Back when the Google Home Hub was not yet a thing, three manufacturers unveiled (vague) “smart display” release plans. For some reason, it took a lot of time for these to materialize, with Lenovo’s 8 and 10-inch models available stateside since late July, followed by JBL Link View pre-orders kicked off in August ahead of an early September rollout.
At long last, the LG WK9 that was first showcased by Google all the way back in January is up for grabs, fetching $199.99 in the US after a $100 introductory discount. B&H Photo Video has it listed even cheaper, at $196.99 with “holiday savings”, although you still can’t technically order the device from that particular retailer.
The question you may be asking yourself right about now is what makes the LG Xboom AI ThinQ model WK9 (full name, no joke) worth around 100 bucks more than the soon-to-be-discounted Google Home Hub.
LG offers a couple of possible answers in a new press release, claiming this bad boy’s stereo 20W sound is “the most powerful” in any smart speaker around. That obviously makes the WK9 quite bulky, at roughly 3.3 pounds (1.51 kilograms), with a width of 14.5 inches, 9.6-inch height, and 5.7-inch depth. In contrast, the Google Home Hub measures 7.02 x 4.65 x 2.65 inches, tipping the scales at only 16.9 ounces (480 grams).
Of course, the Google Assistant-powered LG Xboom AI ThinQ model WK9 (ugh) also sports a (slightly) larger 8-inch touchscreen with “HD” resolution for YouTube access and other home entertainment features, as well as a 5MP front-facing camera for video conferencing that privacy advocates may not really consider an advantage over the Google Home Hub.
Those in the market for a smart display should probably take Amazon’s latest Echo Show variant into account as well, at a recommended price of $230 (Black Friday deals excluded), with an even bigger 10-inch screen in tow, a similar 5MP camera, and extremely powerful audio capabilities of its own.
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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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