Google to take on Amazon’s Echo Show with Assistant-powered smart displays

Google Assistant already powers many devices including smartphones, speakers, and even headphones. Soon, it will also make its way to a whole new product category called smart displays, which will rival Amazon’s Echo Show.

Smart displays are basically like smart speakers, but with a screen that provides relevant information. For example, the device will launch Google Maps when you ask it for directions and give you the option to send them to your phone. It will also allow you to make video calls via Google Duo, watch videos on YouTube, and check out the images stored in Google Photos.

A smart display should also work well in the kitchen, walking users through how to prepare a certain meal — check out the short video below to learn more.

Google has announced that it has teamed up with JBL, Lenovo, LG, and Sony, which will start selling smart displays “later this year”. Lenovo has already revealed one of them at CES, which will hit the market this summer starting at $200.

Sony’s products will be based on the MediaTek MT8173 SoM, while the ones made by the other three companies will use the Qualcomm SD624 Home Hub Platform. All of these will be powered by Android Things and have Cast built-in.

It’s possible that Google will release its own product in this category as well, although nothing has been confirmed yet. It would make sense, however, given the attention Google is paying to this area of development (it already has three smart speakers in its lineup).

Would you be interested in getting an Assistant-powered smart display for your home? Let us know in the comments.