When all connected devices leave the house, SmartThings automatically goes into 'away mode'. Once a device comes back in range, it will toggle to 'home mode'. You will need to configure what these modes do (whether it be locking the doors, turning the lights on/off, changing the thermostat's temperature...), but it's great that this is done automatically when you arrive home or leave.
Custom access is supported by other smart home ecosystems, but not with SmartThings. Custom access allows for things like configurable unlock codes for smart door locks, or allow access to certain SmartHomes products to certain users.
WeMo, Phillips Hue, SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Nest, IFTTT, and ecobee devices are all supported by the Echo. This wide range of devices allows lots of flexibility when choosing connected products, as you aren't locked into a single ecosystem.
Alexa works in a way similar to Siri and Google Now - you ask her a question and she'll find the answer for you. She can also do things for you, such as turning on your lights or locking your door or any other commands supported by connected hardware.
Alexa is activated purely through voice, and she can understand your voice even while playing music.
With over 100 'skills' (apps) built specifically for Alexa ranging from Dominos to Minecraft tips, there is a lot that the Echo can make easier for you.
The Echo also works as a Bluetooth speaker. It provides full 360 degree sound, and is more than loud enough to fill a room with sound. The audio clarity is pretty good as well.
In addition, Alexa can play music from one of many supported music streaming services including Amazon Music, Google Play All Access, Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and more.
The Echo doesn't feature any built-in batteries, so you can't bring it around as easily. Each time you move it to a different room, you will need to set it up again in the new room.
You can use 'robots' to automate your system. Robots can be anything from neat tricks - flashing lights when you get a text - to more functional events such as locking your doors when you leave for work.
Your settings are stored locally, and as such when the internet goes down the automated tasks will still keep working - as long as they don't require any internet interaction.
To set it up, all you have to do is plug it in to your router (just initially), add in your Wi-Fi password, and then you're free to move it anywhere you choose.
Pairing is just as straightforward. While other systems have trouble connecting new devices even after multiple attempts, the Staples Connect typically worked on the first or second try.
If you have lights from multiple different manufacturers, performance can take a significant hit. Some lights may turn on much quicker than other lights (Phillips Hue always seemed to be the first to react), but given enough time the changes always made it through to all the lights. Sometimes unpairing and re-pairing lights increased performance.
HomeKit connects via bluetooth inside the home (to reach out of the home they require an Apple TV), and each connected device will pass along the information to the next device. This creates a 'mesh' network, where all the points relay the message along. This helps to extend the range of the network further than what would be possible if the hub connected to each device individually.
HomeKit is Apple's smart home ecosystem and is tightly integrated with Siri. It provides scenes, which you can describe as groups of actions that all take effect with a single command. For example (once configured), sauing "Hey Siri, Goodnight" could turn all your connected lights off, lock your doors, turn your thermostat down a few degrees, and turn on your connected security camera.
While HomeKit has been steadily evolving and adding new features, Insteon has been very slow to add these features into it's hub. Expect to wait for any new features that Apple rolls out in the future.
This hub was created specifically with HomeKit in mind, which only works with iOS devices. There is no Android, Windows, or web app support. The only way to control products connected to this hub is through an Apple device.
While there are doezens of other standards available (WeMo, Nest, and SmartThings to name some of the bigger ones), the Insteon Hub Pro only works with their own devices as well as devices which are HomeKit compatible. This reduces your choice when it comes to buying new smart home products, where other hubs support multiple ecosystems allowing for the best selection of smart home gadgets.
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