Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

After a bad experience with an Echo Show 8, I ordered this one to replace an older gen 1 Show 5 that had stopped working after a recent update. I tried the size 8 Echo show and did not care for the settings etc., but this smaller size 5 is a lot closer to what the gen 1 show 5 had been. The voice and sound is clearer, and the screen is following my settings much much better than the 8 did. I am listening to a news brief right now and it is clear and easy to understand. I was able to choose my background and unlike the size 8 show, it has stayed in place and isn't constantly trying to rotate ads and other pictures onto the screen. There is no giant clock on the screen that you cant remove, which was a major issue for me on the show 8. Instead the clock is in the upper left corner, big enough for me to see but not overwhelming the screen. This one does have a screen sleep type feature that darkened the face and turned the little clock numbers dark red last night. I would still prefer my background wallpaper to remain but the dimmed sleep setting was not so obnoxious as it was on the size 8 where the clock just would never go away and was super bright. I needed a tool to use, and am not looking for something to focus on in my room - something that responds when I ask and does not bother me unless I ask. After turning off all the ads and rotation junk, this smaller Show is not nagging me so much, as the size 8 - which simply refused to keep the settings I wanted. I do not care for the updated Alexa app on my Ipad, but instead used an older app version on an older Ipad to back up my on screen settings for this new Show 5- some choices have disappeared on the newer app which make it harder to get what I want on my Echo Show. For me having choices to make setting decisions on the device is important- and the older app gives me a bit more of that for this device. I did find the on screen touch choices to be different slightly than on the size 8, and again, they actually seem to be working… ie,.. when turned off they are staying off. Suggestion to developers for these devices is to reduce the ad cycling and nag screens, or offer an ad free or nag free device option with a different price point. I do not have time to stop and read an ad or suggestion that rotates onto the screen - nor do I want to see some morning routine idea that Someone dreamed up and added to the software for the device. I would gladly pay more for one that left those things in the developers garage… But- This little Show 5 is just enough of a voice activated tool to be helpful and not drive me crazy- it links to my ring doorbell and tells me where my packages are, plays a song if I ask, can tell the weather or give me the news when asked. It is small enough to not overwhelm and fits on the hallway cabinet where it can be summoned by voice if needed, or ignored. Good deal on what I needed and almost as nice as my 1st gen. Show 5.