What Is a Smart Display?
If this sounds similar to your iPad or any other tablet, that’s because it is. The two devices do a lot of the same things. But smart displays are less portable (they generally must remain plugged in) and offer less functionality. Plus, your smart display will likely have better voice commands than a tablet since this is the product’s main function.
What Can You Do With a Smart Display?
Smart displays offer many of the same capabilities as a digital assistant, along with video-focused functionalities. Besides basic tasks like giving the weather forecast or completing simple math, your smart display lets you:
- Video chat with friends and family
- View video feeds of compatible smart cameras
- Control other smart devices in your home
- Search for and display recipes
- Play news clips
- Put your favorite photos on display
- Play videos and/or music
These are a few popular functions of smart displays, but most devices have a wide variety of skills and integrations for you to discover. In short, they offer the same hands-free operation as digital assistants with the added benefit of visual content.
How Much Do Smart Displays Cost?
Other popular models include the Google Nest Hub retailing for $130, and the Lenovo Smart Display for $200. Even Facebook has its own line, Portal smart displays, which cost around $180 and focus on video calling.
The one player noticeably absent from the smart display market is Apple, which still solely offers its HomePod smart speaker and digital assistant for a cool $300.
