LG's SmartThinQ Hub just got even more like an Echo with Alexa integration

By Lulu Chang September 4, 2016

lg smartthinq hub alexa screen shot 2016 09 04 at 11 10 25 am — Image used with permission by copyright holder

LG is echoing the Echo.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then LG is paying a major compliment to Amazon by making its already Echo-esque SmartThinQ Hub even more like the Echo. Not only does it look like an Echo and work like an Echo, it now talks like an Echo, too. Or at least, it will let you talk to it in the same way you’d talk to Echo. That’s right — the SmartThinQ Hub now boasts Alexa support.

The smart home controller, which was first debuted at CES, is seriously not interested in reinventing the wheel. As such, instead of making its own virtual assistant, it’s just tapping into Alexa’s functionality (though to be fair, in a limited capacity). To chat with Alexa, you’ll have to press a button on the LG hub, whereupon you’ll be able to ask Alexa to amend your schedule, play your favorite song, or check the forecast. You’ll also be able to command Alexa via a remote, which is again reminiscent of Echo’s capabilities with a Bluetooth remote.

Still, users won’t be able to take advantage of all Alexa has to offer (yet). Only basic functionality will be included in the LG hub. After all, you have to actually press a button to get it to work, which is so not Echo-esque.

The only case where button-pushing won’t be required arises when you’re trying to control other LG devices. But unless the entirety of your smart home is comprised of accessories from this single company, it’s unclear as to whether the SmartThinQ Hub is the strategic purchase, especially considering that it’s the same price as the Amazon Echo.

All the same, LG seems keen to take advantage of technology that’s already in play, and proven to work. “Collaborating with innovative industry leaders is our core strategy to make LG smart home solutions even more accessible and convenient to consumers,” said Jo Seong-jin, president of LG Electronics and Home Appliance & Air Solutions Company. “We believe that differentiating our IoT technology through openness and collaboration will benefit far more customers than a closed system.”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Deals

Get 50% off these incredible scent diffusers to luxuriate your living space

Hotel Collection scent diffuser with unique oils on sale

An excellent and convenient way to fill your home with luxurious, aromatic scents is to employ a diffuser, an electronic device that turns perfume-like oils into mist and disperses it into the surrounding air, in this case, the air in your living space or home. Hotel Collection is our favorite place to shop for new diffusers, supplies like oils, and other notable accessories. And wouldn't you know it? Right now, they're offering 50% off large diffusers when you use code JUSTFORYOU50 at checkout. That remarkable deal allows you to save half of the biggest diffusers from Hotel Collection, like the Penthouse or the Presidential models. They offer coverage for areas from 1,200 square feet up to 6,000 square feet, which means your entire home will smell splendid. Act soon because the deal will be over before you know it.
Shop Now

Why you should buy a Hotel Collection scent diffuser for your home
You deserve a true sanctuary to come home to. Not just one that is clean and inviting but also smells divine, like the scent of homecooked baking, fresh linens, or . You know, the kind of encapsulating scents befitting of an elegant hotel -- only within the comfort of your home. That's precisely what Hotel Collection diffusers and scents can bring into your livable spaces.

Starting with the diffusers that make it all happen, there are a variety of options, from small, like the Studio Pro Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 600 square feet, to extra-large, like the Double Presidential Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 6,00 square feet. Whatever the size of your home, property, or living space, from condos to mansions, Hotel Collection has you covered.

Smart Home

How to format the microSD card on Tapo security cameras

The Tapo C120 out in the rain.

One of the most compelling features of Tapo products (like the Wire-Free 2K Outdoor Cam and Indoor/Outdoor Cam) is support for local storage. Many Tapo security cameras let you install a microSD card, so you don't have to rely on cloud storage to save all your videos – instead, they're neatly stored right on your camera. Before you can start using local storage, however, you'll need to format your microSD card. Tapo has some pretty strict requirements for how this works, but the process itself is remarkably simple.

Ready to start saving all your video clips locally? Here's how to format the microSD card on your Tapo security camera.

Smart Home

Blink Mini 2 vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Pro: Which is the best security camera?

The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro on display the 2023 Amazon Fall Devices and Services event.

The Blink Mini 2 is one of the cheapest security cameras you can buy. It's pretty well-rounded too. It's capable of filming in HD and offering support for outdoor use when paired with an optional accessory, making it a great choice for shoppers on a budget. That makes it wildly different from the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro, which carries a hefty price tag and supports both indoor and outdoor use right out of the box without the need to purchase a secondary accessory.

But is the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro a better investment than the affordable Blink Mini 2? From pricing and video resolution to the installation process and additional features, here's a look at the Blink Mini 2 and Ring Stick Up Cam Pro to help you decide which is the best choice for your home.
Pricing and monthly fees