Skip to main content

The whole package? Tiny device promises to be smart home hub, router, and more

router smart home hub cloud storage can one device rule nuzii header
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The connected home began in fits and starts. There were smart thermostats with Nest, connected light bulbs, and Wi-Fi-enabled smoke alarms. For a while, all these devices were operating independently, but hubs such as Wink promised to unify smart homes. Now comes NUZii, which dubs itself “the world’s first smart-life hub.”

NUZii can get all your smart devices talking, but the hub wants to be your one-stop shop for everything: cloud storage device, music player, security system, and router. Soap also offers a hub-as-router but with not quite as many features.

“We’ve seen an influx of connected devices that all do amazing things, but they all function independently,” said creator Simon Watfa. “We’ve created a product that will harness the power of these smart devices and allow users to control them from one central location.”

NUZii’s list of features is impressive: HD webcam, temperature and humidity sensors, motion detection, malware protection, and encrypted cloud storage. Everything is controlled through NUZii’s app, sending users alerts and updates as conditions inside their home change.

Though it starts of smart, NUZii promises to get smarter, learning your favorite music and temperature preferences. It connects to your phone and can start playing Taylor Swift as soon as you walk through the door — provided you’re not trying to stream her songs.

The device is pretty small, too; check out the video above to see the four-inch-tall hub fit in a pocket. It’s definitely an advantage over other hubs.

Right now, NUZii is crowdfunidng on Kickstarter. The early bird price starts at $75; the device will retail for $130. That’s cheaper than something like Piper, which is designed solely as a security system, but it remains to be seen whether NUZii is a jack of all trades and master of none.

Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
The best smart home devices for 2023
The X2 Omni dock up against a wall.

With hundreds of incredible products available, it can be intimidating to piece together a smart home. From smart displays and thermostats to smart light bulbs and video doorbells, not only are there tons of categories to browse, but each category is filled with highly reviewed products that can be difficult to distinguish from one another. If you’re in the market for a new smart home gadget or are just starting your smart home journey, there are tons of factors to consider.

If you need help navigating all the products, here’s a look at the best smart home devices of 2023 across a wide variety of categories. It’s hard to go wrong with products from big names like Ring, Arlo, Amazon, and Google, but if you need a bit more guidance, here are some of our top picks.
Voice assistant

Read more
The Amazon Echo Hub is almost the whole-home hub I’ve always wanted
Amazon Echo Hub.

I’ve long dreamed about having a proper sort of home hub. One that’s always on, always showing me the things I want to control at any given time. Not huge. Not obtrusive.

The new Amazon Echo Hub, one several new Echo devices announced at Amazon's 2023 devices event at HQ2 in Arlington, Virginia, very much seems to fit that bill. It’s a touchscreen that you’ll use to control all your things.

Read more
10 of the best budget smart home devices under $100
The Wyze Lock Bolt installed on a door.

Building a smart home doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are tons of great smart locks, speakers, plugs, cameras, and more that clock in under $100 each. Whether you’re just getting started on your smart home journey or want to add a few cool products to your house, these 10 devices have tons of functionality without the hefty price tags. Everything listed below costs less than $100 (with one exception), although most can be had for less than $50. Here are the best budget smart home devices of 2022.

Read more