Google has teamed up with manufacturers to develop smart displays that can compete with the likes of the Amazon Echo Show. The first such device has been made by Lenovo and it will be available for purchase this week. The Smart Display from Lenovo brings the Google Assistant experience to an interactive screen for an enhanced visual experience.
The Lenovo Smart Display has Google Assistant baked in so it provides all of the features and services that users would expect, including but not limited to YouTube, Google Maps, Duo, Photos, and Calendar. All of the information is surfaced on the touchscreen display while Assistant can also be controlled through voice commands.
The biggest advantage of having a display on this Assistant-powered device is that users can just ask it to play a video from YouTube and it will happily oblige. Those who have a YouTube TV membership will also be able to watch live or recorded TV without needing a remote control.
The addition of Google Duo brings video calling to the Lenovo Smart Display. A simple voice command will have the device making a video call to friends and family. It can also double as an always-on digital photo album courtesy of Google Photos.
The Lenovo Smart Display will be available in 8 inch HD and 10 inch full HD versions for $199.99 and $249.99 respectively. Both have a full-range 10 watt speaker for clear sound. It will be available for purchase in the United States this week from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Lenovo.com, and other retailers.