Google has intensified competition in the hybrid smart display speaker market, by releasing its new Home Hub in Aussie stores today. Priced at A$219, the device is notably cheaper than JBL’s Link View (A$369.95), Lenovo’s Smart Display (from A$299) and Amazon’s Echo Show (A$349).
Launched globally early this month, the Home Hub is a smart display screen powered by Google Assistant voice commands.
The 7-inch screen is somewhat smaller than rival devices (e.g. 8-inches and 10-inches), and lacks an in-built camera for video chatting.
Google claims this ensures privacy, enabling users to place the device in sensitive areas (e.g. bedrooms) without fear of webcam hacking.
The Home Hub integrates with Google’s software back-end (e.g. Google Photos, Gmail etc) , with reminders and meetings syncing to a compatible smartphone [and vice versa] with ease.
The Google Home Hub is now available to purchase from several retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and Officeworks in either ‘Chalk’ or ‘Charcoal’, with Google reportedly gaining exclusivity for the ‘Aqua’ and ‘Sand’ variants.
Further information is available on Google’s website here, with technical specifications below:
