If you own an Amazon Echo smart speaker but envy the screen experience of the Echo Show, there is now a solution that doesn't require buying an expensive new device. According to foreign media reports, some players have cleverly combined existing devices to add visual interaction functions to ordinary Echo speakers, greatly reducing costs. [1]
Among the Amazon Echo series, the Echo Show with a screen usually costs between $100 and $250, while the basic Echo Dot costs only about $50. For users who only need to occasionally check the weather, lyrics, or control smart home devices, it is not cost-effective to pay several times more for the screen function. This DIY idea was born precisely to solve this pain point. [1]
The specific method is to use a spare tablet or old phone, connect it to the Echo speaker via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and then install a third-party control panel app. This allows the screen to display Echo's voice feedback, music playback interface, and smart device status. The operation does not require disassembling the device or modifying the system; it is purely a software-level integration that ordinary users can easily handle. [1]
The biggest highlight of this solution is its flexibility: the screen size and placement can be freely chosen, and it completely reuses existing devices, equivalent to a zero-cost upgrade. Compared to the Echo Show's fixed 7-10 inch screen that cannot be removed, the DIY solution allows users to switch between large and small screens according to the scene, and even use the tablet for other purposes simultaneously. [1]
The editor believes that this solution is more suitable for users who already have a spare tablet or old phone and have low requirements for native screen functions. Compared with the Echo Show at the same price, the DIY solution lacks in-depth experiences such as official firmware integration, camera calls, and quick wake-up, and its stability also depends on third-party app maintenance. But if you happen to have a ready-made screen device, this is undoubtedly the most cost-effective 'fake Echo Show'—spend a few dozen dollars on a stand, and you can save $200. It's worth a try. [1]