You might want to think twice before investing in an Echo Show (I’m ready to hand mine over to you)!
Recently, Amazon unveiled two new versions of its Echo Show during a noteworthy event. Throughout the presentation, Amazon's executives frequently emphasized the idea that these devices are designed to "blend into the background." Our very own hardware guru, Panos Panay, even shared a touching anecdote about how Alexa+ transformed discussions at his dining table by providing facts to resolve disputes, all without anyone needing to tackle their phones. It's certainly a noteworthy sentiment—nothing disrupts a heartfelt moment like an intrusive piece of technology. But here's where things start to get a little controversial...
If the Amazon team genuinely believes that Alexa-enabled devices should seamlessly integrate into our lives without causing distractions, then they might want to reconsider the current experience. When I’m in the kitchen, slicing an apple for my child, and I glance at my Echo Show displaying a lovely slideshow of our family memories, I find it quite jarring when that beautiful image of a lush forest adjacent to my childhood home suddenly gives way to a full-screen ad showcasing Dewalt drill bits! Talk about being taken out of the moment—rather than fading into the background, my Echo Show seems to serve me ads front and center!
I can't shake the feeling that it wasn’t always like this. I distinctly remember a time—perhaps just a year ago—when my Echo Show 15 would cycle through beautiful family snapshots without a single intrusive advertisement. When I spoke to an Amazon representative, they mentioned that ads have always been a part of the Echo Show ecosystem, but they were less clear on whether there had been a notable shift in how these advertisements appear on the home screen and photo carousel.
Interestingly, the timeline I’ve experienced aligns closely with what I’ve read on social media platforms like Reddit. Complaints about advertisements began to surface one to two years ago, with users expressing their bewilderment and frustration whenever ads invaded their space, hoping desperately for a way to disable them. The emotional responses in those posts ranged from confusion to outright annoyance—feelings I too encountered during my own experience when an ad for cereal popped up, quite ironically, while I was preparing breakfast.
Much like those hopeful Reddit users, I too searched for a hidden feature or obscure setting that would allow me to escape the relentless tide of commercial messaging while I did my dishes. Upon checking in with that Amazon rep again, I received the crystal-clear confirmation: there is absolutely no way to disable these ads.
I understand the landscape of technology is inseparable from advertising. Various sectors rely on ads to stay afloat, and honestly, my job partly hinges on the presence of those scattered banners you see on your screens. I’ve gotten used to dismissing those pesky pop-ups so I can enjoy an article or tolerate a commercial break on platforms like YouTube. It’s a part of the deal we all implicitly agree to.
But ads invading my kitchen? Sharing space with my cherished family vacation snapshots while shoving Moen faucet promotions down my throat? That's crossing a line I never consented to! It feels unjust to have to endure advertisements just to access my own photos on a device I purchased for a significant amount of money. At least with Amazon's Kindle ad-supported models, users receive a discount of roughly $20 for agreeing to ads, which makes that arrangement a little easier to swallow.
If we’re being told that Alexa+ and its related devices are designed to fade into the ambience of our homes, enhancing our daily experiences at the kitchen table without distraction, then having non-optionable ads plastered across the home screen stands in stark contrast to that premise. Thus, I’ve decided to unplug my Echo Show 15. In the near future, I plan to wipe my data and leave it curbside with a ‘free’ sign. If you're nearby and interested, feel free to take it!
