Google Home Hub
Google created the Home Hub in response to the growing popularity of Amazon’s Echo Show. This is despite assurances by the brand that it’s not a reactionary move. While some folks look at the Home Hub as an Echo Show copycat, it is not.
The Google Home Hub is anything but a copycat. Featuring a smaller screen at 7 inches, the Home Hub smart display looks more like a repurposed tablet that has been given a base upon which it can niftily stand. The Echo Show 2 comes in at 10.1 inches of HD display, just in case you’re wondering. But what is truly remarkable about the Home Hub is that its display is engineered to be “floating” having been propped up a pedestal and slanted at an angle to give it the impression of a small-sized computer monitor. It’s perfect for setting up on really tight spaces since the edges of the Home Hub won’t be hitting any of your tabletop décor.
Performance-wise, the built-in speaker on the Home Hub produces acoustic quality that sits between the Google Home Mini and the Google Home which is, for audiophiles, not really great. Whereas other smart displays on the market come with integrated cameras, the Home Hub doesn’t have one. The brand is obviously being cautious about privacy issues that have been the subject of complaints in other platforms. As such, not being able to make video calls on the Home Hub may come out as a big plus, especially for those who value their privacy.
Like all smart displays, the Home Hub can integrate a number of existing smart home technologies. As long as the smart device can be controlled by Google Assistant, then the Home Hub should be able to seamlessly communicate with it. For example, there are smart home devices that can only be controlled by Alexa while others are exclusive to the Google Assistant. Of course, there are also those that come with open platforms.
When it comes to mini-apps, however, there are still a lot to be desired from the Home Hub. There’s less opportunity for customization which is, on the bright side, good news for those who hate tinkering with a lot of settings.
The Google Home Hub is a good choice for a smart display, especially if you value your privacy. But its limited customization options may not fare well with those who demand more robust functionalities.
