Amazon.co.uk:Customer reviews: Echo Show 8 (1st Gen, 2019 release) – Smart Display with Alexa – Stay in touch with the help of Alexa

Not the Echo Show we deserve (Amazon please listen to your customers!)

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2019

Colour Name: Sandstone FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

After over 2 years since the first Echo Show was released we get a new device with a shiny new exterior and a bigger and better screen. And that unfortunately is as much new and exciting about this product as I can say. The software, and all of the frustrations that have fallen on deaf ears, remains the same. The home screen is still mostly just a big useless empty space, unless you want to switch on the news and updates that are hand-picked by Amazon to remind you constantly to ask Alexa to try something you either already know about or have no interest in. The so called ‘news’ items bear no resemblance to real world news and why can’t we have the date on the screen – they added it to the Show 5 – why not this? The option to display weather, reminders and upcoming calendar events is quite useful but like everything else on this device it is presented in a very basic way – in fact as the screen constantly scrolls through these sections you are left wondering why can’t I just have it all on the one home page, along with other questions such as why doesn’t my calendar display the location of the event or the end time and why can’t I link my Big Sky Skill to the home page?
I’ll admit that some people will love this device for its ability to connect to security cameras and to make video calls but I think for most people its quicker just to get up and answer the door and the phone is sufficient for calling friends and family (also for my kids at least Skype has been replaced by either Face Time or WhatsApp). Music has always been the Echo’s biggest plus point across all devices, but here again it’s a very hit and miss experience in terms of the screen application. I used to be an Amazon music subscriber but switched to Apple as I found Amazon’s library limited – they also have a habit of removing tracks and albums from playlists and they decided to remove the best feature of being able to upload tracks not available in their library. That aside the price I pay for not being loyal to Amazon’s music service is that the Echo Show won’t show me my Apple playlists and it won’t display lyrics. Same restrictions for Video also – I do have a Prime account but I don’t really want to watch films and boxsets while pottering about in my kitchen – I want to have background TV on. It is possible to watch BBC iplayer on the browser but none of it is well executed and it offers no voice control. I have tried streaming freeview TV from other web sites and I can watch the likes of ITV and Channel 4 but only for 5 minutes, after which time the browser times-out and returns to the home screen. I can restart the browser but that’s not really ideal. I logged this issue 2 years ago and was told it was being looked into - I logged it again this week and got told the same thing – I am not holding my breadth and I can only assume Amazon are deliberately choosing when the screen times out and when it doesn’t to help increase their Prime subscribers. Netflix and Sky Q would be nice but I think we can assume that will never happen but some kind of Freeview skill is surely possible – they have a Freeview skill on the Fire TV stick so why not on the Show? We do get You Tube but despite Amazon and Google apparently patching up their difference we still have a basic looking version that sits in the browser. It is possible to open You Tube with voice and you can search with voice by clicking on the search option first and then clicking on ‘Return’ to action the search – all very clunky and half-baked.
Some functions I do like which take advantage of the screen are the ability to view and display my photos (via my Amazon Prime account), I can also search images online but unfortunately it uses Bing (despite setting the browser search engine as Google) – it doesn’t always work (try ‘show images of Ellen Page’ and you get images of pages). This is also frustrating as Amazon signed a major deal with Getty Images but these only appear occasionally which feels like a missed opportunity. The online video recipes and how-to’s is also good but you quickly find limitations with what it has to offer – a decent cooking skill is needed although a proper YouTube skill would fix that. I do also like the ability to search and watch music videos (but again You Tube skill could do that and better). I also like being able to view movie times and trailers and the TV Guide skill is probably one of my most and only used skills (but of course you can’t link that to any ability to watch the current TV programme – in fact 99.99% of all skills are useless – Amazon used to promote skills enhanced for the Show – they don’t do that anymore which tells you everything you need to know. And that is the main issue here - for a device that is supposed to be all about the screen there is just so little it does well. Here is just a few other examples of things I feel are missed opportunities:-
- Most radio players on Show wont disaply the track that is playing (but it will tell you if you ask)
- There is no enhanced skill to browse and play Podcasts
- Amazon Music will show your playlists but it doesn’t understand “show me new albums” or “show me the most popular albums” or “show me <genre> albums”
- Most people use screens to interact with e-mail or Social Media but other than the flaky browser there is zero voice activated skills linked to social media or e-mail accounts
- Online banking skills are non-existent
- IMDB is owned by Amazon and doesn’t feature as a fully-fledged skill
-Twitch is owned by Amazon but is not available for UK customers
-You can view and buy products on Amazon but you cannot read reviews of those products
-You can get an address of a hotel or restaurant but you cannot view it on a map, you can’t get detailed directions and you can’t read reviews
This is not a small device and for me to have such a large screen doing so little seems a waste of space on my kitchen counter - I also didn’t appreciate the power cable taking up almost an inch of extra depth at the back which limits placement against a wall – how hard would it have been to make it angled or flush? I have returned it for the Show 5 which has a decent speaker, gives me today's date and shows me my timers or album artwork – that’s all I need because that’s pretty much all the Show offers me that is useful. Maybe one day Amazon will get it right and make a Show the majority of customers want and need but at the moment there seems to be very little desire from Amazon to do that and judging by the instant price drop on the 8 they are only really interested in signing up new Prime subscribers.

2,859 people found this helpful

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Rob

No Clock Choice?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2019

Colour Name: Charcoal FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

I bought the Echo 8, as an alarm, and wanted a bigger screen to see the time during the night, but the clock face is only available on the smaller Echo 5. I got it in the Black Friday sale for £59. I’m in a dilemma, i don’t know whether to send it back, or hope Amazon updates the Echo with new software that would mirror the Echo 5.

836 people found this helpful

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BrendanHeather

This is the one! Buy it now!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 November 2019

Colour Name: Sandstone FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

I uploaded some videos to youtube a few days ago, just search for beemandev
Comparing to Show5:- Show 8 doesn’t have any clock selections or full screen clock + is brighter than Show 5, so may not be as suited to bedroom. I have a fix for this on a youtube video. Uses about 5 watts vs 3w with dim screen+music, double that for max brightness & volume. 10w stereo speaker with sound coming out sides vs 4w mono with sound coming from below front on the 5. Neither can play higher than 480p on Youtube (via Firefox) without stutter.

Plex works but transcodes h265 and ALAC, though the MT8163 chip (same as latest fire tablet 9th gen) can natively decode h265 so probably needs Plex TLC... Plays h264@1080p and flac audio native. Using Plex web interface on touch screen via Firefox is awkward, a bit buggy and a little bit sluggish. Worked a bit better on Silk Browser, but very usable. Use http;//192.168.etc for local plex access (needs http prefix).

I’d buy Show8 over 5, even for bedroom as currently only £10 difference (Black Friday) cos of better speaker BUT if 5 was 2/3 price of 8 then would probably get 5 for bedroom, 8 for kitchen, especially if audio quality in bedroom no biggie. Was already using Echo Dots but Show 8 = great upgrade. Show 5 audio quality similar to dot, maybe marginally lower. Amazon low stock now, try Argos.

In summary, definitely buy one (or three), the more I use it the more I like it. I’d like to see o/s tweaks to align 8 with 5, much lower minimum brightness on Show 8 and large power jack sticking out back makes wall placement more awkward. But 10/10 from me. Good enough audio, good enough screen for kitchen & bedrooms at great price. In lounge you likely use tv+speakers so could just use an echo input or dot unless you want camera or a convenient touchscreen jukebox.

Show8 = Fire OS 6.5.3.5 (NS6535/2348)
Show5 = Fire OS 6.5.3.5 (NS6535/2348)
Same versions but menus are slightly different.

483 people found this helpful

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Shane Farringdon

Ok device but not same as show 5

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 November 2019

Colour Name: Charcoal FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

I pre ordered this device after asking on Amazon forum and getting a reply from an Amazon rep that the show 8 will do the same as the show 5 only bigger screen, i wanted the large face clock with date and ideally the day. but as the show 5 i would settle for a large clock and date in middle of the screen .. But after paying double the BF price i found it was a lie the show 8 is not the same as the show 5 far from it.. So if you are looking for a large clock face then don't buy this ..

388 people found this helpful

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Sheila & Richard M

Great product, shame about skill!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 November 2019

Colour Name: Sandstone FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

A great echo show 8, like the 5, but as I have Ring as well. The skill still does not work, this the only thing that let's it down, shame Amazon as they own Ring as well. Amazon & Ring have enough tech heads, and they can't get it right, Shame on
them, shame on them.

349 people found this helpful

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Pete

almost there - great display but missing some features so could be improved upon

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 November 2019

Colour Name: Sandstone FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

Lovely size screen, lovely HD display - I chose "Art" for my wallpaper - really great selection of paintings, including famous ones.
Sound is a lot better on the 8 compared to the 5.
Works same as other echo shows but it's a shame you can't change clock faces on it like the Show 5 - mine is in my bedroom as an alarm clock. Our show 5 (which is in my mum's bedroom) has a great selection of clock faces to choose from so mum is happy - but she doesn't watch videos on it so the 5 inch screen is good for her.
But I like watching videos so the 8 inch is better for me.
let's all contact Amazon and ask them to give us the clock faces as a choice on the show 8 too. it only needs a software update!!

318 people found this helpful

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S. Ward

Echo Show: The Best Thing I've Ever Bought & Brilliant for Music Lovers.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2019

Colour Name: Charcoal FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

The Echo Show 8 (1st Gen) has stereo speakers and an 8 inch High-Definition screen. The processor is apparently the same as in the original Show 5, but the software is slightly different between the two. In 'do not disturb' mode, whether online or offline the Show 8 does display a bigger clock* at bottom left of the screen (if you want it to), but you can't change the clock face style like you can with the Show 5 and the Show 8 has its own new background photo themed collections to choose from or you can still set your own photos; also this Show 8 only has the same basic 3 band graphic equalizer, I think perhaps a bigger band equalizer would be a good upgrade for all the Show devices, just to have more detailed sound settings to tweak, but overall the bigger Show 8 is your perfect every day hub or for at your bedside.

I bought the new Show 8 for my kitchen diner, mainly to listen to music. If you have Amazon's 'Music Unlimited' this Show 8 and the Show 5 are just perfect because Alexa will play almost any album or song you ask her to play. She will also play song collections from any year you choose, she'll show you albums from any artist and when you hear a song you like you can ask Alexa to add it to one of your personal playlists, which is just brilliant and most songs display lyrics, plus you can listen to all of your favourite radio stations. I've tried listening to music through the new stereo speakers, which do sound great, but I prefer connecting my expensive Bluetooth headphones so I can listen from all over the house when I need to, and I've had no sound degradation or cut-outs with wireless headphones connected, audio quality is great! The HD screen looks good too, I won't be watching movies on this device, but what music videos I've seen on it definitely look sharp and detailed.

I've only just bought into these Alexa devices, I recently bought a Show 5 which is perfect as my bedside alarm clock and so much more. ..when I saw just what Alexa can do I was amazed and immediately wanted to have another Show in other rooms, I now have 4. If you haven't tried an Alexa Show device yet, then I would say 'buy one' without hesitation! The Echo Show 8 and the Show 5 are two of the best things I've ever bought. Alexa is the future! /;¬, Highly recommended.

*just above the clock the Show 8 now displays Weather, Temperature, Day, Date and Month.

I now use my Show 8 with the optional stand, not only dose it look better, also it actually makes the audio direct from the speakers sound much better: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07T6BLSPT/?coliid=I1F1ABBCZ1CXH&colid=2WZU6YXIE7DUR&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it_im

255 people found this helpful

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CHE DIXON

Good potential, A few initial bugs caused me a headache but now resolved (see update below)

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2019

Colour Name: Charcoal FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

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I really wanted to like this product but it fails on the main reason for purchasing. It’s stated in the details that this product will show you your ring pro camera when asking but it fails to recognise the ring device and won’t display. I have an echo spot which works perfectly with the ring pro so it’s definitely an issue with the echo show 8. My return window is active until mid January so it will be returned if the issues aren’t addressed before then. It’s unlike amazon to release a product that’s not as described so I hope it’s a one off driven by the desire to push the product on Black Friday.
Take a look at the video attached, such a shame.
It does have potential, the screen is nice, the sound quite good, it just hangs on fixing the smart home integration for me as it’s an ideal hub for many smart commands and functions.
I’ve now tried this with a YI home camera and it has exactly the same issue, works on an echo spot but not on this echo show 8. There seems a fundamental issue with viewing cameras, interested to hear from others in this situation.

****************************
UPDATE - I’ve managed to get devices and cameras working now. It turns out for some reason even though it was supplier from amazon logged into it as myself (che), it’s actually using my partners account. If you have similar issues say to your show “Alexa, who’s account is this?” Mine replied “che is speaking, you are in (partners name) account. I then said “Alexa, Change account to che” and it changed successfully. All devices are now working. I’ve amended my star rating to reflect this although I still believe this is a new release bug as even if I factory reset the show and entered my amazon account and password it still defaulted to my partners account. Only asking Alexa to change accounts solved the issue.

243 people found this helpful

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Harmony

Great to play with and a Big, BIG Sound

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 December 2019

Colour Name: Charcoal FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

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Bought this instead of replacing my defunct electronic picture frame. Now I stream pictures from amazon photos and they look great on this screen. It's in the kitchen so great for using for the radio or internet but I'm finding the more I play with this, the more useful it is. I have Sonos speakers all over the house and can control them with a skill, which is great. But, the sound on this little baby i nearly there with the sound from the Sonos one, which i pretty impressive, loud and no distortion.
Alexa has some pretty impressive capabilities and one of them is keeping my kids entertained. We already had an echo dot before this but now we are starting to communicate around the house with Alexa.
Easy to install, easy to set up, easy to use. You get regular emails that inform you of new (and existing) ways to talk to her and get her to do things.
Absolutely fantastic value as far as I'm concerned :-)

150 people found this helpful

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Peter B

Superb!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 November 2019

Colour Name: Charcoal FabricStyle Name: Echo Show 8Verified Purchase

I've only known her for a few hours but I've fallen in love with alexa already!! This is a great piece of kit, that is linking all of my smart home plugs and lights and security in one place. I've not even started to scratch the surface yet of what it can do, but from what I've seen I'm smitten. The alexa concept goes well beyond a control device, and in the few hours I've had this up and running I'm discovering more and more of what it can do.

The set up took no time or effort - just be aware that when it comes to time zone it first asks you to confirm GMT, then it asks you again what time zone you're in. Keep scrolling down, GMT does show it's head again eventually.

Outside of that, the screen is large enough to see clearly from my dining area as well as my living area, the machine recognises my requests from about 20 feet away without difficulty.

The sound for both amazon Music and radio is very clear (let's be honest, we're not talking studio sound here, it does what it needs to do with clarity and a good tone) and the audio responses are clearly spoken and easy to hear without having to have the volume up to max.

The only thing Alexa has baulked at so far for me was high water tide times, but that might have been the location I requested rather than a failure to understand what I was asking for. Overall, I'm incredibly satisfied with the purchase, and have no complaints whatsoever. This comes from me as a highly recommended piece of kit for the smart home

69 people found this helpful

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