ALEXA has been around for almost a decade and is the most well-known voice assistant, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to catch on anytime soon.
Amazon is reportedly working on several major AI enhancements in the face of ChatGPT’s sudden rise in traction.
But for now, the company continues to develop its popular Echo devices, expanding its uses even further. just speaker.
The latest effort is the Amazon Echo Hub – and this is what we made with it.
Amazon Echo Hub: Look and feel
Amazon Echo Hub has a bright and detailed 8-inch touchscreen with 1280 x 800 resolution. I’m not going to watch movies on it, but it’s not that kind of device.
This means a smart home control panel that brings together all your connected kit under one roof.
One immediately noticeable difference from the Echo Show display is that it’s less bulky.
The hub is very thin, so it can be neatly mounted to the wall with screws (and a mount is conveniently included in the box, too; you can buy a separate stand if you want that setup).
The overall style of the interface is clean, clear, and true to previous display-based Echo gadgets.
Oh, and the lack of ads is a real bonus compared to other Amazon devices.
Amazon Echo Hub: Performance and features
Amazon says Echo Hub is compatible with thousands of devices.
This includes things like smart lights and doorbells.
So if you have a ring kit, which Amazon also makes, the hub can serve as a handy alarm panel. You can also get rid of Ring’s physical alarm keypad and use a hub instead. This also helps keep things organized.
Or you can instantly see a live view of your Ring doorbell.
If you have Philips Hue lights, you can also control them here.
There are useful tabs on the screen for routines.
It allows you to create a large number of actions that operate simultaneously at specific moments of the day, such as turning off all lights when you leave the house or activating your alarm system.
You can also customize everything using widgets and lay it out the way you like.
I love how Hub makes my smart home organized and easy
The touchscreen felt a little laggy at times, but not enough to greatly affect the overall experience.
Proximity sensors instantly activate the screen so you can jump right into the action.
Of course, you can also use your voice and Alexa to make requests.
You also have access to a physical microphone off button to ensure privacy.
The Echo Hub has very decent speakers, but it’s not really an entertainment device, so it feels a little redundant. I envision it being placed right next to the front door, but not where I would watch videos or listen to music.
Amazon Echo Hub: Price
My biggest concern with the Echo Hub is the price. Priced at £169.99 / $179.99, it’s more expensive than other Echo Shows that can do essentially the same thing.
Sure, the Echo Show isn’t as polished (and the Echo Show also has ads), but I think the Hub was a little cheaper.
All prices in this article are accurate at the time of writing, but may have since changed.
Please be sure to do your own research before purchasing.
Amazon Echo Hub: Verdict
Amazon Echo Hub is a great one-stop shop for all your smart home devices.
If you don’t have at least two smart devices like Ring or Philips Hue around your house, the Hub is probably a wasted investment because it’s not like the entertainment-focused Echo of the past.
I love how the Hub makes my smart home organized and easy.
I wish it were a little cheaper, as the Echo has always been reasonably priced and performs well.
