Amazon has expanded its line of smart screens and introduced a brand new item called the Echo Hub. The Echo Hub, similar in appearance to the Echo Show, is a smart home hub meant to be mounted on your wall rather than a smart display.
The Echo Hub is not a tabletop device, unlike the Echo and Echo Show models. To use it on your desk or countertop, you’ll need to pay extra for an optional stand. This is because rather than being a smart speaker or a smart display, the Echo Hub is a smart control panel. According to Amazon, the Echo Hub is a control panel for smart home devices that are enabled by Alexa. Once fixed to your wall, it will connect to the rest of your smart home network and enable seamless touchscreen control of your devices.
It’s like a smart thermostat in that sense. But you can do a lot more with it than just adjust the temperature of your home. It will also work directly with hundreds of appliances and support a wide range of platforms, including Matter, Alexa, and others.
Here’s a quick overview of the Echo Hub’s features.
- Compatible with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Footpath, Thread, Meter, and Zigbee devices.
- Provides access to the services and goods you use most through a home screen that you can customize.
- Allows the ring camera to support live feeds.
- A ring is attached to the alarm for simple triggering.
- Allows you to view and start routines.
- Link the speaker to your home theater system to control the audio.
- Display images on the screen when it’s not in use.
Even though it’s an original gadget, it looks like there are still some kinks that Amazon needs to work out before you can consider bringing it into your home. Notable for its great display and simple installation, we awarded the Amazon Echo Hub a 6 out of 10. But it was criticized for its slow performance and lack of configuration flexibility.
However, the EcoHub can be a great option for families looking for a useful tool to control their smart home. Because it’s wall-mounted, you can avoid taking up space on your cluttered kitchen countertops, and it’s easier to operate than the Echo Show 8 thanks to the absence of ads. If you want something that works like a tablet to help manage your smart home or if you want it to be the focal point of a connected security system, you should take a look. . For everyone else, watch out for an upgrade to the gadget, as a redesigned Gen 2 model might be coming soon.
Price
The current price of the Echo Hub is $180.