Looking for a smart home upgrade? Get the latest Echo Show 8 for 30% off this Labor Day

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The Echo 8 Program Now 30% off through Labor Day, price $105.

ZDNET Key Points

• Amazon has launched the third generation Echo 8 Program in late 2023 for $150, but you can get it for $105 for a limited time.
• The smart display features improved speakers with spatial audio, a center camera for improved video call quality, and an Adaptive Content feature that adjusts based on the distance between you and the device.
• While the Echo Show 8 has a lot of improvements, the display still has 1080p resolution and few customization options.

When Amazon released Echo 8 ProgramI have been able to test it for a few months. Coming from a Echo Show 1st Generation 8 making the upgrades in the third generation more noticeable.

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In addition to a more beautiful design with edge-to-edge glass, a centrally-mounted camera, and smaller speakers, the 2023 Echo Show 8 also features spatial audio, a faster processor than previous generations, and an upgraded smart home experience.

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Amazon’s update to the third-generation Echo Show is obvious from the moment you open the box. The usual plastic packaging is nowhere to be seen, as the device is largely wrapped in recycled materials. Amazon says 99% of the device’s packaging is made from wood fiber materials from “responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.”

Out of the box, the Echo Show 8 stands out from its predecessors thanks to its distinct design, especially the speaker on the back. Other Echo Show devices have a tapered speaker back that doubles as a kickstand to keep the smart display upright. The latest Echo Show 8 also has a speaker that props up the display, but it has a new design that, in my humble opinion, is an interesting choice.

The spatial audio speakers on the back, admittedly, look a bit like a butt sticking out of the smart display — only a small part of it is visible. This isn’t necessarily a negative, just an unfortunate perception this device gives me.

Finally, Amazon has placed the device’s camera in the center of the screen instead of on the right side as it did with previous Echo Shows.

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The upgraded 13MP camera for video calls makes the center position more advantageous. You no longer look like you’re looking off to the side during video calls.

The right-to-center camera placement may also better support Visual ID, allowing the Echo Show 8 to detect when you’re approaching the device.

Visual ID personalization is available on Echo 10 Program, Echo 15 ProgramAnd Echo Show 8 second generation and newer. This feature gives each member of your family a personalized experience with the smart display.

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Each family member who wants to use Visual ID must register on each device separately; as Amazon explains, this visual data is stored locally on the device. When a registered member approaches the Echo Show 8, the screen will display personalized content, such as sticky notes that others have left for them, their calendar, and their favorite news.

Then there’s Adaptive Content, a brand new feature that Amazon debuted with this third-generation device. Adaptive Content makes it easy to view content on the screen from a distance by simplifying the content when no one is near the device and switching to a detailed view when you get close to the Echo Show.

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If you have also registered for a Visual ID, the content displayed will be personalized for you.

The latest Echo Show 8 is also a smart speaker with spatial audio. The device incorporates a pair of two-inch neodymium speakers for a vivid sense of direction and a surprisingly rich sound experience despite the speaker’s large size, especially compared to the first-generation model and Echo Show 5 2023.

ZDNET Buying Advice

The latest Echo Show 8 makes a compelling case for a smart display for both Alexa fans and smart home enthusiasts, but its $150 MSRP, which is higher than previous generations, may be a deterrent (though frequent discounts can easily overcome that).

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This latest smart display is significantly faster than previous models in terms of the screen’s touch responsiveness as well as the speed at which Alexa responds and processes requests.

Echo Show 8 can locally handle common smart home requests, like when you ask Alexa to turn on lights or smart plugs, to respond 40% faster. Echo 8 Program Not only is it an Alexa-enabled smart display, it’s also a smart home hub like the higher-end Echo and Echo Show 10.

With support for Zigbee, Thread and ProblemThe Echo Show 8 can be a hub for setting up and controlling compatible smart home devices and a smart assistant.