Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I was anxiously awaiting the delivery of my Echo Show 8. I got this for a good price on an Amazon deal, so I placed a rather large (expensive) order to start the transition of fully integrated "smart" home. This order included 12 smart recessed lights, 18 smart light bulbs and this device that I was hoping would pull everything together and allow me to be "hands free" and enjoy all the wonderful things I've heard the echos have to offer. We had issues with it right out of the box, sadly. I will list the pros and cons: Pros: Great price( amazon deal), fast delivery, well packaged Set up manual minimal, easy to read Size of unit was great, display is clear Initial set up was easy. Synced my other smart devices easily. Cons: •Voice recognition has not worked at all, ever so I am unable to "talk" to Alexa. Which really bummed me out. I pictured cleaning my kitchen, requesting some wholesome music for the entire family, "Alexa, play WAP" 🤣 ok, maybe a different choice then "Alexa, play Jason Mraz." ... nothing. Of course I also signed up for unlimited Amazon music so that I could hear the actual song I wanted and be the Dj of my house when the mood struck. I attempted to set up our profiles, first starting with the voice recognition. I must've turned that 🎤 off and on 50x trying to figure out this thing. I started to feel like maybe it was "user error" and I was missing something. So, I "googled" ( which is obviously a verb this day in age) troubleshooting options and I tried EVERYTHING it suggested to no avail. I noticed my bar light was orange which suggests connectivity issues, so I went down that troubleshooting path...nothing. I restarted my router, I made sure i was on 2.4gHz not the 5gHz (though it had issues even staying on that frequency) despite my internet connection reading "excellent".I strategically went through every possible avenue I could to attempt to correct the issues and ended up spending HOURS ( literally 10 hours) attempting to troubleshoot. I factory reset it probably 8-10 times. Literally nothing worked. • Screen calibration is slightly off and slow to respond. It didn't matter if I touched it lightly, with gentle pressure, a quick tap or a long firm press...it wouldn't register and was delayed 99% of the time. • Has a mind of its own. I would select a screen, for instance, a receipe ...it would initially open then within seconds close out and go to a different screen. Maybe it was catching up with the previous 10 request I had tapped on the screen, but weird that it did that only after my last selection and I had not selected what it was closing out and opening up. • Speakers aren't great. Kind of muted sounding. I only know this because the only way I was ever able to use it was through Alexa app on my phone. I did also contact chat support through Amazon and when it suggested all of the same things I had been trying repeatedly I just decided I was not going to continue in this maddening process. So, I finally gave in after less than 24 hours with this thing and requested a return. I was only able to return it for a refund, not return for a replacement. Which, is fine with me..I am researching older models. So, today I have it all packaged up and am anxiously awaiting my UPS pickup so I can receive my Amazon credit. I may go with a previous version of the Echo. I'm not totally against it...I may have just had a 🍋 because there are those in every bunch. However, if the 2nd one doesn't work out, I will just be keeping my home smart devices controlled on my phone and purchase smart speakers to install throughout my house so I can jam out and just print my recipes the old fashioned way 🤣 or use my awesome JBL flip that has NEVER let me down. For my lights, I may have to go with an oldie, but a Goldie "The Clapper". At THIS point in time I 100% would NOT recommend this item. However, once I order a different one I may have a change of 💙 Update: 11/2/22 I reorderd the same echo show and recieved it. I know, I know what was I thinking!! The first one I had received was obviously a 🍋after receiving the 2nd device I ordered. It literally took 2 minutes or less to set up and it has been working beautifully since we got it. NONE of the issues that the initial one had. I'm glad I went with the same model and trusted my gut that the previous one was just a faulty device. It picks up ALL of my smart devices throughout my home and the sound quality is pretty great! Not quite JBL or Bose Bluetooth speaker quality, but WAY better than I had anticipated. I am super happy with my purchase and my kids are fighting over who gets to choose the next song. I told them cleaning the house/ their room is ALWAYS better with loud music. So far....its working to get them to clean their rooms without complaining about it! 🤣