Echo Plus vs Echo Gen 2
If you go to Best Buy, you will see all sorts of smart bulbs (and other equipments) that say that they work with Amazon Alexa. They don't differentiate among different kinds of Echo devices. So they will work with Echo Gen 2 and Plus, both. Echo Plus does boast of a built in hub though. What's the benefit of that hub if Gen 2 (even echo dot) is also compatible with all the devices?
What they mean is the vendor supports an Alexa skill that integrates Alexa with their own platform. In that regard any echo device is supported. For most vendors (Phillips hue e.g.) you will need either a 3rd party hub or an echo plus. The only benefit to the plus is not needing to have a separate hub. The third party hubs are generally unsightly and require an Ethernet cable I don't bother with the echo plus because I already have a room full of unsightly servers and routers and whatever so a hue hub hardly makes a difference
Thanks! Things like Hue add extra complexity to the discussion as they need a hub of their own as well. I am talking about things like Lutron bulb, Ring doorbell, Nest thermostat. All claim to work with Alexa (no extra hub needed). What is the benefit of using Echo Plus (or Wink or smartthings) over Echo Dot?