The first Google Assistant smart displays are here (Update: In stores, but hard to get)

Update, July 31, 2018 (09:22AM EST): The Lenovo Smart Display launched late last week, but it was only available at Lenovo.com. Now, the Google Assistant-powered smart display has made its way to select retailers — but it’s hard to get your hands on.

Best Buy has a listing for both the 10-inch and 8-inch models of the Lenovo Smart Display. The 10-inch model even comes with a free $20 gift card. However, both items are currently out-of-stock, with new units projected to arrive in about two weeks.

B&H Photo has the smart displays listed too, but also lists them as out-of-stock. The company expects availability over a month from now.

We also know that Costco has the Lenovo Smart Display for sale, even selling the 10-inch model for $50 off. However, you need a Costco membership to purchase the items.

As of right now, it looks like your best bet is still to buy directly from Lenovo. But if you can wait a bit, grab that Best Buy deal and get your free $20 gift card.

Original Article, July 26, 2018 (01:55PM EST): Back in January, Lenovo brought the first Google Assistant-powered smart display to CES 2018. We got some hands-on time with it, and we thought it was incredibly cool.

However, no one’s been able to actually buy a Lenovo Smart Display — but that all changes today. The Lenovo Smart Display with Google Assistant is available now at Lenovo.com, and will be available to buy from select retailers starting tomorrow, July 27.

The MSRP for the 10-inch model is $250 while the 8-inch model goes for $200. That’s what you’ll pay at Lenovo.com if you buy today. However, we’re not sure if those will be the prices tomorrow at other retailers or if there will be some sort of promotional pricing. It might be worth it to wait and see.

After all, you’ve been waiting months now…what’s one more day?

The Lenovo Smart Display is the Google Assistant answer to the Amazon Echo Show, the first smart display to the market. It’s like a mash-up of a Google Home smart speaker and a 10-inch or 8-inch tablet.

Using your smart display, you can perform Google Assistant tasks that for now are impossible with smart speakers and linked Chromecasts. For example, you can start a video chat without having to touch your smartphone. This would be perfect for when you’re in the kitchen with dirty hands and a friend decides to give you a ring.

You’ll also be able to set up Google Assistant routines that work with the display. For example, you could program Google Assistant to show you the weather and your upcoming calendar events upon request, or even at a specific time every day. While this is feasible with a Chromecast connected to a smart speaker, this is indeed a more elegant and simple solution.

For now, it looks like there are no choices of colors with the Lenovo Smart Display. The 8-inch model is all white, while the 10-inch model has a faux wood back. It’s possible that more color options (or sleeves, maybe) are coming in the future.

Click below to order yours direct from Lenovo!