HALF-PRICE Amazon Echo Show 8 and Google Nest Hub deals can help you keep in touch with family

(Image credit: Amazon)

published 2 April 2020

It's more important than ever to find ways to keep in close contact with family and friends right now – especially those who are more vulnerable. Both Amazon and Google have made that easier with huge deals on their respective smart screens, which include video calling.

Both the Amazon Echo Show 8 and the Google Nest Hub have had their prices halved – both are normally £119, but are just £59 at the moment – making it much more affordable to get one for your home, and another for a friend or relative you want to easily keep in touch with.

You can use the built-in Alexa or Google Assistant voice assistants to video call someone who has the same kind of device, so it's great for relatives who aren't that comfortable with technology – they can just say what they want.

Both these devices are excellent smart home screens. The main reason to choose one of the other is purely whether you're already invested in one ecosystem over the other – it's best to stick with all Echo or Google Assistant devices, because they work better when they're consistent.

For the video calling you'll also want to be matching the same type of device with whoever you're calling, so if someone already has one type of smart screen, it's best to follow that lead.

Of course, if you're buying a couple for yourself and a relative to get started, the choice is yours – the only difference really worth noting is that the Echo Show 8 has a larger screen (eight inches) than the Google Nest Hub (seven inches).

Matt is T3's former AV and Smart Home Editor (UK), master of all things audiovisual, overseeing our TV, speakers and headphones coverage. He also covered smart home products and large appliances, as well as our toys and games articles. He's can explain both what Dolby Vision IQ is and why the Lego you're building doesn't fit together the way the instructions say, so is truly invaluable. Matt has worked for tech publications for over 10 years, in print and online, including running T3's print magazine and launching its most recent redesign. He's also contributed to a huge number of tech and gaming titles over the years. Say hello if you see him roaming the halls at CES, IFA or Toy Fair. Matt now works for our sister title TechRadar.