Here's how Google's new $150 Home Hub compares to the Amazon Echo Show (AMZN, GOOGL, GOOG)

amazon echo show google home hub

A year after Amazon introduced its first smart display, the Echo Show, Google has responded with its own version: the Google Home Hub.

It's good timing, since the 2018 version of the Echo Show ships out to customers on Thursday.

These smart displays are still relatively new, but what they can do goes way beyond the first iterations of virtual voice-assistants, which more than 60 million people already have in their homes.

So whether you're one of those people and are considering an upgrade, or are looking to buy your first smart display, here's how the Amazon Echo Show compares to the Google Home Hub.

There are a few key differences between the two devices. The Amazon Echo Show is a much bigger and heavier device than the Google Home Hub. It also has a larger display.

The Amazon Echo Show is a significantly bigger device than the Google Home Hub, weighing in at almost four pounds. Google's device is incredibly lightweight, comparatively: it's listed at weighing just over one pound.

Here are the rest of the specs:

Dimensions: Amazon Echo Show (9.7 inches x 6.9 inches x 4.2 inches) vs. Google Home Hub (7.02 inches x 4.65 inches x 2.65 inches)
Display: Echo Show (10.1-inch screen) vs. Home Hub (7-inch screen)

The Echo Show has a camera for video calling, while the Google Home Hub does not.

This is probably the biggest difference between the two devices. At the Google event where the Home Hub was announced, executives said the company "consciously" decided not to include a camera out of concern for users' privacy.

The Amazon Echo Show does have a camera, however. Users can make video calls with anyone who has the Alexa app — which is available for both Android and iOS devices — or anyone who has an Echo Spot or Echo Show device.

Amazon says that it's working on adding Skype calling as well.

The Echo Show costs $80 more than the Google Home Hub.

Google is offering the Home Hub for $150. But Amazon's latest version of the Echo Show (they've stopped selling the 2017 edition) costs $230.

Amazon began shipping its latest Echo Show on Thursday, but orders on the site are already backed up into November. Google is letting customers pre-order the Home Hub online, but it won't start shipping out until Oct. 18.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider