LG has revealed its first Smart Display device with Google Assistant on board. The new Smart Display platform was only revealed a couple of days ago by Google, with the promise that a number of manufacturers would be launching their own take on the idea. Now, staying true to Google’s promise, LG has revealed its first Smart Display, dubbed the ThinQ WK9.
Looking at the new device, LG appears to have gone with a pretty conservative design, with an overall rectangular shape and typical Black plastic build. Although it is worth noting that the device’s most interesting points are its capabilities. In addition to the modest design the South Korean company has equipped the device with a large 8-inch touchscreen, which is also an inch bigger than the display featured on Amazon’s competitor, the Echo Show. Either side of the display, LG has also fitted a pair of speakers, which are “tuned by Meridian Audio.” In addition to this the device features a front-facing camera with what looks to be a shutter button just above it – this will allow users to speak to others via Google’s Duo video call app. Sitting on top of the device, in line with the shutter button is another circular button which is likely there to allow the user to power on the device. The LG ThinQ WK9 comes with Google Assistant on board, as well as built-in Chromecast support. The Smart Display will also be allowed to connect to other Google Assistant and Chromecast devices and runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 624-based Home Hub Platform.
Despite the recent launch of the Smart Display platform, LG’s new device isn’t the first to be announced. In fact, so far both Lenovo and JBL have announced their own models. In the case of Lenovo, the Chinese company will offer both an 8-inch and 10-inch variants of its device, which will go on sale in summer for $199 and $249 respectively. JBL’s offering, on the other hand, will also go on sale sometime this Summer under the name JBL Link View, but pricing is yet to be confirmed. LG is yet to confirm any pricing or availability in terms of the ThinQ WK9, but considering both Lenovo and JBL’s devices will see summer releases, LG will likely follow suit.