Amazon Echo Hub is NOT What We Asked For...

Amazon Echo Hub - geni.us/EchoHubAmazon
Today we take a look at the Amazon Echo Hub, a new smart home hub from Amazon that is designed specifically to bring a new way to interact with all of your smart home devices... But is is the smart home hub that we asked for and is the Echo Hub just another poorly thought out smart home device from Amazon?
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[@RKingis]

It's definitely the Macintosh of home automation control panels.

[@gryptoh5456]

This ticks all the boxes I need. I don’t need widgets, track my family or to stand it on a table. All i wanted was something to wall mount and be able to group my devices by room so family can find and operate them. For me it’s great. Do i wish it had a better UI and more customization sure, but for now it’s the best option and does work.

[@alfrede.newman1838]

2 homes, a winter and a summer house, Ring camera's in both, Echo & Dots in both .. for the life of me I can't figure out what Echos and what Dots belong to what house. Ring devices, no problem. Eero routers, no problem. But the whole Alexa devices (plugs, Echo, Dots) are impossible to manage. Amazon owns them all, right?

[@DuesenbergJ]

I feel like I missed your channel passing 100 000 subscribers. Anyway congratulations for the achievement. It’s well deserved. Hoping to see a silver play button on the wall soon.

[@StusReviewsUK]

It’s already here and already above my editing desk!!! Thanks for all of the support! 💚🥃

[@DuesenbergJ]

@@StusReviewsUK that’s nice to hear. Would love to say I was a subscriber from the beginning but that’s not true. First found this channel looking for a review of IKEA Nordmärke about 5 years ago.

[@StusReviewsUK]

@@DuesenbergJ I mean… that was pretty early! I must have been under 10k at that point surely???

[@garyhenderson9303]

Fourth review of the HUB I have watched any well done for saying what needed to be said. I have ordered one after seeing my Echo Show 15 just become the kitchen radio, but as a last try for Amazon before leaving their smart home world. I think it is poor that they could not have made the wall mount double up to a kickback stand, just some extra bits to interlock. Also some option to hang below kitchen wall units would have been great. I do like that this does not show Ads, but I guess that is why it is so expensive. I did plan to get this last year and sent my old Echo Show 8 back as a Trade in in October expecting the HUB to be launched before Christmas. Now the 25% Trade in Voucher I had is no longer Valid as Amazon told me I had to use it in the Same Quarter as I did the Trade in. A delayed launch makes Voucher invalid? Nice one Jeff.

[@alanmarshall101]

Same here, very annoying and to be honest pure greed.

[@MarcusGarveysGhost]

Doesn’t show Ads…. Yet. Give it a year or so. It’ll start popping up with endless purchase suggestions or apps to try which you haven’t asked for.

[@johnselzer2804]

Trying to avoid a too long post but basically I have a Crestron system installed in my home. Everything is nicely controllable via Alexa voice. The Hub unfortunately does not play nicely with Crestron and I think it has something to do with the Hub software not being well integrated with the Crestron skills. The Crestron thermostats are not even recognized by the Hub, lighting control works well enough but often throws up a default notice on the screen even though the lights are controllable. Shades are not even listed in the bottom row pill, but only show as "other", and I can only open/close the shades with no ability to set it at 50%, etc. I am hoping that some sort of software upgrade will rectify this issue but as of right now the Hub is "sort of half useful" which kind of makes it simply "not useful" in my particular situation. I have called and even received a support ticket on this and spent a great deal of time with support who have stated that the problem has been moved up in priority and then I hear nothing back at all. This is unfortunate, I was hoping for full functionality since voice controls work perfectly well between Alexa and Crestron.

[@jimg1474]

I’m currently using an old fire tablet. This would be a great improvement over that. I’ll wait for a price drop, Prime Day or something like that.

[@KimSevern]

Not to mention no ads though. 🤔I can't wait for tomorrow when mine arrives.

[@lasongablackwell6535]

Yes mines arrives tomorrow as well excited

[@guidoabarcia9311]

The product or the ads?

[@StusReviewsUK]

That would have added another 30 minute rant on to the episode… mad how we’ve been conditioned to be thankful for ‘No ads’… when that should be a given on a product that costs £170… not a bonus. This is why I didn’t mention it. 👀

[@tjdevroede3882]

Enjoyed your honesty. Some very good points, it's not a tv. It's a sophisticated thermostat that controls your home / devices.

[@courtenaybournon4167]

Stu, I agree. The Echo Hub is another useless product like the Echo 15. I recently bought a Google Pixel tablet, and it is my go to device for everything except serious spreadsheet projects. So the tablet is always with me because it is portable and if I want to turn on a light, or a plug, or check a camera, then I just use the Alexa app on the tablet, or even the Wyze, or Blink app. In general I want my smart home devices to be trigger activated as much as possible. I rarely need to "manually" turn on any device. At the very least, I can talk to my nearest Echo device to get that done without going near an Alexa Show, or any other smart device. I have absolutely no use for the Echo Hub.

[@tomgriffin286]

I agree with you. I’ve been waiting for a smart home dashboard from Amazon, sadly this is not it. Yes I would like to build my own dashboard but I haven’t the necessary skill. Hopefully Amazon may improve it.

[@marker220]

I had the same arguments in my head before I purchased. After playing with it for a few days, I actually welcome it simply for always showing the snapshot view of all my ring cameras. I have it mounted in the mud room right when you walk into the house from the garage so it the first thing I see when getting home. It like a little security screen to quickly glance at. The 4 screen live camera view also works very well but does take a little time to load as this person mentioned. Overall I welcome it to my Amazon/Ring environment.

[@johnselzer2804]

I have to say that your review and opinion reflects almost exactly my experience and opinion.

[@stewartshine5197]

Seen a few of your reviews before Stu, and spotted this one while in search of honest reviews of the Amazon Hub. Having watched and enjoyed both your style and content, I just had to hit the like and subscribe, so I guess I’ll be seeing a lot more of you in the future. Your comments regarding the names of all the devices, groups, routines, etc., also tickled me, because they are so me. I thought I had a pretty complex smart home, with around 160 smart bulbs, plugs, etc., but if you seriously have more than twice that, it’s no wonder you struggle 😉 By the way, you’ve convinced me NOT to buy an Amazon Hub.

[@ericmensah8025]

Good video, stu &, Congrats on hitting the 1k. You have a nice way of explaining the pros & cons. Still got me wanting & for the next. This hub is good, but not at that price. l argee on what you said. Are you really going to keep one around ?. I was thinking of Amazon Alexa manufacturers. should listen to you before putting the Hub on the market. Roo the next, laterr

[@dab42bridges80]

I agree, not enough customization of button sizes/layouts etc. and I'd prefer a 15" size.

[@garethdavies9141]

Last year i was hoping the Pixel Tablet would be a good solution in hub mode, while its a decent tabket it falls way short when in hub mode. I was hoping this would be it, and i hope it will be, but i fear it will be underused.

[@TheCornerPlaceCottage]

Your focus on the speakers is somewhat misplaced. The speakers are primarily there for Alexa and camera functionality, watching videos is secondary.

[@StusReviewsUK]

I mean it’s not misplaced… it was a 20 second comment in a 13 minute video, with reference to it having an identity crisis. Although yes, the camera element isn’t something I’d considered (still doesn’t need Alexa).

[@TheCornerPlaceCottage]

@@StusReviewsUK why would you have a home hub, that’s focused on Amazon and Alexa integration, without an Alexa speaker? In my new home build, I don’t need to have a crappy Alexa speaker hub, because I have this. Your argument is similar to saying, you love a specific car but wish it never came with wheels because you can get there using some other method. In my opinion, your identity crisis argument is a fallacy. I completely agree with your third-party widget comments though.

[@MarcusGarveysGhost]

Cancel him Lord Stu!

[@JoshFisher567]

​​@@TheCornerPlaceCottageHe reviewed the product and gave his opinion, Amazon put Prime video and music options in the drop down menu with Alexa, At 180 dollars, he has every right to complain. Not to mention you could notice how laggy it was. Not to mention that some people might want to mount this to a wall in a hallway or simply don't want to buy a decent dedicated Bluetooth speaker just for this If you do your now at close to 250-300 dollars total. I imagine Amazon just assumed anyone using audio would output it to a Bluetooth speaker but for 180 dollars it should at least sound decent IMO. If it was just for Alexa then why put music and video apps where you access Alexa from? Heck, why would you buy it at all if Alexa was all you wanted. Go buy a tablet, save some money and get way better hardware. To me, there is zero reason why a tablet would be way better than this. This thing should go for probably 75 dollars tops

[@Anthony-yl3wt]

@@JoshFisher567 that’s great but the opinion he gave is half baked. Also, based on your comment, you do realize that a “way better tablet” with Alexa is not the same at all right? Have you used Alexa on a tablet? Also, if people have many of these in a home, the mic/speaker could be used for the “drop-in” functionality. Your argument is like saying a microwave has an identity problem because it has a clock on it, its main purpose is to be a microwave and not a clock but you’re focused on clock. Yes you can, if the scenario existed, watch movies on this but it’s far from the main purpose.

[@RicksTechReviews]

Great video, I’m disappointed that it can’t search for new devices from the screen. Hopefully they will build on this in the future.

[@TEverlith]

Well done! thanks for all the great content. It seems like Amazon is trending more and more toward that "incremental" BS on both their hardware and software. HA is the way!

[@StusReviewsUK]

I know right… I was literally thinking g the same thing earlier on… the updates are becoming so minimal there’s barely any point!

[@martinnewmansperspective]

good review. I have been waiting for a long time for this, sadly it does not do what i had hoped for. i will wait for somthing better or better value to come along. until then i will stick to my voice control.

[@artieartya]

I went all in with Eufy and got rid of my ring cameras, but I have a whole bunch of ring door and window sensors. Do I still need to keep my subscription to have those just simply notify me when the door opens and closes?

[@billy5688]

Just replace those eventually

[@JoshFisher567]

I won't buy Amazon hardware because they use all their products to build an encrypted Bluetooth mesh network that currently covers 90 percent of the US, population wise, not size. They say it's for a situation that sounds made up. Apparently if you have a WiFi light with a weak connection and your neighbor owns an Echo, Ring, or Fire TV device then your neighbors WiFi network will turn off the light, not yours. Yeah, I don't buy that, especially since they won't let anyone see what data is collected with this mystery BT mesh network. Billion dollar companies don't go to that length to turn off a light with a weak WiFi connection. The fact that your ring doorbell is even communicating with your neighbors Amazon hardware devices is disturbing by itself. Amazon owns ring (sure you know that already).

[@RYN988]

Talk about a fantastic review! I mean wow!

[@feelgeorge]

I was hoping this device would have all-round glowing reviews, just like the new Fujifilm X100VI

[@CarlRyds]

I wish they would give the option to turn an Echo Show 5, etc into a Hub in software, like a switch to say “use in hub mode”. I also wish Apple did a similar thing with the iPad Mini for HomeKit users, putting an iPad on the wall (although expensive way of doing it) with a special “hub mode” would be amazing.

[@Shin2506]

Ever heard of "corporate greed!"? 🤣

[@dvwebster]

Thanks for your review. The Echo Hub is far from perfect, especially for dedicated smart home enthusiasts, but Amazon are probably not targeting those customers. Instead it seems likely to be aimed at the more mass market of consumers who do not have the skills or interest in doing anything much beyond "bang, and hang". It is not realistic to take millions of homes from zero to the full AI driven smart homes of the future in a single step. Consumers therefore need to be educated and have (mostly) positive experiences with lots of baby steps along their automation journey. The Echo Hub is a second step for Amazon in the direction of purpose made wall mounted touchscreen devices, and both are far easier to install than using a tablet with some kind of DIY mount. When viewed as a touch screen replacement for a (Ring) alarm system control panel, or security camera monitor, that can also act as an occasional smart home dashboard. a device like the Echo Hub wall mounted in the hall seems to make a lot of sense to me. Certainly that is where mine is mounted However, I do look forward to some much needed software improvements.

[@rickyf]

Have to agree with your evaluation. As configured, at its price it is not worth buying.

[@Rudas2007]

Stu: you and I share the same dream! Where is the dashboard we all deserve?

[@jk330ci]

Great review. I have come to despise the Alexa app finding it clunky and complicated. This has pushed me to HomeKit for the main using Alexa for the bits I can’t do in HomeKit. This hub kinda seems to be the product the show 15 should of been (the worst echo device Iv bought) I think it’s poor Amazon has made this an option for the likes of the show 15. Probably hardware limited but that’s what happens when you cut costs on the chips

[@JD86Vintage]

It's a step in the right direction. Its not by any means perfect, and definitely doesn't meet my expectations, but it's heading towards the product that I want... Which I suspect is an echo 15, with this sodtware, about 10 updates from now. ...chances of meaningful software updates happening to this particular device? Almost none.

[@daletur5328]

I’ve got a 6yo iPad mini stuck to the wall with double sided tape and a prayer, clanky interface for non Apple devices but beats this POS by a country mile. Both in power and usability, hopefully or eventually more items will be matter and iOS friendly.

[@BoomerPlusUltra]

I wish they had charged $20 more and then spent $10 more to get a significantly faster processor in there.

[@Mrtechguy-rd7hq]

Hi Stu i agree it should have a stand in the box. but of course they want you to buy it. they should of made something better then it.

[@oliverstemp9132]

But why is it different from a Fire Tablet in show mode?

[@sciroccomods]

In the UK you do not need a ring subscription for the ring alarm panel on this to work, i have one and it works perfect without a subscription.

[@StusReviewsUK]

I said the ring system, not specifically the related to the alarm panel. To get any form of decent functionality out of the system, you need a subscription… even in the UK: en-uk.ring.com/pages/protect-plans Incidentally, the price is also increasing in march.

[@ericmensah8025]

Thanks

[@StusReviewsUK]

Thank you! 🥃🥃

[@Killswitch85]

i was looking at the echo 15 and this but just dont really see the point. i have electric blinds, hue bulbs & govee lights, kasa home plugs, eufy camera's . Voice activation for most of them is fantastic via alexa, but i just find it far easier to just open up the specfic apps to control them if i need to , all of which are on my ipad. So then i just think why spend £200 on an amazon device that is likely in a static place in the home, when you could buy a ipad mini (or android) and take it anywhere.

[@Killswitch85]

and to add if i feel like i have to open the app constantly, like turning on the outdoor hue lights or downstairs loo lights, i bought a motion sensor and hue remote so anyone can just switch on when they want

[@StusReviewsUK]

Your sentiment is unfortunately correct. With this, it’s a *bit* easier than apps, but then it’s not portable… so you’d have to get up to use it - making voice commands far better in this case

[@user-df5uk3yf2j]

I can't control the Sonos system via the new Echo Hub on the touchscreen. According to Sonos, to integrate such a control would be on Amazons side. Sonos offers its API that can be used to control the system. But Amazon at the moment doesn‘t use that to integrate Sonos control. AMAZON: Please add that functionality for the Hub!

[@MegaMastiffman]

I think your spot on

[@raymondbailey2142]

Well that's that then. After seeing your review I am not going to be getting This device. From the sounds of it I'd be just as well using a tablet with the Alexa app. open to my devices.

[@garethholdcroft4130]

Think I'll stick with my wall mounted Fire HD10 Tablet for now.

[@MrJono1999]

Wow, what a review. Very different to those from across the pond. I have an echo 15 and I have been so dissapointed with that. I decided to wait to see what people this side of the pond thought of this device before buying. I am so glad I did. I expected that at this higher than normal price for an 8inch device this would have a decent processor, but obviously not. So disappointing. Jeff you just can't make things more expensive but offer no better functionality. I think I will be sitting on the fence for a while longer, but this doesn't look like a product that I will buy. I am being much more careful with Amazon products since the appauling echo show 10 drunk head device, and echo show 15 that won't allow touch screen access for most fire related operations. Jeff, sorry mate but at this rate "no more yachts" for you.

[@edwardhoulton8725]

Make this video again whilst drinking brandy and smoking a fine cigar. ❤

[@DavidLGood]

About as useless as the Echo Auto. If my smartphone is required for certain functionality, then why have the hallow Amazon device at all -- just do whatever you want in the Alexa app on your smartphone and be done with it.

[@Riveloperinc]

I am more worried that I put these up around the house and next year ads start popping up

[@RodrigoBarbosaPhotographer]

I’m so disappointed, does Amazon consult real Home Automator before designing Home Automation device? I’ll stay with my iPad 9 running HomeKit and Sonos in a split screen.

[@LacayoDe]

Same men i also do that haahhaah

[@omgitsjulian]

It's unfortunate that amazon never updates their devices. I was hoping for some updates to my Echo Show 15s but have just submitted to the fact that amazon will never update their devices with new features. I think you called out the obvious which we often have blinders on - this thing is a miss.

[@sylvainmichaud2262]

Amazon is not into the business of making your life more agreeable.* It's into the business of selling junk and moving inventory quickly i.e. no updates, no major improvements that can jeopardize the sales of the next product in the sale cycle. *If it was in the business of making your life more agreeable, it would simply make a great app for Android and Apple's tablets. But just imagine how much money it would lose.

[@markshaz8691]

I love the concept, but the execution is awful, the speed of the device reminds me of when I first tried an android tablet (which was about as thick as that). I think like me you expected too much and Amazon have done exactly what Amazon have always done, over promised and under delivered. Good review, subbed.

[@Max86421]

I like the Google pixel tablet better 💯

[@philipperostin]

If it was only a dashboard, people will complain it has no sound, no widgets, etc... Although I agree with the use of better chips, Amazon should first resolve all the problems of the actual software on all echos. It looks like a DOS program with memory overflow ! It is so slow, so laggy, so much lacking compatibility or so much creating doubles or even triples, that it is becoming the worst of all systems. Even Google Home, which was really the worst of them all, has now a Cameras preview that works fluently ! You cant even view BLINK cameras without asking to "Show" them when they belong to Amazon as a company ! It is totally ridiculous. Amazon needs to hire smart programers, not cheap ones.

[@Wsmith247]

I just assume use my fire tablet.

[@garethjones5068]

Some excellent points young man

[@StusReviewsUK]

👶🏻

[@tom75uk]

the problem with this the Amazon Fire tablet can do most of what this can do

[@kevinhenryviii]

Anyone who is predominantly into the Amazon eco system for their smart home then this will probably suit them. Basically it’s an echo show in a tablet form, just for your home smart devices. A nice honest review though. Thanks Stu👍🏻

[@StusReviewsUK]

Tablet form that can’t be moved 👁👄👁

[@philipperostin]

At 240 canadian rupies they can keep it

[@StusReviewsUK]

Ouch!

[@JedEckert]

You mean dollars

[@philipperostin]

@ert no no rupies, because thats all they look like and you should learn sarcasm :)

[@IbnBahtuta]

It is too small and is just another Show level assistant that can be done better as an app on any tablet, phone, pc, etc. Meanwhile, back at Blue Origin.......

[@gadgetboy38]

so it's basically a 7" Fire tablet running a skin and several times more expensive.

[@StusReviewsUK]

Basically... and with no battery 👁👄👁 😂

[@gadgetboy38]

That just makes it even worse.@@StusReviewsUK

[@smithleon]

I was really looking forward to this. Such a shame. Looks like they've just made a few fairly minor tweaks to the Echo Show OS and made it wall mountable (although I do like the wall mount and the USB C power). Amazon really need to re-examine the software on their devices, have you seen the Alexa app on iOS recently? It is a MESS. It's odd that my smart home is totally centered around Amazon and i make HUGE use of routines which work really well and basically have an Amazon device in every room, and honestly it all works pretty flawlessly, yet none of the devices offer a decent user interface for it all. It's a huge missing.

[@SteveStowell]

Publish your requirements document. I think Stu missed the mark

[@StusReviewsUK]

Pretty short list. Requirement 1 - not be absolute garbage.

[@dongdingize]

This is the very reason I did not purchase it. Amazon does what they do best. Don’t listen to the consumer….

[@daveschmarder-1950]

If Amazon made it perfect now, what would you buy next year? Very good report, Stu. Thank you from the colonies.

[@StusReviewsUK]

Very true… planned obsolescence rules again!

[@oudoulj]

Considering what amazing dashboard you can achieve with a cheap Android tablet running Home Assistant (and some time tinkering, that's true), this Amazon Hub looks like yet another half-baked overpriced product (unfortunately).

[@McKluskie]

It needs to have speakers and a mic if you're going to use it as a door camera, But yeah it seems monumentally pointless to me it's not offering that much more than a normal tablet.

[@StusReviewsUK]

Wait… that’s rather a good point 👀💀

[@Techlifeandmore]

Building your smart home on top of Amazon was your first mistake.

[@StusReviewsUK]

Easiest, cheapest, most consumer friendly way… but yes I agree. 😂

[@Techlifeandmore]

@@StusReviewsUK Samsung SmartThings and HomeKit would both be better platforms. You should try one of them out, I'd recommend HomeKit if you are an iPhone user and SmartThings if you are an android user.

[@Cashyonyt]

It will be a slow, buggy, ad ladened mess in a year. Like all their other devices. With core features behind more and more paywalls. Won't support amazon devices again for home automation. They're locked, slow, broken and lack features usable by the masses. Who now are going down the path of restricting free features behind paywalls.

[@cmh2111]

I waited I saw, expected to be disappointed. Mission accomplished. I'll by a few older cheap iPads and install smart-things. Good until there's a better alternative.

[@madhatter61]

Wow, that's bad . It's just a bad echo show with smart home as the home screen. Way over priced. I certainly wouldn't buy it.

[@kendallarielle7885]

*Promo SM* 😪

[@lewiskelly14]

I wish amazon would just disappear

[@hometechUK]

My biggest issue is once again TOO much wasted screen space, there could easily be 3 rows of routines not 2 for much less scrolling.

[@StusReviewsUK]

I know right… that needs to be customisable for sure

[@lamontthelegend1651]

Yall in the comment section are pessimistic af lmao 😂. It literally does wtf it’s meant to do. BE A HUB. And yall are still bitching. Can’t satisfy everybody ig

[@KASmonkeys]

😪 underpowered

[@StusReviewsUK]

Massively

[@islandsnow]

It’s expensive and interface is ugly

[@robsavage3292]

Sounds like a bag of poo mate