Amazon’s Echo Hub is now available: Eight tips to simplify your smart home with Alexa

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter devices sync seamlessly with the built-in smart home hub, allowing you to mix and match devices to meet your unique needs, regardless of the brand or manufacturer. Echo Hub can also control select devices, such as lights, switches, and plugs, even if your internet is down.

Display the devices you use most on Echo Hub’s Home dashboard, so you can quickly turn on/off lights, pull up camera feeds, set your security system, play music, or start Routines. During set up, Echo Hub automatically populates the dashboard with the devices connected to your Alexa account, and organises them based on your Alexa app configurations. You can also add, remove, or rearrange widgets by long-pressing and adjusting placements.

Echo Hub makes it easy to view live cameras feeds by tapping into the widget or asking Alexa—and with Multiview, you can view up to four live camera streams at once. You can also view multiple Ring camera still-frame Snapshots at once from your camera widget, or the camera’s shortcut icon on the bottom row.

Use Echo Hub to arm and disarm your Ring alarm with a tap. You can also use a recommended Routine from the Ring app or create a unique Routine in your Alexa app that locks the doors, arms the security system, and turns off the lights when you say, “Alexa, I’m leaving.”

See all of your Routines on one screen from the left-side panel and initiate them with a tap, or by asking Alexa—like one that simultaneously locks the doors, dims the lights, and adjusts the thermostat. When you create new Routines in the Alexa app, they automatically appear in your Routines panel.

Connect Echo Hub to your preferred speakers and control the audio throughout your home. You can even control the volume for individual speakers in a multi-room music group, directly from the device dashboard. Plus, in the future, you'll also be able to see how many active media streams are playing throughout your home, right from the home screen.

With Adaptive Content, Echo Hub uses infrared technology to detect when you are nearby, naturally transitioning from your customised home screen to the smart home dashboard when you approach. To personalise your device, you can choose to display curated collections—including new video backgrounds—or personal photos from your Amazon Photos account. Prime members get unlimited full-resolution photo storage with Amazon Photos.

Echo Hub is built with multiple layers of privacy protection. From the mic off button to the ability to delete your voice recordings, you have transparency and control over your Alexa experience. Learn more about Echo and Alexa privacy features.