At Amazon’s 2023 devices event, the new Amazon Echo Hub was unveiled, promising to be the ideal home hub for controlling all your smart devices. With its sleek and unobtrusive design, the Echo Hub aims to provide an always-on display for managing your home.
Unlike professionally installed systems like Crestron, which can be expensive and require professional setup, the Echo Hub is designed to be easily installed and used by the homeowner. It offers a touchscreen interface that allows users to effortlessly control their smart devices.
One exciting feature of the Echo Hub is the Map View, which utilizes the lidar technology found in iPhone 12 or newer models to scan rooms and create a visual floor plan. This adds a new level of convenience to setting up a smart home, as users can now visually arrange their devices instead of relying on verbal commands.
The Echo Hub can be wall-mounted, and its elegant design is visually appealing. While Amazon claims that installation is straightforward, the practicality of this will ultimately depend on individual circumstances. Users also have the option to place the Hub on a counter with a convenient stand.
In terms of performance, the Echo Hub delivers smooth controls and widgets with occasional minor graphical hiccups, which is expected for a device that is not yet available for sale. Amazon will have to address this issue to ensure a fluid user experience at the affordable sub-$200 price point.
The Echo Hub offers features such as controlling lights and displaying Ring camera feeds, although currently only Ring cameras are compatible. It also includes built-in speakers, although they are not the best due to the intention of wall attachment. Overall, the Echo Hub provides a compelling solution for visual home control.
When comparing the Echo Hub to the Echo Show 8, it ultimately comes down to personal preferences and use cases. If visual home control is a priority, the Echo Hub is the better choice. However, if sound quality and more casual home control are preferred, the Echo Show 8 is a suitable alternative.
Overall, the Amazon Echo Hub presents an affordable and user-friendly option for creating a centralized hub for managing smart devices in the home. Its sleek design and intuitive interface make it an attractive choice for homeowners looking to enhance their smart home experience.
