Amazon has taken a significant leap in smart home technology with the launch of its largest-ever smart display, the Echo Show 21, alongside an upgraded Echo Show 15. These new releases mark a strategic response to customer feedback, particularly addressing demands for larger screens and enhanced audio capabilities.
The Bigger Picture The Echo Show 21, priced at $399.99, boasts nearly double the viewing area of its predecessor, while the refreshed Echo Show 15 maintains its original form factor at $299.99. Both devices come equipped with wall mounting hardware and an Alexa Voice Remote, with optional accessories including light brown or white frames ($34.99 for Echo Show 15, $39.99 for Echo Show 21) and a premium counter stand ($99.99).
Enhanced Features and Capabilities Both models introduce significant improvements:
- Upgraded audio with double the bass and room adaptation technology
- Advanced auto-framing camera with 65% more zoom capability
- Built-in smart home hub compatible with Matter, Wi-Fi, Thread, and Zigbee devices
- First Echo devices with Wi-Fi 6E support
- Noise reduction technology for clearer video calls
- Wider field of view for improved video conferencing
Smart Home Integration The devices serve as comprehensive smart home controllers, capable of managing over 20 connected devices. Amazon reports that customers use Alexa for smart home control over a billion times weekly. The integrated hub allows for local control of various devices, resulting in faster response times.
Entertainment Hub The entertainment features are particularly noteworthy:
- Fire TV integration with access to major streaming services
- AI-enhanced content search capabilities
- Seamless content transfer between Echo Show and Fire TV devices
- Enhanced audio hub for music, podcasts, and radio
- Group audio playback across multiple Echo devices
Practical Applications For household organization, both devices offer:
- Customizable widgets for family calendars and to-do lists
- Shopping list management
- Upcoming features for sports scores, news headlines, and stock prices
- Digital photo frame functionality with full-resolution storage for Prime members
Customer Impact Amazon’s development of these devices was driven by user feedback, with Echo Show 15 maintaining a 4.5-star global rating. The company notes that Echo Show 15 users watch seven times more video content monthly compared to other Echo Show devices, a trend that’s continuing to grow.
Pricing and Availability Both devices are now available for purchase:
- Echo Show 21: $399.99
- Echo Show 15: $299.99
- Additional accessories range from $34.99 to $99.99
