Google Nest Hub Max - Chalk

An excellent upgrade over the standard sized Google Nest Hub. Bear in mind that if you wish to use the camera as a Nest Camera, you will need to subscribe to Nest Aware to be able to keep video and events. If like me, you already have Nest cameras, it works out well. Also note, the camera does not have night vision, so it really isn't very functional at night unless you leave a light on for it. The sound quality is excellent and makes watching YouTube videos pleasant. But, remember, you can't watch Amazon Prime Video on it, so if you use that, you'll have to use another device.

I picked this up thinking "Max" meant it had a V8 engine under the hood, but it turns out it just means it's been eating its vegetables. The screen is gorgeous and the speakers actually have some kick, but the software is still running at the same "leisurely" pace as my smaller Nest Hubs. It's the same brain, just in a much larger body. That said, it has become the ultimate desk companion. It handles my constant stream of questions like a pro and pulls up videos without me having to sacrifice any real estate on my actual PC monitor—which, with my setup, is precious cargo. The best part? It actually knows its place. It picks up my voice in the office and stays quiet when I'm in another room, which is more than I can say for some people. If you want a big, beautiful screen for Gemini to show off on and you don't mind the "relaxed" software speed, this is a great choice. It does exactly what I need it to do—just with a bigger footprint!