The first Android Things device is now available; Google is officially firing shots at Amazon's Echo-everywhere mentality with Lenovo's help. Lenovo's Smart Display is much like Amazon's Echo Show: a screen-toting smart speaker that carries not Alexa, but the Google Assistant. Like the Google Home and its Max and Mini cousins, this Smart Display (and similar forthcoming devices) is designed to enhance the Google Assistant experience with a screen that can show weather forecasts, recipe instructions, smart home controls, Duo video calls, and YouTube videos.
Android Things is Google's Internet of Things initiative, basically a stripped-down version of Android aimed at low-end hardware. Things' two big points of emphasis seem to be improving IoT security through Google-led updates and allowing third parties to build smart devices that leverage Android APIs and Google Services... like Lenovo has done here with the Smart Display.
The screen is the selling point of this first Android Things device, begging you to assess your expectations for the Google Assistant. Do you need the Assistant to have a screen? Google hopes your answer will be yes and, in turn, that you're willing to drop extra money for such a smart display. Lenovo's 8-inch and 10-inch Smart Displays, priced at $199 and $249 respectively and available starting tomorrow, show off the perks of having a panel. But after spending some time with this device, these Smart Displays don't hide the fact that the Google Assistant remains—first and foremost—a voice-activated helper.
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