Earlier this year at CES, Google announced the new phase of the Google Assistant-based products w/ the Smart Displays. Think of a Smart Display as an Amazon Echo Show or Spot but w/ Google services powered by Google Assistant. Google teamed up w/ several manufacturers to build it as they supply the software for it. So expect one from Lenovo, Sony, LG, & JBL.
The 1st one out of the gate (and probably the best-looking one) is from Lenovo. They have 2 sizes of an 8inch ($200) and a 10.1inch one ($250) that both do the same thing other than differences in screen resolution & pricing by $50. Lenovo sent over the 10inch model as we've had it for around 2 weeks. Time to see if it really is just a Google Home w/ a screen or more than that.
See Also: Google Home Max Review
The 10.1inch Display weighs in at 2.6lbs as it offers a few buttons for controls like Volume Up/Down, Power, Microphone Mute, and Camera Shutter Cover switch. At 1st glance, Lenovo's Smart Display resembles a digital photo frame w/ a speaker on the side of it. With a deeper dive, we see a unique design scheme present. The rear shows off a curved end w/ a Bamboo panel. It's curved to stand up but only really for Duo video calls. Speaking of video calls, Google made sure to provide added privacy/security w/ a switch that mutes the mics and one that blocks the 5MP webcam on it. Good move to do so. You can also make regular calls like you would on a Google Home product.
Providing all of the audio on the 10inch Smart Display is a 2inch 10-watt speaker along w/ 2 passive tweeters on board. The 8inch model has a 1.75inch 10-watt speaker also w/ 2 tweeters. It doesn't offer the big thump w/ heavy bass as audiophiles may put their nose up but it does offer decent amount of thump. The output still does an amazing job of filling up the room.
It runs Android but a more specific version of it called Android Things v1.0. So this is a card-based UI that doesn't run traditional Android apps but you can still navigate via touch or voice. The standard layout shows off the nearby weather, calendar appointments, music via Pandora/Spotify/Google Play Music, YouTube, and a button to see what else you can do w/ the Smart Display. You can pull up Maps, live TV via YouTube TV (for those of you subscribed to it), get recipes via Google Assistant, slideshow for Google Photos, make calls via Google Duo, and control your smart home items (up to 5,000 to be exact) like Nest products + Hue lights.
BTW: This has timer(s) that stay on the screen.
It does support some services like HBO GO/Now, CNN, YouTube TV, Hulu, Google Play TV/Movies, and Facebook video to name a few. This leaves apps like DirecTV Now, Sling TV, & Netflix are MIA on the current support list. However, you can still cast the apps to the Display to from your phone. So there's your workaround for that. Google's own Gmail or any other email clients are also MIA but don't see a way to get around that.
There is also an ambient mode, where you can show off the time via a clock, select pics via Google Photos, or Google-provided photos like on the Chromecast screen. One of the best thing about this Smart Display is the recent addition Routines where you can say Good Morning and get weather, calendar updates, commute updates via Maps, and latest news via Rueters/CNN/etc.
Smart Display: The New Face Of Google Assistant
TG 2 Cents
Google's take on the Echo Show is well-played & well-thought out. Combine that w/ Lenovo's good-looking design, you got the missing piece of Home line up of products. The limitations present and being a 1st-gen device doesn't stop this from being a great product out of the gate. Most or all of its shortcomings can be improved via software update so you won't have to wait for the 2nd-generation to get any wanted improvements.
For any Alexa users, this may not be for you as you would have either ditch or add a good part of Google services (music, photos, maps, calendar,etc.) into your life. But if you're already immersed in Google's services or own a Home product, this would make a great addition to your home. It wouldn't be redundant for Home users as they can work hand-in-hand in different areas of your home. I will miss my loaner review unit as this is definitely one of those products I would actually buy.
