Google Inc. demonstrated Smart Displays technology at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in January. Today the first smart display integrated with Google Assistant, Lenovo Smart Display goes on sale. Lenovo is marketing two variants of the device, 8-inch screen priced at $199 and 10-inch display worth $249.
At the same time, Lenovo Smart Display is also the first gadget to run on Android Things, Google’s newest Android-based operating system developed specifically for ‘Internet of Things’ appliances. In that case, this device is endowed to test run Android Things and provide constructive feedback to the developers’ team about the interface.
The device is powered by Qualcomm 624 Home Hub Platform, a powerful processor to support visual and verbal properties of Smart Display.
Lenovo Smart Display is also the first gadget to run on Android Things, Google’s newest OS. Source: Lenovo
Lenovo Smart Display Design
Lenovo Smart Display is basically a product installed with Google Assistant (read Google Home speakers) and a screen embedded onto it. However, it comes with a sleeker design than the primary competitor Amazon’s Echo Show.
The Smart Display is an asymmetrical triangle-shaped device with a wooden-finish back panel for the 10-inch model and soft gray-finish at the 8-inch device’s back. Lenovo’s design team has crafted the device body in such a way that it can stand in landscape mode as well as portrait mode, the latter position mandatorily needed for using Google Duo for video calls.
Speaker
Coming to sound system, the Smart Display features 10W full-range speaker with dual passive radiator located at the left-most part of the structure. And this tiny display can get really loud with enough clarity and crispiness in sound.
Display
Moving next, the 8-inch Smart Display version has an HD resolution of 1280×800, whereas the large variant holds 1920×1200 FHD resolution. Both the screens feature a wide viewing angle (86 degrees) so that larger audience can watch the videos.
Lenovo is marketing two variants of the device, 8-inch display and 10-inch display. Source: Lenovo
Microphone & Camera
The 2×2 dual microphone array positioned inside the Lenovo’s newest gadget is top notch. One does not need to yell out even if any video or music is being played on the system. In fact, it identifies the command from a considerable far distance.
Both the variants of Google’s first Android Things-based device get a basic 5MP wide angle front camera, generally used for video calling.
Here comes the most compelling component of Lenovo’s Smart Display – TrueBlock Privacy shutter, also available on some Lenovo laptop. These toggles located on the device body allow the user to turn on/off the camera or mic or both whenever not in use and safeguard the privacy.
Operating Smart Display
Lenovo Smart Display side view. Source: Lenovo
The hardware of Android Things device is managed by the OEMs whereas Google has secured the control over their software. Google has committed to update these devices for three years now and Lenovo assured that the structures should not have any functioning faults similar to Smart Speakers.
Other than Google Assistant, the new system works with Google Chromecast, Google Duo, Google Photo, YouTube, Spotify, Philips Hue and Works with Nest.
Correspondingly, the smooth interface on the new Google Smart Display enables it to answers queries with the most relevant visual content. It can show weather forecasts, recipe instructions, smart home controls, Duo video calls, and YouTube videos.
Yet to launch the device, the owner needs to begin the command with “Hey Google”. And everything on this device is just voice-enabled. Yes, since Display Smart is a no-tablet model, there is no ‘keyboard’ support on it, which feels quite frustrating at times.
Technowize Verdict
If you are an Alexa friend, Technowize has no specific reason to suggest you to switch to Lenovo Smart Display. But if you want to extract the widespread benefits of an Android platform, Lenovo Smart Display is an Internet of Things device to own.
