LG has disclosed a pre-show message about its smart speaker powered by Google Assistant before IFA 2018, which will be held next week. The South Korean company plans to introduce two smart speakers – the WK7 and WK9 – under its ThinQ smart home brand.
LG has disclosed a pre-show message about its smart speaker powered by Google Assistant before IFA 2018, which will be held next week. The South Korean company plans to introduce two smart speakers – the WK7 and WK9 – under its ThinQ smart home brand.
The WK7 is a normal smart speaker, powered by Google Assistant, which was first unveiled this January at CES 2018.
The WK9 features an 8-inch screen powered by Google’s Smart Display. It combines the key features of Google Assistant and a touch screen, to show useful visual information in response of voice commands.
Being launched under the ThinQ brand, both devices will be able to voice-control all LG ThinQ connected appliances including smart TVs and washing machines.
The WK7 will be launched soon in some markets. The WK9, on the other hand, will be officially unveiled at IFA 2018.
Although it has made consumer electronics such as smartphones and home appliances, LG hasn’t been a big seller of speakers. By partnering with Meridian Audio, an English speaker manufacturer, LG has established a new lineup of Xboom speakers as well as smart speakers.
Meridian Audio has created audio technologies such as Master Quality Authenticated (MQA). It’s also the exclusive audio provider for premium car makers like Land Rover, McLaren and Jaguar.
While Google has its own Home series speakers, other manufacturers including Lenovo, JBL and Panasonic have also introduced smart speakers powered by Google Assistant.
With deeper integration with the ThinQ devices and the audio technology from Meridian Audio, LG’s smart speakers stand to differentiate themselves from others in the market.