I’m finally ready for a smart calendar – why the Echo Show 16 stands out

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Echo Show 16 is looking like Amazon’s best Alexa device ever.
• It comes at a price of $500 or $570, depending on the display.
• The device serves as a calendar, smart home hub, and more.

I’ve never claimed to be the most organized person, and I’m fully aware I need to take steps to be more on top of appointments, schedules, to-do lists, and everything that comes with family life. I’ve been tempted by smart display calendars like the Skylight, but they seemed a little gimmicky and expensive for what’s essentially a large tablet. (ZDNET’s Maria Diaz argues against that gimmick notion, by the way.) 

The Echo Show 16, though, might just be the device that gets me to take the leap.

Also: Echo Show 16 makes Apple’s 7-inch HomeView look puny

1. A sleek upgrade

The first thing I noticed was how sleek the device looks. Amazon says it has 10% more viewing area than the Echo Show 15, but a frame that’s almost 40% thinner. Since I’ll be opting for a wall mount, I wanted something that wouldn’t be too obtrusive. Since my current device is an Echo Show 5 — the small counter-top version — it’s not exactly comparable. Still, it’ll be a huge upgrade to go from an Alexa device that shows pictures to something much more capable. 

2. Much-needed organization

The biggest appeal for me is the organization. Amazon says the new Show offers a family hub with color-coded schedules, to-do lists, meal planning, and more. My Google Calendar holds all of that now, but it’s easy to miss a notification. And if I don’t make it a priority to check my app every day (something I need to get better about), it’s easy to miss something. 

On top of all that, I have a hobby-turned-side-hustle-turned-fledgling business baking cookies, and keeping up with orders is obviously a priority. Again, I use Google Calendar for that, but I’ve nearly missed orders in a sea of notifications. An always-on calendar in a high-traffic area of the house would do a much better job of keeping things on my mind.

Also: The 4 biggest Amazon smart home announcements from this week

My current Show can display lists and events, but it doesn’t have a permanently present display.

3. An upgraded camera

Another significant upgrade is the camera. My current Show has a camera, but it’s not the greatest, especially at night or in low-light conditions, since it’s 2 MP.  The Echo Show 16 features a wide-angle 13-megapixel lens, the widest field of view on any Echo Show device to date. According to Amazon, this doubles the range of Visual ID from 8 feet to 17 feet (from the previous generation). The Show 16 also adds night vision, making it much easier to keep an eye on your home when it’s dark. 

I check in on my dogs several times a day, and my current Show does an OK job, but it’s pretty much useless at night. The improved camera on the Show 16 offers a whole new level of functionality. 

What gives me pause

My biggest concern? The price. The Echo Show 16 starts at $500. If you add any accessories or upgrade to the anti-glare Nanomatte display, you’re closer to $600. That’s double the price of the similarly sized 15-inch Skylight calendar. At the time I’m writing this, a $100 coupon is available, bringing the price down to $400. 

I’m already heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem, so it makes sense that I’d bring a display into the fold as my new smart home centerpiece. A purchase like this is hardly a necessity, but if it can wrangle just a little of my life’s chaos, it’ll be a worthy investment.