Exclusive How to: Set up the Amazon Echo Show

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By: Dan Uff, Senior Editor

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On June 28th, customers who pre-ordered the Amazon Echo Show had received the device. While some set up the device immediately, I waited 1-2 days so I could take my time and make positive and negative notes about the set-up and the device itself.

On Monday evening, I finally set it up and have been using it ever since. My thoughts? Please read on.

Except for using the built-in camera for a feature called “drop-in” that allows two Shows and persons to talk and see each other (which I think could be quite creepy) I have tried to use all of the features to give you an accurate review and my thoughts.

What’s in the box?
The Amazon Show comes with all your need to get her up and running in no time:

Actual Amazon Show device.
Power Supply.
One (limited) manual.
FCC information.

Plug one end of the power supply to the middle-back of the unit and the other end to a wall outlet or power strip.

Here are the phases to the set-up:

The device boots with the Amazon Echo Show logo.
The device could already come pre-configured for the account that originally ordered the device.
You’ll have to know the name and password of your wireless network to login.
The Echo Show will check for any new software updates from Amazon.com.
If their are updates, it will automatically download them.
After that, the device should be ready to go.

The first thing you’ll see is Show’s main screen. This includes a clock, current weather, news, your calendar, and hints and tips on what you can say to Alexa.

If you don’t see some of this information then you may need to go to http://alexa.amazon.com and select Settings then select the Show’s pre-configured online name to set-up some additional features such as the area that you live in such as zip code and street address.

For those of us who have had experience with a previous Echo device, using the Show is exactly the same way, only the user can (usually) visually see the results of an inquiry.

For example, say: “Alexa, show me [name of movie] trailer.” you can then watch the movie trailer.

The built-in speaker (on the bottom) is adequate for playing videos, movies, and music.

The actual look of the device is not as bad as some other reviewers claim. This can be out in the open on a coffee or lamp table.

PROS:

Automatically “sees” compatible home automation devices.
Clear and bright display.
Clear and bright video playback.
Displays (some) inquired information on screen.
Easy setup.
Easy WiFi configuration.
Easy to reach power, mute, and volume buttons (on top of device).
Easy to use.
Hears you across a (quiet or low noise) room.
Loud Speaker (for hard of hearing).
Quick responses to inquires (depends on speed of Internet connection).
Shows hints and tips on what to say and do with the Show (bottom of screen).
When playing songs, out will shows song lyrics to most songs.
Uses familiar and new Amazon Alexa commands.

CONS:

Cannot dim or shut off display without asking Alexa.
Have to set-up features via Alexa web site.
Information from skills can display quite cluttered.
No way to adjust size of text on the display.
No way to adjust size of the clock.
Power cord connection at strange place.
Limited skills that utilizes display.

BOTTOM LINE:
The Echo Show shows promise and could be used as a major tool someday when developers update their skills to fully take advantage of the Show’s display.

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