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I'm a sucker for Google Home devices. Or Nest Hub devices. Or anything Google has decided to score things this week. The fact is that it was out of the question that I do not buy a Google Nest Hub Max. (It's such a bad name, even for Google.)
Did I need it? I do not have it. The Lenovo Smart Display serves me beautifully in the kitchen since its first use. I use it as a timer. I'm using it to watch the Premier League on weekends while I prepare breakfast for the family. I sometimes use it to search for information. And that is – well, that's it.
So why did Nest Max Max manage to take over so quickly? Some small but important improvements.
More: Read the review of Nest Hol Hub & # 39; s by Russell Holley
It looks better, it sounds better
Do not neglect the superficial. The Nest Hub Max is better designed than the Lenovo Smart Display, whose speaker was off the left side. (Unless you're using the thing vertically, in which case it's down.) And that's something the Max Nest Hub can not do, but it does not matter.) This lack of symmetry metaphorically mimics me. made him tremble. And for as cool as the wooden folder is on the Lenovo Smart Display, it's on the return and out of sight 99% of the time.
The small footprint alone is a reason to consider the Nest Hub Max.
The Nest Hub, on the other hand, is essentially a larger Nest Hub. Same stylish design – with a footprint much smaller than that of Lenovo. And see how I use mine in the kitchen, where counter space is always limited, it's a big problem.
And yes, the audio is better than Lenovo, but it's actually almost secondary to me. Because it's still pretty muddy and I prefer to listen to the Sonos One's audio that I keep in a corner. It's exaggerated, of course. But it is also better.
There are still many things that I do not use here. I do not make Google Duo calls – although the Face Tracking feature (very similar to what Nest Cam IQ can do) is pretty cool. I will occasionally read video or audio, but that is all. And again, Sonos for audio.
But the Face Match feature – which is optional and opt-in properly prefaced by a handful of setup screens informing you of what's happening – it's convenient. I pass in front of the Nest Hub Max, it gives a little noise and shows my personalized calendar on the screen. It's a cute improvement. (And maybe something we'll see in phones, tablets or Chromebooks Pixel?)
This is a safety net for Nest
I use Nest Security as a home security system. But one thing I do not use at all is the option that allows Nest Hub Max to act as a Nest security camera. And let's be clear: this last word is a fairly important distinction here.
It can be used as a security camera. Not a security system. Not a security center. Just a camera, and not one with a particularly wide field of view (or fixed, given its ease of movement).
Part of its security utility may depend on where you keep it. My Hub Max is in the same room as my Nest Guard keyboard, which also serves as a motion detector. (And if you wish, it can work from a microphone and from a Google Assistant speaker.) So I have a cover on it. If the Nest Hub Max could as well to be used as a keyboard, I could think more about it from the point of view of security. But it can not, either from a software point of view (on-screen numeric keypad), nor from a hardware point of view (motion detection, or possibility of using a Nest beacon to arm and disarm, lack of battery power). emergency or cellular radio for optional follow-up.)
Your home will be different from mine, so you may find it more useful to use it as a security camera. And perhaps you would be happy with the additional costs associated with adding a Nest Aware subscription, which allows for recording and playback.
Just not me.
My bottom line
This is the 10-inch hub that I would have liked Google to publish a year ago. It's great to give partners the opportunity to create products, as well as to thank Lenovo for doing good things. If you are thinking of buying one, the Nest Max Hub is the one I would recommend. (Yes, even if you can find the Lenovo Smart Display for sale.) It looks better and takes up less space. It sounds better. And given the choice between a product made by Google, which always have priority for updates and features, and a third-party offer, I will choose Google.
And while the Lenovo Smart Display was just good, the Nest Max Hub is much closer to awesomeeven with the features I do not even use.
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