Amazon Echo Show 21

Amazon Echo Show 21 User Manual

Model: Echo Show 21

1. Introduction

Welcome to your new Amazon Echo Show 21. This smart display is designed to be the central hub for your home, offering a large Full HD screen for entertainment, organization, and communication. With built-in Fire TV and Alexa, you can stream content, manage your smart home, make video calls, and keep your family organized with customizable widgets.

Amazon Echo Show 21 smart display showing home screen with various widgets and icons for organization, Fire TV, smart home, and personalization.

Figure 1.1: Amazon Echo Show 21 Overview

The Echo Show 21 integrates seamlessly into your daily life, providing a visual and interactive experience for all your Alexa commands.

2. Getting Started: Setup

2.1 What's in the Box

  • Echo Show 21 device
  • Alexa Voice Remote with batteries (2 AAA included)
  • Power adapter (30W) and 5 ft. cord (white)
  • Wall mount, anchors, screws, mounting template
  • Quick start guide

2.2 Initial Setup

The Echo Show 21 is designed for simple setup. You will need a Wi-Fi connection.

  1. Power On: Connect the power adapter to your Echo Show 21 and plug it into a wall outlet. The device will automatically power on.
  2. Wi-Fi Connection: Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your device to your Wi-Fi network. Amazon Wi-Fi simple setup can automatically connect your device if you are a Prime member and have previously saved your Wi-Fi credentials.
  3. Amazon Account Login: Log in with your Amazon account credentials.
  4. Personalization: Customize your home screen, set up profiles, and configure your preferred settings.
  5. Remote Pairing: The included Alexa Voice Remote should pair automatically. If not, follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the quick start guide for manual pairing.
Amazon Echo Show 21 smart display with its remote control, displaying a home screen with a recipe and various widgets.

Figure 2.1: Echo Show 21 with Alexa Voice Remote

2.3 Mounting Options

The Echo Show 21 can be wall-mounted using the included hardware or placed on a stand (sold separately). Wall mounting requires an electric drill.

3. Operating Your Echo Show 21

3.1 Voice Control with Alexa

Your Echo Show 21 is primarily controlled by voice using Alexa. Simply say the wake word "Alexa" followed by your command or question.

  • General Commands: "Alexa, what's the weather?", "Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes."
  • Music & Audio: "Alexa, play pop music," "Alexa, play my morning playlist."
  • Video & Entertainment: "Alexa, open Prime Video," "Alexa, play The Boys on Netflix."

3.2 Fire TV Integration

Enjoy endless entertainment with built-in Fire TV. Use the included Alexa Voice Remote or voice commands to navigate.

Amazon Echo Show 21 displaying the Fire TV interface with streaming app icons like Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube.

Figure 3.1: Fire TV Interface

  • Access thousands of apps like Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV.
  • Stream movies, TV shows, and live content.
  • The Fire TV remote allows for traditional navigation and playback control.

3.3 Home Screen & Widgets

The 21-inch display is ideal for organizing your day with customizable widgets.

Close-up of the Amazon Echo Show 21 screen showing customizable widgets for calendar, shopping list, weather, and connections.

Figure 3.2: Customizable Home Screen Widgets

  • Keep important information like calendars, shopping lists, and weather in view.
  • Personalize your home screen with family photos.

3.4 Smart Home Control

Control compatible smart devices using your voice or the smart home dashboard.

Amazon Echo Show 21 screen displaying smart home controls for bedroom light, thermostat, and backyard camera.

Figure 3.3: Smart Home Dashboard

  • Turn lights on/off, adjust thermostats, or view live camera feeds.
  • Supports Zigbee, Matter, and Thread Border Router for broad compatibility.

3.5 Video Calling

Connect with family and friends using the 13 MP camera with auto-framing, wide field of vision, 3.3x zoom, and noise reduction.

Amazon Echo Show 21 displaying a family photo, functioning as a digital photo frame.

Figure 3.4: Echo Show 21 as a Digital Photo Frame

The camera can also be used to display your favorite memories as a digital photo frame.

4. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Echo Show 21, follow these maintenance guidelines:

  • Cleaning the Screen: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the screen. For stubborn smudges, slightly dampen the cloth with water. Avoid abrasive cleaners or sprays directly on the screen.
  • Cleaning the Device Body: Wipe the exterior surfaces with a dry, soft cloth. Do not use harsh chemicals or solvents.
  • Ventilation: Ensure the device's ventilation openings are not blocked to prevent overheating.
  • Software Updates: Your Echo Show 21 receives automatic software security updates. Ensure your device is connected to Wi-Fi to receive these updates.

5. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your Echo Show 21, try the following common solutions:

  • Device Not Responding: Try saying "Alexa" again clearly. If unresponsive, unplug the power adapter for a few seconds and then plug it back in to restart the device.
  • No Wi-Fi Connection: Check your router and modem to ensure they are working correctly. Restart your router. On the Echo Show 21, go to Settings > Network to re-select your Wi-Fi network and re-enter the password.
  • Audio Issues: Ensure the volume is not muted or too low. Say "Alexa, turn up the volume." Check audio settings in the device menu.
  • Camera Not Working: Ensure the physical camera shutter is open and the mic/camera-off button is not activated (red light indicates off).
  • Remote Not Responding: Check the batteries in the Alexa Voice Remote. If necessary, replace them. Re-pair the remote if it becomes disconnected.

6. Technical Specifications

FeatureSpecification
Size21.4"W x 13.2"H x 1.5"D
Weight10.7 lb
Display21” with 1920 x 1080 resolution (landscape or portrait)
Camera13 MP + Shutter
AudioTwo 2” woofers + two 0.6” tweeters
Wi-Fi ConnectivityWi-Fi 6E (802.1ax), Tri-band, dual-antenna (MIMO). Supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
Smart Home HubZigbee + Matter + Thread Border Router
ProcessorOcta-core SoC with Amazon AZ2 neural network engine
SensorsALS RGB + Accelerometer
LanguageEnglish and Spanish
Diagram comparing the dimensions of Amazon Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21 displays.

Figure 6.1: Echo Show 15 vs. Echo Show 21 Dimensions

7. Privacy Features

The Echo Show 21 is designed with multiple layers of privacy controls:

  • Mic/Camera-Off Button: A physical button to electronically disconnect the microphones and camera.
  • Camera Shutter: A built-in physical shutter to cover the camera lens.
  • Wake Word Technology: Alexa devices only begin recording and sending audio to the cloud after detecting the wake word.
  • Streaming Indicators: Visual indicators show when audio or video is being streamed to the cloud.
  • Voice Recording Control: Ability to view and delete your voice recordings.
Close-up of the Amazon Echo Show 21's physical mic/camera-off button and built-in camera shutter.

Figure 7.1: Mic/Camera-Off Button and Camera Shutter

For more details, visit the Alexa Privacy Hub.

8. Accessibility Features

The Echo Show 21 includes various accessibility features to personalize Alexa to your abilities:

  • Tap to Alexa: Access Alexa via touch through on-screen tiles or a keyboard.
  • Adaptive Listening: Provides more time to finish speaking before Alexa responds.
  • Preferred Speaking Rate: Control how fast or slow Alexa speaks.
  • Captioning: Alexa Captioning, Call Captioning, and Closed Captioning provide text for supported content.
  • Show and Tell: Helps users who are blind or visually impaired identify products.
  • VoiceView Screen Reader: Enables access for customers who are blind or visually impaired.
  • Screen Magnifier: Zoom in/out and pan around the screen.
  • Kindle Read Aloud: Have Alexa read your Kindle books aloud.
  • Real Time Text: Type live text in a video call.

These features can be enabled via Settings > Accessibility on your device.

9. Warranty and Support

9.1 Product Warranty

Your Echo Show 21 comes with a 1-year limited warranty and service. Optional 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year extended warranties are available for U.S. customers, sold separately.

Use of Echo Show 21 and Fire TV on Echo Show 21 is subject to their respective terms of service.

9.2 Customer Support

For further assistance, troubleshooting, or to learn more about your device, please visit the Amazon support website or contact Amazon customer service.

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