Amazon Echo Show: All you need to know about the new screen-based Echo device

Amazon announced a brand new Echo device just a couple of days thereby adding some gravitas to the rumours. We've seen Amazon announcing speaker based Echo devices, but the new Echo Show is the first one that comes with a touch screen display.The addition of a display now enables it to show answers apart from the usual voice output. The Echo Show will also display cards for various things like weather, products that users can buy on Amazon, YouTube videos, and more coming in the future. Like previous models, it supports voice commands allowing you to play music, control smart devices around your home, make a shopping list, weather forecast and so on.There is also a built-in camera allowing one to use it as a video conferencing device. But what platform will it use? Well, Amazon has it covered too. The company also announced a new feature, called 'Drop In', for Alexa devices, which lets a user call and message between other Echo units and smartphones that have the Alexa app. Drop In connects you instantly and allows you to use the Echo Show as an always available connected video intercom.Well, Amazon has it covered too. The company also announced a new feature, called 'Drop In', for Alexa devices, which lets a user call and message between other Echo units and smartphones that have the Alexa app. Drop In connects you instantly and allows you to use the Echo Show as an always available connected video intercom.[caption id="attachment_375485" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image Credit: Amazon[/caption]So how is it better than making a Skype or any other video call? Devices like a smartphone or a PC with traditional video calling apps require the device to be powered up and for the other party to be available to receive the call. The Amazon Echo Show is sort of like a video intercom which is available all the time. It doesn't require any complicated call setup either. Just ask Alexa to make a call and it's done. Apart from calls, you can play videos via YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and more.The catch is that you need people to own an Echo device or have the Alexa app installed on their phones.The Echo Show has been priced at $ 229.99 (Rs 20,000 approx) for a single unit and $ 359.98 (Rs 23,000 approx) for two, which is a decent price.Will it come to India? Not so soon as the range of Echo devices is yet to officially launch in India.