The urge to control devices and live comfortably has led to the powerful concept of Home automation. That has evolved from the old wired X10 protocol to present speaker based smart home hubs.
If you are new to the concept then the post helps you understand a smart hub. You can learn about the types of hubs, their use cases and the best smart home hubs presently available in India.
Contents
What is Smart Home Hub and How it Works With Example
A Smart Home Hub is a central home command. A bridge that connects all the smart home devices. So that you can control them from a single app/speaker.
How it Works
First, you need to connect all the smart home devices to the hub. Which can be done using the app, voice command or pairing over Wifi or Bluetooth.
The hub then is ready for remote control access. Now you can communicate with the central hub which in turn will control the individual devices.
For example, you can connect your smart bulbs, your front door lock, a smart AC or a security camera to the hub. When you instruct the hub to switch on lights, the hub will communicate with the smart light to switch it on.
Thus you interact with the hub rather than managing each device separately.
Types and Varieties of Smart Home Hub Available in India
Globally, there are many different types of smart home hubs with no standard categorization However, for simplicity, the three types are – hardware hubs, software hubs, and smart speaker hubs.
But in India, you will only get smart speaker hubs.
1. Hardware Hubs
Hardware hubs are plugging devices to connect with all of your smart devices. They have their own interface and protocols. So no two hubs or devices are compatible.
You need addons or utilize built-in radios to interface with other protocols. Examples of hardware smart hub are Wink and Vera.
2. Software Hubs
Software hubs are like apps that can be installed on the PC and smartphones. You will need extra hardware so that the software smart hub interfaces with Zigbee and Z-wave.
Eve, Stringify and Yonomi are examples of software hub.
3. Speaker Hubs
Smart speaker hubs are the latest disruption in the home automation segment. They are compatible with tons of devices like home security cameras, thermostats smart locks, lights, and smart geysers.
Examples of speaker hubs are Amazon Echo dot, Echo Plus, Echo Show and Google Home, Google Nest hub.
Which Type of Hub is Best for Which Consumer?
1. Hardware Hubs
Hardware hubs can be set up by plugging in and connecting the smart devices. Thus the hubs are best for consumers who are looking for traditional smart home automation options.
Now even hardware hubs offer expansion add-ons for additional device support. Thus you can integrate hardware hub with devices using the latest Zigbee or Z-wave protocols.
2. Software Hubs
Consumers who are mobile and want to have home automation on their smartphones can pick software hubs.
The software hubs can be installed by downloading them. Both iOS and Android versions are available for download. Post download simply lets the app discover and connect with the smart devices around.
For example, software hub Yonomi is compatible with brands like Alexa, Google Assistant, Philips Hue, GE, Honeywell, Logitech, and TP-Link.
3. Speaker Hubs
Speaker hubs are best for people who like to voice control their devices. That saves from the hassles of using the app every time.
Presently, the smart speaker hubs have intelligent Alexa or Google Assistant. Make sure that all your smart devices are compatible with either of them.
Amazon Echo Plus has an additional Zigbee hub, to help consumers use the latest Zigbee protocol based smart devices.
Best Smart Home Hub in India:
1. Smart Home Hub Alexa
A] Echo Show – Premium Sound and a Vibrant 10.1″ HD Screen
You can control hundreds of smart home devices like lights, plugs, security cameras, A/Cs and TVs on an interactive 10.1’’ HD touch screen dashboard. Which is amazing.
The fabric designed, Echo Show has a combination of Alexa + Speakers + Large Display + Smart Home controls.
The wifi-based smart home hub in the Echo show can lit Philips Hue smart bulbs and Anchor smart plugs. Plus you have on hands an Intel Atom x5 processor.
Apart from that, you can use Echo Show to
- Watch TV shows
- Listen to music
- Read news bulletin, get cricket scores
- Make hands-free calling
The 1765 g heavy, Echo Show can hear you even while music is playing. Which is possible through the powerful eight microphones and far-field technology.
However, there are reviews of hanging software which may be due to software bugs.
Echo Show lacks updated third-party Alexa functions. Plus there are reviews indicating that you can not use for streaming Netflix.
Pros
- Vibrant 10.1” HD screen
- Interactive dashboard
- Powerful eight microphones
- Wifi based smart home hub
- Intel Atom x5 processor.
Cons
- Heavy 1.765 kg
- Hanging software
- Restricted Alexa functions
B] All-new Echo Plus (2nd gen) – Premium sound with a built-in smart home hub
The 780g, wifi-based, Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) is the only speaker based smart home hub that has ZigBee protocol.
Thus you can plug in compatible Zigbee smart home devices. In India, other compatible smart lights, plugs and devices are from Oakter, Syska, and TP-Link.
You can set “routines” to control multiple devices at scheduled times with a single voice command.
Echo Plus can hear you from even while the music is on through an array of seven microphones that use beam-forming technology and enhanced noise cancellation.
However, there are reviews of Echo Plus requiring high-speed data networks. Occasionally, Alexa confuses with remixes and original and does not support much of regional languages.
Pros
- Lightweight at 780 g
- Built-in ZigBee smart home hub
- Seven microphones with beam-forming technology
Cons
- No display
- Requires high-speed data network
- Low regional language support
C] Echo Show 5 – Smart display with Alexa – 5.5″ screen & crisp sound
The lightweight 410g, Echo Show 5 has an eye-catching 5.5” bright display. That you can use in addition to voice control compatible smart devices.
Where you can command Alexa to switch on the AC, show the kid’s room or dim the bedroom lights. Echo Show has a MediaTek Processor and can be used to create routines. Like morning routine – with switching on lights/geyser, playing light music and reading news headlines.
However, we were surprised to find reviews of the Echo Show 5 getting heated like TV screens. You may have to adjust the angle to get a good view of the child’s room because of the display facing upwards.
Lastly, there are reviews of Echo Show 5 failing to pick up the wakeup words and the voice command & screen becoming unresponsive.
Pros
- Smart 5.5” display
- Lightweight at 410g
- Smart Home Hub with Wifi & Bluetooth
- MediaTek Processor
Cons
- Device getting heated
- Display facing upwards
- At times becomes unresponsive
D] Echo Dot (3rd Gen) – New and improved smart speaker with Alexa
At 300g, the Echo dot can be carried and placed even in small places. Because of the compact, sleek and fabric design. Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity options help you connect Echo Dot with hundreds of smart home devices from Philips, Wipro, Syska, and TP-Link.
You can also set routine to dim the lights, put off the AC and switch on the geyser before getting out of bed.
But, we found reviews stating poor voice recognition which may be due to 4 far-field microphones as compared to 7-8 microphones in other Echo devices.
Alexa’s native English accent is hard for kids in India to understand. Plus the customer support for Echo devices in India is poor.
Pros
- Sleek & compact design
- Lightweight at 300g
- Smart home hub
- Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Poor voice recognition
- Western English accent
- Poor customer support
2. Google Smart Home Hub
A] Google Home
The 477g, Google Home is a powerful personal assistant. You can voice control other smart devices from brands Philips, Orvibo, Anchor by Panasonic, Syska, D-Link, TP-Link, Oakter and Wipro
Google Home is compatible with Smart TVs that have built-in Chromecast. For example, you can configure Google Home to connect your Samsung smart TV having Airtel Internet TV connection.
You can also set routines like ‘Time to go home’. That will broadcast the message to all Google Home speakers. Plus if you have added smart lights or smart AC then the device will get activated.
With the power of Google Search and Maps, Google Home is always ready for questions. The best part is that Google home is ready for the followup question with additional details.
However, you can not book Uber, Ola or order food through Zomato. In India, Google Home does not support hands-free calling and messaging
There are reviews that Google Assistant misses voice commands in a loud sound. Worst it fails to recognize wake up word from children.
Pros
- Lightweight at 477g
- Wifi connectivity
- Smart Home Hub
Cons
- No calling or messaging
- Cannot book Uber, Ola & Zomato
- Misses wake up word when the speaker is loud
You can view and control compatible devices on Google Nest’s 7” touch screen display facility. That can be done with the help of easy access icons on the dashboard.
Because of a display, you can operate by the touch of your hand. Which is handy in situations of loud volume environment. The audio-visual effect gives a higher level of experience. The lightweight 480g, Google Nest hub is compatible with smart home devices from brands like Philips, Orvibo, Anchor by Panasonic, Syska, T-Link, Oakter, and Wipro.
However, there are reviews of poor sound quality when compared to google home. Plus the microphone failing to pick up the command at a distance of 10 to 15 ft.
Pros
- Lightweight at 480g
- 7” touch screen display
- Smart home hub with wifi and Bluetooth
Cons
- No HD screen
- Misses wake up word when the speaker is loud
3. Lenovo Smart Display (with Google Assistant)
The 10” HD touchscreen Lenovo Smart Display allows you to control devices from brands like Philips, Orvibo, Anchor, Syska, T-Link, Oakter, and Wipro.
The 1.2Kg, heavy Lenovo smart display comes loaded with the Google Assistant. You can make a video call on Lenovo through Google Duo and 5 MP Camera.
However, Lenovo Smart’s sensitivity might vary depending on the volume of your command and the loud music in the room.
Pros
- 10” HD touch screen display
- Smart Home hub with display
- Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Heavy at 1.2kg
- Can miss voice command at loud music
Also if you want to share the experience of music with your little ones so that they also get introduced to the wonderful world of tunes, check out the Best headphones for toddlers
Future of Smart Home Hub
Amazon’s Echo disrupted the whole digital economy including the smart home market.
The above graph from Statista shows smart home control and connectivity options. That clearly shows that the future to be dominated by smart speakers & smart display.
Conclusion
In India, smart speaker devices were launched in 2017. They do not have full functionality and support as their present-day US counterparts.
Most of the skills are getting improved and adapted to Indian conditions which will take time.
However, you can pick the Echo Show. Because apart from voice control Echo show has a 10.1” interactive dashboard to control smart devices. The speaker hub has eight powerful microphones and an Intel Atom x5 processor.
Living Life with hope and ambition. Have a hobby to read and discuss food, Cricket and Indian Politics. Digital Marketer By Profession. Online Business Strategist; Like To Explore and Writing about New Technology and Gadgets. Sports Person and Dog Lover.
Abhishek Patole
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