BIG Update! Echo Show 15 is So Much Better!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

🔴 Check out these videos next. Thanks for watching. 🍿 Apple TV 4k vs Fire TV Cube! Which Should YOU Buy? - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a56zZKZ3l9p_rtU 🍿 WHY the NEW Apple TV 4K (2022) is Still the BEST! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqjaeqyYpq6Lhrs

[@Tobuay]

The discounted remote is no longer being offered according to the Amazon rep I just talked to.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is disappointing to hear.

[@gaztykephotography]

For a retail company, Amazon seem to be having a nightmare of mis-marketing their screen based Echo devices. Whilst these updates are good from an entertainment device use case perspective, I’m not seeing it doing much for the smart home/family dashboard use case it was originally sold on

[@staticklingon2182]

Right?! I already have a TV. I don’t want this as my tv. We have tablets, phones, tvs, laptops and monitors already in my house. Just focus on the family dashboard aspect! Amazon makes money off fire purchases, so this is why it got top priority. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@jomowynn1490]

@@staticklingon2182exactly

[@QueenMaiiiko]

I like how you actively went out of your way not to set everybodys alexas off 😂

[@_Taz]

Whatever you do, don't load the iHeart app and play music - you'll never get it to stop playing without starting another audio app or unplugging the device

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you for that tip. That is good to know.

[@SweetArtGraphics]

I have never had that problem. Alexa is always prompt at ending iheart

[@ScottCulberson]

You can also use the fire tv app on your phone as your remote for the Show 15. I find it a much better option

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is great to know Scott. Thank you for sharing that and for watching

[@billmulcahy3594]

Great Scott!

[@Marzena_Pyka]

Good to know 🙂 Thank you Scott

[@lisaallen5487]

My husband got me this for Christmas. It sat on my kitchen counter for maybe 3 weeks. It’s now sitting on the floor beside my desk waiting for me to make space in a closet to store it. I don’t hate it, it’s actually kinda cool. I just hate unnecessary clutter on my counter and I don’t have wall space to hang it. There’s also the fact that my house is open concept and our tv is 15 feet and in full view from our kitchen. I have no need for any of the other features on it either. I know….I could have sent it back but my husband meant well and I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

[@james2008957]

Sounds odd but okay. What a waste of money.

[@VirtuouslyVain]

Get the under cabinet mount

[@BartlettTFD]

Another helpful feature in case you have poor WiFi at the location where your Show 15 is located. A USB to Ethernet adapter is available for around $15. When you plug in the adapter to it, the Show 15 will immediately recognize a wired Ethernet connection to the internet! Currently I have 2 Show 15’s and am very happy with them. However, I’ve noticed when Amazon pushes out an update, it often will turn on some options that Amazon wants but I DON’T! Like making it easier to order more crap from Amazon, of course😂

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you for the tip. Yeah, Amazon is bad about turning on new cards to sell to you in a different way.

[@clydeosterhout1221]

We needed to replace a very small wall mounted TV in our bedroom. The Show 15 at $149 from Woit was a no-brainer. It combines the functions of my wife’s bedside alarm, a Gen 1 Show on our dresser, and our old dead TV. In the morning it wakes us up, shows us the weather and my wife’s commute, and then our local news. On the rare occasions that we watch TV in the bedroom (the TV died while my wife was recovering from a medical procedure) it works as well as our old TV. (ie: well enough). The Show 15 is too big for a kitchen (our show 8 is fine for that), it’s too small for a living room (our huge TV and Firestick are great!), but for our bedroom application it’s perfect. I’m just glad it has a camera cover!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for sharing this. That’s great how much you are using it. It gives you that assistant functionality you won’t get in a TV at that price

[@locotuss]

Still wish Amazon would allow recipes to stay on while cooking, it goes back to home screen after a timeout

[@MitchGurowitz]

The remote is not optional, it is annoying but they make the touch interface so limited you are forced to buy one. Also the most expensive backlit remote doesn’t work with the Echo 15. It erroneously has false button presses and selects or pauses when you don’t want it to.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello Mitch, it is so annoying to have to use that on board remote. You can use touch on the Fire Tablets, why can't they port those apps over to the Echo show 15. Thank you for watching and sharing your experience.

[@madboyreadynow28]

Can you connect a Bluetooth speaker?

[@jessicagonzalez6352]

How did you get the movie to show big on screen?

[@MrUnemployedjoe]

It is not available to buy now, they have finished production due to the 2 new 15" and 21" models available to buy in November 2024

[@jstmag]

How do you feel about the audio quality? Will it let you pair 2 echos and a sub in stereo mode?

[@TNRonin]

I use the command strips to mount my echo device on the wall. Extremely sturdy. Very happy with that method. Especially since I can take it off. For power I went through the wall to the other wall with grommets, and plugged it in there so it's hidden.

[@bobwasson8421]

note: whenever I hear the "f word" on a video or bashing America like your profile picture I automatically move on. Not that you may care - it's important

[@TNRonin]

@@bobwasson8421 note: you are right I don't care, you can move on, have a good life. God bless America, and you need to do a little bit of research so you understand the meaning of an upside down flag. Then maybe you'll get off your high horse and start treating people like they should be treated. Meaning that you should be respecting my right to voice my opinion. I have not been disrespectful in fact this flag in this position is the utmost in respect because I understand what it means. Holy cow, I cannot believe woke has come to me! I got to tell my friends at the range about this one, wow!

[@bobwasson8421]

I do understand - international sign of distress... and I do agree; seems like my initial remark was off the cuff - and wrong. Our country truly is at a dangerous moment!@@TNRonin

[@TNRonin]

@@bobwasson8421It's all good. Take care.

[@yourlocalhuman3526]

HUH​@@bobwasson8421

[@keithcorso385]

I’d love to see the fire tv update come to the echo show 8.

[@TonicYellow19]

I had the 8 before I got the 15, and the sound was 50 times better on the 8. I lost sound quality for a bigger screen. I hooked up a JBL Flip 4 to it and it still isn't able to put out the sound the echo 8 did. I'm actually missing the echo 8 now. I sold it for 50 bucks. Crap!!

[@CCross777]

I got the home assistant app to run on it! It’s been great since the FireTV update.

[@norseexpansion8076]

Nice video, I am wondering how far can you get using only voice control? Like, could you get a show to start? My grandma could speak with the device, but pushing buttons would be difficult for her.

[@HappyJ]

I disagree with you. Prior to the FireTV update, it would connect to the FireTV Recast. After the update, it no longer will connect to the Recast device by design. Gone is live local TV and DVR recorded shows on the Recast. What were they thinking. OK, they weren't.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I would be disappointed too if they killed that feature. Sorry to hear that.

[@alexander2685]

The fire tv remote will not update and gets stuck at a loading screen so I unpaired the remote now having to use the touch remote until they fix that issue this is unacceptable.

[@sadiehoffman9344]

Does KZbin Kids work on there to be downloaded?

[@davidwebster5314]

Can you update the 15 which I purchased less than a year ago?

[@pamcadd8658]

If I have a dashboard device in my kitchen, it needs to run the Paprika recipe app. When the Echo Show devices released, I was disappointed that they didn't run regular apps like Paprika. Until this limitation changes, I'll continue to use an iPad for my kitchen dashboard device.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I understand what you are saying. I default to my iPad for similar reasons. Thanks for watching.

[@Johnsoax]

When I attempt to buy the remote, I am only given the option of buying it for $30, no discount.

[@rickslife]

But after the update Recast Tv is gone. Also unable to load HD Homerun app. Soooo no live TV for me. Still disappointed after waiting so long for this update.

[@ChrisAmor-q2q]

Does anyone know if you have access to the downloader app on this echo 15

[@alexander2685]

Does not update your firetv remote when paired gets stuck had to unpair it to get the touch screen remote which makes this device horrible now unless they patch the issue.

[@michaelmanning7234]

Can this play the audio through my other echo devices?

[@TonicYellow19]

Can you tell me that doing a factory reset is the only way to clean up cookies and cache? In unable to find any other info to do that. TY

[@jenniecurtis2663]

Can you Watch all ring camera on the 15. I want to use it for monitoring at my business while i am in the office, i can see other rooms

[@anthonybonair8842]

Does the wevpn app work in this? I use it on the fire stick to get Amazon content as I live outside the US.

[@Eva_H]

How well does the fire TV remote app for iOS and android work for the echo show 15?

[@dumpling3309]

You need to touch the screen to activate the remote.

[@georgeemanson]

Can you get the Blink or Arenti doorbell unit's live view to be sent to this continuously? If so, can you make a demo on how?

[@VincentConti-q4u]

Can the HDHomeRun app be installed on the echo 15?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

You can only install streaming apps and even then a few of them have not worked.

[@sergie2822]

I bought this thing and felt so disappointed with this echo show 15. It was just so laggy, performance was like working with an old android phone. I found myself poking the thing trying to get the touch screen to respond. Now, I only use it along with my ring door bell and Amazon app. Nothing more. 😢

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello Sergie, sorry to hear it has been a disappointment for you. Thank you for watching and sharing your experience.

[@MrMarky5575]

Side loading could be good with this it’s just those bezels huge

[@lindseyhemphill3419]

Am I able to download network TV apps, such as TLC or MTV, etc.?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Yes you are. So far most of the services work.

[@lindseyhemphill3419]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@chicagoal3731]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Somebody do a video on how to setup the show 15 PER ROOM! I only want to see devices AND Routines I can use for that room the Show is in.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Unfortunately that is not an option. Amazon only has the favorite devices widget. It would be nice to be able to do it by room.

[@klstay]

Thanks you for the update. Absolutely no offense intended here (as you obviously put in time and effort to create quality postings), but even an inexpensive wired "lapel mic" could take the audio quality to the next level.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Kevin for checking out the video. I tried a new shot for this video and my normal shot gun mic ended up very echoey. I tried a different approach for next weeks video that is better. Still not quite there, so I am trying something else.

[@tonyeaster4544]

The sound definitely sucks Craig! Got rid of mine!☹️I still have one in the bedroom but the sound comes from a dot via Bluetooth.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for sharing your experience. That is good you have the dot connected to the other one.

[@jaredschick1711]

I find the remote unnecessary only because it would make more sense to just swipe and touch on videos and/or movies in different apps like KZbin and others

[@wrlSivan16]

Can you mirror from phone?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

No, its too limited for that.

[@wrlSivan16]

@@CraigsTechTalk Im looking for a small smart tv for a teen. Smallest I can find is a 24”. Do you know any that are 19” and lower?

[@jrovc]

Any NFL or NBA or other sport scoreboards

[@Brent1701-D]

Craig, can you please talk about the fact that after the Fire TV update the Echo Show 15 no longer supports Recast OTA channels. Do you have anyone from Amazon you can check with? If support is gone, what is Amazon planning on replacing this feature with? Paid TV channels?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for sharing this. I had no idea that happened and have zero contacts that would know anything about that. I occasionally hear from PR people. I am willing to bet Amazon figured not a lot of people bought recast and use it that way. So they can sneak taking it away and hope no one noticed. I am sorry to hear that is gone. They have pulled a few of those moves over the past year that aren’t cool.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Amazon is figuring you will bring your own service with the apps they provide.

[@Kevdog1920]

I was thinking of buying this for my bedroom

[@jf6720]

Will it let you use the download app to put on apps that aren't amazon?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I seriously doubt it since not all of their own apps don’t work with it. Thanks for watching.

[@cheryl8267]

Love watching in the kitchen when cooking!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is good to hear you are putting it to use. The big screen finally is getting used in our kitchen.

[@ICESTAR771]

I would only get it if it had good sound quality and loudness like the echo studio why can't we have both display and great sound

[@gracemaglaris1547]

It would be cool if you somehow could attach it to your fridge

[@Kevdog1920]

I agree with you I don’t like the fire interface and i like Apple TV better

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Nice. It’s a much cleaner interface. Thanks for watching.

[@Kevdog1920]

@@CraigsTechTalk Your welcome. I agree it is a cleaner interface. I love your videos

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you very much Kevin

[@joek468]

Wish there was a way to get the clock out of the bottom right corner and able to repostion anywhere. I have the Show 8 with stand and I can't see the clock because my bed it in the way.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That would be nice to have. It’s surprising that all these years later there is no clock customization.

[@justahair8765]

Can i set up the ebay app on it so it sends notifications whe. You sell items .

[@CraigsTechTalk]

There would have to be an Alexa skill to do that.

[@samanddadkwan341]

Calendar doesn’t have monthly or weekly views. I will return it because of that widget shortcoming. Anyway know of a work around? I’m going to get a raspberry pi and a 15” monitor for it.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I can understand what you are saying. Unfortunately, widgets are so limited. Amazon goes wide with features, but not very deep with them.

[@billmulcahy3594]

I’m disappointed with it is because it’s slow when you pull up the dashboard for your smart home.

[@WaynoGur]

Do you know when Sling will come to the rest of the Echo show devices? This was announced in September of 2021 and.... NBC. (Nothing But Crickets).

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is a great question. They went silent on Sling. I wonder if there have been any acquisitions that have changed that sling deal. Love the NBC👍

[@jhamelvisify]

Hi, I like to see KZbin running on screen and the make the clock bigger on screen to please. Can you do that for me please.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Unfortunately you can’t change the clock size

[@joshuahaney1135]

I see some people have put Home Assistant on Diego show 15

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That offers way more value as a smart home controller. Thanks for watching.

[@baitykris1]

Been using this update since it came out. Good overview.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Kristopher. Hope it’s working well for you. Thanks for watching.

[@Directory1]

I bought a touch screen now if we could just disable the remote on screen we're good. I'll go back to normal.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That would be nice to have that option.

[@capebreton8016]

IF YOU CANT SIDELOAD.....IT SUCKS .....PERIOD!

[@8Arachne8]

Just me or would an iPad on a stand not be basically the same thing, but better?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

If you are looking for a media device, an ipad is definitely a better an option. But if you want a smart speaker with a screen this adds more value to that screen just sitting there.

[@estusflask982]

No because the iPad has battery. If you leave it plugged in the battery will swell

[@ASFx2600]

@@estusflask982 No it won't. my ipad has been plugged in for years and it's fine. many people use mounted ipads for home automation that are permanently plugged in. You're probably thinking of old nicd batteires from 20 years ago.

[@christianjorge9866]

​​@@estusflask982I know what you mean.... but 99% of the decent devices nowadays fixed that issue of damaging the battery for being permanently connected. Battery will degrade just with its cycles like any other

[@4cooldog99]

Can you watch live antenna tv?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

No you cannot. Only from supported streaming services.

[@colinjones5473]

I have an all inclusive Live TV app that can provide you with all Live content for only $25 a month. Let me know if your interested in learning more?

[@harrynickel8691]

Thanks Craig

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you. I appreciate you watching.

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Craig.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Ron. I hope the new year is treating you well.

[@Bill-NM]

Can I say, "Alexa, start the Sling TV app, and play CBS" ?? Thanks... (Assuming we are subscribed to Sling, etc, of course)

[@CraigsTechTalk]

You can open the app or I believe you flip the phrase to “Alexa, open CBS on Sling TV” or you can push the button on the remote for Alexa and say “Open CBS on Sling TV” I confirmed the command on Hulu just now.

[@Bill-NM]

@@CraigsTechTalk thanks very much.

[@randygreen007]

Until Amazon removes the forced cards and advertising on their screened devices the three that I own have been relegated to rooms that aren’t used very much. This includes the expensive spinning show. Such a huge disappointment and I’m sure that parents are going to be frustrated when their children see adds for candy or things to order then pester them until they cave in and buy it.

[@tyrik7206]

I believe you can edit that in the settings section. My echo 15 doesn't show those ads, only weather and photos. Under Settings > Home Content you can deselect a lot of stuff. I'm not sure if this option is available on the other devices but I would assume so.

[@randygreen007]

@@tyrik7206 your comment got me a little excited as I’ve been using the echo 10 and also 2 echo 8 devices since they came out. There is absolutely no way to disable the add settings on these devices and it remains the number one complaint across the internet concerning them. I spent almost 30 minutes talking with tech support asking why we have no control over the adds and two “cards” as they are called that continuously rotate through. The Amazon rep told me “these are two of the user’s favorite features and will not be disabled”. Clearly amazon has a different idea of what favorite means. I did a quick check of the echo show 15 and I can clearly see these adds on the screen on their website pictures. Fortunately for those devices they appear to be taking up only a small portion of the screen unlike the 10” and 8” versions where these adds are full screen. I also did a search in the question section of the 15 and indeed people are asking how to turn these adds and cards off the 15. Maybe you’re just not watching your screen long enough to notice them?

[@tyrik7206]

@@randygreen007 Just to confirm, are these ads that you are seeing on the home screen of the device? If so, if you deselect all those toggles listed then they shouldn't show anymore. On echo 8 and 10, the same toggle list should be under settings > home and clock > home content

[@tyrik7206]

​@@randygreen007 Here shows how to remove the ads from the home screen - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6PImIWbo8esfLM

[@randygreen007]

@@tyrik7206 thanks and yes I’m completely familiar with those toggles. With the 8 and 10 all screens rotate on a continuous basis as the end user doesn’t have control of this. There is no “Home Screen” As stated I was on the phone in a voice conversation with the tech support that works only with these show devices. While she sympathized with the fact that the user doesn’t have control over these adds and cards she said that amazon isn’t going to budge from their position of keeping them in the rotation. She marked my complaint and said they might consider it in the future but for now full screen adds are going to continue without any choice of the customer.

[@douglasbest8136]

I was disappointed when it wouldn’t connect to my Fire Recast.

[@dankelley9361]

Apple TV 😞, Still not of fan of cost & the Walled Garden affect.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I can appreciate that.

[@lukedowning4009]

Purchased when they finally released the Fire TV update, as looked and the unit in the past and it was missing too much. Good size for our kitchen. Missing a couple of apps I'd like, such as BBC iPlayer (but got that working on a side install) and its frustrating that Spotify on there is a cutdown version, that you can't search within....hopefully that will change.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for sharing your experience. That is a bummer about Spotify. THAnks for watching.

[@VincentConti-q4u]

@@CraigsTechTalk can the HDHomeRun app be installed in the Fire tv section?

[@danpublicidad]

Si great video!! Thanks

[@alexd509]

The user interface is horrible, they should of kept like a tablet or have a tablet mode for that matter… it rarely gets any updates either

[@MrJono1999]

Craig, I love your videos but you really seem to have skirted round the big elephant in the room. They have removed virtually all of the touch functionaliy when within the fire app. When you sign in for the first time you now have the pain you have with any remote based system, 400 hundred button presses for a 20 character login and another 400 presses for your password. When prior to the update you could use your 15 inch touch screen just like a keyboard and simply type these details in. Therefore if you have quite a few services, you need to setting in with a cuppa to put all your details in. On top of that you cannot drag and open things they way you could before in the same fasion you can on a tablet for example. So on the one hand if you want a device that works like a TV this is probably great. If you want a 15 touch screen that works more along the lines of a tablet and the rest of your echo shows, you are screwed! Great video as always, but personally if you want a fire tv, buy one, this is not a fire tv. It is an echo show with lots of limitations.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Me not having the same experience as you does not equate to me skirting around something. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@MrJono1999]

@@CraigsTechTalk Maybe a poor choice of words on my part. I just meant that you didn't really mention the aspect about loosing the full touch experience very much. But I do see the benefit for people who are more remote centric. Always great to watch your videos.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hello Jonathan, I can totally respect if you felt I didn't go into the touch features enough. I thought I had covered it enough with using the on screen touch remote. I actually removed another mention of the touch screen because I thought it might be too repetitive. Thanks for the follow up Jonathan and for the long time support.

[@TheBigdutchster]

I don't feel that these type of devices do enough to justify their purchase. I have a Nest Hub Max and I truly regret purchasing it. It makes for an expensive clock and literally does almost nothing else, making it pretty useless overall.

[@dalpaengi]

I understand where you’re coming from. I’m a college student so it helps me a lot but for most people it’s unnecessary.

[@jamesony]

Can someone answer me TWO very simple questions: When in photo mode - does the photo mode stay on indefinietly and does it have stupid watermark text in the corner of the photo mode? My stupid Echo show 5 has photo mode but always has water marks saying - "ask Alexa - when was this photo taken" etc.) I have unticked every single option in the settings menus to turn off recommendations to no avail. The whole reason I want to buy an echo show 15 is to use it as a frame 1st and smart device 2nd... i dont want widgets popping up or stupid "recommendations" that effectively ruin the photo frame experience. Thanks!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Yes Photo mode stays on indefinitely and it does ditch the Alex suggestions at the bottom. Those are so annoying.

[@jamesony]

@@CraigsTechTalk Thanks for the answer! You're the first person to respond on this Q on any echo show video

[@CraigsTechTalk]

You are welcome. Glad to help. I went out and a confirmed the screen was blank.

[@jamesony]

@@CraigsTechTalk I just bought one... But for me the "things to try" repeats on photo mode and the photo mode ends when the slideshow finishes 😢 that's a deal breaker for me.

[@estusflask982]

The screen does look surprisingly crisp

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That’s funny. I was feeling the same way. Thanks for watching Oliver

[@kerserker]

I've gone through 2 Echo 15s that did not work properly. Finally got Amazon to give me my money back - they know it is a piece of garbage

[@spike178]

Looks like a waste of money to me.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Compared to the other echos, I agree

[@ginarae5739]

...probably the main reason to buy, unlikely to be any other.!?? 🎉

[@DNAdoll1]

I can't tell you how much I hate this device. It frustrates me daily. lol.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am sorry to hear that. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It is good for others to hear. Thanks for watching.

[@ride4chevy]

Totally worthless device. I put mine back in the box and that's where it sits. Bought a FireHD tablet to replace it.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@youtubeaccount9808]

How dumb is it to use a physician remote to operate a touchscreen! It's idiotic fire TV on a tablet doesn't support touch input. I use KZbin on the silk browser because this way I get to use touch input to browse and select videos.

[@ChengLZha]

It’s really slow, I have been used it for 2 years, way out dated, and don’t buy

[@rain7096]

👍

[@dancook4993]

I know it is so ugly and cheep looking very under powered cheep low grade processing don’t buy its junk sent mine back