Amazon Unveils the Echo Show, an Alexa-Powered Touchscreen

The latest Alexa device will cost $230 and ships June 28.

May 9, 2017 11:23 am
The Echo Show, an Alexa-powered touchscreen (Amazon)
The Echo Show, an Alexa-powered touchscreen (Amazon)

Amazon just gave Alexa a face—or a screen, rather.

The company announced the Echo Show, a touchscreen-equipped media device, on Tuesday. It costs $230 and will start shipping on June 28, but pre-orders are already being taken.

The Show is the newest member of the Echo family, a growing list of smart home hubs powered by Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa.

With its seven-inch display, it brings a visual element to Amazon’s smart home concept, so users can video chat with family or friends, sync up their baby monitor, or peruse their daily schedule.

The new Echo Show makes video calling possible. (Amazon)

The Show will enhance features of previous Echo iterations, which were mostly limited to asking Alexa questions and playing music or radio. One additional innovation for example, is the display of lyrics from songs.

 

With two color options, black or white, the 41-ounce device is more like a smart appliance than an Alexa-powered tablet.

Amazon just released the Echo Look last month, which featured a camera without a screen. The device is available for purchase, but on a limited basis.

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