Feel like the ‘smart speaker’ market is a bit quiet of late, and underdeveloped? Neither do we, but here’s LG’s Google Assistant-powered smart display just in case.
The XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9 is coming – just in time for Black Friday and priced at $50 more than the recently launched Google Home Hub ($300 MSRP after Black Friday, we believe).
First spotted at CES, LG XBOOM’s WK9 from its AI-powered ThinQ range incorporates a HD-quality screen that’s 1-in larger than the Home Hub at 8-ins and runs on Android Things (meaning Google Maps, Photos and YouTube and a host of Google Assistant features are at the fingertips). Its 5-megapixel camera is a key point of difference from its main Google Assistant-powered rival and brings with it the ability to make video calls.
It may not be much of a looker (or have the catchiest of names), but LG clearly hopes the point of difference between XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9 and alternatives in the marketplace can be sound. The speaker sees its collaboration with high-end speaker market stalwart Meridian continue, and its front-facing speakers provide 20W of stereo power (which LG argues makes it the “most powerful” option on the market).
The LG XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9 speaker is just a US launch for now, but should be coming elsewhere soon.