Whats The Obsession With Video Calls?
Learning how to cook on this new Amazon device Scott Kramer  Technology is generally great, but some things I just dont see personally using. Making video calls tops the list. I get grandparents wanting to see their grandchildren. I can see real estate people wanting to give live video tours of homes to prospective buyers. And I understand the need for people wanting to keep in touch with loved ones during the pandemic  above and beyond a phone call. Its heartwarming to know that it makes everyone feel closer. If anything, it makes things more awkward. I have to make myself camera-presentable and in many cases, carry my phone around with me as I talk. Plus, deal with shaky, pixelated video quality. Thankfully, some companies have made strides here. If you must make a video call, several brands have emerged the past couple of years with HD video calling on self-standing devices. The latest is the new Amazon Echo Show 8 2021 model ($130). Ive been trying it for a few days now. From what I see, its biggest problem with video calling for me is it can only do so to other people with an Amazon Echo Show. And I dont know anyone who owns one. So it honestly took me several days after I opened my review unit to find someone to video call. Thus, I finally succeeded by calling...myself. I set up my new Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus tablet (which I recently reviewed and love, by the way) on its wireless charging dock that converts it into an Echo Show when resting on the dock. And then I called it, from a different account in the same room. Whats nice is that as I walk around the room, the Echo Show 8 2021 follows me around in its auto-framing mode. Mind you, the unit just sits put on a table. But its software drives the camera to follow whoevers talking by virtually panning. Its not the fastest on the job  there is some lag if you move too quickly. Video quality is fine. Best of all  compared to phone video calls  its stable. But I also used the machine to make audio phone calls. Even though I had my face less than 10 inches from the machine, those I was speaking to told me it sounded like I was across a large room. I could hear them loud and clear, through the Echos speakers. All things considered, I probably wont be doing that again anytime soon. The Echo Show 8 2021 model can quickly answer questions, tell jokes and relay the weather forecast, in the same way Siri and Google Assistant can with their respective devices. I see the Echo Shows visual appeal  I can pull up a recipe and follow it while the machine is on in my kitchen. Although it also streams video, I cant see myself watching anything for over a minute or two on its 8-inch screen. It also acts as a digital photo frame, for pictures you store on Amazons photo service. And you can connect it to and control smart devices throughout your home. Listen, theres a lot of good in machines like the Echo Show 8 2021 model. But if youre mostly into making video calls with it, first make sure the people youre calling also own an Echo Show.