Smart displays, like the Home Hub, should be seen as advanced smart speakers, not limited screens

Since the introduction of smart displays, there have been many things said about their limitations. From a "tablet that can't move" to a "horrible sounding mini-tv with no channels", these devices are judged purely based on what they cannot do. Is there some merit to the claims that they are restricted in their capabilities? Arguably, yes.

But, you need to look at what they were designed for, and then you will see that they are excellent devices.

The Home Hub is an intelligent assistant with a face, not a limited entertainment unit

These "little" devices were not created to be a fully functioning tablet nor an entertainment system. While they can play YouTube (Google Assistant-based ones) and Amazon Video (Echo Show), they were created to be exactly what Google describe it as: a Home Hub. Think of how you use an Echo or Home. They are useful for everything from news to weather to calendar to a nice little speaker to cast music to. They can control your lights, appliances, and thermostat using just the sound of your voice. The beauty of these devices is that they can work for you so that you do not have to.

The smart display just puts a face on it.

For instance, I use my Home Mini to control the living room lights, the office light, the TV, and the heater/air conditioner; I also use it for the news, weather, music, and podcasts. I love the ease of which my home is control just from my verbal commands. My wife also loves the ease of use with this device...she just hates talking to Google Assistant.

Enter the Google Home Hub.

She can use it to perform all of the tasks that we normally use the Mini for without speaking a word; the best of both worlds for her. The small size of this device and lack of camera make it perfect to be put anywhere, and the new Home app makes it easier than ever to control the home. Not that long ago, we were watching movies that featured devices like these as the future of the home; it seemed like only the rich had this one central tablet that could control their entire home. Well now, thank to companies like Google, Lenovo, JBL, and Amazon, we all can have these central hubs to control our homes.

If we continue to look at these devices as an immobile tablet or a severely restrictive computer, we will continue to be very disappointed. However, if you begin to see these as what they truly are, a central hub to control and assist our home, we will begin to appreciate the beauty of these products. Having the ability to play videos, video call, and see the actions taking place is simply an added benefit.