This Under-$300 Gadget Is the Only Way to Listen to Taylor Swift's New Album
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If there was a way to enjoy all that is Taylor Swift—the lyrics, the dance moves, the hair flips, and, of course, the iconic power stances—in a very futuristic and all-encompassing way, the Swifties around the world would snatch it up ASAP. That's where the Amazon Echo Show 15 comes in. To sum up what just may be the coolest product in Amazon's impressive lineup of gadgets, the new-and-improved Echo Show is like a wall-mounted personal assistant that keeps track of literally everything you'd need to know: grocery lists, calendar reminders, and daily weather updates, to name a few. In light of Taylor Swift's new album release, we just realized the Echo Show's best benefit of all: You can enjoy the "Cruel Summer" singer's music (with excellent sound quality) and sing along to the lyrics displayed and highlighted on the screen. It's like high-tech karaoke you can enjoy in your own home.
Echo Show 15
amazon.com
$279.99
House Beautiful's Editorial Director Jo Saltz snagged one of the nifty all-in-one screens for her own home and it's safe to say, she and her family—shameless Swifties—are obsessed. "This is literally the only way we listen to Taylor Swift in the house now because we need to hang on every word," Saltz says. So, if you're a proud Swiftie eagerly waiting to learn the lyrics to her latest bops, go ahead and grab the Echo Show before it's sold out.
Here's everything you need to know about this cool product buying. Let us just say: Before you avoid even looking at it out of fear that this seemingly too-good-to-be-true find will cost more than you're willing to pay, know that it's less than $300.
The Design
"I'll be honest, the older version of the Echo wasn't the most stylish feature in our home; it sat on our table in an awkward way and took up counter space," Saltz shares. "What drew me to the Show 15 was that it looks like a picture frame and can act like one too."
A 15.6-inch screen and a 1.4-inch black metal frame make it feel like a piece of art hanging on the wall. "Since the screen is so big, it allows you to see multiple widgets at the same time like a control center: photos, calendar, and obviously, updates on your Prime order," says Saltz. The front-facing camera, on the left corner of the frame, can be turned off during dinner prep and turned on for a Zoom meeting. The side of the frame includes a toggle for the camera, volume buttons, and a button for turning off the microphone.
The Show 15 can be mounted horizontally or vertically, but you cannot change the direction while it is on the wall. "I was the most worried about the process of hanging up for the Show. Thankfully, it was super easy to set up with the template included in the box so my frame wasn't crooked," Saltz says. There is also a stand option available for purchase if you're looking for something renter-friendly.
How to Set Up the Amazon Echo Show 15
Setting up the Echo Show is easy, especially if you have other Alexa assistant gadgets at home. You simply plug in your device, select your language, connect to your Wi-Fi network, and log into your Amazon account. From there, you can connect the devices throughout your home via the Alexa app. For example, if you have an Amazon speaker, you can use it as an intercom to call your kids.
Once you're connected to Wi-Fi, you can also create profiles for your household so your lists remain organized. The Show 15 uses Visual ID and voice control to switch profiles per user.
Product Specs:
Dimensions: 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches
1,920 x 1,080 resolution screen
Customizable widgets to add to the home screen
Built-in Fire TV
Visual ID facial recognition per user for personal use
Connects to security cameras
Saltz has just two things she would change about the device. First, she's noticed a lack of nuance when Alexa answers questions. For example, if there's snow in the forecast, how much snow? Second, she wishes users could choose their own frame.
Why We're Obsessed
If you're busy and exhausted, the Echo Show 15 is essentially a digital sticky notepad! One of Saltz's favorite ways to use the Show is as the ultimate timer for baking and cooking. The screen lines up multiple timers for her meal, so she's able to cook it to perfection. "Amazon, add this to my shopping list or Amazon, put a timer on for 15 minutes? I honestly feel like I'm talking to Alexa about what to add to the grocery list more than to my husband," Saltz says with a laugh.
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