Hands-On with Amazon's New Echo Pop, Echo Buds and Echo Show 5

The Amazon Echo Pop Speaker: A Budget-Friendly Option?

The new Amazon Echo Pop speaker is a budget-friendly option that's perfect for those who want to get into the Amazon Alexa ecosystem without breaking the bank. With its compact design and affordable price tag, it's an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home entertainment system.

My first impression of the screen was that it looked fine. The resolution was adequate for the size, but I did notice some lag when trying to interact with it. This made me hesitant to use it extensively, as I didn't want to deal with the frustration of a slow and unresponsive touch interface. In contrast, watching something on Amazon Prime Video was a seamless experience, just like you'd expect.

Another issue I encountered was the video playback experience. While watching videos was smooth, I did notice that the device would sometimes kick me into the Silk browser, which wasn't exactly what I wanted. If I'm going to use this for YouTube or other services, I'd recommend opting for the Nest Hub, which is built by Google and offers a much better experience.

One feature that's worth mentioning is the 2-megapixel camera built into the Echo Show 5. While it may not be the most impressive camera, it does have a physical shutter on it, which provides complete and total privacy when taking photos or making video calls. I love this feature, as it gives me peace of mind knowing that my personal moments are safe.

Another consideration is the price. The Amazon Echo Show 5 retails for $90, but sales happen, and if you can get an Amazon Echo Show 8 for less than that, it's a no-brainer. The larger screen and better overall experience make it worth the extra cost.

Finally, there's the new Amazon Echo buds. While they're priced at $50, which is already a steal, I do have some reservations about them. The lack of active noise cancellation and limited features make them more suited for basic music listening rather than audiophile-grade sound quality. That being said, they don't sound half bad, especially considering the price point.

My only real issue with the Echo buds is the requirement to use the Amazon Alexa app in order to connect them to your phone. This seems like a hassle, as I wouldn't want to be tied to an app just to use basic Bluetooth earbuds. It's one thing to have extra features like EQ and a "Find My" app, but requiring an app for basic functionality is just not the way it should work.

If you're considering purchasing the Echo buds, I'd recommend taking this into account. While they might be perfect as backup earbuds or for someone who already uses the Alexa app, I wouldn't want to use them as my main earbuds due to this requirement.

In conclusion, the Amazon Echo Pop speaker and the new Echo Show 5 are both excellent options for those looking to get into the Amazon Alexa ecosystem. The Echo Pop speaker is a great choice for its budget-friendly price and compact design, while the Echo Show 5 offers a larger screen and better overall experience. However, the Echo buds leave me a bit underwhelmed due to their limited features and requirement for an app.

That being said, I do think these devices are worth considering, especially when they're on sale. The key is finding the right balance between price and features. If you can get the Echo Show 8 for less than the Echo Show 5, it's definitely the better choice. As for the Echo buds, while they might not be perfect, they do offer great value at $50.

Ultimately, my advice would be to stick with the Amazon Alexa ecosystem if you're already invested in it. The devices just seem to work so much better when you're already familiar with the app and its features.