Google: The next smart display may be a tablet + speaker base

       On the morning of March 29, Google has released three smart display products so far, but they are all integrated designs. The company is currently developing a new Nest Hub for 2022, which has the appearance of a tablet, but the screen is separated from the base/speaker.

　　"Smart Display" is actually a category evolved from smart speakers. It adds a screen to smart speakers, making operating smart homes more direct and convenient.

　　Of course, some people wonder why they don’t just use a mobile phone or tablet to do this.

　　As of now, Google's smart screen series starts at $99.99, which is the Nest Hub (2nd generation) that supports sleep tracking and air gestures. It was launched a year ago and sold as an inexpensive "bedside companion" that works well as a speaker or smart home controller even if the health features are not used. There is also the Nest Hub Max launched in 2019, which costs $229 and is equipped with a larger 10-inch screen and more powerful audio hardware. (Perhaps because of American living habits) Google likes to display these hardware in the kitchen and doubles as video conferencing equipment, which is obviously related to the background of the epidemic era.

　　According to sources familiar with Google's plans, the next generation of Nest Smart Display will have a removable screen that can be used as a tablet. It can also be connected to a dock/speaker to become a more traditional smart home device.

　　This new form factor comes as Google has spent the last few months adding more ways to operate the second-generation Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max. Swiping up from the bottom of the screen reveals a row of "apps" above the settings bar. From there, you can open a full-screen grid of icons. Apps and games on the Nest Hub are essentially web pages, so technically, they can be quickly launched. Speaking of the web, Google also added a more feature-rich browser late last year and even a Gboard-style keyboard. You can send websites directly to your phone and enable text-to-speech.

　　In terms of release time, we heard that this new Nest Hub tablet will be in 2022.

　　Isn't this actually a tablet? You can say that, but the specific division of labor is different. The Nest series of devices will not be too expensive, that is, a low-priced tablet (the resolution configuration should not be high). Looking at the market, Lenovo actually sold a $270 Android tablet that can be connected to a speaker base with Amazon Alexa. Lenovo also has a tablet priced at $189, which comes with a docking station that can run Google Assistant Ambient Mode.