Stuff - UK (2020-02)

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FIRST TEST AMAZON ECHO SHOW 8

Shake some actions

Built-in Alexa allows things called
routines: little pre-programmed
commands that fire off multiple
actions from a single voice
prompt. Obvious uses for this
are to switch off a bunch of smart
stuff when you go to bed, or as a
shortcut to a music playlist.

Fade away and radiator

You can blast beats through two
2in drivers and a passive radiator.
Just hook it up to a music source
as you would any other Bluetooth
speaker – the Show 8 will flip
automatically between audio
beamed from your phone and
played directly through Alexa.

I’m intercom thing good

The Show 8 has a 1MP camera
that lets you use it like a video
walkie-talkie thanks to a feature
called Drop-In: run the Alexa
app on your phone and you can
quickly start video-chatting
through the Show elsewhere
in your house.

S hub party

It’s possible to set the Show 8 up
to communicate with things like
Sonos speakers, Hue lights and
smart home cameras. We’re not
at the level of Blade Runner AI
yet, but you can make sure Alexa
knows which TV you’re asking
her to turn on.

These alarms of mine

Although perfectly brilliant as
a kitchen accompaniment, the
Show 8 also makes for a very
convincing alarm clock. Worried
about the distraction? Fret not:
its ambient light sensor lets it dim
down almost completely at night,
so it won’t keep you awake.

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5

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24 hours with

the Amazon

Echo Show 8

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