Upgraded Audio, Camera & Smarts: Amazon’s Echo Show 15 Enhances Home Display Experience – Step-by-Step

Amazon has launched the second generation of its Echo Show 15, a smart display designed to integrate entertainment and home management functionalities. The device features a 15.6-inch Full-HD (1080p) display, positioning itself as a versatile addition to kitchen and living spaces.

As someone who has used the first-generation Amazon Echo Show 15 every day as our family kitchen table TV for two and a half years, I can attest to the device’s practical utility.

We use it for various functions including as a big photo frame, playing video content via Fire TV apps like Youtube and ABC iView as well as smart home commands to turn lights on/off etc.

Key improvements compared to the first generation Echo Show 15 are:

• Enhanced audio performance with increased bass response and vocal clarity
• Integrated smart home hub supporting Zigbee and Thread protocols
• Advanced front-facing camera with 13 megapixel resolution, expanded field of view, and 3x zoom capability
• Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for improved streaming and network performance

The new Echo Show 15 offers enhanced smart home capabilities, including compatibility with Matter, Thread, and Zigbee devices. Users can control smart home components like switches, lights, and plugs through voice commands or a dedicated smart home dashboard. The device’s mounting flexibility allows for wall installation or countertop placement, adapting to various home environments.

Family organization remains a core focus, with customizable widgets displaying calendars, schedules, weather information, family photos, and music selections. The upgraded camera represents a significant improvement, featuring 3x zoom, a wide field of vision, and advanced noise reduction technology. This enables more natural video calls and the ability to check in on family members or pets remotely.

Entertainment capabilities have been expanded with built-in Fire TV functionality, providing access to over 250,000 movies and TV episodes from popular streaming services. The device includes a remote and supports seamless content viewing across multiple devices, with a new Wi-Fi 6E capability ensuring smoother streaming experiences.

Privacy and sustainability have been key considerations in the device’s design. Amazon has implemented multiple privacy protection layers, including a manual mic/camera off button, built-in camera shutter, and the ability to delete voice recordings. From an environmental perspective, the Echo Show 15 is constructed from 41% recycled materials and features a Low Power Mode to reduce energy consumption. The packaging is particularly noteworthy, with 99% made from wood fibre-based materials sourced from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.

For budget-conscious consumers, the first-generation Amazon Echo Show presents an attractive alternative. Currently available for $353 including a remote, this model is approximately one-third less expensive than the new second-generation device. This pricing makes the original Echo Show an accessible option for those seeking smart display functionality without the latest features.

The new Echo Show 15 is priced at AU$549.00 and is available through Amazon’s Australian website. An additional Amazon Premium Adjustable Stand is available for AU$169.95, offering flexible positioning options for the device.

The device’s audio capabilities have also been refined, allowing users to manage music, podcasts, and radio content from a single interface. The ability to group and play audio across multiple Echo speakers enhances the home entertainment ecosystem.

Patrick Walker, Country Manager for Amazon Devices in Australia and New Zealand, emphasizes the device’s potential to help Australian households with organization, smart home management, family connection, and entertainment. With over half a billion Alexa-enabled devices already in global households, the Echo Show 15 represents Amazon’s continued commitment to integrating smart technology into daily life.

This latest iteration of the Echo Show demonstrates Amazon’s ongoing efforts to create more intuitive, versatile, and environmentally conscious smart home devices. By combining entertainment, communication, and home management features in a single, aesthetically pleasing package, the Echo Show 15 aims to become an essential component of modern home technology.