Lenovo has kickstarted its year with a new highlands of Google Assistant-powered displays called the Smart Display.
The virtual smart assistant/ machine learning/ artificial intelligence revolution is moving into high gear in 2018, and CES is where companies are showing off their new congenial products. Lenovo has offered 2 display sizes on board- 8 inches and 10.1 inches.
The scheme looks similar to the Amazon Echo Show but instead, new Lenovo gadgets come with Google Assistant and the assistant’s own in-house software and features.
In addition to the familiar search, weather, and music streaming capabilities, the inclusion of a display introduces a number of new Google Assistant features. Users can view maps of planned routes, video call with friends and family via Google Duo, stream YouTube videos or pictures from Google Photos, and manage their other connected smart home devices.
The two Lenovo Smart Displays boast almost indistinguishable hardware. They’re powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 624 chipset, paired up with 2 GB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage. There’s also a 5-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls, Bluetooth Low Energy, 802.11ac WiFi, a 10W full-range speaker with dual passive radiator, and dual microphone arrays for premise voice tracking.
Where the appliance differs is in the display itself. The 8-inch model comes with 1280 x 800 resolution, which the 10.1-inch version bumps up to 1920 x 1200. The bigger model always counterbalances slightly 200 g more at 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs).
If you’re thinking about picking up a Smart Display for your kitchen or living room, you might be pleased to note that the device comes in soft grey or natural bamboo colour options.
It can also be located both vertically and horizontally, and the software will automatically settle the display orientation, so it should be able to fit in even innumerable narrow spaces.
Lenovo’s Smart Display range will be open to buying in early summer 2018, around July. The 8-inch model will be priced at $199.99, while the 10.1-inch version is a petty further costly at $249.99 which makes this fall under an Indian bracket of INR 12000-15000.
