Introduction
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is a smart display designed to enhance your daily life with its HD touchscreen, spatial audio, and integrated smart home hub. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your device.
Key features include:
- Immersive entertainment with spatial audio and an 8" HD touchscreen.
- Enhanced video calling with a 13 MP camera and noise reduction.
- Built-in smart home hub supporting Zigbee, Matter, and Thread.
- Adaptive Content for glanceable information and personalized experiences.
- Amazon Photos integration for a digital photo frame.
Setup
What's Included
- Echo Show 8 device
- Power adapter (30W) with cable (4.9 ft.)
- Quick start guide
System Requirements
The Echo Show 8 requires a WiFi connection. The Alexa app is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices, and is also accessible via a web browser. Certain skills and services may require subscriptions or additional fees.
Initial Setup
- Connect the power adapter to your Echo Show 8 and plug it into a power outlet.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to your WiFi network.
- Log in with your Amazon account.
- Complete the setup process, including language selection and personal preferences.
The device supports Amazon WiFi simple setup for easy connection to your network.
Operating Your Echo Show 8
Voice Control with Alexa
Your Echo Show 8 is primarily controlled using your voice with Alexa. Simply say "Alexa" followed by your command or question. Alexa speaks English and Spanish.
Figure 1: The Echo Show 8 displaying a music interface, indicating voice control capabilities. Users can control music, shows, and other functions using voice commands.
Entertainment and Media
Enjoy content from Prime Video, Netflix, Fire TV Channels, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify on the 8" HD display with spatial audio. Say "Alexa, play [content]" or "Alexa, stream [music service]."
Figure 2: The Echo Show 8 showcasing a music playlist, highlighting its compatibility with various streaming services like Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Prime Video, Netflix, and Fire TV Channels.
Figure 3: The Echo Show 8 displaying a video from Prime Video, demonstrating its capability to stream content from various platforms.
Smart Home Control
The Echo Show 8 features a built-in smart home hub compatible with Zigbee, Matter, and Thread devices. You can pair and control smart cameras, lights, thermostats, and more using the display or your voice. Activate routines via motion detection.
Figure 4: The Echo Show 8 showing a smart home control interface, allowing users to manage connected devices like thermostats and lights directly from the screen.
Video Calling and Communication
Make hands-free video calls using your voice. The 13 MP camera features auto-framing and noise reduction for clearer conversations. Use the Top Connections widget for quick calls.
Photo Display
Turn your Echo Show 8 into a digital photo frame with Amazon Photos. Adaptive color technology ensures your photos look great in any lighting condition. You can also invite family and friends to share photos to your device.
Figure 5: The Echo Show 8 displaying a collection of personal photos, demonstrating its use as a digital photo frame with adaptive color technology.
Adaptive Content
Adaptive Content allows you to view glanceable information like calendars or reminders from a distance, and more detailed content when you are closer to the device. Shortcut icons on the home screen provide quick access to frequently used widgets.
Maintenance
To ensure optimal performance and longevity of your Echo Show 8:
- Cleaning: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean the screen and device exterior. Avoid abrasive cleaners or sprays.
- Placement: Place the device on a stable, flat surface away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and moisture.
- Software Updates: Ensure your device receives regular software security updates. These are typically automatic when connected to Wi-Fi.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your Echo Show 8, consider the following common solutions:
- No Power: Ensure the power adapter is securely connected to both the device and a working power outlet.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues: Check your router and internet connection. Try restarting both your router and the Echo Show 8. Ensure the device is within range of your Wi-Fi network.
- Alexa Not Responding: Verify that the microphone is not muted (check the microphone/camera off button). Speak clearly and ensure you are within hearing range of the device.
- Screen Unresponsive: Try restarting the device by unplugging it for a few seconds and plugging it back in.
- Camera Issues: Ensure the built-in camera shutter is open.
Figure 6: A close-up view of the Echo Show 8's top edge, illustrating the camera lens and the physical camera shutter for privacy control.
For more detailed troubleshooting or persistent issues, refer to the Amazon Alexa app help section or the official Amazon support website.
Specifications
| Size | 7.9” x 5.5” x 4.2” (200mm x 139mm x 106mm) |
| Weight | 36.6 oz (1034 grams) |
| Display | 8.0” HD touch screen |
| Camera | 13 MP centered camera with built-in shutter |
| WiFi Connectivity | Dual-band WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) |
| Smart Home Hub | Zigbee + Matter + Thread Border Router |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | A2DP support for audio streaming, AVRCP for voice control of mobile devices |
| Audio | 2 x 2” full range neodymium drivers with passive bass radiator |
| Processor | Octa-Core SoC with Amazon AZ2 Neural Network Engine |
| Language | Alexa speaks English and Spanish |
Figure 7: The Echo Show 8 with its physical dimensions clearly marked, illustrating its compact size.
Privacy Features
Amazon Echo Show 8 is designed with multiple layers of privacy controls:
- Wake Word Technology: The device only begins listening after detecting the wake word ("Alexa").
- Streaming Indicators: Visual indicators show when audio is being streamed to the cloud.
- Microphone/Camera Off Button: A physical button allows you to electronically disconnect the microphones and camera.
- Built-in Camera Shutter: A physical shutter allows you to cover the camera lens.
- Voice Recording Management: Ability to view and delete your voice recordings.
For more information, visit the Alexa Privacy Hub.
Accessibility Features
The Echo Show 8 includes various accessibility features to personalize Alexa to your abilities. These can be accessed via Settings → Accessibility on your device.
- Tap to Alexa: Interact with Alexa via touch using on-screen tiles or a keyboard.
- Adaptive Listening: Provides more time to finish speaking before Alexa responds.
- Preferred Speaking Rate: Control Alexa's speaking speed.
- Alexa Captioning, Call Captioning, Closed Captioning: Text captions for supported content and calls.
- Show and Tell: Helps visually impaired users identify products by saying "Alexa, what am I holding."
- VoiceView Screen Reader: Provides audio feedback for visually impaired users.
- Screen Magnifier: Zoom in/out and pan around the screen.
- Notify When Nearby: Plays notification sounds when detected near the device.
- Kindle Read Aloud: Alexa can read Kindle books aloud.
- Real Time Text: Type live text during a video call.
- Additional settings include Color Inversion, Color Correction, and Request Sound.
Warranty and Support
Warranty Information
The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) includes a 1-year limited warranty and service. An optional 1-year extended warranty is available for U.S. customers and sold separately. This device, being a Certified Refurbished Amazon device, comes with the same limited warranty as a new device.
Customer Support
For further assistance, technical support, or warranty claims, please visit the official Amazon support website or contact Amazon customer service. You can also find helpful resources within the Alexa app.
