Echo Show 15 with Fire TV hands on: Amazon’s largest smart TV can now double as an TV

The Echo Show 15The software update that began rolling out last week makes it available with the Fire TV interface. Amazon’s largest smart device already offered a few streaming apps. But the update brings more streaming options, more live TV options and a native YouTube application to the Echo device, for the first-time since 2017. The Echo Show 15 is now a better TV, but it’s a slightly less smart display. .

This update is great for Show 15, which has limited video options. It removes some touch functionality from Show 15, and makes it more dependent on voice control through Alexa, a physical remote control option, and a really confusing on-screen remote.

Amazon Last year it launched the Echo Show on the big screenIt is described as the ideal kitchen TV-tilted hub: A digital bulletin board for shopping notes and notes, a family calendar, etc. that can keep you entertained while eating Cheerios and mopping the floor.

It doesn’t work well with all these features packed into one device. I loved that the wall-mountable smart display can fit in my kitchen without taking up too much counter space. tilt stand (sold separately). The Echo Show 15 was not a great place to watch TV, due to the limited number available.

Show 15 launched with full HD streaming from Netflix Prime Video and Hulu. Sling TV came a little later. YouTube TV was not available, nor was Disney Plus, HBO Max, Paramount, or Peacock.

Yes, I can binge watch OzarkNetflix while you make dinner or watch your little one play with the TV. NarutoWhile she was eating her breakfast. Overall, however, it was not convincing enough to knock out the ability. Echo Show 10A smaller, but still useful rotating screen that I can use from my kitchen table.

Show 15 is now a great streaming option with Fire TV. This includes a smart speaker and a digital frame (a). The Image Frame update has greatly improved this functionality) and video communication device and bulletin board. YouTubeTV subscribers allow me to view TV in my kitchen on a bigger screen than the Nest Hub Max that I currently use.

It’s also refreshing that I can access almost all of my streaming subscriptions via one device. Two notable exceptions are: there is no BBC app and no Apple TV app. However, it is available on the regular Fire TV interface. Luna, Amazon’s cloud gaming platform, is also absent. Amazon also states that sideloading apps are not supported. Although some have found workarounds.

I won’t lie to you: It isn’t going replace your main living-room TV and it isn’t going for the best picture quality. It’s a good choice for a second or third screen in the office or kitchen, or a single-screen tilting multifunctional, smart speaker in a guestroom.

Fire TV on the Echo Show 15 is a free — but mandatory — update that brings the standard Fire TV interface to the smart display. It comes with nearly all of the apps and content as on the Fire TV streaming stick (other than the ones listed above) and adds the option to use the Alexa remote—a new experience that I really liked.

The downside to the Fire TV interface is that it is not as intuitive as Amazon’s streaming devices. You will need to use a Fire TV remote, or a new onscreen remote to navigate it.

Amazon claims this is because these apps were originally designed for a TV interface. Although the Echo Show 15 did have native touch apps for Netflix, Hulu and Sling TV, they were replaced by remote-only apps in the Fire TV interface. Prime Video and the Fire TV home screen remain touch-friendly. Amazon hasn’t yet said whether Fire TV capabilities will be available in View 10 or View 8. However, existing apps still support touch.

While you can still interact with the touchscreen while in Fire TV mode—swipe from the top to quickly access standard display shortcuts and right-to-left to bring up widgets—it’s disappointing that Amazon didn’t bother tweaking the Fire TV interface to account for the fact that it’s on a device. touch screen.

This is a smart screen first and foremost. I’m comfortable tapping and swiping to access my shopping list, turn on smart lights, and view my calendar. It takes some time to get used to using the virtual remote control on the screen to access menus on another part of the screen. Although it works well and is simple to navigate, my brain needs to reset it every so often. It’s like switching between an iPad and a MacBook.

The interface works best in a physical remote control, especially in a sit and watch environment. I tested the third generation. Fire TV Alexa voice remote control ($29.99). Other Alexa remotes are also available, but their functionality is different. Amazon claims the third generation offers the best experience and the remote is $9.99 when ordered with the Echo Show 15. You can also use Fire TV on a smartphone. But in the show’s original environment—the kitchen—voice control is still more useful.

The third-generation remote features a TV button that directs you to the program guide for any live channels, as well as four buttons for playing Hulu, Prime Video, Netflix, Disney Plus and Disney Plus. You can also speak to any Fire TV app, show and movie or live TV channel. YouTube and YouTube Kids are also included. yes, For the first time since 2017There are native YouTube apps for the Echo Show. That alone is enough to justify the admission cost for some.

You also lose the ability to play certain content in portrait mode. The View 15 can either be mounted horizontally or vertically. Once Fire TV is enabled, however, the only services capable of playing video in portrait orientation are YouTube, HBO Max and Disney Plus. All other services will not work. Amazon claims that it is working to expand support for vertical videos.

I’m a TV addict. I watch a lot of sporting events, including tennis and football. [Ed note: soccer]– Or other background chatter. I work remotely so he keeps my company. The Echo Show 15 is a smart TV that fills all of these needs while also offering more functionality than other standard TVs.

Of course, TVs are moving toward becoming full-fledged smart displays — capable of doing more than just broadcasting your favorite shows. Samsung changed everything their TVs into SmartThings hubsWhich will support Matter (Echo Show 15 also will be a) matter control), and many TV brands can be controlled by voice as well as remote controls (but not touch!)

Today, the show allows me Stream live views of your connected smart home camerasYou can even view a picture-in-picture TV feed and show a live feed from your compatible video doorbell when someone calls. I can also use touch or voice to control smart home devices, and do everything Alexa does.

Many smart TVs can also do this, sometimes with additional hardware. We are clearly moving towards a shared world, and this is just a small step. It’s too early to know if this is the direction that we want.