15 shines. Whether it’s a checklist for the morning routine, a list of chores for the kids, or a grocery list that updates in real-time, this smart display makes it easy to create and share lists with family members. Since it’s Amazon Alexa-enabled, you can add items to your list using just your voice, even when you’re in the middle of cooking dinner or helping with homework.
- Meal Planning and Recipes: Preparing meals during the school year can be hectic, but the Echo Show offers a variety of recipe options and meal-planning tools to streamline the process. Search for recipes, follow along with step-by-step instructions, or ingredients directly to your shopping list with just a few voice commands. The large 15-inch screen makes it easy to see the instructions while you cook, and Alexa’s voice guidance means you don’t have to keep stopping to scroll or click through the recipe.
- Visual ID and Personalized Experience: The Echo Show 15 also features Visual ID, which allows the device to recognize individual family members and provide a personalized experience. When you walk up to the Echo Show 15, it can greet you with a personalized dashboard, displaying your specific calendar events, reminders, and to-do lists. This tailored experience makes it even easier for each family member to stay on top of their responsibilities.
- Extended Media Room: The Echo Show 15 enhances your entertainment options by doubling as a compact Amazon Fire TV, allowing you to stream your favorite shows and movies effortlessly. Additionally, it connects to your Amazon Photo libraries, transforming into a digital picture frame that beautifully rotates through your cherished memories.
- Wall-Mount or Tabletop Display: The product installs flush to the wall, or can be used on a shelf or countertop with the purchase of the Tilt Stand.
Is the new Echo Show 21 worth it?
I haven't tried it yet, but having used the Echo Show 15 for most of the last year, I'd say yes. Here's why:
- If you plan to watch TV where it's mounted, a bigger screen always wins.
- A larger screen also translates to larger video calls, and larger photos presented on the display.
- The larger size also accommodates more widgets, so you can keep track of your tasks and manage more functions at once.
- It's a great scale for a backsplash, if that's where you plan to mount it. The 15" is great, but again, if you're using it to look at details on a calendar or notes on a recipe, bigger is great.
The Echo Show Line-Up: Options for Every Household
While the Echo Show 15 is a cool choice for larger households or those who want a central organizational hub, the Echo Show line includes several other models that can also help keep your home running smoothly.
- Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10: These two smart devices are great for those who want the functionality of the Echo Show 15 but in a smaller footprint. The Echo Show 8 offers an 8-inch screen, making it a great choice for a kitchen counter or bedroom nightstand. The Echo Show 10, with its 10.1-inch screen, stands out for its unique rotating screen that follows you as you move around the room.
- Echo Show 5: If you’re looking for something even smaller, the Echo Show 5 is perfect for bedrooms, home offices, or any space where you need quick access to information without taking up much space. With its 5.5-inch screen, it’s great for setting alarms, viewing quick reminders, and checking on your calendar first thing in the morning.
Echo Show Complements Your Smart Home Hub
Alexa-compatible smart home devices can create a cohesive and efficient environment to enhance your daily routines. The Echo Show, with its versatile functionality, is an excellent addition to any smart home setup. Its features not only integrate smoothly with other connected devices and systems (like Google Calendars) but also make managing household activities more convenient. "If you have kids, I recommend putting an Echo Pop Kids or Echo Show 5 Kids in their bedroom to allow them to use the to-do list feature and ask Alexa questions while they read and learn," added Harkey. "It's also a great tool for making Announcements throughout the whole house when dinner is ready or it's time to leave for school." My own family likes using it as a digital wall calendar and to display household photos.
Can the Echo Show be used by multiple family members?
Yes, it's designed with families in mind. The device settings support multiple user profiles, and with Visual ID, it can recognize individual family members and provide personalized information based on who is interacting with it. Each user can have their own calendar, reminders, and to-do lists, simplifying family organization.
Can you update the black frame with another color?
Yes, the Mission Cables store on Amazon outfits lots of accessories for Amazon devices. If the black frame isn't your style, they've manufactured a snap-on frame cover in both dark wood and light wood finishes that change the look of your Echo Show 15. Will they do the same for the new Echo Show 21? I would guess, yes.
Is the Echo Show easy to set up?
Yep, pretty straightforward! The device comes with detailed instructions, and you can choose to mount it on the wall or place it on a compatible stand. Once it's powered on, you'll be guided through the setup process, including connecting to your Wi-Fi network and linking your Amazon account. From there, you can link any other digital calendars, search for and display recipes, and organize other extra features.
How does the Echo Show 15 integrate with other compatible devices?
One word: Seamlessly. You can control your smart lights, thermostats, security cameras, and more using voice commands through Alexa. The device’s large screen also allows you to view feeds from your smart cameras, making it a central hub for your smart home setup.
