Nucleus now $99 at Lowe's

[awraynor]

Guess Nucleus is feeling the effects of being sherlocked by the Amazon Alexa Show. 

I have 2 Show's on order, but this thing is less than half the price, but how long it will be supported who knows?

 

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Nucleus-Anywhere-Intercom-Works-with-Amazon-Alexa/999990374

[Dave]

Wow, nice find. I'm happy to see that price although it troubles me some about this product and company. There could be a good explanation for it though and I hope it's the case.  Nucleus, after being "sherlocked" by Amazon, announced they are going to go into the pro installer market instead of the consumer market.  They could be reducing stock in the consumer channel in order to differentiate it from Alexa and get ready ready for the pro market.

 

Now, back to the "sherlock." Amazon, invested in Nucleus and was working with them since 2014. Nucleus is a young company and showed off the video intercom ability at CES 2017.  I remember being so excited about the product I called it "My Win of CES." It was one of the first products to be able to show Alex Cards or Amazon Cards, meaning, information from Alexa in video format.  It was a perfect fit and Amazon thought the same thing.  I'm not sure what happened behind the scenes but instead of acquiring Nucleus they virtually copied the device and gave it a Music/Alexa first combination instead of Nucleus's Video calling/intercom combination.

 

I don't know the future of Nucleus but if you break down both products they are really different.  Nucleus is a great room to room intercom as well as a house to house intercom for families.  Alexa can send messages but it's somewhat tough to use without the screen.  We don't really know what the Alexa Show will be able to do as it hasn't been released yet but I expect Amazon to improve that software for messaging in order to further distance themselves from the upcoming Apple HomePod product.  I tried to send a message from one Alexa to another and it was simply a waste of time to even attempt it.  In its current state, as a tube, it's not a good method of communicating.  Hopefully the Show will improve on that.

 

I don't like this move from Amazon if it kills what I consider to be a better communications product.  Amazon clearly felt threatened since the Nucleus can do everything Alexa can do and more.  $99 per device is a STEAL! I just don't know how long Nucleus will be around and that is a problem.

[awraynor]

Yes, I was aware of Amazon being involved in the early days of Nucleus. Why they developed a similar product we will never know.

 

Nonetheless my 8-year just asked me yet again when The Show will be released. 

[Dave]

My 10 year old is asking to sell his Alexa so he can get a Show. Crazy kids.  I hope the show sounds good.