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My husband is a cybersecurity developer, and much to his chagrin, our home is filled with Amazon Echo devices. After testing all the mainstream virtual assistants in my house, I’ve found Alexa to be the best home automation system for effective voice control. After testing the Echo Show 11
This Amazon Echo Show 11 features a 1920×1200 resolution to deliver crisp images when streaming on its 11-inch touchscreen, and functionas as a gateway to use Alexa+ with all the associated benefits such as calendar syncing, shopping lists, and individual profiles.
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With its front-facing camera, the Echo Show 11 can tackle video calls, though the display doesn’t swivel to follow you like the older Echo Show 10 did. The camera also doesn’t have a physical privacy cover as on older models; instead, it only offers the option to switch it off electronically in the UI.
If you haven’t had a chance to use Alexa+, I certainly recommend giving it a shot. While it’s not the greatest thing to come to the smart home world, it is quite compelling — and it works (most of the time). Think of it like having a countertop ChatGPT that can control your smart lights and TVs, while also giving you access to your calendar and lists.
Just like ChatGPT, however, Alexa+ makes mistakes. And just like ChatGPT’s early days, these mistakes happen often. Alexa+ has been a breath of fresh air compared to the previous version, even if it takes a few days to get used to its overly excited voice (though maybe all voices sound overexcited compared to the old Alexa).
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Still, the gen AI sets it apart. Prompting Alexa+ to use my kids’ favorite made-up characters to create a story has been a huge hit with my family. Alexa+ not only generates the story but also shows them a string of AI-generated images to feed their imagination, which is about as close as you can get to blowing my kids’ minds.
That said, you could skip the Echo Show 11 if you prefer a smaller, cheaper Echo Show that is already available, or if you currently use the old swivel-screen model. There are other systems that offer stricter privacy features, including Eufy and ones you can tinker with like Home Assistant.