The Ultimate Guide To The Amazon Echo Hub AND Alexa! (No...Seriously)

[@netstar5950]

One of the best product demonstration videos that I have seen on KZbin. Excellent well-paced video consisting of 4 hrs of step-by-step instructions that must have been tiresome to complete. Normally, I would skip through such a long video but I watched every minute and learned some features that I wasn't aware of. This is the type of video Amazon should be doing for their products. IMO, I think Amazon should link to your video and compensate you for time and effort in showing the features and setup of their products. I will be purchasing Amazon Echo to replace my Amazon tablet on the wall. Excellent work!

[@AutomateYourLife]

It was definitely an effort, so thank you for your comment! Enjoy!

[@davisfearon4225]

You are my go to smart home guy keep up the good work

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thank you so much!

[@c849243]

Thanks!

[@AutomateYourLife]

You're too kind big bear!!

[@HughD]

Whew, I just finished the whole thing Brian. I really appreciate the work you did to put this together. Even though I try to do most of my automation stuff in Homekit, I've found time and again, that Amazon routines can be quite useful, and through the use of virtual devices you can often go cross-platform to get things done. Thanks again, Brian. Thanks also for the detailed timeline so we can refer back to a particular sectio. if we need to. I counted 39 sections!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Whoa, that's commitment Hugh! Thank you for going through it and I hope it helps a lot!

[@TristonS27X]

Can you make a video to compare with the Google nest hub second generation and the Alexa show 5

[@RebelMagpie]

Can you use the USB-C power supply that comes with the Echo Hub to plug into the Anker adaptor? Does it then pass through sufficient power?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Mike! I tried a lot of combinations, including that one. Sadly, there's not a lot that works. However I've noticed Amazon doing lots of updates. Let me try it again for ya in a few hours.

[@obijuan-]

Brian, Excellent comment from you at 9:50. I don't see anyone talk about the device limit on their router. We, keep adding more and more IoT Smart Home devices and we don't recognize or appreciate the problem we bring on ourselves when our router (new or old) reaches its ceiling or limit. I loved my eero routers, however, I had to move to a product that didn't have a 75 device limit. And most routers do not provide a way to force closer (physically located) devices to connect to the closer node. So, had to find one that does. Brian, we need a video that teaches people their "limit" may be the cause of some of their WiFi issues. Please do a video on that.

[@AutomateYourLife]

100%

[@AutomateYourLife]

And deal!

[@mdavidf]

Excellent video, I appreciate the effort you put into this video. I ordered an Echo Hub and should be arriving tomorrow. I realize this video is several months old, and the new hubs might have some updates, but I saved this video to a playlist.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks! Enjoy!!

[@evamuhlhause]

Hi, love your show, is there any reason to get this Hub if you don't use smart cameras in your home?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I like the way it controls my home personally! It's a quick way to turn on and work with a lot of my smart home gear

[@c849243]

Whew! I finished the video...do I get a prize? So much usable info, Brian. Thank you!!

[@AutomateYourLife]

2 prizes!😃😃😃 You pick

[@ronnatschke3719]

Nice helpful videos, but How do you make Lorex cameras work with echo hub?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't think you can. So the answer is get different cameras!

[@GumbyPW]

Great video. I have my hub set to show the clock unless I manualy wake it, (proximity sensor off) & it works fine all day. But when room gets dark (sunset) the display turns off. If I turn on lights it comes back on, lights off, display shuts off again. Id like the clock on 24-7, do you know of A way?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think you would turn off adaptive brightness in this situation, and the auto dim feature

[@GumbyPW]

Setting, Display & Brightness. I have all buttons turned off. Odd, it doesn't turn off in low light if on home screen, only if displaying the clock, it'll go blank in about 5 seconds. I simulate this by covering the proximity sensor (which is set to off) with a dark cardboard @@AutomateYourLife

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeahhh, you know...I tried. It doesn't do it right now. I think the settings are right but it doesn't seem to work. I think maybe buy one of the covers and then just modify that? There are these little covers you can buy for the device on Amazon :)

[@carlosshaw6648]

Brian. Thank you for this video. I followed you steps to have the Echo Hub show me the front door when it detects a person (I have a ring doorbell plus - battery operated), bu the hub only shows me a notification that someone is at the front door, it doesn't actually show me the camera. Any suggestions?

[@AutomateYourLife]

That's a weird one. Maybe try some different commands with your voice and then replicate the exact command that works for you in the routine. Changing the name of the doorbell or camera or room can help

[@aw7425]

This was fantastic, thank you for your time and monumental effort, very very helpful

[@AutomateYourLife]

You're very welcome! Thank you and good luck!

[@obijuan-]

This is a GREAT video. Covers everything. I bought the Show 15 and got it on a Monday. And put it back in the via UPS to Amazon the next day. Hated it. NOW, I am going to wait for Amazon to have a wake-up moment, and use the Hub OS in the Show 15 and bingo, but one or two. THAT's what they should have done in the first place.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Right you are! This OS is where we need them to go. :)

[@bradkrekelberg8624]

This must've been a ton of work! Thanks!

[@AutomateYourLife]

It was! Thanks though Brad!😃

[@kurtpuntacana]

They overlooked to include an integrated Camara. That would be a good option, I think

[@richardr2474]

Can I connect the hub via hotspot when first out the box and get it working using mobile data and Bluetooth?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I used to do that. You usually need a second phone or tablet to get it to work. But you can do it. There's not much worth in having by it without Internet though!

[@doc2w534]

Can you remove the quick routines tab from the Home Screen?

[@101themikal]

I have ring protect plus and self monitor my alarm. Will I be able to disarm and arm through echo hub?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I believe so. From Ring's chart, it looks that way :)

[@TrenaBarnes52]

I wanted to love this. It's exactly what I wanted but I got mine yesterday and even though I've done all the updates, it lags badly and several widgets including the sticky note are unresponsive 80% of the time. Is this normal?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Give it a day and see if it evens out. Shouldn't be that much but you're probably downloading apps and things for the first time. It does start a little slow these days when you first go to use it

[@TrenaBarnes52]

@@AutomateYourLife ok, will do! Thanks for getting back to me!

[@Voztec]

Brian, awsome as always. Pero escuche que el sistema tenia algunos bugs, ssi que parece un producto un poco verde aun.

[@AutomateYourLife]

There's still a bit in terms of bugs, but it's very good for smart home control 😃

[@DnMcDy]

How can I choose which 4 cameras it shows?

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's recent activity, I haven't seen a way to modify that except to use them on the display or around your home. Have it see someone, etc..

[@whatsupsweden]

Is it possible to remove the clock on the display like on a Chromecast?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't believe there's a wallpaper without the clock. But it does turn off if you set the settings to do so. So you can have a whole lot of nothing

[@houstonshomeautomation3524]

Brian ! ive been busy with training , i come back to see you doing 4 hour walkthroughs?!?!? YOU LISTENED TO ME !!!! news, walkthroughs , save the unboxings for christmas . if my channel were organized id do it that way .

[@AutomateYourLife]

Always listening! 😃. Just not always doing ;)

[@davidalvarado6009]

Do zigbee devices work locally without internet connection?

[@AutomateYourLife]

No, sorry. You'll see a demo in the video of Bluetooth working but not zigbee right now for some reason

[@adrianf-g7j]

hi , i just got this amazon hub thing recently, about 2 weeks ago, but you know, i keep figuring it out how the clock will show on a night mode with out the dark background, i have chosen a landscape background but then its still not chowing ?? specially at night time....changing theme, background clack face...still same how can i have a landscapr or any default background on the clock while not in use??? can you help please??? Thank you.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I'm sorry...I'm just not sure what you're asking

[@adrianf-g7j]

@@AutomateYourLife hi brian, thanks for the reply, what i was asking about was the amazon echo hub which i got also recently, the problem that i have was that when not in use, the cklock shouild show up with the background on it, like the echow sho 8 or thwe echos show 15, the display clock appears, but the echo hub, that i got, (i have no idea if there are viruses???) the clock doesn't show up on display, what it sshows is balck background , the clock display setting shows there are backgrounds pictures basically that should appear when not in use...(depends on the settings.) but i have tried several oprion, for the clock display...well the background is all black...im still trying to play around it, but peprhaps i am just missing something in settings??? hope you could give me some tips?? appreciate it.

[@Lakaguama]

It work when the internet is down? Because my echo 4 hub dont work without internet even with the zigbee devices

[@AutomateYourLife]

Nope

[@Lakaguama]

@@AutomateYourLife thanks

[@benhaze1010]

Fantastic video! Also very useful for my Echo Show 10!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Glad it was helpful! And yeah, most segments work with Echo Shows!

[@TropicalDoc]

Hi, I am in the final stages of building my new home. Do you offer a paid setup consulting service?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't physically come in and do them! We offer consulting on the guidance/choosing side of things. You can find that on our site at automateyourlife.com!

[@zondraus7331]

Thank you for this video. I was so lost. ❤

[@AutomateYourLife]

You are so welcome!

[@c849243]

Over 4 hours? You're slacking off!!! (heehee) Thanks again, Brian!

[@AutomateYourLife]

I know! I've been really slacking!🤷🤷 ;)

[@rodentbash]

Thank you Brian. I shelved my Echo Hub shortly after opening it and then over the last 3 weeks set it up 3 more times thinking it was rubbish and very constrictive. There was no one out there giving a indepth look at how to edit the dam buttons and infor on the display. After watching your video and thankyou for the indepth look I realised, yep it's rubbish still... Amazon are way to restrictive with this and need re-think their entire layout. Unfortunatly they won't update the software for a very long time. Sticking with HA and buying a fire tablet to use Kiosk is the way for me. Alexa hub bad. :-[

[@AutomateYourLife]

🤣🤣

[@RYN988]

Your Echo Pop is unresponsive, Brian ;) great guide!

[@AutomateYourLife]

It sure is! It's super quiet ;)

[@Nick_Wertz]

Would love a similar "ultimate guide" for Google, although their first-party smart home offerings are a lot less complete. Maybe a Google guide for the basic pieces and them some recommendations for Google compatible tech + automations?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Does that work for ya? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXeoiId8bcqMnqc

[@FloridaClay]

I have a Hub and love it. However, even though it was set up for my Wi-Fi network and the hub recognizes the network and that it has a strong signal, after about a week of working just fine, it is now constantly dropping the connection.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Clay, I'd suggest to you that your network is having trouble and you should maybe have a look at dropping some things off it, or upgrading. The biggest problem most WiFi networks have is they have to check in with every device on them constantly. So if they don't have enough processing power, memory, etc, they can drop connections to devices that are a bit weaker (or for other reasons).

[@FloridaClay]

@@AutomateYourLife Advice apprectiated, however I have a strong signal to the hub and no other device I have, including several Echos, has this problem. It's justh the hub.

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@FloridaClay maybe it's just bad then. Send it back!

[@FloridaClay]

​@@AutomateYourLife That may be where I will end up. Going to try one more thing this week. Hoping it is not a design flaw, as I love the hub.Something I didn't know I needed and would want until it was there and now I would hate to be without it. Keep up the good work!

[@FloridaClay]

@@AutomateYourLife Well, I may be the recipient of this week's dunce cap. I had forgotten the first law of computer problem solving, learned at my mother's knee, always start with a reboot. I did that and everything has been fine for several hours after rebooting the hub. Fingers crossed!!

[@sciroccomods]

Couple of things that i think need to be updated are 1, the hub alarm panel should be identical in appearance to the ring alarm panel, 2, the hub alarm should speak just like the real panel, 3 the pop up screens should be full size and scalable. if i click on heating all my trvs are in a line, they would all fit on 2 rows if full screen instead of me scrolling.

[@AutomateYourLife]

We can dream together!

[@RebelMagpie]

Fabulous video Brian. Took me a few days to get through it all. My main smart home hub is Smartthings, and I had been looking for a family-friendly dashboard for a while. I don't really use Alexa for anything but voice control of my Smartthings devices. I'd never really bothered to set up groups to any degree in Alexa, but I have now spent quite some time to organise my devices appropriately. As a smart home dashboard, the Echo Hub is very good. I'd love to have the ability to exclude some devices from displaying at all, but that's a small quibble. Thanks for the comprehensive guide!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey! That's so great. This is a huge video, so if you took the time to watch lots of it...I hope it really helped! By the way, I wasn't able to get the hub working with the adapter provided by Amazon. Something's up there....

[@cooliipie]

I'm in the same boat, I use smartthings and I'm looking for a nice dashboard.

[@ROG956]

Would you recommend alexa over google for smart home? Ads are the biggest drawback imo

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think it depends what you're after. Amazon has a much more complete smart home offering. Google is better software wise and I think they do a great job on the products they do offer. Mostly though, Amazon is a better fit for folks

[@SmartHomeHASHTAGS]

Alexa really needs to have the ability to easily control devices in the same Room the as the speaker. For example: I have a fan (smart plug) in every room and they're all named "Fan" and Google knows which fan to turn on or off when I say "Hey Google, Fan" in that Room. That's the other thing Alexa needs: the ability to Toggle any device.

[@DoctorRevers]

Doesn’t make sense to me to have the show 8 and the hub as different devices with different functionality

[@AutomateYourLife]

Oh I like it! We needed a better smart home controller

[@DoctorRevers]

@@AutomateYourLifethen why not incorporate that into the show? Their physical construction is too similar.

[@rgperformance1803]

They do make the M2 in competition I have two tenants with two and two competitions what is Blue from Europe, and the other is bronze both have 450 horsepower and would take any lame ass Toyota

[@dawidwolnik628]

You need say play music from KZbin music

[@AutomateYourLife]

Does KZbin music work with Alexa in your country?

[@dawidwolnik628]

@@AutomateYourLife it should

[@sciroccomods]

Mine just opens youtube search, i did just get spotify for £18 for 18 months via india , because i cant play youtube music on echos, thankfully spotify works everywhere.

[@AutomateYourLife]

It doesn't for us...I wish it did.

[@rgperformance1803]

And so would my M5

[@cooliipie]

56:48 that's annoying and unacceptable 😢

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeahhhhh...that's vendors not quite getting some things right I think. At least in most cases. I'm not sure what the problem is with the Curtain 3 from SwitchBot specifically.

[@cooliipie]

@@AutomateYourLife Would be nice if Amazon just allowed us to change the device type to anything. And move it where we want. I'm on smartthings and considering switching from Google to Alexa just for this hub. I've always wanted a plug and play display unit for my home devices.

[@johnszatkowski6898]

I love yr channel but a FOUR hour+ video? Most movies are 2hrs at best and people lose interest. I can't imagine anyone wasting 4+hrs of their lives watching ANY video especially when this device can be fully summed up in 20min (usually 12min) or less as other videos have done already. We aren't reviewing a rocket engine here.... This device is NOT that complex and rather laggy and pretty limited. Sorry can't watch this.

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's a video for people who bought the device and want to use it fully. It's not intended as a "watch it for fun" type of video. It's a guide John. Our review is a different video

[@johnszatkowski6898]

I get that but 4+hrs? Most can be figured out in minutes just by shear use. This is my opinion and NOT meant as an insult. Keep up the great work you do and I follow your channel whenever you release new videos.@@AutomateYourLife

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@johnszatkowski6898 hey I get it, these are not for people who use this stuff. Imagine your parents or the tech-resistant folks you know. It's made for those people. 😃

[@johnszatkowski6898]

You are correct! There are many out there that are NOT tech savvy that this would be great for. I did NOT consider this when I first commented. @@AutomateYourLife

[@AutomateYourLife]

@@johnszatkowski6898 all good, and you're welcome to comment and tell me when I'm nuts! I just like to feel less nuts so I will usually explain

[@jb--2023]

This Hub has issues and is laggy. Buyer beware.

[@AutomateYourLife]

What issues have you experienced personally?

[@jb--2023]

@@AutomateYourLife Search KZbin, you will find plenty of issues.