Don’t Buy an Echo Show (You Can Have Mine)
Picture this: a bustling dinner table, lively conversation, a friendly debate sparking between family members. Suddenly, a voice cuts through the air, delivering a factual rebuttal, no phone in sight. This idyllic scene, painted by Amazon hardware chief Panos Panay at their recent fall hardware event, highlights a seemingly noble goal: technology that “blends into the background,” enhancing our lives without distracting us. Amazon execs repeatedly touted this “ambient AI” vision for their new Echo Show devices, promising an experience that “fades into the background” and keeps us focused on “what’s most important.”
It’s a beautiful concept, really. Who among us hasn’t felt the jarring pull of a notification, a screen demanding attention, ripping us away from a genuine moment? The idea of a smart device that subtly assists, rather than overtly competes for our focus, is undeniably appealing. And yet, after living with an Echo Show for some time, and hearing these lofty promises from Amazon, I’m here to deliver a stark message: don’t buy an Echo Show. In fact, if you’re truly curious, you can have mine.
The Allure of the Blended Experience, and Its Reality
Amazon’s vision of “blending into the background” speaks to a deep human desire for unobtrusive technology. We want our smart homes to be helpful, intuitive, and almost invisible. The Echo Show, with its screen, promises to elevate the smart speaker experience by adding a visual dimension – recipe instructions, video calls, security camera feeds. On paper, it sounds like the perfect ambient companion, ready to display information at a glance without requiring you to pull out your phone.
However, the reality of living with an Echo Show often falls short of this seamless integration. While it certainly can display a recipe or show you who’s at the door, the very presence of a screen, even when “off,” creates a subtle but persistent demand for attention. It’s a digital window in your home, and like any window, you find yourself gazing into it, even if just for a moment. This constant potential for visual engagement, even if unfulfilled, subtly shifts your focus away from the truly ambient experience Amazon advertises.
The Silent Demand of the “Ambient” Screen
One of the primary selling points of the Echo Show is its touchscreen. From quick timers to weather forecasts, the visual feedback is designed to be convenient. But how “ambient” can a device truly be when it has a bright, colorful display constantly vying for your peripheral vision? Even with ambient light sensors and various “off” modes, the screen is still *there*. It’s a persistent digital presence that, for me at least, inadvertently encourages interaction, even when I’m trying to disconnect.
Consider the “mealtime debate” scenario Panos Panay described. While it’s delightful to have Alexa settle a dispute, the addition of a screen introduces a new dynamic. Does it display the answer in text, or perhaps a relevant image? Does that visual element then become a new point of focus, diverting attention from the conversation itself? The subtle visual cues, even if intended to be helpful, can sometimes be more of a gentle nudge towards the digital realm than a seamless integration into the analog one.
The Opportunity Cost: What You’re Losing
When we invite more screens into our lives, we’re not just gaining functionality; we’re often losing something too. The “blend into the background” mantra implies a reduction in cognitive load, a freeing up of our mental energy. But with an Echo Show, the opposite can sometimes be true. Instead of truly fading away, the screen can quietly lure us in, even if just for a moment, to check a notification, glance at a headline, or watch a short video.
This isn’t to say the Echo Show is inherently bad technology. For some, its features might be genuinely valuable. However, if your primary goal is an truly ambient smart home experience – one where technology truly recedes into the background and supports your real-world interactions without pulling your focus – then a screen-based device like the Echo Show might actually be counterproductive. The visual element, however subtle, inevitably draws the eye and the mind, creating a different kind of distraction than the phone in your pocket, but a distraction nonetheless.
Beyond the Screen: Embracing Truly Ambient AI
So, what does a truly ambient AI experience look like if not a smart display? Perhaps it’s a return to the foundational principles of smart speakers: voice-only interaction. When Alexa provides facts or sets timers without a visual interface, the interaction is fleeting, purely auditory. Once the voice response concludes, the technology truly recedes, allowing the users to return their full attention to their current activity or conversation.
For those seeking minimalist, truly background-oriented tech, there are other options. Smart speakers without screens, or even more integrated smart home solutions that operate through voice commands and subtle sensory interfaces, might be a better fit. The goal should be to enrich real-life moments, not simply to replace one screen with another, however cleverly disguised. The true beauty of ambient AI lies in its ability to empower us without demanding our attention, allowing us to remain present in the physical world.
My Echo Show’s Next Chapter (Hint: It Could Be Yours)
Ultimately, my experience with the Echo Show has led me to believe that while its features are impressive on their own, they often contradict the very “ambient” ideal Amazon promotes. The screen, however sophisticated, creates a subtle barrier to true background operation. It’s a device that constantly offers more, but sometimes, what we truly need is less.
So, don’t buy an Echo Show. Prioritize presence over digital omnipresence. Seek out technology that genuinely enhances your life without demanding your gaze. And if you’re absolutely convinced you need to experience one, don’t spend your money. Just reach out. My Echo Show is ready for a new home, one where its screen might find a more appreciative audience, or perhaps, simply a quieter existence.
