Amazon announced the Echo Plus today, a new model of the Echo which adds a range of new features that further push the Echo into the smart home space. Available now for pre-order as an introductory bundle Introducing Echo Plus – Silver + Philips Hue Bulb included with Philips Hue bulb, the Echo Plus adds the ability to act as a smart hub for ZigBee devices, in addition to allowing easy integration for a wide range of devices already supported by the Echo.

Also announced, Alexa has improved smart home features, adding “routines” that will allow multiple smart home actions to be controlled in sequence by the Alexa. This is a much needed feature that advanced users had only been able to achieve through third-party extensions previously. The native “routines” will greatly simplify smart home scripting.

For example, simply saying “Alexa, good night” could be configured to trigger a routine that would dim lights, switch on a sound-machine or fan, list any alarms that are set for the next morning, and set your thermostat to a setting of your preference.

While Alexa already had a slight advantage over Google Home in terms of device support, the inclusion of the hub will greatly simplify set up for new users, and decrease cost associated with purchase of hub-required devices, due to no longer needing a separate hub to communicate.