Upgrading from a Smart Speaker to a Smart Display

Your smart speaker has been your companion for audio streaming as well as voice-controlled tasks, such as answering phone calls, setting alarms or timers and operating other smart devices. Smart displays take this experience to a whole new level by incorporating vibrant touchscreens and visual interfaces. Whether you're considering an upgrade or are simply curious about the newly added functionality and integration of video, here is what to know when transitioning from a smart speaker to a smart display.

The smart screen provides even more convenience

Smart speakers exemplified convenience when they were first introduced, giving you the power to control various features just by utilizing Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. But, what is a smart screen? The next step in the evolution of the smart speaker, a smart display or screen provides you with even more accommodations. With a built-in home automation touchscreen, you’ll have the ability to not only hear but also see information. Smart displays allow you to view:

Weather updates
Calendar appointments
Recipe instructions
Web search results and webpages

Additionally, smart displays for kitchens can also serve as a clock, letting you see the time when you are cooking instead of asking your virtual assistant.

Video chats and meetings with a smart display

Accepting and taking phone calls was one of many features provided by a smart speaker. A smart display expands upon this and offers video chats. This is one of many reasons why the smart display is usually among the ten best smart home devices. Much more personal and fun than a regular audio-only call, video chats let you stay in touch and feel closer to your loved ones.

Various video conferencing software, such as Skype, Google Meet, Zoom and Microsoft Teams, can also be utilized on certain newer smart screen models. This lets you go to your next remote meeting in the comfort of your own home without messing with your smartphone or wasting your laptop’s battery.

Smart display as a digital photo album

One of the more appealing features of updating your smart speaker to a smart display is the newfound ability to showcase personal photos and memories. When you aren’t utilizing your smart display for anything else, your smart home screen can be turned into a digital photo album. The best smart displays offer integrated photo management apps or services that allow you to sync your pictures from your smartphone or storage cloud. Additionally, some smart displays have built-in facial recognition technology, which can automatically organize and sort your photos based on the people in them.

What smart home features are controlled with a smart display?

Transitioning from a smart speaker to a smart display shouldn’t be very complicated or burdensome. This is because smart screens carry over the various capabilities from a smart speaker and expands upon them, allowing you to conveniently manage and interact with various devices and systems in your home. The numerous smart home features that can be controlled with a smart display include:

Managing your thermostat. You can easily adjust the temperature and settings of your home’s smart thermostat, controlling your own climate for the upmost comfort with your smart tech display.
Monitoring security and surveillance. With access to connected security systems, cameras, locks and doorbells, you can keep an eye on your home to ensure it is kept safe and secure.
Turning lights on and off. If your smart light switches and dimmers are synced up with your smart display, you can effortlessly control the mood in each room of the house.
Vacuuming and mopping. Depending on the app they are connected to and your smart display’s compatibility, you can have hands-free control over your robot vacuums and mops to keep things tidy.

Basically, if you have a smart home device and a strong Wi-Fi connection, you will most likely be able to easily command them with your smart display. Learn how to set up your smart home here.

Stream movies and shows with a smart display

Similar to how you can stream music and podcasts with your smart speakers, many smart displays allow you to stream your favorite movies and TV shows. If its compatible, your smart screen can access popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and more. Similar to if you were watching on a regular TV, you can browse through various titles and pick what to watch next on large smart displays. Voice-controlled streaming capabilities are also present in some smart displays, letting you ask your virtual assistant to navigate the streaming service of your choice.

Smart speaker vs. smart display

There really is no comparison between smart speakers and home smart displays. The smart screen just takes the useful features of the smart speaker and adds to them. The addition of the touchscreen unlocks a wide array of new possibilities, providing more convenience and entertainment in your smart home ecosystem than ever before. Hopefully, this article not only prepared you for what will change when you upgrade from a smart speaker, but it also has you excited to embrace your new smart display.