Amazon Echo Show 10 Review: Still Unmoved?

The Evolving Landscape of Smart Home Technology and Privacy

Each new smart device introduced into the home sparks important discussions. These center around concerns of privacy, security, and the trade-offs we are prepared to make for increased convenience. It is not inherently anti-technology to welcome these conversations and carefully evaluate new products before integrating them into our living spaces.

Personally, my own apartment features a relatively limited selection of smart home technology. I utilize two larger smart speakers, alongside a smaller, third unit, primarily for the ease of streaming music throughout different rooms. A connected smoke detector provides reassurance, particularly when I am away from home for extended periods. Additionally, I have a few smart lightbulbs, simply for the sake of experimentation.

Early Smart Displays and the Camera Question

When Google initially unveiled its first smart screen, the Home (now Nest) Hub, the decision to omit a camera was a thoughtful one. The company did, however, include a camera on its larger Max device, offering that option to users. For many products, video cameras are now standard – and understandably so, especially as smart screens like the new Echo Show 10 increasingly serve as teleconferencing tools, blurring the boundaries between work and personal life.

Amazon's Response: A Physical Camera Shutter

Amazon has responded to these concerns with the inclusion of a prominent physical shutter button on the top of the device. Sliding this button to the right covers the camera with a white lens cap, clearly visible against the black bezel. Activating the shutter triggers a notification: “Camera off. Disabling motion.”

The “motion” in this context refers to the rotating screen – the defining feature of Amazon’s latest Echo Show iteration. The company positions this technology as a significant advancement for the category. While the implementation is well-executed and unobtrusive, it does re-open the debate surrounding privacy.

The Intrusion of Tracking Technology

The concept of a home device that seamlessly blends into its surroundings is challenged by this feature. The Echo utilizes figure tracking to ensure the display remains oriented towards the user, drawing attention to itself in the process. While users may be aware that a device is employing imaging and AI for tracking, they can often passively disregard it. However, when the device actively follows a person around a room, these considerations become more prominent.

After several days of use, I found the feature largely unnecessary – and occasionally unsettling. I’ve positioned the Show on my desk, and have mostly deactivated the tracking function. While I might adapt to it over time, given my limited use, I prefer to operate the device in a stationary mode, manually adjusting the screen angle as needed. Screen adjustments are commonplace and perfectly acceptable.

Customizing Motion Settings

Amazon guides users through the feature setup, including default screen orientation and rotation range. The system initially lacks an understanding of what constitutes “straight ahead,” requiring user adjustments via the settings sliders. These settings can be modified later, and a “Motion Preferences” option allows users to limit applications that utilize tracking, require voice activation, or disable the feature entirely.

I consistently keep the camera shutter engaged when not actively using the camera, which naturally prevents the screen from moving, as it requires visual input for tracking.

Interestingly, the moving screen serves as a helpful reminder when I inadvertently forget to disable the camera.

Amazon's Emphasis on Privacy

Amazon has understandably emphasized privacy aspects since the Echo Show 10’s release. The product page features eight mentions of “privacy,” with a key statement highlighting that the tracking feature employs a vague outline of a person, rather than facial recognition. The processed image resembles a heat map, lacking recognizable features of an individual or even a human form (though it can differentiate between people and pets). This aspect has been a focal point of discussion for the company.

Reducing User Friction with Automated Tracking

The rotating feature aims to reduce user friction. Amazon notes that existing Echo Show owners often manually swivel their devices, such as when cooking in the kitchen. The front-firing audio also rotates with the screen, aligning with the company’s shift away from 360-degree audio in recent Echo models. This is a positive or negative aspect depending on individual usage and the number of people present.

The feature can also be used to follow a user during video calls, a functionality offered by competitors through zooming and cropping.

Audio Quality and Screen Size

Amazon has made significant improvements to the audio quality of these devices in recent generations, prioritizing the “speaker” component of smart speakers. The new Show delivers a full sound for its size, even with the screen partially obstructing the front panel.

The 10.1-inch screen is a suitable size for quick video viewing. While it won’t replace a TV or laptop, it’s adequate for short-form content. It’s unfortunate that Amazon and Google haven’t collaborated, as YouTube dominates the short-form video market, which is ideal for this form factor. (YouTube can still be accessed through the built-in browser, though it’s not an optimal experience.)

Amazon Prime Video offers a range of long-form content, and Amazon is actively partnering with third-party services to enhance the Echo experience. Netflix and Hulu are now available for video, and Apple Music and Spotify have been added for music playback.

Expanding App Support and Software Integrations

While additional third-party apps would be beneficial, the current selection is a solid starting point. Services like Spotify can be set as the default music player, a welcome addition that streamlines the user experience (Amazon Music is less compelling than Prime Video at this time).

Zoom integration is forthcoming, promising to further enhance the device’s capabilities, particularly given the increasing overlap between home and work life. Currently, calls are limited to other Alexa devices and Skype.

Security Camera Potential

Currently, the most compelling use case for both the camera and automatic screen swiveling is as a makeshift security camera. This feature, available with a Guard Plus subscription, allows users to set a geofence, enabling the Show to function as a smart security camera when they are away. The system will alert the user if a person is detected while they are out.

Recent rumors suggest Amazon is developing a wall-mounted smart home hub, which would serve as a central control point for connected devices. For now, the Show and the Alexa mobile app adequately address these needs, though a dedicated wall-mounted device could offer a more premium experience.

Overall Value and Considerations

A strategically placed Show can fulfill that need for many users. It certainly works well in my one-bedroom apartment, allowing voice or touch control of lighting and monitoring of security camera feeds, including those from Amazon’s Ring.

At $249, the Echo Show 10 is $20 more expensive than the 2018 model. It’s unclear how much of this increase is attributable to the mechanical turning mechanism, but Amazon offers a cheaper version without this functionality, which I would likely choose, given my reservations. However, individual preferences may vary.

Overall, it’s a well-designed addition to the Show family, and one that I don’t mind operating in a traditional, stationary manner.