Smarthome hubs did the best job of connecting everything from Wi-Fi outlets to Z-wave smart locks.
They introducedroutines,automation, and a handy dashboard to control everything in one dedicated place.
Devices made by different manufacturers could work in tandem when connected to a hub.
Smarthome hubs also madeZ-wave and Zigbeedevices truly smart.
Without one, you couldn’t control a smart lock remotely, and managing codes was far more difficult.
Hubs Do Have Downsides
Unfortunately, the smarthome hub business hasn’t been particularly stable.
Lowe’s hasabandoned its Iris platformentirely, and there are plenty of other hubs you probably shouldn’t use.
Flex, in turn, sold Wink toi.am+, which was founded by Will.iam.
To make matters worse, low stock of the hubs is a frequent issue, as seen inmultipleRedditthreads.
These voice assistants can also connect to a variety of devices, through Wi-Fi or third-party app integration.
If you have an Echo Show or Echo Plus, you could also connect to ZigBee devices.
Given the size and strength of Google and Amazon, the fear of shutdown is minimal.
That strength showed atCES 2019.
Nearly every smarthome machine announced touted compatibility with these platforms.
Z-wave, ZigBee (outside Philips Hue), Wink, Smartthings.
Amazon / Eero
The main issue of worry in a future without Hubs though is Wi-Fi, and the problems it presents.
Wi-Fi doesn’t have the sheer range that a meshed ZigBee or Z-Wave set of devices can achieve.
The comingWi-Fi 6 standardhelps solve most of these problems.
But that’s a standard that’s coming and doesn’t entirely solve all the problems.
Google and Amazon know that, and they’ve prepared for the future by jumping in onMesh networks.
