Amazon unveiled Wednesday its new connected speaker, the Echo Show, the first in France with an HD screen. Main interest: hands-free use oriented especially towards the kitchen.

TEST

Less than a year after marketing in France its first connected speaker, the Echo, Amazon passes the second. The US giant markets Wednesday the Echo Show, a screen connected speaker, the first of its kind in France (Google sells his own in the United States). With a powerful sound and an HD screen, this new model can push even further the features of the voice assistant Alexa but is limited by its design. In fact, it is in the kitchen that the Echo Show is the most useful.

HOW TO USE - How to set your connected speaker

A disappointing design offset by many features

The design of the Echo Show is a bit disappointing. All in all, the connected speaker suffers from very straight lines that contrast with the rounded shapes of Echo, Dot, and Spot, Amazon's previous connected speaker models. The speaker, although bulky, is well embedded behind the screen: front, we do not see it. On the other hand, the screen itself is not very modern. With its very wide edges (one centimeter left, right and bottom and two at the top), it seems straight out of the 2000s. Too bad, because it reduces visual comfort while the 10-inch HD screen is very satisfactory.

Control his house to the voice. As for features, the Echo Show includes a connected home hub. The loudspeaker can therefore identify all connected devices nearby (bulbs, switches, etc.) to control them by voice. The interest, here, of the video is punctual. The Echo Show is compatible with the ring connected Bell. When someone rings the door, you receive an alert on the speaker's screen and you have the opportunity to look at who it is and answer it without opening the door.

Another novelty: thanks to a 5-megapixel front camera, the Echo Show makes it possible to make video calls to other Amazon devices (Echo Show or Echo Spot), a phone equipped with the Alexa app or a computer via Skype. The Mute button, located on the top of the device, allows the opposite to cut the microphones. The most paranoid will appreciate.

Alternate touch and voice. In general, the screen offers the possibility to switch from voice control to touch at any time, according to its needs. For example, you can ask Alexa for information, such as the movie schedule, and then navigate with your finger to go faster. Note also the presence of two Internet browsers, Silk and Firefox, not very fluid but useful if you need to perform a more detailed search or exceeding the capabilities of Alexa. The touch is also used to manage the settings and the home page.

To cook almost without hands

Amazon has collaborated with Marmiton to develop a "skill" (the name given to applications Echo speakers) that exploits the possibilities of the screen. Using only Alexa's voice command, it's possible to follow a recipe step by step. The Echo Show displays photos of the preparation as well as brief texts explaining the procedure to follow. Practice when your hands are full of flour or fat and you can not touch the screen.

Alexa is gradually improving. If you are missing an ingredient, you can ask Alexa to add it to your shopping list or order the product directly ... on the Amazon website. Thanks to the voice command, everything is very intuitive, making Alexa the ideal clerk of the cooks a little geeks.

The eight microphones placed on the top and noise reduction technology allow, in theory, to be understood by Alexa wherever we are, for example if we must catch a utensil at the bottom of a closet while the hood is on. In practice, you have to know how to be patient. Alexa is not always very responsive and sometimes it is necessary to re-specify her request in order to obtain the desired result. But the intelligent assistant of Amazon continues to progress with each new speaker.

Another way to find out

The first connected speakers have already caused disruption in the way information is consumed. To listen to the radio, no need to choose its frequency, just ask for your favorite station. With the arrival of the screen, the deal changes again. Televisions will be able to invest this new tool to broadcast their live stream or offer their programs in replay. This is particularly the case for BFMTV, from launch.

The radios will also have to clear this new playground. Already in the forefront of the first Echo models with its newsflashes and podcasts, Europe 1 is now offering live video broadcasting. To access it, simply activate the skill Europe 1 and ask: "Alexa, launch Europe 1".

Watch series, but in small doses

Another advantage of having a screen within earshot: it is now possible to watch television, video clips (Amazon has partnered with the platform Vevo) and the films and series of Prime Video, the streaming service of Amazon. So just ask Alexa to start a series to start where you left off. The quality of the image does not equal the best tablets on the market but is sufficient for short sessions. On the other hand, not sure that watching a two-hour movie is very enjoyable.

Optimal sound If the addition of video is interesting, it is also thanks to the quality of the sound, significantly improved. The speaker leans against the screen and delivers powerful sound with deep bass and clear highs. While the first models of connected speakers were pale for music in the face of traditional speakers, the Echo Show has no blush.

However, the possibility of using the Echo Show as a TV screen is restricted by the weight of the speaker and especially the need to keep it connected to mains. Concretely, again, it is especially in the kitchen that the last-born of Amazon will find its place. We imagine very well prepare the lunch by ending his series episode or by chaining the clips of his favorite artists. But that stops there. Owners of tablets or laptops have no interest in turning to the Echo Show if it is the cinema and series that interest them.

Our opinion: not essential ... for the moment

At the end of our handling, the need to have an Echo Show at home is not obvious. If you already have a tablet, a computer or even another connected speaker, the screen does not help much. Especially since the Echo Show is sold 239.99 euros, much more expensive than the Echo Plus (149.99 euros) and the Echo (99.99 euros). Remains that this first test balloon of a speaker with screen is to follow: as and when the developers will take ownership and develop skills more playful, fluid and visual, the Echo Show could be reveal more interesting.