Thanks to smart displays, you can manage your smart home, listen to music, watch videos and much more. Let’s find out all its features.
Smart displays can be defined as an evolution of smart speakers . These are devices developed around the functionality of virtual assistants and are very useful, both at home and in the office, for the management of all devices prepared for the IoT (Internet of Things).
Using a smart display is simple and intuitive since everything, or almost everything, can be done through voice commands.
Compared to the speaker-only version, the screen represents an added value as it allows you to view information on the operations in progress and allows you to access a series of additional functions.
In this guide we will discover together the main characteristics of smart displays and how to choose the device that best suits your personal needs.
The main functions
Let’s start by saying that the virtual assistants present on smart displays are mainly two : the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa . An exception is the series of smart displays proposed by Facebook, which takes the name of Portal, on which the proprietary voice assistant is available in addition to Alexa.
On the other hand, Siri is missing , the intelligent system developed by Apple, which is accessible only on the devices and smart speakers of the house of the bitten Apple .
Continuing to examine the functions of smart displays, it is possible to say that the Google Assistant and Alexa behave in a similar way , favoring interaction via voice commands.
You can ask a smart display to play music, start a slideshow with your photos, start a video from one of the online platforms , show the steps of a recipe and much more.
Added to this are all the commands related to the smart home ecosystem with which to control connected devices such as thermostat, security cameras, smart TV, intercom, lamps and smart appliances. The display can also take on the functions of clock, timer, calendar , virtual note board and weather station.
How to set up a smart display
Setting up a smart display does not require complex procedures. Taken out of the box , it will be sufficient to connect it to the power outlet and to the home Wi-Fi network , following the instructions on the screen, to begin to familiarize yourself with the device.
To continue with the configuration it will be necessary to associate an Amazon or Google profile to the smart display, based on the model chosen , thanks to which the system will learn the user’s habits.
Both companies have developed an ad hoc application, to be installed on smartphones and tablets, which we recommend using to best set all the settings.
After a few minutes the smart display will be ready to provide its support to the whole family, with information of all kinds, remembering appointments and special occasions, spreading music in the environment or announcing the arrival of a new episode of the favorite TV series.
Which smart display to choose?
It is clear that at the time of purchase the user will be faced with a crossroads: Google or Amazon?
The answer to this question is quite simple. If you are approaching the universe of virtual assistants and smart devices for the first time, you can freely choose to lean towards one side or the other.
The situation is different if you already have smart devices and appliances at home. Here it will be necessary to evaluate the compatibility of these devices with each of the two systems and choose accordingly.
In our selection there are smart displays for all budgets, with a starting price of 40 euros up to 250 euros. All that remains is to continue reading to find the right device.
Xiaomi Mi Smart Clock
Compact and intuitive, the Xiaomi Mi Smart Clock is the ideal device for those who intend to approach the world of smart displays.
Its 4-inch touch screen displays a variety of useful information such as date and time, weather conditions, calendar and appointments, notifications and current activities. On board there is the Google Assistant with which to manage the other smart home devices.
You can also view a photo album if previously saved to Google Drive, listen to music from your preferred streaming platform or watch images recorded by the security camera.
Setup takes place in minutes thanks to Wi-Fi and full integration with the Google account. Xiaomi Mi Smart Clock has a list price of 49.99 euros, but taking advantage of online promotions it is possible to buy it for just over 30 euros .
Xiaomi Mi Smart Clock
Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd generation)
5.5-inch screen and 2MP camera are the main peculiarities of the new Echo Show 5 from Amazon.
Thanks to Alexa and voice commands, you can comfortably manage smart devices in your home or office, get the latest news, listen to music or start a video call with another Echo device.
Echo Show 5 supports the most popular video platforms , including Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, through which you can watch shows, movies and TV series in streaming. The integrated camera can also be activated remotely, via the Alexa app, so you can check what happens at home while you are away.
Echo Show 5 is offered at the list price of 84.99 euros but thanks to ongoing promotions it is available at a price of approximately 45 euros.
Amazon Echo Show 5
Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)
With its 7-inch touch display, Google Nest Hub certainly does not go unnoticed. On board there is all the experience of Google and its virtual assistant, always responsive thanks to the three integrated microphones.
Controlling the smart home is simple through voice commands and numerous compatible devices. Music, games, photos and online content ensure hours of entertainment for the whole family .
There is no shortage of extra functions such as the ability to monitor sleep at night, the alarm with gradual light, the ability to listen to relaxing sounds before going to sleep.
The list price of Google Nest Hub is 99.99 euros, however, taking advantage of online promotions it is possible to buy it for about 55 euros .
Google Nest Hub
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd generation)
With the latest generation Echo Show 10 , Alexa can understand in what position the interlocutor is . Amazon has designed an innovative mechanism that allows the 10.1 ” screen to rotate 360 °, following the speaker’s voice or the user’s movements in the room.
This way you will always have the screen in the right direction, which is useful if you are watching video content or connecting with your friends.
The advanced 13 MP camera uses an automatic system to keep the user in the center of the frame during video calls. There is also the remote camera activation function, to keep your home under control even when you are out.
Amazon Echo Show 10 is currently available at the list price of approximately 250 euros .
Amazon Echo Show 10
