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Do you have a first-generation Amazon Echo Show 5 that has always worked perfectly? Suddenly the screen starts flickering for no clear reason? You are not alone! Countless users in forums - both in Germany and the UK - are reporting exactly this problem. Some of them even have several devices in use that all show this error at the same time. Coincidence? Hardly.
What happens to your Echo Show 5?
After a seemingly harmless software update, the screen of your Echo Show 5 starts to flicker. Such flickering looks like a clear hardware defect. But wait a minute! During my research, I found out that the problem doesn't occur everywhere. For example, the screen works fine when you play music via Spotify. The flickering starts as soon as you return to the standard user interface. Sounds strange, doesn't it?
You are not alone - forums are overflowing
A look at the official Amazon forums reveals: The flickering doesn't just affect you. Hundreds of users are reporting exactly the same symptoms. Some even report up to four devices being affected at the same time - all of which were previously working perfectly. The discussions are heated and many of those affected suspect that Amazon is deliberately restricting the usability of the devices. Here is a link to a German forum post and here is a link to a discussion in a British forum. You can also find plenty of them on Reddit. And the individual forum posts are not isolated cases either.
What is behind planned obsolescence?
Here comes the keyword: planned obsolescence. But what exactly does that mean? Planned obsolescence is a strategy in which manufacturers deliberately limit the lifespan of their products. This can be done in various ways:
- Choice of material: Cheap components that wear out more quickly.
- Design: Products that are difficult or impossible to repair.
- Software: Updates that make devices slower or, as in this case, simulate defects.
The aim? To get you to buy a new appliance, even though the old one would actually still be perfectly adequate. This strategy is not only annoying for you as a consumer, but also ecologically problematic. Electronic waste is becoming a huge problem worldwide, and planned obsolescence is a major contributor to this. Manufacturers profit, you and the environment pay the price.
The suspicion against Amazon
In the case of the Echo Show 5, there are some indications that a software update is specifically restricting the function of your device. The flickering may seem like a hardware problem, but the fact that it does not occur in certain situations (such as when streaming Spotify) raises doubts. There are indications that Amazon is deliberately making old generations of devices unattractive in order to sell new models. Affected users report that customer service either refers them to buying a new device or claims that it is a hardware problem that cannot be solved. Targeted software corrections could possibly provide a remedy.
What can you do?
- Share your experiences: Write about your problem in the forums. The more people get in touch, the greater the pressure on Amazon.
- Contact the support: Insist that it is a software problem and request a solution. Refer to similar reports from other users.
- Do your research and stay informed: Follow the discussions and stay up to date.
YouTube video implementation
Conclusion
Your Echo Show 5 does not necessarily have to be a case for electronic scrap. The suspicion of planned obsolescence is confirmed by the many reports and the strange behavior of the device. Amazon has a responsibility to act transparently and dispel the suspicion. Until then, it remains important that you and other affected parties keep up the pressure. Together, you can ensure that companies like Amazon cannot simply go through with such practices. Your Echo Show may not be "broken", but the victim of a strategy designed to persuade you to buy a new one. Don't let this discourage you, take action!
Do you also have problems like this with your Echo Show? Share your experience in the comments!
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