By The Verge | Created at 2024-11-20 16:47:06 | Updated at 2024-11-23 23:13:19
3 days ago
Amazon’s first wall-mounted smart display just got a big upgrade. Today, the company announced the launch of the Echo Show 21, an upgrade to the Echo Show 15 that debuted in 2022. The new model has a 21-inch screen with 1080p resolution for $399.99. Amazon says it has better audio quality than the original Show 15 and nearly doubles the viewing area. An improved camera and a built-in smart home hub round out the features. A new Echo Show 15 for $299.99 was also announced and comes with the same audio, camera, and smart home upgrades.
According to Amazon, the Show 21 will be capable of “delivering immersive sound, double the bass and room adaption technology." The company also upgraded the auto-framing camera for improved video calls with “more than double the field of view and 65% more zoom than the first-generation Echo Show 15” and added noise reduction to make calls clearer.
Image: Amazon
The new Echo Show 15 will also get the same audio and camera upgrades. Both devices can act as smart home hubs, with Wi-Fi, Thread, and Zigbee radios, and Matter Controller capabilities for smart home control. Amazon says these models will also be capable of controlling some devices locally, including lights, switches, and plugs. This function was first available on the Echo Hub, which launched earlier this year.
The two new Show devices also have Wi-Fi 6E, which should help with faster music and video streaming. They can double as Fire TVs and work with Amazon’s Fire TV remote. I use the current Echo Show 15 in my kitchen, and it's a great little kitchen TV. However, the 21-inch model might be a bit of a challenge for my countertop!
Both models feature the customizable widgets that first arrived on the Show 15, including a calendar, smart home controls, shopping, and to-do lists. A refreshed audio widget will show all your favorite audio content and let you tap a group to play audio across multiple speakers.
The Show 21 and Show 15 are available now at Amazon and ship with the Alexa Voice Remote and wall-mounting equipment. A countertop stand is sold separately.
