The next version of the "Echo" product equipped with Amazon's "Alexa" will have a screen. The company officially announced the Echo Show on May 9th. It's still essentially a voice-activated smart home speaker from the original Echo system, but with a 7-inch touchscreen and new video calling capabilities.
Echo ShowAccording to Amazon's new tagline, "Now Alexa can show you things". For example, you can watch short video news and YouTube, display music lyrics, check security cameras, swipe photos, display weather forecasts, create to-do lists and shopping lists.
The most amazing new feature of the Echo Show is the video chat function. Make hands-free video calls with friends and family who own an Echo Show or use the Alexa smartphone app. Another feature called "Drop In" lets you send messages to other Echo Shows. According to Amazon, it is "for special situations where you want to connect with your closest friends and family."
In terms of connectivity, the Echo Show can be connected to smart home products such as "Ring", "WeMo", "Philips Hue", "SmartThings", "ecobee", and "Wink".
The video call function is not necessarily groundbreaking, but it has the effect of opening up new opportunities for using the product and opportunities to appeal to the mass market. A recent survey by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that more than half of American households have ditched their landlines and rely solely on their cell phones for calls at home. Given that most homes have Wi-Fi installed, it's not hard to imagine devices like the Echo filling the landline void.
Echo ShowAs a move to support it, Amazon will also start offering "Alexa Calling & Messaging". Alexa Calling & Messaging is a free voice call and messaging service for all Echo models. According to the product page, "When someone calls you, Alexa will let you know by displaying a green light ring on your compatible Echo device. You can tell Alexa to answer or ignore the call. I can tell you what to do." The feature is currently "coming soon."
The Amazon Echo Show is accepting pre-orders in the US. It will be available in black and white for $229.99 and will start shipping on June 28th. Amazon is also offering a $100 discount if you buy two Echo Shows at the same time.
This article was originally published by CBS Interactive and edited by Asahi Interactive for Japan.