Lenovo's Show Mode basically turns your laptop into an Echo Show

Ideapad 5 Series Alexa Screenfill Reflection
Ideapad 5 Series Alexa Screenfill Reflection (Image credit: Lenovo)

What you need to know

  • Lenovo announced Show Mode For PC.
  • Show Mode turns your PC into a full-screen Alexa device.
  • The feature will roll out to select Lenovo laptops in Q2 2021.

The feature is already available for some Android devices, but it will start rolling out to supported PCS in Q2 2021. When your PC is in Show Mode, you can control Alexa-enabled devices with your voice. For example, you can play music, ask questions, and control smart home devices that you've connected to Alexa.

Show Mode is a clever combination of technology, allowing people to take advantage of a device they already own to perform tasks rather than having to purchase dedicated hardware. The laptops that support Show Mode for PC already have microphones and displays, so it makes sense to use hardware that's already in place to connect to other devices.

Show Mode will at least be available on the Yoga Slim 9i, Yoga 9i, Yoga 7i, Yoga AIO 7, and the IdeaPad 5 Series. To use Show Mode, a PC has to be unlocked and have its lid open.

When Show Mode launches in Q2 2021, it will be available in select markets, including the U.S. and Canada, with the U.K., Germany, Austria, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, India, Australia, and New Zealand gaining support later.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.