Google Nest Hub
An excellent Echo Show alternative.
“In addition to a larger 10-inch screen, the Nest Hub Max also has a camera that can be used not just to make video calls, but doubles as a security camera. ”
Later to the smart display market than Amazon, Google has taken a halfhearted approach to the category. Until recently, it’s let others take the lead with Google Assistantpowered smart displays. Perhaps frustrated by the fact that only Lenovo, JBL, and LG have done so, Google released the 7-inch Nest Hub ($299) last year, and is now following up with the larger Nest Hub Max.
In addition to a larger 10-inch screen, the Nest Hub Max also has a camera that can be used not just to make video calls, but doubles as a security camera. It also comes with a few new tricks, including facial recognition and the ability to track you as you move around the room. Reach to the back side and you’ll find a switch that disables the camera and microphone. Flick it, and a small light to the right of the camera will turn amber, giving you a visual indicator that no one can watch or listen in.
With two 18mm, 10W tweeters and one 75mm, 30W woofer, the Max can put out a lot of sound for its size. Even at half volume, it easily filled my kitchen with quality audio. There was plenty of booming bass – almost too much at times – but high and midrange vocals were clear and sharp.
One of the advantages Google has over Amazon is that far more people use Google for far more things – such as storing photos, creating calendar invites, and looking up directions. And, once you connect your Google profile to the Nest Hub Max, all of that information is at your fingertips.
Setting up Face Match during setup was as simple as turning my head side-to-side for a few seconds in the Google Home app. After that, whenever I walked into the kitchen, the Nest Hub Max’s camera would identify me, and greet me with a cherry “Hello” or “Good Morning” onscreen. It would then show me missed messages, and commute times. The one thing that doesn’t change is the background photos. They’re fixed to the account of the person who set up the device.
Face Match, which can be set to recognise up to six people, is an opt-in service, so if you don’t like the idea of your electronics knowing who you are, you don’t have to set it up. Google also said that all of the facerecognition is done only on the device.
If you want to use the Nest Hub Max to make video calls, you’re stuck using Google Duo. Yes, it’s yet another communications app from Google, which your friends and family will have to install on their phones if they want to chat with you.
At $349, the Nest Hub Max is about $200 more than the Nest Hub, but with that you get a larger display, more powerful speakers, and a camera which enables a host of other features. While I wish you could make video calls using services other than Google Duo, the Nest Hub Max’s motion-tracking and facial recognition features are put to good use, and help separate it from other smart displays. I also appreciated the camera privacy switch, and I imagine others will, too.
It’s taken Google longer than Amazon to come out with a 10-inch smart display, but the Echo Show now has a more than worthy competitor in the Nest Hub Max.