Amazon Makes Another Wall Mounted Screen
Amazon introduced its newest Echo device last week, Echo Hub. The wall mounted display features an 8-inch touch screen with a customizable dashboard optimized to view and control any supported smart home device. The Echo Hub supports more than 140,000 smart devices and recognizes all of the major connectivity standards including Matter and Thread. The Echo Hub will be available later this year for $180.
The Circana Take:
- As households accumulate more smart home devices, products designed to manage how they operate will become more important. While smart hubs have historically been simple boxes lacking a display, the Echo Hub combines the functionality of a smart display to make the devices more functional.
Amazon Updates Device Management
During the company’s Fall event last week, Amazon announced Map View, a feature allowing users to view their connected devices on a layout of their home. From the Map View display it will be possible to turn on smart lights, change the volume on a connected smart speaker, or view camera feeds. Map View is available in the Alexa App on select iOS devices.
The Circana Take:
- As Amazon looks to capture market share of connected homes, adding new features and functionality to the company’s platform will be important in retaining users. The eventual acquisition of iRobot and its line of robotic vacuums will also add to Amazon’s data on the layout of homes.