Amazon has refreshed two of its smart displays. The 2021 edition of the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 bring upgraded cameras and new features. It has also announced a kids version of the smaller model.
The Echo Show 8 comes with a new octa-core
processor which Amazon has deliberately not named. The new chipset should
provide the additional power needed for some of the new features such as
panning and zooming with the new 13MP camera while making a video call. Amazon
has made the field of view of the camera wider (110°) for the pan and zoom
feature since the Echo Show 8’s display can’t rotate like that of the Echo Show
10.
There is also a human detection feature
that turns on configured routines when someone walks into the room. Amazon says
that this feature is not activated out of the box. Another feature that has
been included according to The Verge is new AR effects for Amazon’s video chat
service. Users will be able to set custom virtual backgrounds and animated
reactions will now cover the screen.
The new Echo Show 5 now has a 2MP camera
but doesn’t have the pan and zoom feature of the Echo Show 8 but gets the
motion feature that activates routines such as turning on the lights when you
enter a room. Amazon now offers the smart display in a new blue variant
alongside white and charcoal. It has also permanently dropped the price to US$ 84.99.
The Echo Show 5 Kids Edition has the same
specs but gets a multi-color fabric on the rear. It also comes with 1 year of
Amazon Kids Plus services and a 2-year warranty that covers all damages. This
special edition costs US$ 94.99. All three devices have camera shutters and
buttons to turn the microphone/camera off. There is no news yet as to when they
will be available for purchase as they are all still listed as out of stock on
the online store.
