Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen, 2021 release) | HD smart display with Alexa and 13 MP camera | Glacier White

If you are on the fence… Please read. (Updated: JUNE 2022)
Before ordering this one I already an echo show 8”, first gen. I was about to buy another one when I got an add saying that I could pre-order a second gen. I could not find a good comparison anywhere so I asked myself, should I pay 20$ more for an unknown. I did and spoiler alert, it is worth it, kinda.Positives:- The new camera features are great. The camera can track you and center you for video calls, real time, and it does it accurately.- Speaking of the camera, the camera upgrade is insane. Went from 1MP to 13MP.- The processor is supposed to be much more powerful. Looking at the new camera features, understanding where you are in a group of people and tracking you accordingly, it is noticeable. However, given that a lot of the actions on the device are web based, there is not a huge difference on other apps. The responsiveness of the touchscreen is perhaps a bit better but it was good to begin with.- The unit will go to low power mode when idle, helping you save a penny here and there…- Several privacy features. The stop listening button we have grown used to. The camera can be manually closed shut for privacy. When remote viewing through the show, there is a warning message, etc…Negatives:- Amazon did not learn from their mistakes. Just like with the Show 10”, the power cord is white for every unit, whether the unit is black or white. The camera shutter, is white too.- The 3.5 jack is gone.Other thoughts:The sound quality___One of the items on my wish list for this one was an improved audio quality. The sound quality improved over the previous gen, I think, but I would say its marginal if that, not enough to even be sure it did.The white cord___What I hate the most about my Echo Show 10 is the white cord on a black unit. Since I fell for it with the Show 10 and white would go well with my decor, I preemptively went for a white unit, to eliminate the eyesore, in case Amazon did not learn from their mistakes. To a certain extent, I was secretly hoping the cord would be black so I could swap it with my Show 10” and fix two problems with one move. Nope, its white.Even with a warning from me that it could happen, a friend went for the charcoal one and he is still fuming. So, if you are like me that the white cord on a black unit would drive you crazy, and you are going for it, order the white one.The environment___If you are still on the fence about this one, be aware that 2nd gen uses recycled materials on its manufacturing. To me this is a selling point._____________________________TLDR,1) If you use it a lot for video calls, the improved camera and improved camera features, makes it a worthy upgrade. If this is not your cup of tea, waiting for a prime day sale on a previous gen might be better.2) If having a white cord on a black unit is something that would drive you crazy, get the white one or go for the previous gen.Updated (JUNE2022): It appears that Amazon did learn from their mistakes. Another friend I warned about the cord, told me he didn’t really cared and went for the black one. Well, he got it with a black cord. Given that to me this was the worst negative, I just raised it one star.

What took me so long?!
Why did I wait so long? Now I wish I’d bought 2 or 3 (it was a super good buy at about $70 that day), but I’m really happy I finally jumped and got one. If they lower the price again, I will get another one at least!Amazon generally set it up with my other Amazon account/Alexa enabled devices. Screen is great size and clear with good pixels. Speaker is good enough quality to listen to music/radio and I can play it through other wireless speakers or Dots in the house (I use play Everywhere feature).I linked up to my Ring doorbell and my Ring camera easily and easily integrated with the house finding smart switches etc without any effort. Notices come through, and I can ask Alexa to see the door or other camera, sending it on screen and enabling the microphone if I need it. I’m installing an Alexa enabled smart front door lock today (wish me luck) so that’ll hopefully go smoothly.The photo feature was nice to have for my fav photos running and it was fairly easy to set it up (I had to go find info on line in order to remove some photos that I didn’t want in the slide show). I love that I can always see time/temp in a large format. So far, recognizes everything I say perfectly. Some great widgets (just figured that out) available. Plenty of videos on-line to show you tips and tricks for these which helps get things added and find fun features.Really, it has some great applications like announcements to all other Dots in other rooms, etc., and makes for a great safety feature if something happens. You can have it call a specific telephone number simply by saying Alexa, call 555-555-5555 (for instance), without needing a mobile phone. You can integrate your contacts to call also, including the Police or Emergency services. Great for kids and elderly. This is a feature I need to play with setting up still.With the cameras on these, you can also drop in on kids, other rooms, check on pets or elderly parents if they also have one of these in their room. Now I need to get friends and family on board so we can use it for video calls. Will be considering a Show 10 later also, since this is working so great.