The Amazon Echo Show 15 is HUGE But is it Worth it?

[@MakeItWorkTech]

Again loving that closeup view!! All the details! Great review!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks again sir! I am liking the new format, but it has its positives and negatives. Almost went back for the smart home awards...allllways playing. You know the deal. :)

[@MakeItWorkTech]

@@AutomateYourLife for sure!

[@speedracer9132]

I really hope this pushes Google to compete with their own large device

[@1MarkKeller]

Same

[@AutomateYourLife]

Same

[@ingejones8240]

Ditto

[@AaronZaffle]

same

[@shaun159]

I wish Google with make a larger Google Nesthub MAX 15" I have the max on my kitchen counter but love if the 10" screen was bigger.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Truth!

[@youngtaylor1521]

i could help you out with 10 inches on your counter...

[@AutomateYourLife]

😳🤣

[@Catloverplayer]

They added widgits to the Echo 8 but unfortunately you can't see them on the home screen. You have to slide to the left from the right side.

[@AutomateYourLife]

True! And the 10!

[@HughD]

Great review, Brian. Finally...something I won't likely be buying. Like others, I don't have a place to mount it that would actually make it useful. Nice stand...

[@AutomateYourLife]

ahahahhaa, you know you don't HAVE to buy everything right?

[@HughD]

@@AutomateYourLife What? I don't??? Thanks...I didn't know that!!!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Don't tell others...

[@dofmodz]

Hi Brian, The speakers on the back of the Echo Show 15 are an ethical problem. The loud sound vibrating through wall can cause disturbance to neighbors.

[@greengadget4687]

So no VESA mounting? No aux out? No HDMI input? Pretty limited introduction to a big screen format Echo. FireTV stick with a 15" touchscreen monitor a better configuration?

[@AutomateYourLife]

You tell me if it's better. I think for me I like this new interface and Fire TV is meant just for consuming content. This is more, so I think it's more about your needs. For me, I don't care about in/out that much, and the mounting...I just care if it goes on the wall. So it's all about use case!

[@greengadget4687]

@@AutomateYourLife It reminds me alot of the first Echo Show. New chip, new interface, etc. With all the experience Amazon now has so much experience with designing for Mediatek chips on FireTVs and Echoes they might have optimized this better with the FireTV Auto OS for touchscreen.

[@oliversmith7354]

I really like that Amazon and mediatek are coming up with such cool smart home devices

[@AutomateYourLife]

What's the mediatek processor in here?

[@berylwhite2983]

How Miss a 15 not recognize you!! 😕 you have 115 subscribers I'm sure she is one. Great video you had some super info..Don't hate have a Merry Christmas.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Merry Christmas to you sir!

[@Shivam.Nagpal]

can we use fire stick with it ?

[@AutomateYourLife]

In some ways, yes. As a home theater speaker? No. Echo Shows don't do that. As a controller? Yep, in many ways. All kinds of commands for the Fire TV can be given to Alexa.

[@ingejones8240]

What I'd like to know is, if I buy more than one of these and put one in each room, would I be able to set them up differently so for example each one has its own smart home widget with devices appropriate to the room it is in?

[@AutomateYourLife]

It loooooooooooks like that, but I don't have two to tell you Inge. Sorry!

[@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!

[@lany_07gaming]

Nice info and great review for the Amazon Echo Show.👍

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks for watching Lany!

[@lany_07gaming]

@@AutomateYourLife always.👍

[@AutomateYourLife]

🥰🥰

[@fredfountaine]

Brien have you seen the new update for the echo show 15 the fire tv is here

[@AutomateYourLife]

I have!!

[@scottmckinney6471]

Do you know if you can pair a remote with it? Love the idea of hanging it on the wall for a clean look but could be a pain for somethings without a remote.

[@AutomateYourLife]

You know, they used to have a remote you could pair with Echoes but I don't see it anymore.

[@HappyJ]

Not all updates are good. When the Show 15 came out, it was not yet Fire TV capable. But it would connect to a Fire TV Recast. When the update came that made it Fire TV capable. It took away its ability to connect to the recast device. That means no local TV channels and no access to recorded TV.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeahhhh, people who love the Recast really love the Recast.

[@andrewrussell5393]

Can you get a Sonos app on it?

[@AutomateYourLife]

There's no app, per se. Alexa has skills, but for Sonos their skill is to bring the speakers into the app for some...mediocre use.

[@daprince27studio]

That's a nice design. The user interface is typically what I have an issue with. Nice review.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks! Yeah, I think the main page is a serious improvement, and I hope (and believe) widgets will keep evolving and become much better.

[@daprince27studio]

@@AutomateYourLife So true, because I have both Amazon and Google/Nest products in my smart home, and I've always enjoyed the Google/Nest interface more.

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@daprince27studio well I love this one and if you try it, I hope you do too!

[@daprince27studio]

@@AutomateYourLife 👍

[@crisfranco71]

Can you connect external speakers to it?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Through Bluetooth only.

[@Catloverplayer]

I wish Amazon would make an Echo Auto Show so you can see music,weather ect when you're in your car. The Echo Auto isn't compatible with Android Auto. You can hear music,weather etc but can't see it on you're Android Auto Radio display.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Interesting thought! I wouldn't put it past them.

[@golden355]

Is there a widget that can display RTSP cameras?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Not as of today. If you have a skill that allows that, you could bring it up.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Or use the Web browser to get there.

[@golden355]

So we have to keep using Monocle? Darn. You would think us Ubiquiti users would have a better option. Thanks!

[@DementedDog]

Is this also able to be included in multi-room music groups? I thought I'd read somewhere that it didn't?

[@AutomateYourLife]

It works in multi room music groups and in stereo pairs. Just not in home theatre, like other echo shows

[@FreedomOfSpeech107]

I wish you had Shown how ring camera live feed look like on this.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Each Ring Camera will look a bit different depending on resolution, but I actually still don't have a Ring camera in my home. I've worked with them, but never owned one! Sorry!

[@Catloverplayer]

Do you know when the other echo shows are getting widgits?

[@AutomateYourLife]

That's not guaranteed at all, sadly. It seems like it might make it to the Echo Show 10, but not sure the others could handle it anyways.

[@fredfountaine]

Brian is the echo show 15 worth buying I could not make my mind up to buy or not that's why I'm asking you

[@AutomateYourLife]

Tough call Fred. I think it's a great device, but it's not like it's a ton better than any of the other Echo Shows. I think if you have a really special place for it in your home, then go for it. Otherwise, I don't see a huge reason for someone like you to go buy another.

[@kz03jd]

I think I'll wait for the 2nd gen when it has a better camera like the Show 8 & 10 have, and hopefully better speakers

[@AutomateYourLife]

We can dream!

[@fredfountaine]

Brian how come Brett has not viewed the echo show 15

[@AutomateYourLife]

Don't know Fred!

[@shawnryan3196]

I did my FR with a hat on and it doesn't see me if my hat isn't on . I had my wife do FR then had her put her hair up and it doesn't see her . this is a huge flop hope they fix it to use real FR

[@AutomateYourLife]

It does seem like hair changes messes with it a bit. I cut mine yesterday and it's working so far, but it wasn't that big of a change. Reed did tell me hats were a problem, so I expected a few folks to say that!

[@1MarkKeller]

Oooo! Sorry Nest Hub Max, I might need to get this for the garage/utility room instead.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Oooooh, I feel like the Garage might be ok (might get dusty), but the utility room might feel like a waste once you see the screen Mark.

[@1MarkKeller]

@@AutomateYourLife Ohhhhh, my utility room has my washer and dryer in it and I might stay in there longer folding the laundry with a bigger screen to look at. lol

[@AutomateYourLife]

That's good enough for me sir!😀

[@predpalina]

Yeah, I'll say it again....Google is losing battle with Amazon in terms of smarthome devices and contents.

[@1MarkKeller]

@@predpalina Yep, it's as if they have given up.

[@ronm6585]

Thank you Brian.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thank you Ron!

[@PhillyDjHook]

Apologies for being so late Mr. Brian. KZbin is just beginning to recommend your videos to me again SMH. For a very long time, I've been thinking of mounting a TV with Chromecast built-in, up in my bathroom. So I can relax in the tub and watch stuff 🛀📺. If Google did this, it would be splended. They better put the power cable in the right spot also.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I wonder if we'll see a big display like this from Google. They would just need to include their Chromecast Built In like you said and it'd be potentially really nice. Got a lot of work to do on audio though, both these companies!

[@garethjones5068]

If I hadn't built up my hopes for this being the first mass market smarthome dashboard then I'd probably be really impressed by the Show 15, but I did hope that so I can't see it as anything but a missed opportunity

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah I think if you're expecting perfection...

[@garethjones5068]

@@AutomateYourLife You know, I don't think expecting a smart dashboard to have a ZigBee hub in it is expecting perfection 😋

[@AutomateYourLife]

Ohhhh well if that's what you wanted!

[@fredfountaine]

Well Brian I brought echo show 15 I tell you what I like it big screen

[@AutomateYourLife]

Oh I'm glad you like it Fred!

[@Catloverplayer]

Watch Amazon come out with a 20 or 25 inch Echo Show this year.

[@AutomateYourLife]

LOL...ohhhh man, that's gonna be pricey!

[@rickslife]

I’d like to see it able to play KZbin TV or SiliconDust HomeRun.

[@SnapquesterMage]

The lack of meaningful dashboard control is a huge turn off for me. There's some other wonky design things that make me not like it either. I actually snap ordered one of these upon announcement, and will likely be returning it if it's not announced that they'll be adding functionality or patching smart home features.

[@AutomateYourLife]

They always patch stuff and add functionality...I think the question is whether you like what you have now. If the answer's no...send it back and wait till it does. That's why I do the updates/features videos!

[@SnapquesterMage]

@@AutomateYourLife Even just allowing routines or grouos on the widget as is would be amazing. But individual items, only in app-favorite order, and in this design language... Is pretty rough! I do like the rest of it, so maybe I stick it out? It's replacing a Show 8, so at least it's not actually worse than that!

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's definitely not worse than the 8. I think we will see regular widget improvements, but it's a new program so it's still a bit in the air!

[@faengelm]

Great review. I noticed that the calendar widget does not update properly and there are many complaints on the User Forum. I also noticed that in the Alexa App, under Devcies- Echo Show 15- Settings- Camera- Settings that the "Announcements- Person Detection Announcement" is greyed out. Zoom recognizes the meeting on the calendar and asks if I want to join, but doesn't join. .. yet

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah no person detection or automation yet, but I have had my calendar widget updating...what's the complaint? Just that it takes time?

[@faengelm]

@@AutomateYourLife when I add or delete an event in my gmail calendar it takes hours to show up in the widget

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeahhhh that's sync timelines. It'll depend on the service.

[@faengelm]

@@AutomateYourLife it actually shows up if you open the calendar. It's just that the widget doesn't see the update

[@AutomateYourLife]

ohhhh weird...ok well that should get fixed asap then!

[@brianwy77]

Now if someone would come out with a Google compatible device that size.

[@AutomateYourLife]

A man can dream, a man can dream

[@1MarkKeller]

Google/Nest sure are dragging their feet with putting out product.

[@claudioagmfilho]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻👏🏻, Awesome review !

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thank you Claudio!😀

[@somemovingpictures]

Bigger and Better? Bigger, yes. Better, right now it's not there for me, seems more like a wait and see what comes along before paying the asking price. I mean, $250 is 25% of an Astro! Speaking of which, is there an Astro in your future?

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's not cheap. Not at all. And some of those specs are not anywhere near where folks will expect!

[@guidoabarcia1926]

By the time updates are ready, they'll have released new model, a 20 inch version, bigger is better in USA

[@somemovingpictures]

@@AutomateYourLife Maybe you could do a short segment about "what to expect" based on promises and specifications from Amazon. It is a huge purchase for those interested and whether or not to test the robotic waters is a major decision. My reference to the robot was somewhat tongue in cheek but I'm sure there are those who are genuinely considering Astro.

[@Falcon5ive]

Remeber when they admitted to listening to ALL what we talk and stored it "to train themselves better" , I have trust issues with any of such devices by Google, Facebook or Amazon.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I get ya. At least now we are seeing data they collect and can delete it... supposedly

[@Falcon5ive]

​@@AutomateYourLife Google & Facebook's whole business model is "provide services for free" but you reliase later that they make money by selling you to advertisers. I beleive it was Tim Cook who said that if their product is free then you are their product. You can literally never fully delete a Facebook account. After you have deleted your account, you log n again with your credentials and it restores your account, with all your data, so it wasn't deleted in the first place, just made dormant.

[@gtrscort1]

I would say the Echo Show 15 isn’t worth it. I’ve had 2 of them and both stopped responding to voice commands. Nothing the Amazon techs tried worked.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Whenever I hear stories like this, I think about electrical brownouts or some other environmental issue. It's just odd that you've had 2 go wrong so close together and there are so few of those stories I've ever heard. I usually get these kinds of stories from users just like you gave here, so I'd have expected to hear about it!

[@gtrscort1]

@@AutomateYourLife I doubt it’s any kind of environmental issue. I do believe it’s a bad batch. I did also see a review back in April that this has happened to as well. I’m holding on it for now as Amazon escalated the issue to the engineers as he believes it could be related to the software. I had a different issue with one of my Echo Show 8’s and it took 3 replacements before I got one that actually worked. Those were screen issues though, nothing software related. Other the microphone issue, it was pretty solid.

[@colinbell444]

I think I would buy it if I could connect a fire stick to it 🇬🇧

[@AutomateYourLife]

Directly into it? You can of course use voice commands with it!

[@colinbell444]

What would be better if a fire stick was built into it maybe in the near future 🇬🇧

[@AutomateYourLife]

I'd like that too. Better than the video home interface

[@ko2610]

Does it understand commands in Finnish? Siri does...

[@1214Hanif]

First one to comment 😁

[@AutomateYourLife]

Well hey there! Hope you enjoy our review!