Android tablets are in a very weird place. On the high end they're pretty much universally beaten by iPads and dedicated Windows machines, and on the low end it seems like people either don't care, or they just buy a Fire Tablet for Netflix and binging. It's a tough market.
Lenovo has a pretty crazy solution, though. Instead of using a tablet like you think you'd use one, why not repurpose it into something entirely different?
Tablets become smart home hubs
Tons of people use their tablets pretty infrequently, so they end up sitting around the house doing, well, nothing. You pick it up to watch a YouTube video, then sit it down until a couple days later when you want something with a slightly bigger screen. It's not a great value for a lot of people.
So Lenovo thinks that instead of making something mobile that you can forget about, you'll prefer a tablet that stays docked to the wall and doubles as a smart home hub. Cast videos to it, control your smart lights, ask Google questions, or whatever else you might need. But you still get the flexibility of an Android tablet, which is the important thing.
Better stands, docks, and ambient mode
All of Lenovo's new products (the Yoga Smart Tab, Smart Tab M8, and Smart Display 7) all rely pretty heavily on Google Assistant's new ambient mode. The first two of those devices are still fully functional Android tablets, but they come with stands and docks that will allow you to set them up around your house and integrate them better into your connected devices.
The Smart Tab, for instance, features a 10.1-inch display that's great for watching movies, so Lenovo built the chassis of the tablet to allow it to easily stand up or hang on a wall. Plug it in, let Google Assistant kick on its ambient mode, and you've got a really powerful smart home hub.
The Smart Tab M8 utilizes a dock to achieve the same thing, so you're getting a more traditional tablet that you can dock when it's not mobile, and once again get the flexibility of a dedicated device to control your lights, movies, music, or anything else around your house. It's nothing that you couldn't already do, but it's way more convenient with Lenovo's approach.
The Smart Display 7 is a little different, since it works more like Google's more limited smart display gadgets, but Lenovo is now offering this in a smaller package. Could be better if you're dealing with small spaces or just wanting to save some money.
Pricing and availability
Lenovo has announced availability of these for certain markets:
- Lenovo Smart Tab M8 starts at €149 (VAT included) and is expected to be available starting in October 2019 on lenovo.com and select retailers.
- Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab starts at €299 (VAT included) and is expected to be available starting in September 2019 on lenovo.com and select retailers.
- Lenovo Smart Display 7 starts at €129 (VAT included) and is expected to be available starting in October 2019 on lenovo.com and select retailers.
We'll still have to hold out for pricing in other markets, but I'd expect these to do really well over the holiday season.
For everything else going on at IFA 2019, be sure to check out our coverage!
