Amazon 新 Echo 系列走上與 Apple HomeView 截然不同的路線

Apple made a big splash early this October with its massive smart home announcement, including new Siri AI features, the company’s first smart display called HomeView and the long-awaited smart speaker, the HomePod Mini 2.

Now Amazon’s here with its new Echo lineup, and we’re all comparing these smart speakers and smart displays with what Apple is offering. What’s interesting is that Amazon is taking a completely different path with its new home devices — especially the latest Echo Show, which is currently available for preorder. Here’s what that means and why it matters for potential buyers this holiday season.

Amazon’s Echo Show 16 is everything the HomeView is not

Apple’s first smart display relies heavily on Siri AI and audio features as a selling point, with a design a bit like the Echo Show 11. During Apple’s announcement, I noted this created dissonance since the 7-inch screen is too small to easily watch the latest Apple TV shows, or much else, even if the audio is excellent. That’s one reason companies like Amazon have been making Echo Show devices bigger and bigger.

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Read more: How Does Apple’s HomeView Smart Display Look Against the Competition?

Now with the Echo Show 16, Amazon is embracing the idea of a second TV device for the kitchen or hallway more fully than ever. This new Show ditches the big speaker for a series of small woofers and tweeters (and a stand design perhaps pointedly reminiscent of Mac computers).

I’ll have to listen to the result in person, but it looks like Amazon is backing away from the 360-degree, room-filling sound for something that acts more like a traditional TV, while still including the touchscreen, camera and mic of past smart displays. It supports wall mounting if you’d rather not use a stand.

The Echo Show 16 backs up its new size and design with a built-in Fire TV platform, something previously limited to only larger, wall-mount-only Echo Shows. Fire TV not only makes it easier to access Amazon Prime content, but also handles third-party apps and more complex controls better.

Those deeply invested in catching up on shows or sports can upgrade to an enhanced Nanomatte display designed to cut glare and improve color accuracy. While Apple is a bit coy about which third-party apps will be supported alongside Apple TV, Amazon says the Echo Show will support Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube, HBO Max/Peacock, Tubi and Pluto, which should reassure streaming fans.

The drawback to all this new tech is the price, something Apple HomeView fans will know well. While the small-screened HomeView starts at $299, Amazon’s Echo Show 16 starts at $499.99, and the Nanomatte display bumps the price up to $569.99. Plus, you’ll want a compatible stand, which starts at $69.99 but can go up to $150, so you can see how prices quickly rise.

That high price is a tough sell for anyone who already has a smart display or is leaning toward the HomeView, but people looking for a second Fire TV screen may find it more palatable. I want to test them both out before I make an ultimate recommendation.

Amazon adds an Echo camera to compete with the HomePod Mini 2

The Echo Show 16 wasn’t the only Amazon device aimed at Apple’s latest releases. The company also announced a new Echo Studio model, starting at $249.99 and comparable to Apple’s HomePod Mini 2 — with one big difference. This latest Studio comes with a built-in, nearly invisible home camera.

Amazon says the camera is meant to gather visual intelligence for Alexa, which rings privacy warning bells to me, but the camera could let the voice assistant answer questions about what’s happening in the room when users are away or offer live views, sort of like a mini security camera.

I’m not convinced this camera add-on is worth it, but it does help Amazon differentiate the Studio from the $149 HomePod Mini 2, which might otherwise seem similar to the casual buyer.

Amazon also announced a noncamera Echo Dot, more affordable at $99.99, upgraded with an AZ3 custom-designed silicon chip for faster Alexa responses, and a kid’s version of the same model.

And while Apple may have showed how the iPhone Duo could be used as an impromptu alarm clock, Amazon showed up with its own dedicated smart clock, the aptly named Echo Time, a round, dial-like smart display meant to serve as a nightstand clock with the addition of Alexa Plus. It includes unique smart alarm features to help manage waking up in a slower fashion. But again, Amazon is setting prices very high at $199.99 for the clock.

Alexa Plus is ready to duel with Siri AI

I’d be remiss not to talk about Alexa Plus and how the AI voice assistant is now going head-to-head with Apple’s Siri AI. Both add new capabilities to the new smart displays. Siri AI gets home control functions and an easier way to display information pulled from emails, text messages and other iPhone sources.

Alexa Plus, meanwhile, will have a new interface on the Echo Show 16, which ditches the old transcription visual (which I kind of liked) and replaces it with an interactive display that can pull up visuals, videos, events and more as you talk with Alexa. Each conversation gets its own Card icon, so you can revisit and pick up past conversations as needed. Alexa also has a new Home Map mode which acts like a living layout of all your smart devices, letting you control what‘’’s on or off, room by room.

I already like Alexa Plus a bit more than Siri AI, even if the voice assistant gets a little too talkative, and now I’ll have new experiences to test out. Of course, cost is yet again a factor here: Apple notes that more advanced Siri AI features do require iCloud Plus subscriptions, although it’s still light on details. Alexa Plus, meanwhile, is free with an Amazon Prime subscription, but otherwise, it costs a steep $20 per month for most features.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, Apple is treading carefully with its first-ever smart display, but that tiny screen is a tough sell for me. Amazon, meanwhile, is betting big that people want a second TV experience in their display and are willing to pay for it. Both AI voice assistants are showing up with new tricks I can’t wait to try.

Meanwhile, Amazon is trying out new avenues in the smart home, like giving its flagship smart speaker a built-in camera — which I’m dubious about — and releasing targeted screens for alarms, picture frames and more. It’s all very expensive, which gives Apple a surprise advantage for the holidays, but Amazon’s vision is strikingly different, so I’m not sure they’re after the same audience.

Tyler Lacoma

Senior Editor / Home Security and Smart Home

Tyler has worked on, lived with and tested all types of smart home and security technology for over a dozen years, explaining the latest features, privacy tricks and top recommendations. With degrees in business management, literature and technical writing, Tyler takes every opportunity to play with the latest AI technology, push smart devices to their limits and occasionally throw cameras off his roof, all to find the best devices to trust in your life. He always checks with the renters (and pets) in his life to see what smart products can work for everyone, in every living situation. Living in beautiful Bend, Oregon, gives Tyler plenty of opportunities to test the latest tech in every kind of weather and temperature. But when not at work, he can be found hiking the trails, trying out a new food recipe for his loved ones, keeping up on his favorite reading or gaming with good friends. See full bio

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