Google Assistant voice control is becoming more accepted in Australia. Google Assistant plus a Lenovo Smart Display adds a visual component – seeing and hearing is better.
Alexa has launched its 10.1” $349 Echo Show (for Alexa only). Google is launching it’s $219, 7” Home Hub shortly. LG, Sony and JBL are following soon with OK Google displays.
Now an 8” and 10” Lenovo Smart Display (Australian website here) at $299 and $399 respectively. The pre-order incentive is a free Google Home Mini valued at $79.
If you have not joined the Google clan yet, this is a great opportunity to try out voice command and get a decent small screen for YouTube and other personal viewing. As a bonus, it does everything Google Assistant can do.
It runs the new Android Things operating system that is becoming more pervasive in the smart home. It will only get better.
The grey bodied, 8”, 1280 x 800 IPS screen has a 10W speaker, 5MP, 720p, wide-angle camera, and dual mics (not far-field). It connects by Wi-Fi AC and Bluetooth 4.2.
The 10.1” 1920 x 1200 IPS screen has similar specifications and comes in stylish Bamboo. Either can be used in landscape or portrait mode.
GadgetGuy will be reviewing Lenovo Smart Display later in the month.
What we can tell you is that international reviews are very favourable, especially for the 10.1” that is good for viewing videos and using Google Duo for video calls. The only criticism is that it lacks far-field mics, so you do have to shout over the music.
It also has a photo frame ability using Google Photos and its galleries. “OK Google show me all the photos of my dog!”
Adding a video element to voice depends on Google Search as well as many websites customising things like recipes, how-to and more to step you through what you want to achieve. Its still early days but voice/video is the trend.
If you ‘voice match’ it will present information relevant to you – calendar, work commute and more.
And it links to Google Home so it can access other smart devices like security or front door cameras and help control the home. Google is way ahead of Alexa when it comes to handling multi-room, multi-device households, making it easy to set up speakers and devices.
More information at GadgetGuy.
