@HA_fanatic (Bob) posted a new topic, subject "Echo Show 5". It read:

   New, cheaper, smaller, with built-in shutter to cover the camera.
    
    amazon.com
    
    ### Amazon.com: Introducing Echo Show 5 – Compact smart display with Alexa -...
    
    5.5" Touchscreen 1MP Camera with Shutter Dual-band Wi-fi Support 1.65" Built-in Speaker Alexa App is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices Customizable Photo Gallery and Clock Faces 
    
    **$89.99**

After which, @jkp added

    The Verge – 29 May 19
    
    ### The Amazon Echo Show 5 puts Alexa on a smaller screen, shipping in July for...
    
    It's a direct challenge to the Google Nest Home Hub.
    
      
    CNET – 29 May 19
    
    ### Amazon's Echo Show 5 takes up less space
    
    Amazon's newest smart display takes a smaller, cheaper and more privacy-oriented approach.

After which, @JDRoberts added

    Hmmmm…
    
    I'm pretty sure the echo show 5 is a re-cased echo spot and does **not** include a zigbee coordinator. ( The “five“ appears to be a reference to the size. This thing is pretty small for something you would play video on.)
    
    AEBE8140-8BFE-463A-A5FA-43E304A0038C.png2048×1536 3.82 MB
    
    Anyway, I went through all the support materials, and I don't see any indication that “there's a hub inside“ like they say for the echo show second generation. And the “simple set up“ instructions for the echo show five are only for the Wi-Fi simple setup, not zigbee.
    
    I wonder if that's just to save costs, this model definitely has an excellent list price at $89.
    
    We won't be getting one because we just really don't have a reason for it. We already have two of the echo show second generation and one of the first generation.
    
    But I agree, I think it was introduced to compete head-to-head with the whatever they're calling it now google device. (“Google Nest Home Hub”?)

After which, @JDRoberts added

    From the CNET article @jkp linked to above:
    
    > It's a safe bet that the Echo Spot, Amazon's round, 2.5-inch smart display is dead at this point. Amazon said it would continue selling the Spot for $130, but it's hard to imagine it living for long next to the Echo Show 5 given the latter's larger display, lower cost, and more privacy-friendly features. The Echo Show even creates some problems for the $100 Amazon Echo speaker, which has fewer features than the $90 Echo Show 5 and no screen.
    
    The show 5 definitely becomes the Echo baby monitor of choice at this point.

To which @HA_fanatic (Bob) replied

    JDRoberts:
    
    > I don't see any indication that “there's a hub inside“
    
    image1462×514 79.1 KB

Then @Its2loud (Mike) said

    Does the lack of Zigbee support really matte since I would think that most people would be purchasing this as an addition to Echos already purchased? Seems like a worthy addition to the echo arsenal.

@HA_fanatic (Bob) replied

    Its2loud:
    
    > Seems like a worthy addition to the echo arsenal.
    
    I agree, and I don't think it really matters at all

After which, @Automated_House (Jimmy aka SmartThingsBeat) added

    Cool. I had been pondering an echo spot for the bedroom, but didn't like the super tiny screen and lack of camera cover. Glad I waited

After which, @JDRoberts added

    Its2loud:
    
    > Does the lack of Zigbee support really matte since I would think that most people would be purchasing this as an addition to Echos already purchased? Seems like a worthy addition to the echo arsenal.
    
    They seem to believe, as does Google, that these devices will be the starter device for many homes. So the first echo device bought, not an add on to an existing account.
    
    So I think it does matter in the sense that Amazon didn't see the zigbee hub as a mandatory starter feature.
    
    It's more about a marketing analysis by the manufacturer than it is about the consumer buying decision in the sense that I think it demonstrates that Wi-Fi is “good enough” as a smart home starter level for now.

To which @JDRoberts replied

    A friend of mine also suggested that the echo show 5 will be a really good match to the Alexa guard feature, because you'll be able to drop in and see what is setting off the alarm. That was an interesting thought.

So @TonyFleisher (Tony Fleisher) replied

    As long as you remembered to open the shutter before you leave…

So @Spartysh32 replied

    Watching this. Have ring cameras, and wondering if this would be a faster response than going through the mobile app with an action.

@rontalley (Ron Talley) replied

    Wait one damn minute! Umm, this might just be a super killer product! The cost is right. The size is right. The features seems right. I wonder how it compares to the Echo Gen 2 sound…
    
    I have 3 of the gen 1 Shows and 1 of the gen 2 and I love the Shows. However, I hated that I couldn't connect my gen 1 to a bigger system. Also, I don't really need a “Big” screen just cool visual feedback. However, the spot was just too small to justify the price.
    
    This might just be perfect!
    
    Good job Amazon!

@Automated_House (Jimmy aka SmartThingsBeat) replied

    The initial reviews on the various tech sites look good. Looking forward to receiving mine later this week.

After which, @rontalley (Ron Talley) added

    They need to add a sub combo deal. $199 and I am all on it!

@Spartysh32 replied

    May be worth waiting for Prime Day in approximately 3 weeks?

So @Nezmo replied

    Got two on order myself. I have two Spots and love them. One is in my study and the other is on my nightstand. I have found them to be awesome with albeit a quirky shape (although it works fine on my nightstand). I plan to switch out the Spots with the Shows.

To which @Nezmo replied

    Got mine up and running. I'm quite impressed. These are my first “Show” devices. Sound is nice although I have the one in my Study hooked to Klipsch computer speakers anyway.
    
    I see some bugs with regards to the iOS Alexa app and the Shows but I am sure those will get worked out.
    
    A nice upgrade from the Spots. Now I'm trying to decide if I need the Spots anywhere else or whether I will gift them on or sell them.

@jkp replied

    I wonder if there will be any sort of deals on Prime Day?

So @jkp replied

    OK, 2 Echo Show 5 for $150. $30 savings… offer is available now.

To which @rontalley (Ron Talley) replied

    Not seeing it the deal. Did see a the recast for $100 off and that is a good deal!

After which, @jkp added

    206D29C2-D409-4AD4-9557-FA8427B2D49B.png1536×2048 805 KB

So @Spartysh32 replied

    $49.95 during Amazon Prime sale…

To which @rvs007 (rvs007) replied

    Does anyone know if it's possible to have the Echo Show 5 automatically display the Ring doorbell camera without having to say “Alexa, show me the doorbell?” Is there a way to do it using SmartThings/CoRE, etc.?

After which, @JDRoberts added

    rvs007:
    
    > Does anyone know if it's possible to have the Echo Show 5 automatically display the Ring doorbell camera without having to say “Alexa, show me the doorbell?” Is there a way to do it using SmartThings/CoRE, etc.?
    
    Easiest way is hacky, but it works. Set up an echo dot next to the echo show. Use an echo routine To have the dot say “echo, show me the doorbell” When the ring is pressed or detects motion. Voila, The show will display the camera view without you having to do anything. You can also have the dot say “echo, show me the doorbell on the office Show” if you want the display to be in a different room.
    
    In fact, you can even just do this with two dots next to each other and then display it on whatever show you want. so you can have the spoken announcement in a different room than the display device if that helps any.
    
    However, this is not silent because the dot is going to speak. So if you want a totally silent method, I don't think that exists yet.

After which, @Spartysh32 added

    JDRoberts:
    
    > However, this is not silent because the dot is going to speak. So if you want a totally silent method, I don't think that exists yet.
    
    Well… This is the main reason I ordered one of these today. That is disappointing.

After which, @Bloodtick_Jones added

    For a heads up on the Echo Show 5. It does not support announcements at this time.

@949BFN (Hendre) replied

    Noooooo. Don't tell me that.

To which @ogiewon replied

    949BFN:
    
    > Don't tell me that.
    
    The Echo Show 5 does appear to support an Alexa Routine _Action_ of “ _Alexa Says_ ”, which allows you to select a custom phrase to be spoken. At least the Echo Show 5 appears in the list of devices that you can choose from. I am away from home so I cannot test it right now.

@949BFN (Hendre) replied

    I never considered that it would not support Announcements. Going to complicate things with my webCore pistons and other Echo Speak devices.  
    Don't suppose anyone would know why Amazon removed the function and if it will be added in future.

To which @Spartysh32 replied

    I received my Show 5 last week. While I am a ring product and multiple echo user, after using the Show I believe I like the Google Hub as a better small smart screen a bit more. The Show 5 seems more ‘salesy' to me. Maybe I just need to try it out longer.

After which, @ogiewon added

    949BFN:
    
    > Going to complicate things with my webCore pistons and other Echo Speak devices.
    
    Echo Speaks supports the Echo Show 5 already. I really don't think it will be an issue if you're just using Text to Speech (TTS).
    
    Alexa “Announcements” are a special action type within an Alexa “Routine”. As I mentioned earlier, you can still make an Echo Show 5 ‘talk' using an Alexa “Routine” action of “Alexa Says” instead of an “Announcement”.

Then @Bloodtick_Jones said

    Bloodtick_Jones:
    
    > It does not support announcements  at this time.
    
    Checking my own work. This looks to be more of a problem with the IOS app not allowing you to select the Show 5 device for announcements if you are selective with the Echos you want to participate in the announcement only. Selecting ‘All devices' in the IOS the Show 5 does honor the announcement in the routine (if you have the device enabled which is the default). I can also confirm it works ‘setVolumeAndSpeak' commands via the ‘Echo Speaks' ST application.
    
    I was replacing an Echo Dot and went down a rabbit hole with a routine that uses annoucements to only a couple of Echos and the Show 5 wasn't listed. Found the Amazon thread after spending hours attempting to ‘fix it'.

Then @ogiewon said

    I just updated my Alexa app on my iPhone and now the Show 5 shows up in the list of devices for announcements.

Then @Bloodtick_Jones said

    ogiewon:
    
    > I just updated my Alexa app on my iPhone and now the Show 5 shows up in the list of devices for announcements.
    
    Did the same and see the same. Overall the Show 5 is full replacement (and better) than the Echo Dot IMHO.

@mwiseman (Mark) replied

    Bloodtick_Jones:
    
    > Overall the Show 5 is full replacement (and better) than the Echo Dot
    
    Dot or Spot?

After which, @TonyFleisher (Tony Fleisher) added

    mwiseman:
    
    > Dot or Spot?
    
    can it be Both?

@mwiseman (Mark) replied

    TonyFleisher:
    
    > > Dot or Spot?
    > 
    > can it be Both?
    
    Yes, at the current price, I would buy the Show 5 instead of either of the others.

So @Bloodtick_Jones replied

    mwiseman:
    
    > Dot or Spot?
    
    Better than both. Sound and functionality.


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