Amazon’s Echo Hub is a $180 smart home control panel for your wall.
Amazon's Echo Hub is a $180 smart home control panel for your wall.
Amazon Unveils Echo Hub: The Ultimate Smart Home Manager
In another groundbreaking move, Amazon has revealed its latest innovative device, the Echo Hub, at its highly anticipated fall event. This exciting addition to the company’s lineup is designed to revolutionize the way we interact with and manage the various smart gadgets in our homes.
Unlike its predecessors, the Echo Hub is not your typical tablet or smart display. Priced at $180, it boasts an 8-inch wall-mounted screen, making it the perfect centerpiece for any smart home. Renters need not worry about installation, as Amazon will also offer a stand accessory for those who prefer a more flexible setup.
Equipped with Alexa, the Echo Hub allows users to effortlessly control all their connected devices using voice commands. But, the experience doesn’t stop there. The device also doubles as a viewing platform, where users can monitor live feeds from their security cameras and toggle settings, all from a customizable dashboard. In addition, the Echo Hub is set to support Amazon’s forthcoming Map View UI, a feature due to be released in early 2024.
To ensure seamless integration with smart home devices, the Echo Hub supports major protocols like Matter and Thread. While it primarily relies on Wi-Fi connectivity, an optional USB-C adapter enables power-over-ethernet connectivity, making it compatible with routers like Eero. Moreover, the inclusion of infrared sensors allows the Echo Hub to detect proximity, transforming its display into a clock when not in use, adding both functionality and style to any room.
What truly sets the Echo Hub apart from its competitors is its affordable price point. While other similar hubs typically sell for $400 or more, Amazon is proud to offer this feature-packed device at a significantly lower price. Remarkably, it still maintains compatibility with over 140,000 smart home devices. By prioritizing local device connections instead of relying on the internet, Amazon promises faster response times, with commands eliciting near-instantaneous responses in just 300 milliseconds.
Excitingly, the Echo Hub is expected to hit stores later this year, giving users the opportunity to experience the future of smart home management firsthand.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest news from Amazon’s 2023 Devices event right here.
