JBL Link View Review: A Solid & Balanced Smart Display

The JBL Link View strikes the perfect balance betwixt speakers and brandish

You accept smart speakers. You accept tablets. For those looking for something that offers a petty bit of this and a little bit of that, you have smart displays. These are essentially a smart speaker but one which comes with a display to accommodate a limited number of features. Generally speaking, smart displays are a very new affair which means the choice of which smart display you buy is very express at the moment. Thankfully, JBL offers a very good smart display with its Link View. For reference, the JBL Link View is now available to buy and costs $249.95 in the US.

Specs & In the box

The JBL Link View comes in 1 color, black and ane version which sports an 8-inch HD touch screen. On the sound side, the JBL Link View is equipped with ii 2-inch full range drivers resulting in a frequency range of sixty Hz – 20k Hz and a 2 x ten-watt (RMS) output. This is a unit which besides includes a v-megapixel front-facing camera, as well as a microphone enabling voice calls and the use of Google Assistant. The JBL Link View utilizes Bluetooth version 4.2 and supports both 2.4 GHz and five GHz Wi-Fi connections. In terms of the physical dimensions, the Link View measures 332 mm in width, 152 mm in height and 100 mm in depth, while weighing in at 1.3 kg.

The unboxing experience is not a majorly noteworthy effect which is a niggling atypical of JBL who ordinarily spends a lot of fourth dimension and puts a lot of thought into the packaging and the 'first impressions' of its products. Although it should be said the JBL Link View comes extremely well-packed and protected, resulting in a greatly reduced likelihood of any problems with damage arising due to transit. Other than the actual JBL Link View smart display, buyers can expect to notice the mains power cable, as well equally the usual degree of paperwork. Zilch more, nothing less.

Hardware & Design

While there are very few smart display choices available with the choice mainly humid down to JBL's Link View and Lenovo'southward Smart Display, the two are very different in terms of pattern which should make the overall choice of which to go for a lilliputian easier for consumers. It also ways that for now the best mode to evaluate 1 is to compare it to the other. For instance, the Link View adopts a design stance that is much more in keeping with speakers in general. Therefore, if y'all like the darker colors, and speaker fabric style, the Link View is certainly going to appeal more than Lenovo'due south lighter-colored and avant-garde choice. That's not to say the Link View looks old or dated as information technology doesn't. In fact, the opposite is true with the Link View looking similar a real tech-focused production. Information technology's but the company has adopted design cues which are more synonymous with traditional speakers which helps to farther add to the identity of the product.

For example, ane might exist forgiven for thinking Lenovo's choice was something other than what information technology is. This is unlikely to be an event with the Link View which proudly displays its speakers on either side of the brandish. Interestingly, the overall style of the Link View is very much in line with products that came through a couple of years agone, paving the way for the inflow of smart display. For example, like the Zettaly Avy. Although comparing this smart display to the Zettaly Avy highlights just how modern-looking and functioning the Link View really is. Either fashion, the Link View's design will certainly fit in better with those who prefer tech products that are typically blackness in color. For example, if your dwelling house is kitted-out with white and chrome-colored tech products and furniture, the Link View will likely stick out similar a sore thumb thanks to its more than retro slant. Likewise, the room where the device is stationed might also play a function with the Link View more in keeping with the living room while the Lenovo Smart Display a amend fit for virtually default-looking (read, white counter tops and appliances) kitchens.

Another clear departure between the two main smart displays is the size. This is in part due to Lenovo offering ii size options while JBL only offers i, but besides due to the actual design. As the Link View appears to exist much more of a compact unit of measurement. It'due south arguable roughly the same size overall when compared to the smaller Lenovo option — afterward all, both sport an 8-inch display — merely the Link View'due south grade itself results in a more compact wait and feel. This is not just an appearance-based benefit either with the Link View more portable, with its design lending itself better for occasions when someone wants to take the Link View with them, or just chop-chop move the device from one room to some other. Lenovo'southward smart display is very awkward in this respect. In spite of its easier to move design, the Link View is primarily a stationary unit of measurement due to the lack of an on-the-go battery and its reliance on continually being connected to the wall – an result with smart displays equally a whole.

Combining the new with the quondam, the Link View features a front end-facing camera which is centrally-positioned on the summit portion of the frame. And with this being a device that can encounter you, JBL has included a "Privacy Switch" which allows the user the choice to plough off the camera's ability to see altogether. This feature has been padded out with an orange slider which non only covers the camera but is bright plenty to be a clearly visible indicator that the camera has been deactivated. Lenovo uses a similar approach with a ruddy indicator but on residual the orange is far more than prominent and eye-catching.

In addition to the power to deactivate the camera, the Link View likewise features a similar switch for the microphone then users are able to deactivate both the camera and mic for ultimate privacy, or more simply, one or the other depending on the needs of a given situation. Moving to the rear of the device and the main visible element is the protruding role of the bass reflex system (further highlighting this unit is as much nearly sound as it is brandish), which not only sports the JBL branding only also takes some of the attention away from the messier aspect – the connection board. Although in reality this is a lot less messier than typical connectedness boards as the rear-positioned panel largely just features the figure eight port for the mains lead, and a small microUSB port. Due to the position of the board, and the unit in general, one criticism is that information technology does crave a footling forcefulness and precision to actually plug the mains power lead in. Although with this being a stationary solution, that is less of an issue due to the infrequency of actually having to connect and disconnect the unit.

Technically speaking, if you lot desire as much display as possible from a smart display then you are better off going with Lenovo due to the company offering two display size options, 1 of which is greater than JBL's unmarried size selection. Withal, that would be a mistake every bit the JBL Link View'south 8-inch display is a nifty size without resulting in also big of a device. While most of the JBL Link View is the display, the overall design with the surrounding speakers, centralized front-facing photographic camera, results in a better-balanced blueprint overall. Based on blueprint lonely, the JBL option feels like a more than rounded-out and robust production.

Getting Started

I of the benefits (and disadvantages) of smart displays is the use of an identical user interface. This proves benign at the 'getting started' level equally the setting upwardly of a smart display like the Link View is a cakewalk. New users just need to download the Google Home Android app (most Android phone owners will probably already have the app installed) and from this signal the app will do most of the heavy lifting. In fact, the app will likely immediately place the new smart display and prompt the user to start the setup process. From hither, the app will step-by-step guide the user through the entire process, such every bit linking to a Google account and providing warnings on the known security risks associated with using the product. The setting up will also include the adding of voice back up for control of Google Assistant, and once once again, this volition prove extremely easy for those who are already invested in Google Assistant. For instance, if yous take already saved a vox profile to your Google business relationship, the app will draw that profile and link information technology with the Link View, requiring no farther activity from the user. The entire setting up process takes seconds to consummate.

Software & User Experience

If you are familiar with smart brandish already, there is literally nothing to report on with the Link View, every bit unlike the phone industry, the Assistant-based and Android Things-powered smart display industry offers no room for customization. The interface is what is is on all smart displays and this means the Link View does non really offer anything new in this respect. It offers exactly the aforementioned benefits while also falling foul of the exact same limitations.

For those new to smart displays, these, including the Link View are a bit of a mixed bag. Yes, this is first-gen technology and this does mean that it volition improve over time. As of now, however, what a smart display tin can do is not a lot more than what a traditional smart speaker can exercise. Which should non exist that surprising because both production lines are powered by the same underlying voice assistant technology. Of course, their difference is the inclusion of the display and this is where the main added benefit come up from, such equally the ability to watch videos, and receive visual feedback to questions in general. Although this is where the first of the imitations also become evident. As in spite of this being a display-focused product, the actual back up for video platforms is largely limited to the likes of YouTube, YouTube TV (if yous have a subscription) and some other options. And then, for example, there is no option at present to watch Netflix. This limitation too extends to casting – equally in spite of coming equipped with Bandage support, most services, including Netflix cannot exist cast to smart displays as of yet, and fifty-fifty those that can be cast to a smart display struggle at times to constitute or maintain a connection. For instance, the AMC app identifies smart brandish and makes the initial connection but proves extremely unreliable when actually trying to play any content. An additional point to note about casting, although the smart display interface allows the user to open the likes of YouTube and search for content using simply your phonation, casting still remains the all-time and quickest fashion to find and play verbal YouTube content, with the Banana-based interface proving to cumbersome, long-winded and reliant on content it thinks you want to watch.

Besides, the visual feedback element is also a trivial rudimentary, and arguably not as productive as it should be. The large case always used when highlighting was a smart display can do is the option to use a more visually robust recipe when cooking, with the user able to see ingredients and instructions easier, and navigate through the recipe with the use of vocalism commands. While this is possible, information technology is also a little slow in delivery and volition non suit those who are in demand of a more intuitive and flowing experience. Which is arguably the same point fabricated with the natural YouTube experience, as the two issues are non unrelated simply symptomatic of the user interface equally a whole – while information technology is capable of being controlled past the user's voice, about everything visually-related can exist done quicker and easier using your smartphone.

It's worth reiterating that the software faults mentioned here, are faults with the user interface experience on smart displays in general. These are not issues specific to the Link View or whatever other smart display for that matter, only instead, ALL smart displays. In improver, the experience is not terrible past any mensurate, it'southward only easier to highlight the limitations than it is the benefits. For example, the more continued a habitation is, the more useful a smart display becomes due to the Banana'southward ability to control compatible smart home products, and make use of routines. Although, in fairness, these are features that are relevant to the Assistant, and not smart displays. In other words, they are features just as easily accessible and useful on smart speakers, or even your phone.

Sound Quality

This is a JBL product and therefore does come up with an expectation of a skillful sound quality. Thankfully, it does live up to that expectation as the Link View is a very-good sounding product. At to the lowest degree, for a smart brandish as there are meliorate sounding JBL speakers you can buy for one-half the price of this unit. That distinction aside, and the sound quality is solid. JBL is packed the Link View with two two-inch full range drivers which although do suffer a little with a more squeezed audio, perform well under the circumstances. The sound is punchy plenty and the bass is relatively well accounted for – the Link View does suffer a lilliputian when the volume is running at maximum and bass-heavier songs are played. Distortion. Which is probably to be expected with a production like this equally while it tin connect to your smartphone and play your audio over Bluetooth, or directly play from the likes of Spotify and Google Play/YouTube Music, information technology's stance as a home speaker is limited compared to other more than speaker-centric products. For case, if someone is contemplating buying a smart display more to scout YouTube, engage with video calls, and control smart products while getting feedback from Google Banana, then they volition find the Link View a product rich in audio. And to be honest, this is a loud unit in full general. While ii x 10-watts sounds a piffling, information technology's more than most people volition realize and especially considering this is an RMS rating – a lot of other companies charge per unit their product's wattage at the "top" or "total" level so 10-watts RMS equates to a decent enough volume. For most people, and certainly those who primarily use this as a stationary kitchen unit, the volume will be more plenty, which in turn means the likelihood of hit a level that starts to add distortion will exist diminished greatly.

If you are looking for a comparison between the bass response on the Link View and the Lenovo Smart Display, and so at that place is no question the Link View is the ameliorate choice – every bit long is your bass is the preference as in spite of the bass limitations noted hither, the Link View leans more than heavily on the lower frequencies in general. To sum upwardly, it's a better-sounding unit of measurement than the Lenovo Smart Brandish simply if sound is all yous care about and then then in that location are better smart speakers bachelor for less money. An added caveat to that statement is how smart speakers typically allow you to but the audio through the use of an app-based EQ. As this is definitely what is missing from smart displays with the sound you go out of the box the only audio you take to play with. Let's confront information technology, though, if you're buying this, or whatever, smart brandish you are buying it for the display. For anyone wanting a more advanced setup, the old adage has never been truer – separates are better.

General Performance & Connectivity

When addressing the general performance information technology's important to divide the product from the interface as unlike other products, smart displays are very different in this respect. For example, the user interface is wearisome and amend-used when wanting quick/easy responses and/or actions completed – much similar they would exist with a smart speaker. Only when separating the product from the platform, at that place is very lilliputian to complain about. JBL has put together a very overnice-looking and sounding production which performs extremely well and is only limited by the general limitations of the Assistant-powered interface. There is nothing JBL has added here which does not perform well. In fact, in aspects like the privacy switch, JBL has added to the experience by providing a clearer and cleaner way to immediately know when the photographic camera is off. The same tin exist said for the speakers, which offering a amend experience overall.

There were likewise no bug noted with the connectivity either. This is a device which is capable of connecting to both 2.4 GHz and v GHz Wi-Fi networks and utilizes Bluetooth version 4.2 for boosted connections. Which means it'southward more than capable of connection to most networks and devices, and without consequence. If a user finds 1 GHz network is non so stable where the Link View is positioned, the support of the additional GHz network makes it easier to connect to the other and featherbed the network connectedness problem – in comparing to having to motion the unit to accommodate the Wi-Fi connection. Likewise, equally mentioned already this is a device which supports casting and this typically works swell, and were real added value can exist constitute with a user able to easily and quickly find the right video to lookout man and send it to the brandish – like they might with an Android Television receiver device or a Chromecast dongle. Although, the lack of support for casting from many popular third-party apps remains an issue.

Arguably, the display is ane of the major weaknesses every bit it'due south only a HD display, and so it'south not quite as well-baked every bit information technology could be or y'all might desire. Especially considering the Lenovo option comes with an FHD resolution. However, that FHD resolution offered by Lenovo is only available on the x-inch model, as the company's 8-inch version is also resigned to a Hard disk drive level. Making the two size-for-size comparable on this bespeak.

Wrap-up

Smart Displays remain to be a very early product line and this ways there are a number of limitations on what they tin can currently practice. Too as a general limitation on the choice available to consumers. Both Lenovo and JBL should be praised for backing the technology so early, and both offer a unique proposition in spite of the software experience being identical. Of the ii, JBL's selection is a better-designed production overall, due to information technology being more portable, and better balanced when information technology comes to the sound and video elements. Pound-for-pound JBL is charging more for its smart brandish but you are technically getting more for the coin, albeit beneath an exterior which some might detect a little too basic compared to Lenovo'southward more creative interpretation.

Buy JBL Link View