
LG plans a CES introduction of its first smart home hub, which will communicate with connected appliances and sensors using the wireless AllJoyn Alliance standard.
The cylindical metal-clad device, however, also plays music from iHeartRadio and Bluetooth-enabled devices. It also displays reminders from personal calendars.
Though somewhat similar to Amazon’s Echo hub in its cylindrical shape and connected-home functionality, it does not feature Alexa-like voice control.
The hub, available in gold or black, monitors, controls and collects information from such home appliances as washing machines, refrigerators, ovens, robotic vacuum cleaners, air conditioners and a variety of sensors. Information is displayed on a 3.5-inch color LCD display on top of its slanted top. Information is also announced through its internal speaker. It also connects to a smartphone app for monitoring and control.
Smart-home packages incorporating the hub and sensors will be available from LG. The energy package consists of a hub, smart lighting, and an energy-measurement sensor. A safety package will include the Hub, a Lowe’s Iris motion sensor, a contact sensor and water-leak sensor.
The LG Smart ThinQ Hub will be on display at LG booth 8204 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 6-9.