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Amazon’s Echo Show now has serious competition from Google which intends to flood the market with similar devices termed Smart Displays. However, that won’t be another variant of Google Home with a display attached to the speakers, much like what we have come to see with the Echo Show.
While the form factor will largely be the same, the devices will actually be built by Google’s manufacturing partners like Lenovo, LG, Sony and all. The first such smart display from Lenovo is also there to be sampled at the CES and does hold an appeal of its own, it must be said.
Available in two size options of 8- and 10-inches, the two Lenovo smart displays share the same basic specification. That includes a Snapdragon 624 chip forming the core with a 2 GB RAM and 4 gigs of storage lending support. Also, while the larger 10-inch variant offers an FHD screen, its smaller cousin makes do with an HD display.
However, the real stuff powering the device would be Google Assistant with the new smart displays just acting as another hardware extension of Google’s AI backed digital assistant program. As such, the new crop of smart displays can be expected to do all those stuff that the Google Assistant is already capable of irrespective of the devices it is working in.
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- Google Nest Hub 1st Gen H1A – 7-inch smart display with Google Assistant built in for hands-free help, smart home control, entertainment, and daily organization.
- Korean Spec Model – International/Korean version of the Google Nest Hub H1A. Language can be changed to English after setup through the Google Home app/device settings.
- Smart Home Control – Use voice commands or the touchscreen to control compatible smart lights, cameras, thermostats, plugs, speakers, and other Google Assistant devices.
- Entertainment & Daily Help – Stream music, watch videos, view Google Photos, check weather, set timers, manage reminders, follow recipes, and get answers hands-free.
- Compact 7" Display Design – Great for kitchens, bedrooms, desks, offices, counters, and nightstands with a clean modern smart display design.
That includes the ability to show current news, weather details and such. It can also show appointment settings or other reminders though with the screen attached, the obvious advantage here is to see videos that the user asks for. That again can be a boon for cooks as they can be guided with a recipe with step-by-step instructions. Similar is the case with DIY guys who can get to see how to proceed with the task at hand even with both their hands engaged in the stuff.
Also, with Lenovo being the first to showcase its take on Google-backed smart displays, others too have promised to come up with their version by summer itself. Lenovo, however, is ahead of the curve, having announced the pricing as well with the smaller version priced $199 while the 10-inch model priced $249.
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- 7" Touchscreen Display: View weather, calendar, YouTube videos, and Google Photos on a vibrant 1024x600 resolution screen.
- Google Assistant Built-In: Control smart home devices, set reminders, and get answers hands-free with voice commands.
- Smart Home Integration: Compatible with over 200 devices from 50+ brands, including lights, cameras, and thermostats.
- Entertainment Hub: Stream music and videos from YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, and more with high-quality sound.
- Personalized Routines: Use Voice Match to access your calendar, commute, and reminders tailored to your voice.
Firefox for Fire TV negates Google’s move to block YouTube access
Interestingly, the advent of the new Google Assistant based smart displays come at a time when the Mountain View company is engaged in a stiff battle with Amazon. While Google has so far used access to YouTube for Echo Show (or other Amazon devices like Fire TV) as its main ammo to fight off the Amazon challenge, it seems rivalry between the two tech giants will only intensify in the coming months.
Quick Recap
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- VALUE BUNDLE INCLUDES: Google Nest Hub 2nd Generation with English, Spanish, French and Portuguese Global Language Compatibility so it works everywhere, Universal Power Adapter and Quick Start Guide with International Manual for Global Users
- IT WORKS EVERYWHERE Easy to use and will automatically start up in English when connecting to your device for the first time. The Nest Hub works globally with support for most languages and places internationally. And its language settings can always be changed back and forth to your preferred language anytime for international use or travel at your convenience
- BLENDS RIGHT INTO YOUR HOME Looks great on a nightstand, shelf, countertop - or the wall. This Nest Hub is small and mighty with bright sound that kicks! It plugs into the wall and is powered by the global ac adapter that works internationally so it works in outlets everywhere
- Speaker Size: 7.0 inches
- Connectivity Protocol: Wi-Fi
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- Alexa can show you more - Echo Show 5 includes a 5.5” display so you can see news and weather at a glance, make video calls, view compatible cameras, stream music and shows, and more.
- Small size, bigger sound – Stream your favorite music, shows, podcasts, and more from providers like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Prime Video—now with deeper bass and clearer vocals. Includes a 5.5" display so you can view shows, song titles, and more at a glance.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart devices like lights and thermostats, even while you're away.
- See more with the built-in camera – Check in on your family, pets, and more using the built-in camera. Drop in on your home when you're out or view the front door from your Echo Show 5 with compatible video doorbells.
- See your photos on display – When not in use, set the background to a rotating slideshow of your favorite photos. Invite family and friends to share photos to your Echo Show. Prime members also get unlimited cloud photo storage.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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